A hit song served up fast and then funny by Dionne Warwick (1967), Aretha Franklin (1968), My Best Friend's Wedding (1997), Glee (2009), and Sing 2 (2021)
Bacharach and David wrote a few favorites of mine- the biggest being "Do You Know The Way To San Jose?", a cautionary tale about what happens when you don't achieve success....
Yes, I love that song too, another one of Dionne's hits with them around that time. Amazing music by Burt and great lyrics by Hal about chasing success, as you say. They were on a major roll!
Another fun fact: it was a two-song set on the Ed Sullivan Show. After "Say a Little Prayer for Me" Miss Warwick (who, for the record, is a goddess) dropped this piece of magic.
The airdate was January 7, 1968, right at the start of our bloodiest year in the Vietnam War; the Tet Offensive would begin a little over three weeks later. And, of course, we all know what 1968 was like at home.
(Check out Ed Sullivan himself at the very end of the clip.)
Wow, amazing rendition of the Battle Hymn of the Republic. I did not know it was a two-song set or that that was the second song. Thanks for sharing that fun fact!
I agree that she's a goddess we're lucky to have among us. Her songs meant so much to me growing up and still do, and she kept on singing great songs over the decades. A national treasure.
"Say a Little Prayer for Me", Dionne Warwick’s version is indeed perfect, everything about it from the performance, through the recording, to the writing. I'm not sure I could choose between it and “Walk On By” — I love the rhythm of the melody, and the muted horn hook in the chorus of Dionne Warwick’s original. I’m guessing it’s one of the most successfully covered songs ever, I can think of maybe up to ten versions, two of my favourites being Seal and The Stranglers, although without doubt Dionne Warwick’s original is unbeatable.
Most embarrassing thing I ever did at a wedding? Getting married! No, only joking 🙃 I took responsibility for doing the official video at a relative’s wedding. I got very drunk and mixed up record and pause, so when I thought I was recording it was paused, and when I was goofing off getting drunker it was recording. I just gave the camera with the tape to the best man at the end of the night without checking it. I caught all my antics (mostly audio and footage of the floor) and none of the main events. I still cringe when I think about it.
Great wedding story! What are relatives for if not making fools of ourselves at their weddings and other family events. We need to do these things to make the event memorable for them, right? And also so their partner can point to us for why the marriage didn't work out -- it's your crazy or out-of-control family!
I can't choose amongst Dionne's songs with Bacharach and David myself. "Walk on By" is also amazing and I could have written about that or some of the others instead. I love the rhythm and the horns too in "Walk on By" -- really great arrangement -- and also how she modulates her voice and tells a story with it. I don't think many singers do that as exquisitely as she does.
I checked out the Seal and Strangler versions, thanks for recommending them -- really fun to see the differences! -- but agree, Dionne's is unbeatable.
As a song-focused writer and critic, I spend plenty of time still thinking about Bacharach and David. I think Ellen’s comparison to Elton/Bernie is true, though I’m not sure about their collaborative process. I’ve always marveled at “Do You Know the Way to San Jose?” at both Burt’s hazardous melodic twists and Hal’s ability to come up with words that follow the switchbacks and turns without going off the road. Great piece.
Massive talent with those three, not sure what they were like as people. I'm sure I'd be starstruck too. I once met a celebrity in an elevator and made a fool of myself, so it's very likely that would happen again.
Bacharach and David wrote a few favorites of mine- the biggest being "Do You Know The Way To San Jose?", a cautionary tale about what happens when you don't achieve success....
Yes, I love that song too, another one of Dionne's hits with them around that time. Amazing music by Burt and great lyrics by Hal about chasing success, as you say. They were on a major roll!
Another fun fact: it was a two-song set on the Ed Sullivan Show. After "Say a Little Prayer for Me" Miss Warwick (who, for the record, is a goddess) dropped this piece of magic.
The airdate was January 7, 1968, right at the start of our bloodiest year in the Vietnam War; the Tet Offensive would begin a little over three weeks later. And, of course, we all know what 1968 was like at home.
(Check out Ed Sullivan himself at the very end of the clip.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afOIUawMGII
Wow, amazing rendition of the Battle Hymn of the Republic. I did not know it was a two-song set or that that was the second song. Thanks for sharing that fun fact!
I agree that she's a goddess we're lucky to have among us. Her songs meant so much to me growing up and still do, and she kept on singing great songs over the decades. A national treasure.
Great article!
"Say a Little Prayer for Me", Dionne Warwick’s version is indeed perfect, everything about it from the performance, through the recording, to the writing. I'm not sure I could choose between it and “Walk On By” — I love the rhythm of the melody, and the muted horn hook in the chorus of Dionne Warwick’s original. I’m guessing it’s one of the most successfully covered songs ever, I can think of maybe up to ten versions, two of my favourites being Seal and The Stranglers, although without doubt Dionne Warwick’s original is unbeatable.
Most embarrassing thing I ever did at a wedding? Getting married! No, only joking 🙃 I took responsibility for doing the official video at a relative’s wedding. I got very drunk and mixed up record and pause, so when I thought I was recording it was paused, and when I was goofing off getting drunker it was recording. I just gave the camera with the tape to the best man at the end of the night without checking it. I caught all my antics (mostly audio and footage of the floor) and none of the main events. I still cringe when I think about it.
Great wedding story! What are relatives for if not making fools of ourselves at their weddings and other family events. We need to do these things to make the event memorable for them, right? And also so their partner can point to us for why the marriage didn't work out -- it's your crazy or out-of-control family!
I can't choose amongst Dionne's songs with Bacharach and David myself. "Walk on By" is also amazing and I could have written about that or some of the others instead. I love the rhythm and the horns too in "Walk on By" -- really great arrangement -- and also how she modulates her voice and tells a story with it. I don't think many singers do that as exquisitely as she does.
I checked out the Seal and Strangler versions, thanks for recommending them -- really fun to see the differences! -- but agree, Dionne's is unbeatable.
Really enjoyed reading this brilliant piece of writing about what is a total miracle of a song!
Thanks so much, Matthew. So glad you enjoyed it, and it does seem a miracle to me too.
A sloth 🦥 because they are so dang cute would play be but I’m too wired for it to fit my personality!! Loved this!
Thanks, Beth. They are adorable. Maybe you're a sloth mixed with the wired little otter -- a 'slotter'.
Better than “otterth”
As a song-focused writer and critic, I spend plenty of time still thinking about Bacharach and David. I think Ellen’s comparison to Elton/Bernie is true, though I’m not sure about their collaborative process. I’ve always marveled at “Do You Know the Way to San Jose?” at both Burt’s hazardous melodic twists and Hal’s ability to come up with words that follow the switchbacks and turns without going off the road. Great piece.
Thanks for those kind words, Wayne, and I love your metaphor for the San Jose song. Captures it perfectly.
I hope people know about your own music substack, which is one of my favorites - https://waynerobins.substack.com
Good stuff as usual, Brad! I have a soft spot for any Motown, so thanks.
I met Burt Bacharach a couple of times as he wandered the beaches of La Jolla Shores (CA) in the 80s. Seemed like a good guy, but was really drunk.
Wish I'd met Dionne and Aretha. I know I'd be starstruck.
Massive talent with those three, not sure what they were like as people. I'm sure I'd be starstruck too. I once met a celebrity in an elevator and made a fool of myself, so it's very likely that would happen again.