Top 10 Burt Bacharach Songs

Burt Bacharach received his begin like lots of the basic songwriters of an earlier technology did: penning songs as a composer for rent. His fashion wasn’t too far faraway from urbane influences like Cole Porter and the Gershwins. From the beginning, he gave the impression of each a throwback to the previous and the sound of one thing new.

His first two hits as a songwriter, each with lyrics by his longtime skilled accomplice, lyricist Hal David, confirmed his versatility if not precisely the way forward for the pop panorama he’d assist form. Marty Robbins’ “The Story of My Life” and Perry Como’s “Magic Moments” have been Top 20 pop hits (the previous additionally went No. 1 on the nation chart).

It took a couple of years earlier than Bacharach and David discovered their footing: One of their early compositions was the title tune from the 1958 monster film The Blob, credited to the Five Blobs. But after a couple of hits for the Drifters, the Shirelles and Jerry Butler, they started working with a younger singer named Dionne Warwick. “Don’t Make Me Over,” from 1962, was a modest hit, and shortly the pair have been behind a number of the period’s most enduring pop songs.

We check out the Top 10 Burt Bacharach Songs beneath. You’ll discover the span of his affect – from pop to rock to R&B – and the a long time of classics that helped construct one of many all-time nice songwriting catalogs.

10. “That’s What Friends Are For,” Dionne Warwick, Elton John, Gladys Knight and Stevie Wonder (1985)

“That’s What Friends Are For,” which Bacharach wrote with Carole Bayer Sager, was first recorded in 1982 by Rod Stewart for the film Night Shift. But it grew to become successful three years later when Dionne Warwick, Elton John, Gladys Knight and Stevie Wonder received collectively as Dionne Warwick & Friends. Their model, a No. 1 hit, was launched as a charity single for AIDS analysis and prevention, elevating $3 million. It was additionally a double Grammy winner for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals, plus Song of the Year for Bacharach and Sager. (Allison Rapp)

9. “(They Long to Be) Close to You,” Carpenters (1970)

Written with Bacharach’s longtime collaborator, Hal David, “(They Long to Be) Close to You” first appeared on Dionne Warwick’s 1964 album, Make Way for Dionne Warwick. A number of years later, it was on Dusty Springfield’s 1967 album Where Am I Going? But the tune made probably the most impression in 1970 when it was launched by Carpenters, who have been backed by Los Angeles’ heralded Wrecking Crew. It was the sibling duo’s breakthrough hit, staying within the No. 1 spot for 4 weeks and incomes the title of Billboard‘s “Song of the Summer.” (Rapp)

8. “God Give Me Strength,” Burt Bacharach With Elvis Costello (1996)

“God Give Me Strength” was the primary in a collection of collaborations between Bacharach and Elvis Costello. The tune was commissioned for the 1996 movie Grace of My Heart; they loved working collectively a lot that they made a 1998 album, Painted From Memory. (One of the album’s songs, “I Still Have That Other Girl,” received a Grammy Award for Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals.) More co-written songs appeared on Costello’s 2018 album, Look Now. The Songs of Bacharach & Costello, a field set that includes their work from throughout the a long time, adopted in 2023. (Rapp)

7. “A House Is Not a Home,” Luther Vandross (1981)

Brook Benton recorded the unique model of “A House Is Not a Home” in 1964 for the same-named film; Dionne Warwick had a minor hit with it quickly afterward. But it is Luther Vandross’ model, from his 1981 debut, Never Too Much, that grew to become the definitive take. After years as a high session singer (together with work on David Bowie’s Young Americans), Vandross grew to become one in every of R&B’s high artists of the ’80s due to his delicate takes on ballads like “A House Is Not a Home.” He smolders right here. (Michael Gallucci)

6. “The Look of Love,” Dusty Springfield (1967)

“The Look of Love” was initially supposed to be an instrumental, however lyrics have been added, and Dusty Springfield recorded it for the 1967 James Bond parody Casino Royale. (It earned an Oscar nomination for Best Song.) When Springfield re-recorded the tune quickly after, it grew to become a No. 22 hit. It’s since been recorded by artists as various as Andy Williams, Four Tops, the Delfonics, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Nina Simone, Vanilla Fudge, Liza Minnelli, Tony Bennett, the Zombies, Susanna Hoffs and Diana Krall. (Rapp)

5. “My Little Red Book,” Love (1966)

The authentic model of “My Little Red Book” was included on the What’s New Pussycat? soundtrack in a model by Manfred Mann. Love chief Arthur Lee noticed the film and instantly recorded a canopy as his band’s first single. Their model is extra of a garage-rock assault than Mann’s jazzier take. Bacharach wasn’t a fan. No matter – Love’s cowl is the one everybody is aware of. (Gallucci)

4. “Baby It’s You,” The Shirelles (1961)

One of Bacharach’s earliest hits, “Baby It’s You” included lyrics by Luther Dixon (credited as Barney Williams) and Mack David. It made it to No. 8 in 1961. The Beatles have been followers, typically enjoying the tune of their stay units. They recorded the tune on their first album, 1963’s Please Please Me. “Baby It’s You” was dusted off and have become successful once more in 1969 when it was coated by the American group Smith, who took it to No. 5. (Rapp)

3. (*10*) Jackie DeShannon (1965)

Jackie DeShannon was an achieved songwriter who had penned songs like “Needles and Pins” and “When You Walk in the Room” within the early ’60s however hadn’t damaged by as a recording artist. But then Bacharach and David gave her “What the World Needs Now Is Love” – which was initially written for Dionne Warwick, who did not just like the tune – and he or she went Top 10. The tune has since turn out to be one of many pair’s most enduring compositions. (Gallucci)

2. “I Say a Little Prayer,” Aretha Franklin (1968)

Dionne Warwick recorded “I Say a Little Prayer” a 12 months earlier and even scored the larger hit, however Aretha Franklin’s cowl is the definitive model of the Bacharach and David basic. The Queen of Soul exhibits a lot restraint, letting her backing singers, the Sweet Inspirations (which included Warwick’s aunt, Cissy Houston), seize a lot of the highlight. But Franklin steps up, too, turning what may have been a filler album observe right into a basic document. (Gallucci)

1. “Walk on By,” Dionne Warwick (1964)

“Walk on By” wasn’t Bacharach and David’s first hit – it wasn’t even their first hit with Dionne Warwick – however it’s their most everlasting. Originally slated as a B-side, till DJ Murray the Ok flipped it over, the tune reached No. 6 on the pop chart, securing each Bacharach and Warwick’s legacies. From the oh-so-Bacharachian flugelhorn to the luscious backing vocals to Warwick’s restrained lead, “Walk on By” stays probably the most definitive document in Bacharach’s intensive catalog. (Gallucci)