Brandy - Scott English (original Version Of Mandy - Barry Manilow) Apr 2026

: Scott English initially "hated" the changes Manilow made, but he grew to love the version because the massive royalties "bought him houses".

: The song found a new generation of fans in 2003 when the Irish boyband Westlife released their version, reaching #1 in the UK.

: It became Barry Manilow's first #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in January 1975. : Scott English initially "hated" the changes Manilow

: English has since clarified that the song was actually inspired by his own life, specifically the fear and vulnerability he felt about leaving his first wife. The "face through a window" mentioned in the lyrics refers to his father. Chart Impact and Legacy

Before it became Barry Manilow’s career-launching ballad, "" began its life as a faster-paced rock-pop track titled " Brandy ," written and recorded by American musician Scott English in 1971 . While English’s version was a top 20 hit in the UK, it was Manilow’s reimagining that turned it into a global classic. The Evolution from "Brandy" to "Mandy" : English has since clarified that the song

: Scott English admitted he fabricated the dog story to get a pestering reporter off the phone.

: Manilow’s version omitted two lines from the fourth verse: "Riding on a country bus / No one even noticed us" . The Myth of the Dog While English’s version was a top 20 hit

: When Clive Davis suggested Manilow record the song in 1974, they changed the title to "Mandy" to avoid confusion with the popular Looking Glass hit, "Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl)" .