# I'm never gonna stop the rain by complainin'; RIP Burt Bacharach **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** celebrity-death, music\ **Created:** [February 9, 2023, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-never-gonna-stop-the-rain-by-complainin-rip-burt-bacharach/979532 "2023-02-09T15:37:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2023, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-never-gonna-stop-the-rain-by-complainin-rip-burt-bacharach/979532/1 "2023-02-09T15:37:25Z")
Burt Bacharach has died. He was 94. > **[Burt Bacharach, prolific composer of pop hits, dies at 94](https://www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2023/02/09/burt-bacharach-songwriter-dies/?pwapi_token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWJpZCI6Ijg0MzMxNTYiLCJyZWFzb24iOiJnaWZ0IiwibmJmIjoxNjc1OTE4ODAwLCJpc3MiOiJzdWJzY3JpcHRpb25zIiwiZXhwIjoxNjc3MjE0Nzk5LCJpYXQiOjE2NzU5MTg4MDAsImp0aSI6IjNhODM4YTM2LWMwODYtNGQ0MC1hMzI5LWM5MWM5NTBhMjhlNiIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lndhc2hpbmd0b25wb3N0LmNvbS9vYml0dWFyaWVzLzIwMjMvMDIvMDkvYnVydC1iYWNoYXJhY2gtc29uZ3dyaXRlci1kaWVzLyJ9.jup8x72Nqf2MQutSs-ttIYXyfLV4YqW8m51YvN_yCEs&itid=gfta)** > > “I Say a Little Prayer,” “Do You Know the Way to San Jose,” “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head,” were among dozens of his chart-summiting songs. ---
**Author:** ![Two\_Many\_Cats2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/779978/32.png) [@Two\_Many\_Cats2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats2)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2023, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-never-gonna-stop-the-rain-by-complainin-rip-burt-bacharach/979532/2 "2023-02-09T16:02:04Z")
Elevators should be silent everywhere in respect. Anybody notice that most elevators are silent these days? Anyway, happy rest to him after a nice long life. ---
**Author:** ![Baal\_Houtham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baal_houtham/32/13604_2.png) [@Baal\_Houtham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baal_Houtham)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2023, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-never-gonna-stop-the-rain-by-complainin-rip-burt-bacharach/979532/3 "2023-02-09T16:31:19Z")
One of the giants. My personal favorites are: “Any Day Now” (Ronnie Milsap and others) “My Little Red Book” (Love) “The Look of Love” (Dusty Springfield) “Promises, Promises” (Dionne Warwick) “Baby, It’s You” (Smith, Beatles, Shirelles) “Always Something There to Remind Me” “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance” (Gene Pitney) “24 Hours From Tulsa” (Gene Pitney) (Baby, It’s You) [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/N8cBCg6gOF4/hqdefault.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEmCOADEOgC8quKqQMa8AEB-AH-CYAC0AWKAgwIABABGGUgVyhJMA8=&rs=AOn4CLD573rO_GpHtywX-oOXQ-Xs65dwog "NEW \* Baby It's You - Smith {Stereo} 1969") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8cBCg6gOF4) ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2023, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-never-gonna-stop-the-rain-by-complainin-rip-burt-bacharach/979532/4 "2023-02-09T16:34:56Z")
What a corpus. What a legend. A classic case of “Oh. I didn’t know he wrote _that one,_ too!” But he did. ---
**Author:** ![CorpusNeptune](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/corpusneptune/32/17561_2.png) [@CorpusNeptune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CorpusNeptune)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2023, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-never-gonna-stop-the-rain-by-complainin-rip-burt-bacharach/979532/5 "2023-02-09T16:36:14Z")
Rest in peace… ---
**Author:** ![Jaycat.again](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat.again/32/11525_2.png) [@Jaycat.again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaycat.again)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2023, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-never-gonna-stop-the-rain-by-complainin-rip-burt-bacharach/979532/6 "2023-02-09T17:22:25Z")
At his best… [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/jjNNijd4t0Q/hqdefault.jpg "Dionne Warwick - The Windows of The World (Burt Bacharach)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjNNijd4t0Q) ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2023, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-never-gonna-stop-the-rain-by-complainin-rip-burt-bacharach/979532/7 "2023-02-09T17:29:38Z")
While I don’t know that I’ve ever been a fan, per se, of Bacharach’s music, he, and his songs, were a huge part of the fabric of my early life, as they were so ubiquitous in the late '60s and early '70s. The first song that I can ever remember being my “favorite” song (when I was 4 or 5 years old) was one of his: “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head.” ---
**Author:** ![pjd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pjd/32/3009_2.png) [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2023, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-never-gonna-stop-the-rain-by-complainin-rip-burt-bacharach/979532/8 "2023-02-09T18:08:39Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > While I don’t know that I’ve ever been a fan, per se, of Bacharach’s music, he, and his songs, were a huge part of the fabric of my early life, as they were so ubiquitous in the late '60s and early '70s. This. I never knew he wrote “Three wheels on my wagon” !! A favourite in BBC Children’s Choice ! ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2023, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-never-gonna-stop-the-rain-by-complainin-rip-burt-bacharach/979532/9 "2023-02-09T19:17:09Z")
Bacarach’s music was always lyrical, and usually pretty, back in the day when prettiness was one of the top virtues for popular song. “The Look of Love” is on my list of prettiest 60s songs, and so is “Wives and Lovers” by Jack Jones. That one is spoiled by Hal David’s sexist lyrics, which are often problematic today, but the melody is hypnotic. Music changed, and Bacharach didn’t, so he wrote lots of inane pop after the 60s. Nobody was more perfect for the non-rock half of popular music before then. He was the best. ---
