Barry Manilow’s latest single, the poignant “Once Before I Go,” enters Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart (dated Feb. 7). The song starts at No. 30, up 23% to 94,000 in audience via plays on 25 stations Jan. 23-29, according to Luminate.
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The legendary entertainer extends his AC chart history to more than half a century — 51 years and three months — since he first appeared on the list dated Nov. 7, 1974, with his breakout ballad “Mandy.” That classic also marked his first ink on any Billboard chart.
“Mandy” became Manilow’s first of 13 AC No. 1s, the third-best total in the chart’s history, which dates to its July 17, 1961, start. Elton John leads with 18 No. 1s, followed by the Carpenters with 15.
Manilow boasts 28 AC top 10s, among 53 total entries. Until this week, he last reached the chart with his cover of Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” which hit No. 14 in December 2023.
Acclaimed songwriters Peter Allen and Dean Pitchford co-penned “Once Before I Go,” which Allen (who died in 1992) recorded in 1983 — and sent to No. 26 on AC that October. Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds and Demonte Posey co-produced Manilow’s version.
Manilow, 82, has shows scheduled between Feb. 27 and April 29, having recently announced six new dates. Shortly before Christmas, he revealed that he had been diagnosed with stage one lung cancer. A post on his official Instagram account Jan. 13 stated that “Barry is feeling great,” while a press release noted that an “operation went well and his medical team is optimistic.”
All Billboard charts dated Feb. 7 will update on Billboard.com Tuesday, Feb. 3.
