Barry Manilow’s version of “I Wanna Be Loved By You” is a charming, classy, and playfully nostalgic take on one of the most iconic songs of the 20th century. Best known as the signature tune of Marilyn Monroe from the 1959 film Some Like It Hot, this flirty jazz-pop classic was originally written in 1928 by Herbert Stothart, Harry Ruby, and Bert Kalmar. When Manilow included it on his 2006 album The Greatest Songs of the Fifties, he wasn’t just covering a standard — he was bringing his signature warmth and polish to a beloved cultural touchstone.
Unlike the breathy, coquettish delivery Marilyn made famous, Barry approaches the song with a smooth, lounge-style confidence. He doesn’t try to imitate Monroe’s sultry appeal — instead, he reinvents the tune through a masculine, debonair lens that feels both timeless and fresh. It’s playful, but never campy; respectful of the original, yet infused with Manilow’s charm and vocal finesse.
The arrangement is a standout: light, jazzy, and reminiscent of a mid-century nightclub performance. Brushed drums, upright bass, and tinkling piano keys provide a toe-tapping swing, while subtle horns and background vocals add layers of richness. The production is crisp and clean — classic in spirit, but modern in execution — giving the track a vintage vibe without sounding dated.
Lyrically, “I Wanna Be Loved By You” is as simple as it is irresistible. “I wanna be loved by you, just you / And nobody else but you” — the repeated refrain is sweet, catchy, and delightfully direct. The song doesn’t deal in heartbreak or melodrama; it’s flirtation in musical form, perfect for wooing someone across a candlelit table or serenading with a wink. Barry captures this essence beautifully, delivering the lyrics with a twinkle in his voice and just the right amount of theatrical flair.
Vocally, Manilow is in his element. His tone is smooth and confident, and he plays with the rhythm and inflection just enough to give the song personality without straying too far from its roots. It’s this balance — between homage and originality — that makes his version so enjoyable. He respects the nostalgia, but he also knows how to make it his own.
“I Wanna Be Loved By You” might not be the emotional powerhouse that some of Manilow’s ballads are, but that’s not its purpose. It’s a lighthearted interlude, a nod to a glamorous, romantic era of music and film. It shows that Manilow, often celebrated for his tearjerkers and torch songs, also knows how to have fun — and how to bring a smile to the listener’s face with a little swing and sparkle.
In short, Barry Manilow’s take on “I Wanna Be Loved By You” is a delightful blend of old-school charm and modern smoothness — a flirtatious wink to the past, delivered with love, elegance, and unmistakable Manilow magic.
