It's been almost 40 years since Melissa Manchester's massive chart-topper "Midnight Blue" made her a household name and launched a string of hit singles, including "Don't Cry Out Loud," "Through the Eyes of Love" and "You Should Hear How She Talks About You." Not only has Manchester released more than a dozen studio albums, she has also written hit songs for others, such as "Come in from the Rain." One of the original members of Bette Midler's Harlettes, Manchester has also acted on stage and screen. Her latest independently released album You Gotta Love the Life (Long Run Entertainment) finds the singer/songwriter touching on various musical styles and collaborating with a stellar roster of guest artists.
Gregg Shapiro: What was involved in the process of selecting songs, both originals and covers, for You Gotta Love the Life?
Melissa Manchester: The covers we've been working on onstage for a while. That's where I work on the shape and arrangements of songs. The original songs came from a variety of emotional sources. I had been going through dramatic changes in the last couple of years. "The Other One" and "No There There" are about that. My friends Steve and Bill were finally allowed to marry, and I wrote "You Are My Heart" in tribute to their marriage after so many years of being together.
There are some interesting influences on the album, including the blues and Latin music.
There's a wide variety of styles of music that appeal to me. Historically, record companies really don't want you to have a wide variety. It helps them to categorize you and sell you down one path. I always found that nutty and restrictive. Now that I'm an independent artist and I have the platform to share my musical interests. it showed up that way.
Were you aware that you and your old compatriot Bette Midler would both be covering "Be My Baby" on your new albums?
I had no idea! The thing is, that the song is brilliant. It was the 50th anniversary of "Be My Baby," and it seemed appropriate.
You have a wonderful array of guest artists on the album, including Al Jarreau on "Big Light," Dionne Warwick and Joe Sample on "Other End of the Phone," Keb' Mo' on "Feelin' for You," Stevie Wonder on "Your Love Is Where I Live" and Dave Koz on "Claudia."
I have history with all of these artists. It was beautiful to acknowledge their contributions to the musical lexicon. I was very honored by them wanting to join me on this journey.
"Other End of the Phone" was co-written with the late Hal David. How did that come about?
I was at a New Year's Eve party, and Hal was sitting right next to me. One thing led to another, and I asked him if he still wrote, and he said yes. I went to visit him at his beautiful apartment. I asked him about his songwriting process, and he asked about mine. I told him how songs often come out of conversations, or somebody shows up with an idea. I asked, "Do you have an idea?"
When I read "Other End of the Phone," I started to hear the music. I channeled Dionne's [Warwick] voice singing it. The topping on that particular ice cream sundae is that Joe Sample played piano. I'd been trying to work with Joe for more than 30 years, but he's a busy guy.
What would it mean to you have "You Are My Heart" become a same-sex wedding staple?
One of these days, God willing, it'll just be a wedding staple! Historically, this is such a vibrant moment of evolution. I hope it's performed at many weddings for same-sex couples. I hope people see it as a dream come true and that the song helps to honor people's walk towards a promise fulfilled.