PARIS, Feb 10 — American composer and pianist Burt Bacharach, who has died aged 94, wrote dozens of songs with lyricist Hal David which have gone down in pop/soul history.
Here are some of the most famous:
Baby It’s You (1961) with its “Sha-la-la-la-la, Sha-la-la-la-la” refrain, it was recorded by both American girl group The Shirelles and The Beatles.
24 Hours from Tulsa (1963) — a hit for pop baladeer Gene Pitney.
(They long to be) Close to you (1963) the breakthrough hit of the American brother-and-sister duo “The Carpenters”.
Walk On By (1964) — one of soul legend Dionne Warwick’s best-loved songs, which lurches between stoicism and anguish.
What the World Needs Now is Love (1965) — first made popular by Jackie DeShannon, reached the top ten of the US Hot 100.
Alfie (1966) — theme song of the movie of the same name starring Michael Caine. It was a major hit for Britain’s Cilla Black and later Dionne Warwick.
I Say a Little Prayer (1967) — first recorded by Warwick but Aretha Franklin made the definitive version a year later.
The Look of Love (1967) — a favourite of husky-voiced divas Dusty Springfield and Diana Krall.
Do You Know the Way to San José? (1968) — another Warwick hit which won her her first Grammy.
Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head (1969) — Bacharach won an Oscar for this cheerful ditty for Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, which topped the US charts for four weeks.
I’ll Never Fall in Love Again (1969) — both Warwick and Jones scored with this heartbreak tune.
Arthur’s Theme (Best that you can do) (1981) — one of the most recognisable movie theme songs of all time, which won Bacharach another Oscar.
That’s What Friends Are For (1982) — first recorded by Rod Stewart but better known for the AIDS charity cover made by Dionne Warwick & Friends, including Elton John and Stevie Wonder, in 1985.
On My Own (1986) — a love song Bacharach composed with ex-wife Carole Bayer Sager which was a power duet for Patti La Belle and Michael McDonald. — AFP
