Burt Bacharach's Clever Key Changes

[@DavidBennettPiano]

❗ CORRECTION: There are a few typos in the chords during this video. Although they don’t really impact the points I’m making in the video. At 4:47, bars 4 and 5 should be G chords, not C chords. And at 9:04, bar 4 should be "Gbmaj7" not "Gmaj7" and bar 7 should have a "Bbm7", not a "Bm7". Sorry for any confusion and thank you to the observant viewers who brought these to my attention 😊

[@luckydave328]

Remake the video. It's asking a bit much of beginners otherwise.

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Lucky Dave really!? 😅 and sacrifice the 100k+ views? The typos hardly impact the video

[@luckydave328]

@@DavidBennettPiano I am honoured that you replied. I am perhaps being a little selfish in my demand. I am someone who played by ear for most of my life and theory is comparatively new to me. And totally fascinating. It has opened doors in my mind that I never knew were there ! I appreciate what you are doing ....... but for people like myself who struggle along and often have to keep skipping back and listening over to grasp your points ... yes it would be helpful if there were no glitches ! Not everybody is so comfortably at home with music theory. Though probably the majority of your subscribers are. Up to you of course !

[@alejandrolopresti181]

@@luckydave328 agreed

[@OzzieWozzieOriginal]

@@luckydave328 I play by ear, and I didnt understand any theory

[@xxPenjoxx]

The theory of the chord shifting is great, but the real genius is _where_ the change happens. Always with a lyrical shift. Burt Bacharach and Hal David worked so well together.

[@looppool]

Exactly, I described the device he uses a lot pretty much because, for me , personally, those are where the 'goose bump' moments are and, like you said, his ability to turn a melody on a chord change or even to make a melody actually reharmonize that chord change (something he does a lot!) is where the magic is in his music. I think in most songrwriting that the synergy between lyric, melody, harmony, rhythm and even, sometimes, timbre is where all the magic lies.

[@sbphillips177]

@@looppool excellent analysis here

[@daveyvane]

No, that’s not as important

[@carybradley3968]

Thanks so much for this explanation of his wizardry with key changes and how wild that was. I’m a singer and piano player, but terrible music reader and know his songs well. My lack of music Ed could never help me see/hear his break with key protocol and understand why folks have said he’s hard to sing. By the time I learned his songs from hearing, they were simple for me. Very much appreciate you breaking how and where his key changes were, and why. Thank you!

[@jrm2fla]

@@daveyvane Gary, you are very decisive… WHY is it not as important ? Enquiring minds want to know 😊

[@tigersauceproduction]

For a songwriter who's done so much, Bacharach feels so underrated these days. One of the best pop songwriters ever, absolute legend.

[@auldthymer]

Back on the first season of American Idol he worked with all of the contestants. I cried jealous tears.

[@colindayo]

Underrated? Not in the UK....

[@tigersauceproduction]

@@colindayo how I wish this was the case in my milieu

[@martyemmons1859]

My sentiments exactly. Sirius XM radio have channels devoted to Sinatra and Studio 54. It's time for Burt Bacharach to have a channel.

[@pljms]

He's certainly under appreciated by the rock music publication Rolling Stone who in their 100 greatest songwriters of the rock era poll from several years ago didn't place the partnership of Bacharach and David in the top 10. In fact they weren't in the top 20. Actually they weren't even in the top 30!

[@christophermooreworx4913]

So happy to see someone younger recognize and acknowledge the quirky musical inventiveness of this great songwriter. No one proves that you can write for a mass audience and still be musicologically complex better than BB. My personal fave is Anyone Who Had a Heart. It's passionate and dramatic, with an extended coda of chords that take one's breath away as they soar.

[@rome8180]

Bacharach is one of the cleverest songwriters of the last 50 years. He's that rare musician who can write pop that's both sophisticated and catchy.

[@venimo]

One could argue that pop was once sophisticated and catchy. It used to sound more "academic." Now, the market prefers more vernacular, more folk culture (hip hop, metal). Artists like Radiohead, Jeff Buckley, The Divine Comedy, even Caleb Landry Jones still write and arrange that way. It just doesn't get into the Top 40 as much.

[@Highinsight7]

@@venimo the problem with most popular tunes of "our current culture" is it dosen't really have longevity... here one moment... gone the next with no real gravity to plunge it into the future... same is true of most classical music (even opera) being written today... There might be a few exceptions... Leigiti, Sessions, Vine, Lauridsen... and a few others...

[@venimo]

@Ken Turnbull Sure. I'd argue that Scott Joplin may've written more catchy tunes than anybody. But change was inevitable.

