The Burt Bacharach Discussion Forum

The other night I was watching a program on one of the local PBS stations about the music of the 60s. At one point, they were showing film clips of various marches in Washington, against the war, for civil rights, to end poverty, etc. Playing over the film clips was "What the World Needs Now." Then, after the clip, the announcer said, and now, here's a clip of the legendary singer/songwriter Jackie DeShannon, singing her hit, "What the World Needs Now." It made it sound like she wrote the song! No mention of Burt at all. And while I have known and admired Jackie DeShannon as a singer, I never knew she was a songwriter. Was that a mistake of the program's writers, or is she indeed a songwriter? Of course, we all know she did not write WTWNN.

Unfortunately, I think that's a common thing -- that is, to attribute the song that any singer sings as being that person's song. And it most certainly is a gross oversight to both Burt and Hal. Also, Hal gets short shrift, too, when a song is introduced as being written by Burt Bacharach, when, indeed, the song should be introduced as being written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David. But that happens a lot... like they'll say, ".... and here is a great song by Richard Rodgers", completely ignoring the lyricist. I'll bet you've never heard a Burt/Hal song being introduced as..."and now we're going to play 'A House Is Not A Home' written by Hal David" with no mention of Burt. You'll never hear that.

Yes, JAckie is a long time songwriter, starting way back in the late 50's
she penned many hits, including some of her own.

http://www.spectropop.com/JackieDeShannon/index.htm


Steveo

Jackie DeShannon has a new CD released by Ace entitled, "Break-a-way: The Songs of Jackie DeShannon" that includes artists such as Helen Shapiro (backed by the Jordinaires!), Gay Singleton (produced by Jimmy Page), Irma Thomas and two of my favorites, The Byrds, singing "Don't Doubt Yourself, Babe" and Cher singing, "Come and Stay With Me".
Many of her early albums did indeed contain songs by others, but they also included many compositions by the lady, herself.
She did co-write "Bette Davis Eyes" which was a hit in the 80's for Kim Carnes.
She has co-written songs with John Bettis, Glen Ballantyne, Donna Weiss and her other half, the great Randy Edelman ("Let The Sailors Dance").
Jackie DeShannon is truly an artist of many, many talents.

Think about the number of times that Andre & Dory Previn's "(Theme From) The Valley of the Dolls" has been erroneously identified as a BB/HD song. The song was in fact produced by BB/HD (Scepter single & album version) and conducted by Burt (arranged by Pat Williams).

On the subject of Jackie DeShannon - I certainly wish we could have seen more collaborations between her and Burt over the years Just like Dionne & Dusty - Jackie's voice is able to handle with ease the complexities of Burt's music and is truly unique. In addition to the definitive version of "What The World Needs Now Is Love" - listen to her sing "A Lifetime Of Loneliness" and "I Don't Need You Anymore" I also enjoy "Windows And Doors", "Come And Get Me" and "So Long Johnny".

I'm surprised nobody mentioned What The World Needs Now #2
(lol)
co-written and recorded by JAckie D. "Put A little Love in Your Heart"

Steveo