Burt Bacharach Dies At 94. Remembering His Iconic Musical Gems

A list of Burt Bacharach's best-loved songs

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A file photo of Burt Bacharach. (courtesy: burtbacharach)
Paris:

American composer and pianist Burt Bacharach, who has died aged 94, wrote dozens of songs with lyricist Hal David which have gone down in pop/soul history. Here are some of the most famous:

Baby It's You (1961) - with its "Sha-la-la-la-la, Sha-la-la-la-la" refrain, it was recorded by both American girl group The Shirelles and The Beatles.

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24 Hours from Tulsa (1963) - a hit for pop baladeer Gene Pitney.

(They long to be) Close to you (1963) - the breakthrough hit of the American brother-and-sister duo "The Carpenters".

Walk On By (1964) - one of soul legend Dionne Warwick's best-loved songs, which lurches between stoicism and anguish.

What the World Needs Now is Love(1965) - first made popular by Jackie DeShannon, reached the top ten of the US Hot 100.

Alfie (1966) - theme song of the movie of the same name starring Michael Caine. It was a major hit for Britain's Cilla Black and later Dionne Warwick.

I Say a Little Prayer (1967) - first recorded by Warwick but Aretha Franklin made the definitive version a year later.

The Look of Love (1967) - a favourite of husky-voiced divas Dusty Springfield and Diana Krall.

Do You Know the Way to San Jose (1968) - another Warwick hit which won her her first Grammy.

Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head (1969) - Bacharach won an Oscar for this cheerful ditty for "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid", which topped the US charts for four weeks.

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I'll Never Fall in Love Again (1969) - both Warwick and Jones scored with this heartbreak tune.

Arthur's Theme (Best that you can do) (1981) - one of the most recognisable movie theme songs of all time, which won Bacharach another Oscar.

That's What Friends Are For (1982) - first recorded by Rod Stewart but better known for the AIDS charity cover made by Dionne Warwick & Friends, including Elton John and Stevie Wonder, in 1985.

On My Own (1986) - a love song Bacharach composed with ex-wife Carole Bayer Sager which was a power duet for Patti La Belle and Michael McDonald.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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