[@bigk3991]

I'd add Brian Wilson to this group aswell because he truly has made some unique music and he composed alot of music using way more complex harmonies than what was often used in pop music. He managed also like Burt Bacharach to apply jazz chords and slash chords that would have been considered odd in the context of pop music. I feel Brian and Burt have also another thing in common. A fondness for key shifts and tempo changes

[@rome8180]

@@venimo I totally agree with this. Pop music now is mostly about rhythms and sound design. There is very little harmonic and melodic information at all. Most melodies are five notes or fewer. Most songs are 4-chord loops at best. Some don't even have chords. And never mind a key change. It's not gonna happen. There are definitely a few modern artists who still try to push the boundaries. Even some very popular ones. But they are the exception. Up through even the 1990s, it used to be easy to find examples of this kind of complex writing all over the radio.

[@Accelerando_poco]

Burt bacharach is a pure legend! He really deserves a ton of recognition, so I'm glad you made a video on his music.

[@DavidBennettPiano]

He really is a legend!

[@thomasleehardy5727]

Hi David, I'd love to hear any comments you'd like to make on "Anyone Who Had A Heart". Thanks for this analysis and all your other wonderful videos.

[@thomaspick4123]

Being paired with Hal David was significant. I feel words are as important as the music. I have seen successful partnerships split up. When the song composer was pairing with a different wordsmith, the music flopped.

[@martyemmons1859]

I agree. I'm really tired of having to rely on KZbin comments to have a conversation about Burt Bacharach's music.

[@kmbpookyify]

I will miss him RIP. He was such a genius…really knew how to spin a tune

[@dd52161]

i'll miss the old fool thats for sure 😒

[@rome8180]

I came back to this video as soon as I'd heard he'd died. Also, I've been listening to an album he did a couple years ago called Blue Umbrella. He was still writing great music, even in his 90s.

[@twentyrothmans7308]

I was away on holiday and just found out when I re-listened to David. Not quite my cup of tea, but there's no denying his influence.

[@guitarcoyote]

It was the soundtrack to Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid that first introduced him into my life.

[@MakerfieldConsort]

@@guitarcoyote I already knew quite a lot of his work, but "South American Getaway" is a particular favourite.

[@ericisotalo7720]

You really do a great job explaining this. I have only a very basic understanding of music theory (insert guitar player joke here), and am fascinated to see it broken down. I'm 58, and have loved BB and the Beatles my entire life. Literally. I was glad to hear him say that he stopped listening to too many people. A large percentage of the songs I've written have 3 bar sections. My brother, the drummer, gives me grief about it, because I guess most drummers like to count in even numbers. Although I've rearranged 1 or 2 of them, they never sound right to me. I'm going to send him this link and tell him to pay attention to what Burt says. BTW when I was a kid playing Little League Baseball, our Dad built us a small stand in the garage for our baseball bats. I drew a picture of a guy on the side of it, and we called it "Burt Bat Rack"

[@wozzywick]

In the intro to this video you mentioned Bacharach’s tendency to use “lush, jazz-inspired chords.” I’d love to hear you discuss this in more detail in a future video!

[@jamesrossmusic6013]

For a young guy... You sure know your stuff!!!! Thanks David!!!!

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thanks James!

[@officialpaulsinwill]

It's essential to add that Burt Bacharach had an enormous impact on Brian Wilson's musicianship. Both are legendary songwriters.

[@bigk3991]

Seldom have I seen someone write something on you tube so short, precise and insightful as this. One could say it like this aswell. There was Irving Berlin then cole porter, then george gershwin, then burt bacharach came along and finally Brian Wilson. I would say all these men with their respective differences share one thing in common the ability to write catchy tunes with sophistication and substance

[@girlgeniusnyc272]

I would love to see David analyze Cole Porter! And George Gershwin!

[@case139]

He also had an impact on Jimmy Webb.

[@emmbeesea]

I love people that know how to play with harmonic colors. Tiny insertions and splashes of accidentals can add so much spice to a tune and make it all the more memorable.

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Agreed! After all, “chromatic” means colourful!

[@masicbemester]

Emm Bee Sea? From the "You're everywhere" commenter group? Didn't know you were into music stuff Edit: How did I forget about SiIvagunner?

[@Ratboy2004]

That's what it's all about. Pop music is either made or composed. Composition is all about feel and sound. 80% of the greatest musicians couldn't read a note of theory.

[@ChristianPauchet]

Bacharach is one of my favorite POP composers of all times. Prolific is not a strong enough word to describe him. The look of love is probably one of the most sensuous songs ever written, music and lyrics. Great video. Thank you.

[@martyemmons1859]

My sentiments exactly. The last time I bought a DVD of "The Look of Love" performance was Chris Botti - Live with Orchestra & Special Friends. The song had Burt Bacharach on piano with Paula Cole on lead vocals and Chris Botti on trumpet. What a performance! But then, it seems every iteration of "Look of Love" is best I've ever heard.

[@keithedwards-uv8lh]

Great lesson about one of the greatest tunesmiths/composers BUT will someone just someone give Hal David the absolute recognition that he was one of the all time greatest lyricists - just a comment and always great content David - really enjoyed and learned

[@vladimirciboci1485]

Yes Sir, surely one of the greatest lyricist of all time

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Agreed! I did feel a bit guilty not mentioning him in the video. Of course I’m only analysing the music here not the words but I should have given him at least a nod!

