RIP Hal David

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 2 Sep 2012 2:50 am

His work with Burt Bacharach is indelible. Here is a sampling of Hal David's lyrics from CNN .....

"The Four Winds and the Seven Seas," for Vic Damone
"The Bell Bottom Blues," for Teresa Brewer
"Broken Hearted Melody," for Sarah Vaughan
"Sea of Heartbreak," for Don Gibson
"Johnny Get Angry," for Joanie Sommers
"My Heart's an Open Book," for Carl Dobkins, Jr.
"The Story of My Life," for Marty Robbins
"Magic Moments," for Perry Como
"Blue on Blue," for Bobby Vinton
"Wives and Lovers," for Jack Jones
"What the World Needs Now is Love," for Jackie De Shannon
"This Guy's in Love with You," for Herb Alpert
"(They Long to Be) Close to You," for The Carpenters
"(There's) Always Something There to Remind Me," for Sandie Shaw
"What's New Pussycat," for Tom Jones
"Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head," for the movie "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" and recorded by B.J. Thomas
"Promises, Promises," from the musical of the same name
"99 Miles from L.A.," performed by Albert Hammond
"To All the Girls I've Loved Before," performed by Albert Hammond
The theme for the movie "Moonraker"

For Gene Pitney:
"Only Love Can Break a Heart"
"24 Hours from Tulsa"
"The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance"
For Dionne Warwick:
"Don't Make Me Over"
"Anyone Who Had a Heart"
"Walk on By"
"Reach Out for Me"
"You'll Never Get to Heaven If You Break My Heart"
"A House is Not a Home"
"I Say a Little Prayer"
"Message to Michael"
"Do You Know the Way to San Jose"
"Alfie"
"I'll Never Fall in Love Again"

For Dusty Springfield:
"Wishin' and Hopin'"
"The Look of Love"

Will Houston · Post by **Will Houston** » 2 Sep 2012 9:03 am

Ya thats a pretty good list.

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 2 Sep 2012 2:36 pm

Forumite Geralrd Ross's lovely tribute to Hal: http://www.geraldross.com/listen.htm

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 3 Sep 2012 6:46 am

IMO, one of the world's great lyricists, and my personal favorite. He also wrote "Windows of the World." He will be missed in more ways than one.

Donna Dodd · Post by **Donna Dodd** » 3 Sep 2012 5:09 pm

Brilliant writer!!

frank rogers · Post by **frank rogers** » 9 Sep 2012 7:05 am

His work with Archie Jordan in the country field was impressive too, I particularly liked "Santa Barbara" recorded by Ronnie Milsap. Great Lyricist! BTW, here is the link to NPR's recent tribute to David. http://www.npr.org/2012/09/07/160748199 ... -hal-david

Jim Sliff · Post by **Jim Sliff** » 25 Oct 2012 9:53 am

I met Hal and his wife Eunice a few years ago while managing a large construction project on the hi-rise where they live in L.A. I met Eunice first and the name "David" did not dawn on me until she asked me to take look at some unrelated issues in their Penthouse and I saw Grammys and just about every other award possible in very beautiful (and not overly showy) display cabinets. Hal wasn't well but when Eunice heard from the building manager that I was a musician she took the time to introduce me and what was supposed to be a "meet and greet" ended up a 30 minute chat full of wonderful stories (and hilarious exposes regarding the real inspiration behind some songs).

Nice, down-to-earth folks and a memorable experience. Talked to him a few times after that with him usually greeting me first and insisting on a first-name basis (which I honestly found weird - I've never been like that around anyone in the music business but this was like speaking with a demigod!).

What a legacy he left. Thankfully Eunice is a strong woman (a board member of their "Condo" association - if you call a 21 story building with 2 "units" on each floor "condos) with a huge group of friends/support.

One of the few people in the music business I was totally in awe of.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 25 Oct 2012 10:54 am

Hal and Eunice David raised their family in my hometown of Roslyn, New York (on Long Island), and I went to high school with their kids. One day Hal came to school as a guest speaker to talk about his work as a lyricist. And THAT was the one day I got sick and had to stay home from school. I was SOOOO bummed out!!

Anyway, that's the only Hal David story I've got; take it or leave it.

Jack Stanton · Post by **Jack Stanton** » 26 Oct 2012 4:02 am

That's quite a story, Jim!

There's probably 10 of my all time favorite songs on that list! An incredible talent.

Don McClellan · Post by **Don McClellan** » 26 Oct 2012 5:19 am

He and Burt also wrote My Little Red Book which was a hit by a rock group called Love around '68 or '69 (?). I believe the Eric Burden and the Animals recorded it first. Don

Russ Tkac · Post by **Russ Tkac** » 27 Oct 2012 12:57 pm

Nice stories from both Jim's!

Don McClellan · Post by **Don McClellan** » 27 Oct 2012 4:07 pm

I just listened to Gerald Ross's tribute doing What The World Needs Now. Beautiful work Mr. Ross. Don