For years, an urban legend persisted that the song was about a favorite dog.

: The original by Scott English was more "rock and roll" and uptempo. Manilow and producer Ron Dante initially struggled with it until Manilow sat at the piano and slowed it down, finding the "love song hiding" within the arrangement.

: The song found a new generation of fans in 2003 when the Irish boyband Westlife released their version, reaching #1 in the UK.

: English has since clarified that the song was actually inspired by his own life, specifically the fear and vulnerability he felt about leaving his first wife. The "face through a window" mentioned in the lyrics refers to his father. Chart Impact and Legacy

Watch these videos to hear the contrast between the original rock-inspired version and the famous ballad version:

: Scott English initially "hated" the changes Manilow made, but he grew to love the version because the massive royalties "bought him houses".

: It became Barry Manilow's first #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in January 1975.

: Scott English admitted he fabricated the dog story to get a pestering reporter off the phone.