Burt Bacharach, Polar Music Prize Laureate 2001

Bacharach’s songs, whilst being sophisticated and elegant, at the same time have an ingenious natural feel about them. During the past five decades, they have been performed and recorded in countless versions and in an incredible range of musical styles. A tremendous array of chart hits, gold and platinum discs, Grammy awards and Oscars comprise further proof of the long and successful career, both commercially and artistically, that Bacharach has enjoyed.

Bacharach’s most acclaimed songs are far too many to mention. Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head, I’ll Never Fall In Love Again, I Say A Little Prayer, This Guy’s In Love With You and Walk On By are just some golden examples. That’s What Friends Are For, which was performed by Dionne Warwick, Elton John, Gladys Knight and Stevie Wonder in the 1980′s, became the theme tune for the fight against AIDS.

The line-up of the many illustrious performers who have recorded Bacharach songs also include Dusty Springfield, Aretha Franklin, Tom Jones, Herb Albert, The Carpenters, Christopher Cross, Patti Labelle, Michael McDonald, Isaac Hayes, Rod Stewart, Roberta Flack, Nina Simone, Perry Como, The Drifters, Elvis Costello, Elvis Presley and The Beatles, to name but a few.

In addition to his exceptional success as a composer, Bacharach has been a trendsetter as a record producer and arranger, thanks to the acoustic images he paints with such proficiency.

There can be no doubt that Burt Bacharach’s creations have enriched the twentieth century and, by the same token, it is just as certain that his indisputable craftmanship will continue to inspire future generations.

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