Barry Manilow Bids An Emotional Farewell With “Once Before I Go”

There are few voices as instantly recognizable—and as glitteringly camp—as Barry Manilow’s. For LGBTQ+ fans, Manilow is more than just the “Copacabana” king; he’s a living bridge from the disco ballrooms of the 1970s to the Pride parades of today. With the release of “Once Before I Go,” Manilow doesn’t just say goodbye—he sways, sparkles, and serenades us with a bittersweet love letter to his audience, penned with the help of queer songwriting legends Peter Allen and Dean Pitchford and produced by R&B maestro Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds and Demonte Posey .

The single, available for preorder as a limited-edition 12" vinyl (just in time for holiday gifting), is the lead track from Manilow’s upcoming album"What A Time" . But make no mistake: this is no ordinary pop release. The song feels like a curtain call for a career built on resilience, reinvention, and, quietly but indelibly, queer joy.

“Once Before I Go” is not just a Manilow original—it’s a collaboration with two icons of queer songwriting: Peter Allen, whose flamboyant stage presence and open queerness made him a hero to generations, and Dean Pitchford, whose lyrical genius spans everything from “Fame” to “Footloose” . Allen’s legacy, in particular, is woven into the DNA of the song—a reminder that behind every show tune and power ballad, there’s often a queer story waiting to burst into the spotlight.

Manilow, who came out publicly in 2017 after decades of speculation and quiet support within the LGBTQ+ community, has always been more than the sum of his rhinestone jackets and torch songs. His music has provided the soundtrack for queer love stories hiding in plain sight—on dancefloors, in living rooms, and, for many, in their hearts.

The lyric video, streaming now, invites fans to sing along with Manilow’s signature blend of bravado and vulnerability . It’s a chance to join in on a chorus that feels both universal and intimately personal: “Once before I go, I want you to know / That I would do it all again.” It’s the kind of line that LGBTQ+ listeners, accustomed to fighting for their loves and their lives, can claim as an anthem.

Barry Manilow’s career is a testament to the power of perseverance—and to the quiet radicalism of living authentically, even when the world isn’t quite ready for you. For decades, Manilow’s songs have been coded love letters to a community that saw itself reflected in the longing and exuberance of his melodies. His coming out wasn’t just a personal milestone; it was a cultural moment that rippled through generations of fans who had danced, cried, and fallen in love to his music.

In an era when queer identity is increasingly visible in pop culture, Manilow’s new release feels like both a farewell and a homecoming. The production by Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, whose own career has crossed genre and community lines, adds soulful gloss to a song that’s already shimmering with emotion . The vinyl release, scheduled for December 1, promises to be a collector’s item—a tactile reminder of queer history pressed into wax .

For LGBTQ+ audiences, “Once Before I Go” is more than a goodbye—it’s a celebration of chosen family, hard-won love, and the power of music to heal and unite. Manilow’s legacy is stitched into the fabric of queer nightlife, from the fever dreams of Studio 54 to the rainbow-hued playlists of today’s drag brunches. To hear him croon about gratitude and longing is to be reminded of every friend who stood by you when the world turned away, every partner who loved you fiercely, every moment you claimed your space beneath the disco ball.

The song’s emotional resonance is amplified by its timing. As Manilow prepares to release"What A Time," the world feels poised between endings and beginnings—much like the queer community itself, which has weathered storms and celebrated victories in equal measure. “Once Before I Go” is a reminder that every goodbye contains a promise: that love endures, that stories matter, and that music is always waiting to carry us home.

Barry Manilow’s farewell is anything but final. With “Once Before I Go,” he’s given the LGBTQ+ community a gift—a chance to reflect, rejoice, and remember. The song’s soaring chorus and glittering production are a fitting tribute to a life lived in full color. As fans preorder the limited-edition vinyl and share the lyric video across social media, Manilow’s message is clear: “I would do it all again.”

For queer listeners, that promise is everything. It’s a reminder that our stories—no matter how quietly lived or loudly celebrated—are worthy of song. And as Manilow takes his bow, the echo of his voice lingers: a love letter, a memory, a glittering goodbye that’s really just another invitation to dance.