About the song

There are songs that you hear and songs that you feel. Barry Manilow’s “Some Good Things Never Last” belongs firmly to the latter — a quiet, heart-stirring ballad about love that slips away not because it failed, but because it simply ran its course. It’s not a song of anger or blame, but of bittersweet acceptance — the kind that comes when you realize that even beautiful things aren’t meant to last forever.

Released in the late 1980s, when Manilow was already an icon of heartfelt storytelling, “Some Good Things Never Last” reflects a maturity in both voice and emotion. Gone are the youthful declarations of “Mandy” or the cinematic longing of “Weekend in New England.” Here, Manilow’s delivery is gentler, almost conversational — as if he’s sitting beside you, quietly sharing a memory that still lingers in his heart.

The arrangement is simple yet haunting: soft piano chords, tender strings, and that unmistakable Manilow warmth that feels like the embrace of someone who’s been through it all. What makes the song so powerful isn’t its melody alone, but its honesty. It captures that universal moment when love fades, not because it wasn’t strong, but because life changes — and sometimes, even the most perfect story has to end.

You can feel every word in his phrasing — the slight catch in his voice, the whispered goodbye between the lines. It’s a song for anyone who’s ever held on a little too long, or let go too soon. And that’s the beauty of Barry Manilow: he never just sings about love — he sings through it, turning heartache into something achingly beautiful.

Listening to “Some Good Things Never Last” is like standing in the glow of a sunset you don’t want to end. You know it’s fading, but for those few moments, it’s all you need.

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