20 at the start, and ends the same way by returning to the Prelude. The basic shape of the song is that of a single great crescendo; as Manilow explained, he wanted the song to "build and build" like the Beatles's "Hey Jude" "until you think you can't take it anymore. It should be a musical orgasm."
The song starts with 20 notes and ends in the same way by returning to the Prelude. The song's structure is a single, powerful crescendo, as Manilow explained, he wanted the song to "build and build" like the Beatles's "Hey Jude" until it reaches a point of intense musical climax.