About the song

There’s something deeply human about “Leavin’ in the Morning.” Released in 1973 as part of Barry Manilow’s debut album, this song captures one of life’s most tender and painful moments—the quiet heartbreak of saying goodbye when love just can’t stay. Long before Barry became the world’s king of lush ballads and arena anthems, he was already telling intimate stories like this one: small, honest, and achingly real.

The song opens like dawn itself—soft, hesitant, uncertain. There’s no anger here, no dramatic farewell—just two people standing at the edge of something that’s ending, knowing that words can’t quite make it better. Barry sings it with a kind of quiet restraint that makes it all the more powerful. His voice doesn’t shout or plead; it simply feels. It carries the bittersweet tone of someone who understands that love, as beautiful as it is, sometimes asks us to let go.

Musically, “Leavin’ in the Morning” blends the tenderness of early 70s soft pop with the emotional storytelling that became Barry’s signature. The arrangement is simple—a gentle piano, a subtle rhythm section, and his unmistakable voice at the center, fragile yet full of soul. It’s that early Manilow sound before the orchestras and spotlight—just pure emotion in melody form.

Listening to this song today feels like stepping into an old photograph—a snapshot of a moment where love lingers in the air, even as it fades. It’s the kind of song you play when you’re not ready to move on, but you know you must. And in typical Barry Manilow fashion, he doesn’t just sing about heartbreak; he turns it into something beautifully human—a memory you can hold in your hands.

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