Barry Manilow is one of those giant names in entertainment who doesn’t need any introduction. His countless hits, sung with that classic, velvety voice, have been the soundtrack for generations of music lovers. Manilow is one of the few veterans in the music business that continues to reach the top of the charts and sell millions with each new release, including his recent #1, “The Greatest Songs of the Fifties.”
In 1983, Manilow released his second greatest songs album that included important hits like “I Made It Through The Rain,” “Ships,” “Somewhere In The Night” and “The Old Songs.” “Greatest Hits Volume II” also saw the inclusion of three new tracks including “Read ‘Em and Weep,” a smash hit for the singer. Another new song, “Put a Quarter in the Juke-Box,” was a duet with country star Ronnie Milsap who, following in the footsteps of Kenny Rogers, was trying to cross-over into the pop world. Written by Manilow and produced with the late legendary Arif Mardin, “Put a Quarter in the Juke-Box” was an up-tempo pop ditty with a broadway-like melody and a breezy arrangement. David Foster appeared on the song adding his colorful touch by playing all the synthesizers. “Put a Quarter in the Juke-Box” marks Foster’s first collaboration with Manilow. They worked together again in 1992 when the singer sang Foster’s evergreen “The Best of Me” under his production. In recent years, Manilow has also been the headliner at a few of Foster’s important charity events.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/archives/clips/put_a_quarter_in_the_jukebox.mp3|titles=Put a quarter in the jukebox|artists=Barry Manilow & Ronnie Milsap]

Performed by Barry Manilow & Ronnie Milsap
Acoustic Piano: Barry Manilow
Yamaha JS-1 & All Synthesizers: David Foster
Guitar: Dan Huff
Bass: Neil Stubenhaus
Drums: Carlos Vega
Additional Synclavier: Bob Christianson
Simmons Drums Programmer: Reek Havoc
Tambourine: Joe Mardin
Background Vocals: Tom Kelly, Jon Joyce, Tom Funderburk & Barry Manilow
Produced & Arranged by Barry Manilow & Arif Mardin

Lyrics

Barry
She said she’d always love me She said she’d never leave me
Then I wake up this morning She’s gone without a warning
Ronnie
I know what you’ve been through, pal My woman left me, too, pal
I’m drinking to what used to be Here’s a toast the drink’s on me
Both:
What this joint needs is some music Someone put a quarter in the jukebox
And we’ll both forget about her Make the music louder
Someone put a quarter in the jukebox And we’ll sing our cares away
Tomorrow is another day
Barry
It feels just like a dream
We were such a winning team
Oh, I’m sure it’s true that love is blind
Cause leaving never crossed my mind
Ronnie
Another round on me, pal
I feel the same you see, pal
It’s hard to face this endless day
I’ve got to drink the hurt away
Both:
Hey this joint needs some more music
Someone put a quarter in the jukebox
And we’ll both forget about her
Make the music louder
Someone put a quarter in the jukebox
And we’ll sing our cares away
Tomorrow is another day
Barry
What’ll I do with the nights now that she’s gone
Ronnie
And what’ll I do when the nights go on and on and
Both:
Someone put a quarter in the jukebox
And we’ll both forget about her
Make the music louder
Someone put a quarter in the jukebox
And we’ll sing our cares away
Tomorrow is another day
Put a quarter in the jukebox
Both forget about her
Make the music louder
Someone put a quarter in the jukebox
And we’ll sing our cares away
Tomorrow is another day