Burt Bacharach, legendary composer of pop songs, dies at 94

Dionne Warwick was his favorite interpreter, but Bacharach, usually in tandem with lyricist Hal David, also created prime material for Aretha Franklin, Dusty Springfield, Tom Jones and many others. Elvis Presley, the Beatles and Frank Sinatra were among the countless artists who covered his songs, with more recent performers who sung or sampled him including White Stripes, Twista and Ashanti

Epic career and deserves to be quoted. Rest in power

https://youtu.be/oBLeACT_KBQ

Enjoy.

It was songs my parents liked but because of that I suppose it all sounds like a soundtrack to my early life. I can still appreciate the craft in most of the songs though. Are there any like Bacharach these days? Is catchy songwriting out of style? Just questions, not commentary.

Amazing catalogue of songs - Most people simply have no idea of the songs that they know that Burt and Hal penned together. I was lucky enough to see him in Tokyo a few years back - he basically just played Piano that night with some excellent session singers to showcase some of his most well known songs.

The encore was "What The World Needs Now'' - where he did sing at the very end. Memorable evening.

A truly remarkable career and so many brilliant songs it's astonishing. Thanks for all the music Burt.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tf1d65OHYXo

I think the first song I heard of his was the Stranglers cover of ‘Walk on By’ and my mum telling me that they trashed it.

Brilliant song among many. A true craftsman.

His chamoe with Elvis Costello in "Austin Powers" was awesome. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cp4VTztoao

A legend indeed.

What a great life lived, a truly talented songwriter. Like a few others here, I grew up listening to a lot of his music because that's what my parents liked.

MoonrakerToday  07:40 am JST

It was songs my parents liked but because of that I suppose it all sounds like a soundtrack to my early life. I can still appreciate the craft in most of the songs though. Are there any like Bacharach these days? Is catchy songwriting out of style? Just questions, not commentary.

He was always around and you just didn't know it, did ya? I remember a TV ad from my t(w)een years for Martini and Ross wine, narrated by Angie Dickenson. Then she slinked over to Burt's piano and sat on it, hoisting her leg. He played and sang, 'Say yessss to Martini and Ross, such a good rich wine. Da da da. Say yessss-essss!'. And Angie purred, 'Yeeeaaahhh!!!'.

And I was of that starting-to-mature age where I noticed her exterior in a velvet black dress, realizing that

She

Is

A

WOMAN

; )

RIP Burt

Anyone who thinks rap music is good, just take 15 minutes out of your day to listen to real talent, these songs and his music is timeless, its still being played after 15-30 years and it still enjoyable, can you say the same for rap songs? i would say that you forget about them after 15 minutes, let allown 15 years.

An icon gone, but his life's works of music will play on. A true music composer and real pianist! Wow and a very approachable person. I would only say, from what I know and have heard there's two left, David Foster and Elton John but Burt was a giant and he left lots of beautiful songs to bring back old memories.

@Brian Wheway I wouldn't say that rap music is good. I would say its ok, and I wouldn't waste my time listening 8 bars of the rap because after the 4th bar its only a loop, same thing over and over thats the song. I agree Burts music was and will be timeless, his library of songs will command a very healthy price for any publishing company wanting to purchase it if no one company owns it. Yes, I can hear the songs over and over, very cheerful and brings back great memories of places and time. I can't listen to cRap music and get that affect!

Anyone who thinks rap music is good, just take 15 minutes out of your day to listen to real talent, these songs and his music is timeless, its still being played after 15-30 years and it still enjoyable, can you say the same for rap songs? i would say that you forget about them after 15 minutes, let allown 15 years.

Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head just for starters. A legend! 94 is a good inings.

May you rest in peace and thank you. Already passing on your music to my 6 year old.

BBC4 just aired a special programme, showcasing his most famous songs as shown on TOTP and other TV shows during the 60s and 70s, I assume it will he on iPlayer at some point. Well worth a watch.

kaimycahlFeb. 10  11:30 pm JST

@Brian Wheway I wouldn't say that rap music is good. I would say its ok, and I wouldn't waste my time listening 8 bars of the rap because after the 4th bar its only a loop, same thing over and over thats the song. I agree Burts music was and will be timeless, his library of songs will command a very healthy price for any publishing company wanting to purchase it if no one company owns it. Yes, I can hear the songs over and over, very cheerful and brings back great memories of places and time. I can't listen to cRap music and get that affect!

Rap in the beginning (around 1979) was just a disciplined way of singing with roots from 'beat poetry'. The Last Poets from the early 70s inspired it. And so did reggae toasting which IS a type of singing. However, toasting is just a part of reggae, a soloing and it does not dominate it. Still, it has its qualities.

And listen to 'Epic' by rap-metalists Faith No More and tell me that doesn't stick in your head. Rapping can stay in your head well, if it's done right.