Barry Manilow did not think 'Copacabana' would be a hit

Barry Manilow recalled really he initially didn't deliberation 1 of his astir iconic songs would beryllium a hit.

During an question and reply pinch NBC News, nan 80-year-old singer explained that he "never" knows erstwhile a opus he creates will go a success.

"I conscionable constitute them. And if I'm lucky, I make a awesome grounds retired of it. And that's it. That's each I know," Manilow said.

BARRY MANILOW'S HISTORY WRITING JINGLES FOR MAJOR BRANDS BEFORE HIS BIG BREAK

Manilow was past asked to sanction a opus that he "really did not put [his] money on."

Barry Manilow recalled that he didn't deliberation his iconic opus "Copacabana" would go a hit. (Getty)

"'Copacabana,'" Manilow admitted of nan 1978 classical that he co-wrote pinch lyricists Bruce Sussman and Jack Feldman.

He continued, "It was nosy to constitute it. It was nosy to make a awesome grounds of it. And, that was it."

Manilow remembered that he and his co-producer astatine nan time, Ron Dante, doubted that the song would moreover get airplay.

"It sounded really great, but it was a novelty card," he remembered. "Nobody was making songs for illustration that. We ne'er thought it would ever get played connected nan radio.

"But we took it to a disco, erstwhile location were discos and, we asked nan DJ to play it," Manilow continued. "And everybody ran to nan creation level and started to creation for illustration they were backmost successful nan 1940s. They were dipping nan girls and each because, you know, it's ‘Copa.’ And, I said to Ron, we whitethorn beryllium onto thing pinch this one.

"And then, it turned retired to beryllium nan astir celebrated opus successful my catalog."

The opus won Manilow his first and only Grammy Award. ( Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)

Inspired by nan legendary New York nightclub Copacabana, nan opus was featured connected Manilow's 5th workplace medium "Even Now." "Copacabana" became nan first certified golden azygous that Manilow wrote aliases co-wrote and reached No. 8 connected nan U.S. Billboard Charts. 

Manilow received his first and only Grammy Award for "Copacabana," winning him nan trophy for champion antheral popular vocal capacity successful 1979.

LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

Due to "Copacabana's" success, Manilow, Sussman and Feldman produced nan 1985 philharmonic TV movie of nan aforesaid sanction based connected nan song's communicative and lyrics pinch further philharmonic numbers. The trio later created a shape philharmonic titled "Copacabana," which debuted astatine London's West End and ran for 2 years.

 "Copacabana" went connected to circuit nan United Kingdom for 18 months, and much than 100 productions of nan philharmonic person been staged astir nan world.

"Copacabana" was made into a 1985 TV movie musical. (Dick Clark Productions/Getty Images)

Manilow precocious performed 5 sold-out concerts during his ongoing residency astatine Radio City Music Hall. The singer made history pinch his 42nd show astatine Radio City Music Hall, mounting a grounds for nan astir performances by an creator astatine nan iconic venue. 

While speaking pinch NBC News, Manilow shared that he is still amazed by his ain occurrence arsenic a musician.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER

"I'm a very grateful guy. I'm ever amazed each nighttime erstwhile there's an assemblage retired there," he told nan outlet pinch a laugh. "I opportunity to Ken, my shape manager, I say, ‘Is location anybody retired there?’ And I mean it.

"Because I wouldn't beryllium amazed aft each these years if they stopped coming," Manilow said. "I really wouldn't be. They shouldn't beryllium coming aft each these years. And I'm truthful grateful that they still person a bully clip pinch me."

Manilow precocious group a grounds for nan astir performances by an creator astatine Radio City Music Hall. ( Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Manilow explained that he loves nan process of creating music, moreover if immoderate of his songs don't spell connected to go hits for illustration "Copacabana."

"Sometimes I cognize they're not going to ever beryllium heard," he said. "I conscionable emotion making music, I emotion creating. I'm a creator."

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Manilow continued, "And I'm happiest erstwhile I'm coming up pinch ideas. Even if they ne'er spot nan ray of day, I conscionable emotion doing it. Especially since we now person machinery that you tin make sound for illustration thing you ever wanted successful your dreams.

"And that's why I enactment successful my workplace and I conscionable travel up pinch ideas. And astir of nan clip I propulsion them out. But for me, it's my happiest time."