The music of Bacharach and David includes songs written for, or made popular by artists such as Dionne Warwick, Dusty Springfield, B. J. Thomas, Gene Pitney, Tom Jones, Jackie DeShannon, and others in the 1960s. His best selling hits include: "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head", "This Guy's in Love with You", "I'll Never Fall in Love Again", "Do You Know the Way to San Jose", "Walk on By", "What the World Needs Now Is Love", "I Say a Little Prayer", "(There's) Always Something There to Remind Me", "One Less Bell to Answer", and "Anyone Who Had a Heart".
"Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head" won an Academy Award as the score for the movie Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. "Don't Make Me Over", "(They Long to Be) Close to You", and Walk on By are all in the Grammy Hall of Fame. "What's New Pussycat?" (the theme song to the film of the same name), "Alfie", and "The Look of Love" received Oscar nominations. He also co-wrote many country music hits, including Willie Nelson's "To All the Girls I've Loved Before". For these and many other songs, Hal David is considered to be one of the most influential songwriters of the 20th century.
In 1970 Johnny Mathis issued a double-LP album set, "Sings the Music of Bacharach & Kaempfert," for Columbia. It consisted of a total 21 tracks in a heavyweight gatefold picture sleeve. The Bert Kaempfert tracks were done in the arrangement style of the great German composer and orchestra leader, and the Bacharach/David tracks were done in the Americans' unique upbeat style.
Other achievements:
* In 1984 he was elected to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
* He received a Doctor of Music degree from Lincoln College, Illinois in 1991 for his major contribution to American music.
* In May 2000 he received an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters Degree from Claremont Graduate University.
* He is a Founder of the Los Angeles Music Center
* He is a member of the Board of Governors of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
* He is currently a member of the Board of Directors of ASCAP, having served as its President, and where he now works on reform of intellectual property rights.
* He serves the Advisory Board of the Society of Singers.
* He is a member of the Board of Visitors of Claremont University in California.
* He is currently the Chairman of the Board of the National Academy of Popular Music and its Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Work on Broadway:
* Promises, Promises (1968) - musical - lyricist - Tony Nomination for Best Musical
* André DeShield's Haarlem Nocturne (1984) - revue - featured songwriter
* The Look of Love (2003) - revue - lyricist
Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head
Hal David Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
are too big for his bed, nothing seems to fit. Those raindrops are
falling on my head, they keep falling.
So I just did me some talking to the sun. And I said I didn't like the
way, he got things done... sleeping on the job... those raindrops are
falling on my head, they keep falling.
defeat me. It won't be long till happiness sleps up to greet me.
Raindrops keep falling on my head but that doesn't mean my eyes will
soon be turning red. Crying's not for me cause I'm never gonna stop
the rain by complaining. Because I'm free. Nothing's worrying
me.
The song Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head, written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, is a bittersweet song about enduring the struggles and challenges of life, but maintaining a positive attitude and outlook. The opening lines of the song describe the presence of raindrops falling on the singer's head, further symbolizing the burdens and hardships of the world. The singer goes on to liken himself to a man with feet too big for his bed, signifying that he does not belong or fit into a place or situation.
Despite the negative connotations of rain and the struggles of life, the singer takes a positive outlook in the song, stating that he talked to the sun and expressed his dissatisfaction with it "sleeping on the job" and not stopping the rain from falling. However, the singer accepts the rain as a part of life and acknowledges that the blues that come with it will not defeat him. Instead, he anticipates happiness coming soon to greet him.
The song's final lines express the singer's sense of freedom and a lack of worry. Crying, or complaining, in order to stop the rain is not an option for him. He accepts the rain as a part of life's journey, and remains optimistic despite the struggles he may face. The song communicates a message of resilience and hope, highlighting the importance of maintaining a positive perspective, even through difficult times.
Line by Line Meaning
Raindrops keep falling on my head... And just like the guy whose feet are too big for his bed, nothing seems to fit. Those raindrops are falling on my head, they keep falling.
Rain keeps pouring on me, just like a person with large feet in a small bed unable to fit perfectly. The rain just keeps falling on my head.
So I just did me some talking to the sun. And I said I didn't like the way, he got things done... sleeping on the job... those raindrops are falling on my head, they keep falling.
I had a conversation with the sun implying unhappiness over its job performance, since it's sleeping on the job, and yet raindrops continue to fall on me.
But there's one thing I know: The blues they send to meet me won't defeat me. It won't be long till happiness sleps up to greet me.
Despite the sadness that creeps in, it will not affect me indefinitely as I know it won't defeat or overpower me, and eventually, I will be greeted by happiness.
Raindrops keep falling on my head but that doesn't mean my eyes will soon be turning red. Crying's not for me cause I'm never gonna stop the rain by complaining.
Even though the rain still falls on my head, my eyes aren't turning red from crying, but crying is not something I would do as I won't stop the rain by complaining.
Because I'm free. Nothing's worrying me.
The state of being unburdened or free is what I feel, and nothing troubles or worries me at the moment.
Contributed by Mia M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@LORRIEVIVALASVEGAS
May 29 , 2921
Very sad news this evening The Legendary BJ Thomas has passed away.🌹🙏🏼😢🎵
😭😢A Talented Beautiful Kind Spirited Man Legendary!!!
Rest In Love ❤️
My thoughts and prayers are with your wife and children family and friends.
😢🙏🏼💔❤️🌹🎵God Bless..
So happy we we’re able though the years to see this Legend in person. What a talented man. You will be missed. 💔😢
@jeffg592
My mother so loved this song, I can see her in my memories of 45 yrs ago, singing it and smiling... ❤️
@nitakate10
🌹❤️🇦🇺
@sunrice1974
Sorry to hear that. Today B.J. Thomas is gone.
@starmnsixty1209
So did my mom, gone many years now herself. Music can be bittersweet, can't it?
@modrenwarefare
I bet your mom and B.J. Thomas are giving a concert in heaven right now. RIP your mom and B.J. Thomas!
@garykass114
My favorite song as a kid. I even had a music box that played it.
@kathleenarcure7907
This has been my favorite song since I was 12. I am now 64. I was lucky enough to see B.J. perform 3 times and get his autograph. Rest in Peace B.J.
@jameslawson4131
Hello Kathleen how are you doing today?
@robertburns3087
Set Kathleen bless you and I love the raindrops at 63
@user-qe5ko2ss2w
I was 11old🥹