5 on Friday -- Set 303

Spinning Friday tunes since 2010...

Time for my once-a-month project for 2016.

This year I'll be focusing on Songwriters. Check back on the first Friday of each month as I take a look at the work of artists whose creative voices are most often brought to us through the performances of others.

February belongs to Burt Bacharach. 

Along with his longtime lyricist Hal David, Bacharach is responsible for so many of my favorite love songs that I simply had to turn the month for valentines over to him.

Nine years ago, on February 5th, 2007 I posted my very first blog post here at A Piece of My Mind. Crazy to think that next year I'll be celebrating an entire decade of blogging.

And now, it's over to you Burt Bacharach.

1 - The Look of Love -Sergio Mendes and Brasil 66 - 1968

This one is simply it for me. The song itself and this version of it. 

2 - Baby, It's You - The Beatles -1963

If you're going to spend the rest of your career writing legendary songs, you might as well cover a songwriting giant like Bacharach on your debut album. This song's lyrics were written by Luther Dixon and Mack David.

3 - Walk on By - Dionne Warwick - 1964

What's a love song set without a little heartache?

4 - What's New, Pussycat? - Tom Jones - 1965

Is it me, or did it just get a little hotter in here?

5 - This Guy's in Love With You - Herb Alpert - 1968

It's probably not very fair to follow Tom Jones' powerful voice with Herb Alpert's, but the unaffected delivery of this song is a huge part of its charm for me. I just adore the fact that this love song compelled a trumpet player to become a singer. That's the power of the Bacharach/David one-two punch. 

If you'd like to join in, simply choose five pieces of music and post them for other bloggers to enjoy. Then check out the set posted by the other 5 on Friday blogger -- you can sign in over at Golch Central's Rambling Stuff.