Burt Bacharach: Song by Song: The Ultimate Burt Bacharach Reference for Fans, Serious Record Collectors, and Music Critics.

by Serene Dominic

Best known as the composer (with lyricist Hal David) of such 1960s hits as Dionne Warwick s Walk On By, Dusty Springfield s The Look of Love, and the Carpenters' Close to You, Burt Bacharach wrote the music for over 700 published songs, which have been recorded by some 2,000 artists - from Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley to the Beatles and the Supremes. Song By Song is a witty, cheeky song-by-song journey through Bacharach s vast recorded oeuvre, from Nat King Cole s little-known 1952 version of Once in a Blue Moon to Burt s recent collaborations with Elvis Costello, Lyle Lovett and Chicago.

Genres: Music

352 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2003

Reviews

[Anthony McGill · Rating 4 out of 5]

BURT BACHARACH (1928-2023)

Walk on By
Do You Know the Way to San Jose?
Alfie
I Say a Little Prayer
Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head
Close to You
What's New Pussycat?
Wishin' and Hopin'
The Look of Love
Casino Royale
I'll Never Fall in Love Again
Promises, Promises
What the World Needs Now is Love
--- many. many other great classics.

With longtime collaborator, lyricist Hal David, composed an endless list of unforgettable songs, many popularized by the great Dionne Warwick.
Winner of 8 Grammy Awards including lifetime achievement award, 3 Academy Awards, umpteen nominations and an astonishing 73 top 40 hits in the U.S.

Loved this tribute from jonman on the Movie Music International website.
"Together with Hal David, Burt Bacharach created songs that became popular standards. They were songs that once heard would never be forgotten, and each one seemed to have to it a persona, a mood and a refrain that would evoke memories of a time and place or an event that took place when you first heard it. Sophisticated, easy on the ear, yet at times musically complicated, many of them became hits during a career that lasted more than half a century. Bacharach's songs surpassed the rock era; were never trendy but never out of vogue."

Great reference work with just about everything Burt Bacharach has done in his illustrious music career (at least up to 2002) with extensive coverage of all his recordings plus stage, film and concert work.
Just looking at the old record covers and photos of performers, etc. and you instantly find yourself in nostalgia heaven!
Pity no color and the b&w reproductions could have been a little sharper but small criticism considering the feast of fascinating information collected in this fabulous tribute to BB.

[Danny Marianino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who knew Bacharach was responsible for writing so many amazing songs? Highly recommended for an old school music lover!