First of all, I've been having a wonderful run of luck with cover albums, songs I didn't write. I had five pop cover albums and two Christmas albums, and they were all very successful.

The quote "First of all, I've been having a wonderful run of luck with cover albums, songs I didn't write. I had five pop cover albums and two Christmas albums, and they were all very successful." by Barry Manilow reflects on the success he experienced with his cover albums. Manilow, a legendary singer and songwriter, acknowledges his success with albums that feature songs written by other artists rather than his own compositions. These cover albums, including both pop and Christmas albums, became major hits, showcasing his ability to reinterpret and bring his unique style to existing songs.

The mention of having five pop cover albums and two Christmas albums highlights the broad appeal of Manilow’s approach to music, where he took well-known tracks and made them his own. His skill in transforming these songs led to commercial success, demonstrating his versatility as an artist. The success of these albums also underscores how covering popular songs can be a successful strategy for artists to connect with both new audiences and longtime fans.

In this quote, Manilow also reflects on what he perceives as a "run of luck"—a period of time where his cover albums resonated well with listeners and achieved critical and commercial success. His recognition of this success as luck suggests a level of humility, acknowledging that the outcome of these projects, while underpinned by his talent, was partly due to timing, circumstances, and audience reception.

Ultimately, the quote sheds light on Manilow's career during a period when he was able to leverage the appeal of familiar songs to achieve a successful series of albums. It also speaks to the broader phenomenon of cover albums and how they can be a key aspect of an artist’s legacy, especially when they are able to breathe new life into well-loved classics.