About the song

There’s a special kind of song that feels like a farewell letter — not one written in haste or sorrow, but with grace, gratitude, and quiet understanding. Barry Manilow’s “Once Before I Go” is exactly that kind of song. It’s not just about saying goodbye; it’s about saying thank you — to love, to memories, to life itself.

Released in the early 1980s, during a period when Manilow’s artistry had fully matured, this ballad stands as one of his most emotional performances. It’s often seen as his personal goodbye to the stage — a reflection on the journey of an artist who gave everything to his music and his audience. But beneath that, it’s universal. It speaks to anyone who’s ever reached a point of farewell, looking back with tenderness instead of regret.

From the opening piano notes, you can sense the weight of reflection. The melody unfolds gently, wrapped in that signature Manilow warmth — a mix of melancholy and hope that somehow makes sadness feel beautiful. His voice carries the emotion of someone who’s lived every word: “Once before I go, I want you to know that I would do it all again.” It’s one of those lines that stops time — a confession, a promise, and a soft goodbye all at once.

What makes “Once Before I Go” timeless is its truth. It’s not about endings at all, but about the power of connection — how love and gratitude outlast everything else. Listening to it feels like standing in the glow of stage lights just before they fade, or watching someone wave from a train window, smiling through tears.

Few artists can turn goodbye into something that feels this full of life. But Barry Manilow always could. And “Once Before I Go” is him — honest, heartfelt, and unforgettable.

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