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Head shots of Burt Bacharach and Hal David superimposed on graphic collage and piano

Burt Bacharach & Hal David

I've been fortunate to receive a number of music-industry honors during my career. However, the news of being awarded the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize was especially meaningful to me. I am humbled and excited at the same time to receive this prestigious award.
—Burt Bacharach

“It’s a great honor to receive this award and to follow the past recipients, Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder and Paul McCartney – it doesn’t get any better than this.”
—Hal David

The Grammy and Academy Award-winning pair--composer Burt Bacharach and lyricist Hal David--first began collaborating in the 1950s at the famous Paramount Music Co. in New York's storied Brill Building. In the 1960s and 1970s they were almost as well-known as the singers they wrote for, including Dionne Warwick, Dusty Springfield, The Carpenters, Tom Jones, Jackie DeShannon, Gene Pitney and Herb Alpert. Their work in that period included such iconic songs as "Only Love Can Break a Heart," "Walk on By," "Do You Know the Way to San Jose," "I Say a Little Prayer," "Make It Easy on Yourself," "Close to You," "There's Always Something There to Remind Me," and many others. Collaborations for film included "Alfie," "What's New Pussycat?," "The Look of Love," "After the Fox," and "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance." The signature song "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head" (from Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid) won an Oscar and an ASCAP award for the "Most Performed Feature Film Standard." Today the timeless songs of Bacharach and David continue to be recorded by such artists as Diana Krall, Alicia Keys, John Legend, and Cyndi Lauper, and are beloved by every new generation.

2012 Gershwin Bacharach David Videos

Image gallery

Gershwin Prize medallion, certificate and commemorative American flag honoring Hal David Gershwin Prize medallion, certificate and commemorative American flag honoring Burt Bacharach Rep. Gregg Harper, Burt Bacharach Eunice David and Rep. Gregg Harper Burt Bacharach views treasures from the Library's collections. Eunice David and Rep. Gregg Harper at a celebratory event in the Members Room of the Library of Congress. Marjorie Billington, Eunice David, Librarian of Congress James H. Billington Eunice David signs the Librarian's guest book on behalf of her husband, Hal David Burt Bacharach signs the Librarian's guest book. Sheryl Crow and Lyle Lovett perform in the Gershwin Prize tribute concert in the Coolidge Auditorium in the Library of Congress. Biographical video of Hal David being played on stage at the Gershwin Prize concert Lyle Lovett, Michael Feinstein, Rumer, Dionne Warwick, Diana Krall, Sheryl Crow and Stevie Wonder perform in the Gershwin Prize tribute concert in the Coolidge Auditorium in the Library of Congress. Bacharach on stage at the Gershwin Prize tribute concert at the Library of Congress reminiscing about his collaborations with David Sheryl Crow and Burt Bacharach pose for a photo on concert night at the Library of Congress. Stevie Wonder performing in the Gershwin Prize tribute concert at the Library of Congress honoring Burt Bacharach and Hal David Great Hall, Jefferson Building, Library of Congress, decorated for guests on concert night Dionne Warwick performing in the Gershwin Prize concert honoring Burt Bacharach and Hal David A smiling Burt Bacharach and Michael Feinstein pose for a photo in the Library of Congress. Burt Bacharach and Mike Myers share a moment on stage during the Gershwin Prize concert. Cover photo of Richard and Karen Carpenter on the sheet music for “(They Long to Be) Close to You” (1974) by Burt Bacharach and Hal David Headshot of Hal David Cover photo of Dionne Warwick on the sheet music for “Do You Know the Way to San Jose” (1968) by Burt Bacharach and Hal David Eunice David and guests at a celebratory event in the Library of Congress for the Gershwin Prize honorees