The Library of Congress has acquired the papers of songwriter and composer Burt Bacharach whose songs are best known for influencing popular music starting in the late 1950s.
The Burt Bacharach Papers came to the Library as a gift from his wife Jane Bacharach. The collection includes thousands of musical scores and parts such as Bacharach’s arrangement for The Look of Love and dozens of musical sketches, including for Alfie and Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head. The collection also includes 180 photographs, letters and telegrams, passports and more.
"Burt Bacharach’s timeless songs are legendary and are championed by artists across genres and generations,” said Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden. “The Library is proud to be entrusted with ensuring Bacharach’s music and legacy will remain accessible for future generations, in hopes of inspiring them with his creativity and distinctly American musical genius.”
The collection will be available for researchers beginning in early summer 2025.
“On behalf of the Bacharach family, we are grateful that Burt's collection of music has a home in the Library of Congress,” said Jane Bacharach. “Out of all of his awards and accolades, Burt was most proud of the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song which was presented to him by President Obama.” In Burt Bacharach’s 2013 memoir Anyone Who Had a Heart: My Life in Music he wrote about receiving the Gershwin Prize from the Library and how meaningful it was to him. He compared it to the thrill of winning an Oscar.
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