CAFFE` LATTE` TOP 2000 TRACKS

THE TOP 100

#27 COULD IT BE MAGIC

DONNA SUMMER

(1976)

Writers: Barry Manilow & Afrienne Anderson
 

In what seemed an unlikely source of material, Donna Summer's cover turned the Barry Manilow song into a sultry disco ballad. "Could It Be Magic" was based on Frederic Chopin's 'Prelude In C MInor'. Manilow created a beautiful new arrangement with help from songwriter Adrienne Anderson. The track was included on his 1973 self-titled debut album. In 1975, it was re-released and his time reached the Top 10 in America and Canada. The following year, Summer recorded her remake for the 1976 album 'A Love Trilogy'. 
On "Could It Be Magic", the rising disco star further explored the genre after her breakthrough success the previous year with the classic single "Love To Love You Baby" . The track was recorded at Musicland Studios in Munich, Germany. Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte co-produced. 
The single featured an edited version of the 5+ minute album track. It reached the Top 5 in the Netherlands and #3 on the US Disco chart. The disc also made the Top 40 in Britain, Austria and Germany. "Could It Be Magic" no doubt helped propel its parent album to #1 in Italy and Spain. 
In 1993, the song returned to the world charts thanks to a catchy cover by British boyband Take That. The group's remake was a major hit in Europe and peaked at #3 in the UK. That same year, Manilow re-recorded the song for his compilation album 'Greatest Hits The Platinum Collection'.
His "Could It Be Magic" co-writer Anderson went on to pen other songs; including "I Go To Rio" with Australian Peter Allen who reached #1 with his version in his country of origin. She also co-wrote "Deja Vu", for Dionne Warwick, with Isaac Hayes. 

This is a list made up of the songs I enjoy the most, ranked in order of preference: the higher we go, the more I cherish them. Some were released as singles, others as album tracks. Some are obscure; others were worldwide hits or have universal appeal. They aren't always the most famous or popular, but simply a personal choice. I have excluded songs from the last few years in order to get a better idea of a song's lasting impression. I hope you find some new tracks to love, or re-discover some past favourites. 
Each week, 2 new songs from the remaining Top 100 are added, while another 2 are also included from positions 1501-2000 on the other weekdays. Check back here  for an update of the 2000.