R.i.p. Hal david!

Hal David, half of the legendary songwriting team Bacharach-David died earlier today due to complications from a stroke. Hal was 91.

Regardless of the genre you listened to, if you grew up in the 60s & 70s like I did, a Bacharach-David song was in someway, shape or fashion a part of your youth.

From the classics sung by Dionne Warwick, Jerry Butler, Tom Jones, Jackie DeShannon, Dusty Springfield, Herb Alpert, B.J. Thomas, to The Carpenters & beyond, the lyrics of Hal David entertained generations of music lovers & singers & informed & inspired Soul music legends who remade their songs.

The songs of Bacharach-David definitely transcended genres, as their songs were covered by artists such as Luther Vandross & our very own Russell Thompkins Jr.

Whether you love Soul music, Pop music or Rock, there is some music whose beauty & excellence transcends those boundaries. For me, the music of Bacharach & David certainly did.

My condolences to Hal's family, loved ones, friends & fans all around the world. And when I think of all of the wonderful memories of my childhood that his lyrics is completely linked with, I have to say that his was a job very well done.

Hal David - R.I.P. & thanks for the music.

Just saw that. One of the great lyric writers [[I can't spell lyricist) of the 50's and 60's. It would have been nice to see what he and Mr. Bacharach could have put together for Rumer, who Bert has championed.

Yes, we have all heard and enjoyed Mr. Hal David's work at one time or another. I feel blessed to have lived during the same time that he, Burt Bacharach and Dionne Warwick brought us so, so many memorable songs. "I'll Never Fall In Love Again" was the ultimate for me. Short, sweet and very to the point. Thank you Hal and rest in peace.

Marv

Such a terrible loss to the pop music world, but my goodness, what an amazing legacy of song he has left behind! I hope there will be many compilations released so that he can be properly honored.

What great words he wrote. Lyrics that will live forever:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYVgJx7KW60

Hal David wrote,' Long after tonight is all over '. Jimmy Radcliffes version is an absolute corner stone of Wigan Casino era Northern Soul and beyond. Every word Hal David wrote on this song is known by every UK Northern soul fan. When you consider this song is only a minor record in the Bacharach / David catalogue it shows you the talent
that has gone. I love the music of Bacharach and Hal David the pinacle of song writers......I love your music, sir.

RIP HAL DAVID, a master lyric writer. If you collect and truly love popular music, There is a record in your library with lyrics by Hal David. They don't makle 'em like him anymore.

Excellent and informative obit:

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/02/ar...ted=1&ref=arts

Dionne Warwick mourns death of lyricist Hal David


Sep 3, 1:22 AM [[ET)

LOS ANGELES [[AP) - Dionne Warwick is comparing the death of lyricist Hal David to the loss of a relative.

The pop diva issued a statement Sunday after David died Saturday in Los Angeles at age 91.

Warwick says she feels "as if I have lost another family member, but knowing I will always have him with me each time I sing the lyrics ... will continue to bring me a sense of him being with me always."

David partnered with composer Burt Bacharach on dozens of timeless hits sung by Warwick, including "What the World Needs Now is Love" and "I Say a Little Prayer."

Bacharach said in a statement that David's lyrics of "A House Is Not a Home" or "Alfie" are "as good as you can get."

Quote:

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Originally Posted by milven

Dionne Warwick mourns death of lyricist Hal David


Sep 3, 1:22 AM [[ET)

LOS ANGELES [[AP) - Dionne Warwick is comparing the death of lyricist Hal David to the loss of a relative.

The pop diva issued a statement Sunday after David died Saturday in Los Angeles at age 91.

Warwick says she feels "as if I have lost another family member, but knowing I will always have him with me each time I sing the lyrics ... will continue to bring me a sense of him being with me always."

David partnered with composer Burt Bacharach on dozens of timeless hits sung by Warwick, including "What the World Needs Now is Love" and "I Say a Little Prayer."

Bacharach said in a statement that David's lyrics of "A House Is Not a Home" or "Alfie" are "as good as you can get."

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Well said. What an amazing team they were. Bacharach, David and Dionne Warwick and countless others.

As I got older and gave more thought to the lyrics I came to the conclusion that Hal was amongst the best ever at composing a melody and words. His stuff was so simple but yet so elegantly stated, fit like a glove and made sense even moreso than most songs. I was just saying this to my wife a couple of days ago.

Then Burt added the music and Dionne sang the words. I know without a doubt that this was a match made in heaven. It shows us how great God is at all things as the talent from all three of them came from him. I play Burt's solo material and Dione's stuff quite often as it evokes special feelings and rememberances that are quite spiritual to me.

Thank God for Hal, Burt & Dionne and for Doris Troy, Dee Dee and Cissy. God's recipe for some special music for sure.

It was Hal David, in tandem with Burt Bacharach, that helped solidify Specter Records' success in the 1960's, and Dionne Warwick [[and to a lesser extent, Tommy Hunt, Chuck Jackson, and even Gene Pitney and perhaps Dusty Springfield) were their definitive interpreters of their work. It was Tin Pan Alley done with heart and soul, and Florence Greenberg had the foresight and good sense to let them give it their best shot, and it paid dividends many times over.

What a tremendous songwriting team, Burt Bacharach and Hal David. Their songs, along with those of Holland/Dozier/Holland and Lennon/McCartney, form the soundtrack playing in the background of my life. My very favorite Bacharach/David songs:

One Less Bell To Answer - The Fifth Dimension
The Look of Love - Dusty Springfield [[also Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66)
I Say a Little Prayer - Aretha Franklin
Walk On By - Dionne Warwick
A House is Not a Home - Luther Vandross
Close to You - The Carpenters
You'll Never Get to Heaven - The Stylistics
This Guy's in Love With You - Herb Alpert

Plus that "Raindrops" song too.

RIP Hal David, thank you for the incredible music.

Hard to pick just one song but this has always been one of my favorites.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmM72gxbdfU

What an amazing legacy of work he and Burt Bacharach created! RIP, Mr. David, and thank you... :[[

Best,

Mark