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

For years, an urban legend persisted that the song was about a favorite dog.

: 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

: 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 For years, an urban legend persisted that the

: It became Barry Manilow's first #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in January 1975.

: 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)" . The "face through a window" mentioned in the

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

Watch these videos to hear the contrast between the original rock-inspired version and the famous ballad version: : Scott English admitted he fabricated the dog

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"