About the song
Title: Rediscovering Friendship and Heartache in Barry Manilow’s “Some Kind of Friend”
There’s a certain ache in Barry Manilow’s music that feels both familiar and comforting — a mix of tender reflection and the quiet storm of emotion that comes from looking back on what could have been. In “Some Kind of Friend,” Manilow captures that bittersweet blend with his trademark sincerity, wrapping deep emotion in smooth pop craftsmanship. Released during a period when his sound was evolving beyond the grand ballads that made him famous, this song stands as a reminder that Manilow could balance catchy melodies with genuine storytelling.
From the very first lines, “Some Kind of Friend” paints a portrait of confusion and longing. It’s a story about a relationship that blurs the line between love and friendship, where two people drift into emotional territory they never intended to explore. Manilow doesn’t deliver the song as a cry of heartbreak, but rather as a conversation — thoughtful, questioning, and tinged with regret. His vocal performance is grounded and sincere, pulling listeners into the uneasy space between connection and loss.
Musically, the song carries the hallmarks of Manilow’s early-80s style: polished production, layered harmonies, and a rhythm section that gives the track a touch of contemporary energy without sacrificing its emotional core. The arrangement is crisp yet warm, allowing his voice to take center stage — strong, expressive, and unmistakably human. Beneath the polished pop surface, there’s a deeper pulse: the recognition that even the best intentions in relationships can lead to heartbreak when boundaries fade.
What makes “Some Kind of Friend” enduring is its emotional honesty. Manilow doesn’t reach for melodrama; instead, he sings with the weariness of someone who has loved and lost enough to understand the quiet pain of emotional missteps. It’s a song that resonates with anyone who has ever tried to hold onto something that wasn’t meant to last — not because of betrayal or anger, but because of the inevitable distance between two hearts moving at different speeds.
Decades later, Barry Manilow – Some Kind of Friend remains a testament to his skill as both a storyteller and a musician. It reminds us that sometimes, the hardest part of love isn’t saying goodbye — it’s realizing that someone you care about deeply was never meant to be more than just some kind of friend.