Hal David exemplifies the highest level of achievement in the fine art of the written word that accompanies the music of a memorable song.
Despite his substantial music credentials, David, as a young man, turned to journalism as a potential career, and like a number of other illustrious magicians of words on the printed page, cut his eye teeth at The New York Post.
While pouring out words of the news in The Post's city room, David dabbled in song lyrics as well, and thanks to a lucky break, wrote his first successful lyric for "swing and sway" bandleader, Sammy Kaye, in 1947. With this entree, the door was opened and other hits came tumbling out of David's busy typewriter. One of the first of these was "Four Winds and the Seven Seas," created with co-writer, Don Rodney, a vocalist for the Guy Lombardo orchestra. A recording by the Lombardo ensemble became a hit. David followed with "Broken-Hearted Melody," which became Sarah Vaughan's biggest single hit ever, and "Johnny Get Angry," a great success for yet another female singer, Joanie Sommers.
One of the best-known, most productive songwriting teams of the late '50s and the decade of the ’60s was born in the offices of The Famous Music Corporation in 1957, when Hal David first met Burt Bacharach. Famous exec, Eddie Wolpin, offered them a room and a piano and there was almost instant rapport. Rapport in turn grew into productivity and the two were hitting paydirt in short order with such titles as "Story of My Life," a hit for country singer, Many Robbins, and the same year, "Magic Moments," an…
Discography Highlights
WALK ON BY
Hal David, Burt Bacharach
New Hidden Valley Music Co./Casa David
I SAY A LITTLE PRAYER
Hal David, Burt Bacharach
New Hidden Valley Music Co./Casa David
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