His songs have forged the pop soundtrack of several generations. Burt Bacharach, whose death was announced on Thursday February 9, composed some of the most popular melodies of the 20th century, enriched for the most part by the words of lyricist Hal David with whom he formed a legendary duo. A brief overview.
Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head (1969)
Co-signed with lyricist Hal David, Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My head is the title song of the soundtrack of the film Butch Cassidy and the Kid (1969) by director George Roy Hill. This soundtrack and its title track (highlighted in a stunning bike ride sequence with Paul Newman and Katharine Ross) won Burt Bacharach two Oscars. In France, the song was adapted by lyricist Maurice Tézé and performed by Sacha Distel under the title All the rain falls on me (1970).
I Say a Little Prayer for You (1967)
This classic of the Bacharach-Hal duo was written for singer Dionne Warwick, the duo’s favorite performer. Hit of the year 1967, the song has been covered by many artists, in the United States and around the world. But the most illustrious, spectacular and unbeatable version is the one recorded by Aretha Franklin in 1968.
(They Long to Be) Close to You (1970)
“Why do the birds suddenly appear, as soon as you are near? Just like me, they long to be near you. Why do the stars fall from the sky as soon as you pass? Just like me, they long to be near of you…“The intimate melody of Burt Bacharach, the poetic words of Hal David and the incomparable voice of the late Karen Carpenter, singer of the Carpenters, make this song a pop monument. Before this reference version recorded in 1970, other artists have engraved Close to You in the 1960s, including actor Richard Chamberlain, Dusty Springfield and of course Dionne Warwick.
The Look of Love (1967)
Created by singer Dusty Springfield for her version with lyrics, The Look of Love (1967), still co-signed Bacharach-David, features in the film’s soundtrack Casino Royale (1967) from the James Bond franchise. The first version, instrumental, was recorded by saxophonist Stan Getz in 1966. With its suave and sensual tempo, this theme will travel briskly through musical genres, from jazz to bossa nova, from pop to French variety. Among the countless versions recorded are those of the Four Tops, of the singer and jazz pianist Diana Krall, but also of Mireille Mathieu under the title The eyes of love (she even sang it in duet with Dusty Springfield in 1970).
Walk on By (1964)
Co-written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David for Dionne Warwick, this classic released in April 1964 is one of the American singer’s iconic hits. There are countless covers around the world, by Isaac Hayes and the Italian Mina for long versions, or by the Beach Boys for a short version, not to mention the Stranglers…
What’s New Pussy Cat (1965)
A favorite hit of Welsh singer Tom Jones, this song by Bacharach and Hal features in the soundtrack of the film of the same title, a comedy directed by Clive Donner. Subsequently, artists like Quincy Jones (in instrumental version), Bobby Darin, but also rapper Wyclef Jean, revisited this hard-hitting and humorous title in their own way.
Don’t Make Me Over (1962)
It’s the first big solo hit for Dionne Warwick, who previously sang in gospel bands and with the Drifters. Spotted within this last group by Burt Bacharach, the young Dionne Warwick, then 21 years old, was offered the opportunity to record an album mainly co-written by Bacharach and David, Presenting Dionne Warwickreleased in February 1963. The song Don’t Make Me Over was successfully launched a few months earlier, in October 1962.
What the World Needs Now is Love (1965)
Another top pop ballad from the Hal-Bacharach tandem, What the World Needs Now is Love was created by singer Jackie DeShannon in 1965. Behind its apparent sweetness, the song hides a subtext relating to the Vietnam War. Over time, the title would be taken over by Dionne Warwick and, much later, by Cat Power.
That’s What Friends Are For (1982)
Co-written by Burt Bacharach and Carole Bayer Sager (his wife at the time), the song That’s What Friends are For was created by Scottish singer Rod Stewart for the film’s soundtrack night-shift (1982) by Ron Howard. But the most famous version of this hymn to friendship from the 80s was recorded in 1985 by an authentic “All Star band” made up of Dionne Warwick, Elton John, Stevie Wonder and Gladys Knight, as part of the fight against AIDS. This four-voice recording won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group.
On My Own (1986)
Carried by two sublime voices, that of Patti Labelle and Michael McDonald, this ballad of poignant romanticism, recorded in 1985, brought balm to the heart of FM during the winter of 1986. The song, co-signed by Burt Bacharach and Carole Bayer Sager, describes the spleen of a separated couple, each now living far from each other, on the East Coast for her, on the West Coast for him, from the United States… The clip describes two solitudes . As in the song, the two artists recorded their part “each on their side”. Remember that it is the inevitable Dionne Warwick who recorded the first version of the song.
Bonus 1: a success by Eddy Mitchell signed Bacharach
Always a corner that reminds methe closing song of Eddy Mitchell’s album titled The whole town is talking about it… Eddy is great (1964) asserts itself as one of the greatest successes of his solo debut, just after the era of the Black Socks. It’s a song by Bacharach and David, adapted into French by Ralph Bernet.
Bonus 2: when Burt Bacharach sang a duet with Barbra Streisand
Just for fun and emotion, a great moment of complicity between two sacred monsters of American popular music.