We've just heard the sad news that legendary songwriter
Burt Bacharach died yesterday (8 Feb 2023) of natural causes
at the age of 94.
He, along with his long-time partner Hal David, wrote so many classic pop
songs, predominantly in the 60s, and helped launch the career of Dionne Warwick
in particular. Whilst much of his music may be considered as MOR/easy listening, his contribution to, and influence on, modern
popular music cannot be overstated.
Bacharach has won six Grammy Awards and three Oscars for his music and
was given a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and was proclaimed music's
"Greatest Living Composer" in 2008. He also received an honorary Doctorate
of Music from Berklee College of Music the following year, 2009. Not
content with others recording his songs, he also recorded around 40
albums.
He was married four times, divorcing his first wife of five years, Paula
Stewart, in 1958. His second marriage was to actor Angie Dickinson
(1965-80) and then singer/songwriter Carole Bayer Sager (1982-1991),
marrying Jean Hansen in 1993 until his death.
His first professionally written song was "Once In A Blue Moon" recorded by Nat King Cole in 1952. His first #1 hit was "The Story
of My Life", first by Mary Robbins who had a #1 on the US Country
chart with it, and then covered by Liverpudlian Michael Holliday (Norman Milne) who had a UK #1 hit with it in Feb
1958. It was followed by "Magic Moments" sung by Perry Como which was a
UK #1 hit on 1 Apr 1958.
Although, of course many will be for the same song, Discogs lists almost
6,000 credits to his name. A very quick search on BMI revealed 917 titles
registered to him.
Some of the classic songs include: "I Just Don't Know What to Do with
Myself", "Make It Easy on Yourself", "(They Long to Be) Close to You",
"Reach Out for Me", "Twenty Four Hours from Tulsa", "Long After Tonight Is
All Over", "Trains and Boats and Planes", "What the World Needs Now Is
Love", "The Look of Love", "One Less Bell to Answer", "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head", "On My Own".
Hits for Dionne Warwick in particular, but also recorded by others include:
"Don't Make Me Over", "Wishin' and Hopin'", "Anyone Who Had A Heart", "Walk
On By", "A House Is Not A Home", "You'll Never Get to Heaven (If You Break
My Heart)", "(There's) Always Something There to Remind Me",
"Alfie", "I Say a Little Prayer", "Do You Know the Way to San Jose", "This Girl's in Love with
You", "I'll Never Fall in Love Again", "That's What Friends Are
For".
The list of artists who have recorded their songs is endless and includes
Nat King Cole, The Drifters, Chuck Jackson, Gene McDaniels, The Shirelles,
Gloria Lynne, Tommy Hunt, Jerry Butler, Jimmy Radcliffe. Timi Yuro, Dionne
Warwick, Lou Johnson, B. J. Thomas, The 5th Dimension, Jackie DeShannon, as well as British pop artists, Tom Jones, Cilla Black, Dusty Springfield, Rod Stewart and so many more.
We have very quickly pulled together a playlist of alternate soul versions of many of the hits above. Many are duplicated as they are different arrangements of the same song. Also, enjoy this duet with Dusty Springfield on one of
his best, "A House Is Not A Home".
God bless you Burt and thank you for your music which will be enjoyed "Long After Tonight Is All Over"!
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