I Write The Songs
Going Public cover

"I Write The Songs"

(Bruce Johnston)Bruce Johnston song
Album: Going Public (1977)
Listen to the Bruce Johnston version: Youtube, SpotifyFirst version released: The Captain & Tenille (1975)Covers: 77

Bruce's Grammy-award winning hit, made famous by Barry Manilow. The first versions were by The Captain & Tennille and David Cassidy, both produced by Bruce himself. It since has become a standard, with even Sinatra performing a version.


Studio coversLive coversSamplesBeach Boys & solo versionMedleys"Bedroom" covers
ShowShowShowShowShowShow
HideHideHideHideHideHide
Artist Album Year ListenNotes
Thomas AndersLive In Chile1994Live recording
Julie AnthonySomething Special1978YoutubePop cover
Aparisi
(covered as "Mi Primera Canción")		Mi Primera Canción1976YoutubeSpanish lyrics by Antonio Martínez Hernández and Carlos Ramón
John ArpinI Write The Songs1977
Peter Belli
(covered as "Du Er Min Sang")		Sådan Som Du Er1979Danish lyrics by Keld Heick.
Aniko Benkö
(covered as "Ein Kleines Lied")		Ein Kleines Lied single1976German lyrics by Robert Jung
Big DaddyWhat Really Happened To The Band Of '591985Youtube, SpotifyNovelty doo-wop cover. Appeared on the Dancing In The Dark / I Write The Songs EP in 1985, which went to number 21 in the UK charts.
BlåspopparnaThe Start Of Something Big1978
The Bobby Patrick BandWarm Sounds1980
The BokenjoTomorrow1978
Boots RandolphSax Appeal1977
Captain & Tennille
(covered as "Es La Canción")		Por Amor Viviremos1975Spanish lyrics
Captain & TennilleLove Will Keep Us Together1975YoutubeFirst released version of the track
David Michael CassRomantic Piano single1998
David CassidyThe Higher Thy Climb1975Youtube, SpotifyFirst version released as a single, this went to #11 in the UK charts. It was produced by Bruce and featured Carl on vocals.
Rev. James Cleveland"Live" At Carnegie Hall1977YoutubeLive ("Live"?) gospel recording, 9 minutes long and with new, Christian lyrics
Ray ConniffI Write The Songs1976Youtube, SpotifyEasy listening cover
Sammy Davis Jr.In Person '771977YoutubeLive big band cover
Barry De VorzonNadia's Theme (The Young And The Restless)1976
Lenny DeeTake It To The Limit1976
C. L. DelMastroPiano Memories2002Solo piano instrumental
Sacha DistelLove Is All1976
Ediva
(covered as "Ti Scriverò Una Canzone")		Il Mio Cantante Preferito EP1976YoutubeItalian lyrics by Daiano
Don Estelle with Sir Cyril SmithThe Trail Of The Lonesome Pine EP1999Youtube, SpotifyCrooner cover.
Attila FiasYesterday Once More2004Youtube, SpotifySolo piano instrumental
The Fifty GuitarsThe Return Of The Fifty Guitars1976
Ford & AngelYou Can't Have Everything1977
The Four Aces20 Hits1983Youtube, SpotifyVocal quartet cover
Mac Frampton
(covered as "To Music - I Write The Songs")		Ivory Roads1978This version also has credit to Franz Schubert.
GreenageBack In Blue1981
Tadao Hayashi
(covered as "I Write A Song")		Finger Trip II1979Harp instrumental
Richard Hayman and His Symphony OrchestraLove Is Blue - Music For Lonely Lovers1990Youtube, SpotifyOrchestral instrumental
High School Of Commerce, Ottawa, OntarioCelebration '79: Fifty Years In Song1979
Jerry HittThis Is My Life1976Youtube, SpotifyLounge vocal cover
JoelThis Is My First Album... Hopefully Not My Last1976
Tom JonesThe Ultimate Collection1997YoutubeLive versions of this song appear on various compilations. I'm not aware of a studio version.
Paula Kelly And The ModernairesA Tribute To Glenn MillerYoutube, SpotifyDespite both being acts known for their vocals, this is an entirely instrumental cover.
Lars Lönndahl
(covered as "Det Finns En Sång")		Det Finns En Sång1977Swedish lyrics by Östen Warnerbring.
Don LaneHi, I'm Don Lane
James LastLast The Whole Night Long1979Youtube, SpotifyTruncated easy listening version
Morgan Lee JamesMorgan Lee James1979
Leroy Lewis with Willis RappGetting It All Together At The Lighthouse Inn1976Instrumental
Lill-Babs
(covered as "Du Skrev En Sång")		Lev Män'ska Lev1976Youtube, SpotifySwedish lyrics by Christer Wickman
The Living StringsWhen We Touch1979
Vera LynnThank You For The Music1979
Henry ManciniMoods & Melodies1984Youtube, SpotifyEasy listening cover
Barry Manilow
(covered as "Soy La Cancion, Soy La Cancion")		Grandes Exitos En Español1985YoutubeSpanish lyrics
Barry ManilowTryin' To Get The Feeling1975Youtube, SpotifyGrammy award winning chart topping single.
Mantovani And His OrchestraMantovani Orchestra1981YoutubeOrchestral cover
Johnny MathisI Only Have Eyes For You1976Youtube, SpotifyCrooning cover
Me First & The Gimme GimmesBarry single1997Youtube, SpotifyPunk rock cover
David Moreland
(covered as "Ein Kleines Lied")		Das Wär Was Für Mich single1976German lyrics by Robert Jung.
Jim NaborsSincerely1977
Mari NakamotoLove Touch1978
The New Reflections OrchestraSounds Beautiful1985
Des O'ConnerWhat I Did For Love1976Youtube, SpotifyCrooner cover, also released as a single.
James PeglerFor The Good Times1977
Houston PersonHarmony1977
Eva Pilarová
(covered as "Song Má Se Hrát")		Jsem Tu A Zpívám1979YoutubeCzech cover, with lyrics by Zdeněk Borovec.
The Porter Music Box CompanyEasy Listening Favorites No. 11992Youtube, SpotifyEasy listening music box instrumental
The Sentimental Strings OrchestraContemporary Classics1999
Dinah ShoreDinah!1976Youtube, SpotifyVocal pop cover
Keith SimonKeith Simon1977
Frank Sinatra
(covered as "I Sing The Songs")		I Sing The Songs single1976YoutubeCovered in traditional Sinatra-style, with some lyrical alterations - he doesn't sing about making any rock and roll.
Paul SmithThe Ballad TouchInstrumental
Tony SoraciTony Soraci1977
Sounds Of SunshineThe Best Years Of Our Lives1976
Teddy & NanciTogether1976
UnknownYou Light Up My Life1978
UnknownThe Enchanted Organ Plays1977
UnknownDance Aerobics1981Apparently a good song to stretch to
Unknown20 Beautiful Ballads1980
Vienna Symphony OrchestraVienna Symphony Orchestra1996
Whispering BandWhispering Band1982
Andy WilliamsAndy1976Youtube, SpotifyEasy listening cover
Klaus WunderlichWunderlich Pops ''International'' 21976YoutubeElectric organ instrumental
The Young Lovers50 Ways To Leave Your Lover1976
Is there a cover of "I Write The Songs" missing? Please get in touch.