Actorman
Well-Known Member
I’ve always enjoyed both the Carpenters’ and Barry Manilow’s versions of “Tryin’ To Get The Feeling Again” but I never sat down and really looked at how different they are lyrically. Other than the chorus, they are like two completely different songs!
The interesting thing is, according to the liner notes in “Interpretations,” Richard and Karen recorded the song first and so I assume that their version contains the original lyrics. For whatever reason, the songwriter, Barry or Barry’s “people” almost completely rewrote the thing for Barry’s version.
Here’s a side by side comparison…
Karen’s first verse:
At any moment he’ll be walking through that door
But he won’t find me behind it
‘Cause the feeling is gone and it just won’t come back anymore
I worked so hard to find it
Barry’s first verse:
Doctor, my woman is coming back home late today
Could you maybe give me something?
‘Cause the feeling is gone and I must get it back right away.
Before she sees that
The chorus is basically identical other than the gender change:
I’ve been up, down, tryin’ to get the feeling again
All around, tryin’ to get the feeling again
The one that made me shiver, made my knees start to quiver every time he/she walked in
And I’ve looked high, low, everywhere I possibly can
But there’s no tryin’ to get the feeling again
It seemed to disappear as fast as it came
Then Karen’s version goes into this bridge that isn’t in Barry’s version:
I’ve read every book, looked through every meditation and poem
Just to bring home that old sweet sensation
But it ain’t no use to me to try to get the feeling again
Karen’s second verse:
When did it leave me?
How did I come to miss you?
Such a beautiful burning
But baby believe me, I’ve done everything I can do
But somehow it’s not returning
Barry’s second verse:
Where did it run to?
I thought I’d done all that I could just to keep the love light burning
But whatever I’ve done, I guess I just haven’t done it too good
‘Cause all that’s left is yearning.
Barry repeats the original chorus again:
I’ve been up, down, tryin’ to get the feeling again
All around, tryin’ to get the feeling again
The one that made me shiver, made my knees start to quiver every time she walked in
Karen’s chorus this time has some alternate lyrics, goes into the bridge again, then repeats:
I’ve been up, down, tryin’ to get the feeling again
Like a bloodhound, searching for a long lost friend
Could you help me rediscover the way to re-be his lover once again
I’ve read every book, looked for every meditation and poem
Just to bring home that old sweet sensation
But it ain’t no use to me to try to get the feeling
I want to get that feeling again
Would you help me rediscover the way to re-be his lover once again?
I’ve read every book, looked for every meditation and poem
Just to bring home that old sweet sensation
But it ain’t no use to me to try to get the feeling
I want to get that feeling again
Barry (after a tempo and key change) simply repeats the same old chorus yet again then goes into his big dramatic ending:
And I’ve looked high and low and everywhere I possibly can
But there’s no tryin’ to get the feeling again
It seemed to disappear as fast as it came
And I’ve been looking, I been looking, I been looking
I’ve been up and down and tryin’ to get the feeling
I’ve been up, I’ve been down, I’ve been trying to get
I’ve been trying, I’ve been trying, I’ve been trying to get the feeling
I’ve been trying to get the feeling again
I want to get that feeling
I want to get that feeling
I got to get that feeling
I got to get that feeling again and again and again…..
I find it really interesting to see all the changes that were made, especially since I think the original lyrics (Karen’s version) are actually better than the rewritten ones for Barry, which ultimately became the definitive (“hit”) version of the song. I would love to know what prompted all the revisions and especially the deletion of the bridge which is actually my favorite part of the song!
I’m curious to know other's thoughts and opinions on the differences between the two versions. (And remember, I’m talking about the SONG itself, not Karen or Barry’s performances.)
Scott
The interesting thing is, according to the liner notes in “Interpretations,” Richard and Karen recorded the song first and so I assume that their version contains the original lyrics. For whatever reason, the songwriter, Barry or Barry’s “people” almost completely rewrote the thing for Barry’s version.
Here’s a side by side comparison…
Karen’s first verse:
At any moment he’ll be walking through that door
But he won’t find me behind it
‘Cause the feeling is gone and it just won’t come back anymore
I worked so hard to find it
Barry’s first verse:
Doctor, my woman is coming back home late today
Could you maybe give me something?
‘Cause the feeling is gone and I must get it back right away.
Before she sees that
The chorus is basically identical other than the gender change:
I’ve been up, down, tryin’ to get the feeling again
All around, tryin’ to get the feeling again
The one that made me shiver, made my knees start to quiver every time he/she walked in
And I’ve looked high, low, everywhere I possibly can
But there’s no tryin’ to get the feeling again
It seemed to disappear as fast as it came
Then Karen’s version goes into this bridge that isn’t in Barry’s version:
I’ve read every book, looked through every meditation and poem
Just to bring home that old sweet sensation
But it ain’t no use to me to try to get the feeling again
Karen’s second verse:
When did it leave me?
How did I come to miss you?
Such a beautiful burning
But baby believe me, I’ve done everything I can do
But somehow it’s not returning
Barry’s second verse:
Where did it run to?
I thought I’d done all that I could just to keep the love light burning
But whatever I’ve done, I guess I just haven’t done it too good
‘Cause all that’s left is yearning.
Barry repeats the original chorus again:
I’ve been up, down, tryin’ to get the feeling again
All around, tryin’ to get the feeling again
The one that made me shiver, made my knees start to quiver every time she walked in
Karen’s chorus this time has some alternate lyrics, goes into the bridge again, then repeats:
I’ve been up, down, tryin’ to get the feeling again
Like a bloodhound, searching for a long lost friend
Could you help me rediscover the way to re-be his lover once again
I’ve read every book, looked for every meditation and poem
Just to bring home that old sweet sensation
But it ain’t no use to me to try to get the feeling
I want to get that feeling again
Would you help me rediscover the way to re-be his lover once again?
I’ve read every book, looked for every meditation and poem
Just to bring home that old sweet sensation
But it ain’t no use to me to try to get the feeling
I want to get that feeling again
Barry (after a tempo and key change) simply repeats the same old chorus yet again then goes into his big dramatic ending:
And I’ve looked high and low and everywhere I possibly can
But there’s no tryin’ to get the feeling again
It seemed to disappear as fast as it came
And I’ve been looking, I been looking, I been looking
I’ve been up and down and tryin’ to get the feeling
I’ve been up, I’ve been down, I’ve been trying to get
I’ve been trying, I’ve been trying, I’ve been trying to get the feeling
I’ve been trying to get the feeling again
I want to get that feeling
I want to get that feeling
I got to get that feeling
I got to get that feeling again and again and again…..
I find it really interesting to see all the changes that were made, especially since I think the original lyrics (Karen’s version) are actually better than the rewritten ones for Barry, which ultimately became the definitive (“hit”) version of the song. I would love to know what prompted all the revisions and especially the deletion of the bridge which is actually my favorite part of the song!
I’m curious to know other's thoughts and opinions on the differences between the two versions. (And remember, I’m talking about the SONG itself, not Karen or Barry’s performances.)
Scott