Under The Covers

The names Hal David and Burt Bacharach may sound unfamiliar. Hal David and Burth Bacharach are synonymous with superb songwriting. Believe it or not, we've been singing the songs of Burt Bacharach and Hal David for over 40 years. In 1964, we heard Dionne Warwick's voice soar on the Bacharach/David penned "A House Is Not A Home," 17 years later Luther Vandross wrapped his smooth vocals around the song and recorded the definitive version. The Patti Labelle and Michael McDonald duet "Own My Own" was written and composed by Burt Bacharach. Songs such as "Anyone Who Had A Heart," "That's What Friends Are For," "I Say A Little Prayer," and "Don't Make Me Over" were all written and or composed by Bacharach and David. In 1963, Dionne Warwick, who has sang countless Bacharach/David gems, recorded "Walk On By" for her Make Way for Dionne Warwick album. "Walk On By" became a hit, it was an international million seller and landed at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100. In the years that followed, Aretha, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, Gloria Gaynor and George Benson took a stab at the classic song. Isaac Hayes recorded a memorable version of the song. "Walk On By" was included on Hayes' groundbreaking album Hot Buttered Soul. Isaac Hayes turn the pop classic into a Memphis infused slow burning 12 minute soul classic. In 1988, "Walk On By" was inducted in the Grammy Hall of Fame. The RIAA chose it as one of the Songs of the Century. In 2004, it was ranked #70 on Rolling Stone magazine's "500 Greatest Songs of All Time."