Successful song-writer Hal David has died aged 91

American lyricist Hal David, who is responsible for dozens of hits, passed away on Saturday...

16:06 03 September 2012

Working alongside composer Burt Bacharach, Hal David helped to write many famous songs which will surely be remembered for years to come.

 

David, who grew up in New York, died in LA due to complications from a stroke, according to spokesman Jim Steinblatt from the American Society of Composers.

 

Their hits began in the 1950s with the first being ‘Magic Moments’ in 1957, which reached number one in the UK charts, and the 60s and 70s saw songs written for the likes of Dusty Springfield, The Carpenters and Tom Jones among others.

 

David and Bacharach’s song-writing hits included ‘Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head’, ‘Do you Know the Way to San Jose’, ‘Walk on By’, and ‘What the World Needs Now is Love’.

 

Not to mention popular songs ‘I Say a Little Prayer’, which was recorded by Aretha Franklin and reached number four in the US in 1967, and ‘(There’s) Always Something There to Remind Me’.

 

The pair’s collaboration also included films, as they wrote the Oscar-nominated title songs for ‘What’s New Pussycat?’ and the song ‘The Look of Love’ for Casino Royale.

 

On his website, David reveals the art to forming his lyrics, stating that he aims for them to be believable, simple and emotional: "Above all, I try to create an emotion to which others can respond."

 

Last year the US Library of Congress awarded David and Bacharach the Gershwin Prize, which is the first time a song-writing group have won the prize.

 

The song ‘Walk on By’ has been inducted in the Grammy Hall of Fame.