**Author:** ![Baal\_Houtham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baal_houtham/32/13604_2.png) [@Baal\_Houtham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baal_Houtham)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2023, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-never-gonna-stop-the-rain-by-complainin-rip-burt-bacharach/979532/10 "2023-02-09T19:42:43Z")
Yeah, Hal David was A Pro who rarely elevated the songs, and sometimes damaged them. However: a girlfriend of mine greatly liked “The Look of Love” and asserted that such a look was A Very Real Thing. I could understand what she meant. Someone once wrote that Bacharach’s melodies tended to limit a singer’s improv opportunities — there were rhythmic hooks that had to be closely followed to retain the essence of the tune. I’m not musically literate enough to assess that claim, but it generally feels true to me if I try to casually sing a Burt B song. ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Tan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/charlie_tan/32/12582_2.png) [@Charlie\_Tan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Tan)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2023, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-never-gonna-stop-the-rain-by-complainin-rip-burt-bacharach/979532/11 "2023-02-09T19:49:06Z")
[![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/88UgwiJXEw0/maxresdefault.jpg "The Carpenters - Close To You (1970) 4K") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88UgwiJXEw0) ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2023, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-never-gonna-stop-the-rain-by-complainin-rip-burt-bacharach/979532/12 "2023-02-09T20:07:49Z")
His personal sound certainly defined the entire era while he was big. ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2023, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-never-gonna-stop-the-rain-by-complainin-rip-burt-bacharach/979532/13 "2023-02-09T20:33:32Z")
I just don’t know what to do with myself. [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/WL0tW9YSc2I/hqdefault.jpg "Dusty Springfield - I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself (The Bacharach Sound, 1965)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WL0tW9YSc2I) j ---
**Author:** ![F.U.Shakespeare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aca169/32.png) [@F.U.Shakespeare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.U.Shakespeare)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2023, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-never-gonna-stop-the-rain-by-complainin-rip-burt-bacharach/979532/14 "2023-02-09T20:47:17Z")
Don’t forget the [theme from “The Blob”.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzHDvzGmmw0) ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2023, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-never-gonna-stop-the-rain-by-complainin-rip-burt-bacharach/979532/15 "2023-02-09T20:52:59Z")
Aw, damn. I just love his collaborations with Elvis Costello. [Elvis Costello, Burt Bacharach - Toledo - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOPXvtZvb7g&ab_channel=ElvisCostelloVEVO) mmm ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2023, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-never-gonna-stop-the-rain-by-complainin-rip-burt-bacharach/979532/16 "2023-02-09T21:02:55Z")
Yeah, Elvis did a fine version as well. Great song, great songwriter. j ---
**Author:** ![Pavelb1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/439d5e/32.png) [@Pavelb1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pavelb1)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2023, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-never-gonna-stop-the-rain-by-complainin-rip-burt-bacharach/979532/17 "2023-02-09T21:21:56Z")
One of my giants ---
**Author:** ![Pavelb1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/439d5e/32.png) [@Pavelb1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pavelb1)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2023, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-never-gonna-stop-the-rain-by-complainin-rip-burt-bacharach/979532/18 "2023-02-09T21:23:59Z")
The Richard Matheson of pop music ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2023, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-never-gonna-stop-the-rain-by-complainin-rip-burt-bacharach/979532/19 "2023-02-09T21:28:25Z")
He wrote one of my favorite Herb Alpert tracks [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/k3-hFB1hZ60/hqdefault.jpg "Casino Royale Original Soundtrack - 01 Main Title Theme") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3-hFB1hZ60) ---
**Author:** ![74westy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/74westy/32/3950_2.png) [@74westy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/74westy)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2023, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-never-gonna-stop-the-rain-by-complainin-rip-burt-bacharach/979532/20 "2023-02-09T22:01:56Z")
That’s a boombastic one! The Look of Love was from the same movie. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-never-gonna-stop-the-rain-by-complainin-rip-burt-bacharach/979532.md?page=2)