From the slums of Brooklyn to the collective unconscious in 80 million records.

From the slums of Brooklyn to the collective unconscious in 80 million records. STILETTO ENTERTAINMENT

Her name was Lola. She was a blogger. Sorry, always wanted to say that. Okay, she was a showgirl. And Rico wore a diamond, not a cubic zirconia. Then Rico shoots Tony, who’s in love with Lola, and 30 years later, Lola still mourns. We know the story of “Copacabana.” Even babies who can’t yet speak can sing it. But why? Why is this song lodged into the collective memory? Simply put, because Barry Manilow is blessed with a rare and powerful knack for melody and his voice is triple platinum. To date, the 71-year-old newlywed Manilow has sold more than 80 million records, with more than 50 Top 40 hits…

Trent Moorman—Stranger music columnist and Line Out blogger—has also written for Vice, Rolling Stone, Tape Op, Portland Mercury, The Jung Society Quarterly, and Thresholds Quarterly (School of Metaphysics)....