When Manfred Mann released Pretty Flamingo on 15 April 1966, they delivered one of their signature sunny pop-tunes. Written by American songwriter Mark Barkan and produced by John Burgess, the track blends soft guitar, flute, organ, and Paul Jones’s smooth lead vocals to paint a portrait of a glowing beauty—her hair like gold, her movement graceful as a flamingo.
The single became a major international hit: it reached No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart on 5 May 1966, and held top positions in Ireland and several other countries. In the U.S., it was a modest success, peaking at No. 29 on the Billboard Hot 100.
While Pretty Flamingo is distinctly pop-oriented—often softer than some of the group’s earlier R&B or rock styles—it remains one of Manfred Mann’s most beloved classics and a shining example of the mid-60s “sunshine pop” sound.
Manfred Mann – Pretty Flamingo
The song was recorded on 18 March 1966 at EMI Studios, London, and released as the A-side with “You’re Standing By” on the B-side.
Bass duties on Pretty Flamingo were handled by Jack Bruce, who shortly afterward left to form Cream.
The Canadian version of the band’s album Mann Made included Pretty Flamingo, replacing some original tracks for that market.
In Australia, the song peaked at #3 on the Kent Music Report, and was ranked #54 on their year-end chart in 1966.
Paul Jones, the lead singer, later expressed regret that he never met Mark Barkan, the songwriter, to thank him personally.
