Hal David, R.I.P.

Hal David (1921-2012) who put the words to the music of Burt Bacharach to create some of the 20th Century's best-loved songs, has died aged 91. They teamed up at the famous Brill Building in New York in 1957. Their songs, like the Beatles', really are "the backdrop to our lives" - right from the '50s with "The Story of My Life" (I liked the English version by Michael Holliday), and the timeless "Magic Moments" for Perry Como. Dionne Warwick (left, with David and Bacharach)  interpreted their songs perfectly in the '60s, songs like "What the world needs now is love", "I Say A Little Prayer" (Aretha owns that one...), "Anyone Who Had A Heart", "Don't Make Me Over" etc. and also the soundtrack for one of my '60s favourite movies: WHATS NEW PUSSYCAT?. David said songs should be simple and "like a little film, told in three or four minutes". Other hits include "This Guys In Love With You", "The Look of Love" (as immortalised by Dusty Springfield), "There's always something there to remind me", and "Walk On By". It was a pleasure seeing Dionne singing that a couple of years ago.