By admin 
About the song
A Song for Humanity: The Enduring Hope of Barry Manilow – If We Only Have Love
There are songs that comfort, songs that inspire, and songs that remind us of our shared humanity. Barry Manilow – If We Only Have Love is all three. In this timeless piece, Manilow captures something rare — a vision of a world built on empathy, courage, and understanding. The song, originally penned by Jacques Brel and adapted into English by Eric Blau and Mort Shuman, finds new emotional life in Manilow’s interpretation, where every line feels deeply personal and profoundly universal.
From the opening chords, there’s a quiet dignity that surrounds the performance. Manilow’s voice — warm, honest, and filled with conviction — draws the listener in gently, like a storyteller speaking to the heart rather than the ear. His phrasing is deliberate and tender, giving each word time to breathe and resonate. “If we only have love,” he sings, not as a simple sentiment, but as a statement of truth — that love, in its purest form, remains the most powerful force for good we possess.
What makes this rendition so compelling is its sincerity. Manilow doesn’t approach the song as a pop entertainer but as a messenger. Through his delivery, he seems to invite the audience into a quiet reflection: What would the world look like if we truly lived by the words of this song? The arrangement, understated yet moving, supports that reflection beautifully — soft piano lines, subtle strings, and moments of stillness that allow emotion to rise naturally.
As the song builds toward its conclusion, there’s an unmistakable sense of hope — not the naïve kind, but the kind forged from compassion and experience. It’s as if Manilow is reminding us that despite everything — the divisions, the noise, the uncertainty — love is still the one constant that binds us all.
In the end, Barry Manilow – If We Only Have Love stands as more than just a performance; it’s a prayer for unity, a hymn for humanity, and a gentle reminder that no matter how dark the world may seem, love remains our truest light.