Top songs by Hal David and Burt Bacharach
Hal wrote first song for bandleader Sammy Kaye and then teamed up with Burt Bacharach to write the biggest hits in Pop history. He has won a Grammy award as well as a Academy Award. He also wrote the lyrics for the following film scores: "Wives and Lovers," "Casino Royale," "April Fools," "Lost Horizon," "After the Fox," "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance," "Oklahoma Crude," "What's New Pussycat?" "Two Gals and a Guy," "Promise Her Anything," "Alfie," "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," and "Moonraker".
The notable songs of Hal David and Burt Bacharach. David died Saturday at age 91:
— "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head"; #1 on Billboard Hot 100 Charts
—"This Guy's in Love with You" ; #1 on Billboard Hot 100 Charts "I'll Never Fall in Love Again"; #1 on UK Charts
—"Do You Know the Way to San Jose"; #10 on Billboard Hot 100 Charts
—"Don't Make Me Over"; #21 on Billboard Hot 100 Charts
—"(They Long to Be) Close to You" ; #1 on Billboard Hot 100 Charts
—"Walk On By"; #6 on Billboard Hot 100 Charts
—"What the World Needs Now Is Love"; #7 on Billboard Hot 100 Charts
—"I Say a Little Prayer"; #4 on Billboard Hot 100 Charts
—"The Story of My Life"; #15 on Billboard Hot 100 Charts
—"Magic Moments"; #4 on Billboard Hot 100 Charts
—"(There's) Always Something There to Remind Me"; #1 on UK Charts
—"One Less Bell to Answer"; #2 on Billboard Hot 100 Charts
—"Anyone Who Had a Heart"; #8 on Billboard Hot 100 Charts
—"What's New Pussycat?"; #3 on Billboard Hot 100 Charts
—"Alfie"; #15 on Billboard Hot 100 Charts
—"The Look of Love"; #22 on Billboard Hot 100 Charts
His awards include:
1969 - Academy Award (Oscar)\Music (Song Original For the Picture-Butch Cassidy and the Sundace Kid)\Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head
1969 - NARAS\Grammy\Best Original Score From an Original Cast Show Album\Promises, Promises
1969 - NARM\President's Award for Sustained Creative Achievement (with Burt Bacharach)
1969 - B'nai B'rith\Creative Achievement Award (with Burt Bacharach)
1972 - National Academy of Popular Music\Songwriters' Hall of Fame induction
1991 - Lincoln College\Doctor of Music Degree
1996 - National Academy of Popular Music\Johnny Mercer Award (with Burt Bacharach)
1997 - NARAS\Grammy Trustees Award\Burt Bacharach & Hal David
1997 - National Academy of Popular Music Songwriter's Hall of Fame induction
1997 - ASCAP\Founders Award
Hal David Quotes: "Now, how do I go about the business of writing lyrics? I wish I really knew. If I did it would make writing much easier for me. Because I have no formula, sometimes it flows smoothly and other times it is like rowing a boat upstream. Most often a lyric starts with a title. A line in a book I am reading may set me off. Other times some dialogue in a play or a movie becomes the catalyst. More often than not the idea just pops into my head-where it comes from I hardly ever know....In writing I search for believability, simplicity, and emotional impact..."
"The form of songwriting is very restrictive because it's in a very small frame. But because of its restrictions you get a bonus you couldn't get in any other art form. Because it is in this little microcosm, if it works it should have a greater explosion, a greater impact. And I think that's why songs have a greater effect on the public than almost any other form of creative work."
"I'm a laborer. I never accept my first idea. I always look for a new approach. The most difficult part of the whole process for me is letting go; of saying 'that's the best I can do,' and go on to the next song."
For more information on USA Songwriting Competition, go to: http://www.songwriting.net
