Manilow hit mercifully without content? (5)

I believe the answer is:

mandy

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'manilow hit' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'mercifully without content?' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'content?' could be 'ma' (MA is an example) and 'ma' is found within the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for mandy that I've seen before include "1974 song by Barry Manilow" , "14 30's [BARRY MANILOW]'s" , "Girl" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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