[@rogeriovillela]

Estamos falando da música e não da letra. Qualquer pessoa consegue escrever uma boa letra com um mínimo de instrução. No entanto escrever uma boa música..

[@seanhollandcanada]

I remember being surprised many years ago when I heard Donald Fagen of Steely Dan fame respond to the question, "Who are your greatest influences?" with Burt Bacharach as top of his list. Later, as I tried playing some Bacharach tunes, I no longer found it surprising. A common interest in hip chords, quirky changes, making the listener think it's going "here" and suddenly taking them "there", and so on.

[@pauljohnston9768]

Todd Rundgren, too. He's on record as saying Bacharach influenced him.

[@lalimom]

and both donald fagan and rundgren were heavily influenced by Nyro.

[@case139]

@@pauljohnston9768 And ditto, really, for Jimmy Webb. He's had that push, too.

[@AidanORourke]

As a child I was obsessed with the songs of Burt Bacharach. The key changes are magical. Later I learned how to play the chords on the piano. It's incredible to think these chords and key changes had not been heard previously. He created something entirely new.

[@DavidBennettPiano]

He has such a characterful way of writing a song! So original 😃

[@hacerclic1020]

I have been listening to these songs all my life and didn't realize the musical secrets they held until now.

[@speedendurance]

this is the best music theory channel on the Internet. On par with Rick Beato! Clear, concise, songs you know & loved, but never paid attention to!

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thank you so much! Amazing to be compared to Rick!

[@stantonh1452]

Yeah rick is the goat but this guy has a different perspective on songs. Quite refreshing.

[@MatsJonason]

Agree 👍🏻

[@chrisdesign3914]

I love how humble David Bennett and how he put his knowledge at a average level Rick beato is an obnoxious knowledgeable prick

[@stantonh1452]

@@chrisdesign3914 you’re an obnoxious unknowledgeable prick. Jk dude I love you

[@kevindunlap5525]

I cannot tell you how happy I was to see him in Pittsburgh about 15 years ago. I was in the front row directly in front of him. We actually spoke 4 or 5 times throughout the concert! He was a pleasant gentleman, with some of the most incredible music ever written in my life. RIP Burt, a very big loss.

[@kaicanyonellis]

When Austin Powers says "Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Burt Bacharach!" That's one of the best music moments in film history.

[@iranjohnproductions3146]

Indeed it is!

[@LazlosPlane]

Yes, right up there with, "Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn," and, "Forget it, Jake, it's Chinatown." Yup.

[@halflanding1900]

and the film has The Look of Love I love the Susanna Hoffs version even over the original

[@Simbetam]

with elvis costello

[@jordanflaherty9816]

Facts! I love that “performance.”

[@southpond]

The fact that Bacharach studied composition with Darius Milhaud and Henry Cowell gives you all the clues you need to understand why his songwriting is so unique.

[@MrProvincial]

Oh, I love Burt Bacharach so much! "Raindrops keep falling on my head" is probably my favourite song of all time. "Magic moments", "Close to you", "This guy's in love with you" - just magical.

[@waynejohanson1083]

And The look of love and I say A little Prayer.

[@richardlyon67]

David - this was an excellent video - thank you. Im 55 and, as a school boy, my music teacher told us that Bacharach's "This Guy's In Love With You" was one of the finest contemporary songs ever written. It took me another 20 years to understand why, but you nailed it here.

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thank you! 😃😃

[@mamarozzle8766]

Now I know why I've always loved this song so much.

[@paulsawtell3991]

It's really anything more adventurous than the usual triads found in most pop. Major and minor 7ths, augmented, flattened 9ths, sharpened 11ths.. but what makes or breaks is the harmonic sequence

[@plica06]

7:44 I really like how you switched the "Close to you" intro to G Major. How the melody switches when the vocal comes in.. So nice!

[@DavidBennettPiano]

I find that example so interesting! We are all so used to the C major intro, but actually the G major intro would be the more predictable choice! 😊

[@violindiscoverywithms.lesl4396]

Burt Bacharach was so slick with his writing. Love his music.

[@threelikemusic]

For me, The Beatles and Burt Bacharach will always be the definitive musical acts of the 60s

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Absolute classics!

[@bluetv6386]

Yep something about musicians and the letter B : Bach, Beethoven, David Benett, Rick Beato, Adam Beely, the Boiling Stones..

[@masicbemester]

@@bluetv6386 beans

[@fnjesusfreak]

The Beatles even recorded Bacharach on their first UK album.

[@RonTheFlyingDutchman]

Those are the first two I would mention too. And I would also mention Brian Wilson...oh...B again!

[@kaybrown4010]

To me, “A House is Not a Home”, “I Say a Little Prayer”, “Promises, Promises”, oh hell, Bacharach’s entire catalogue, blows me away. He is a genius, an innovator, who caught my ear when I was quite young. I liked him much better than the Beatles, truthfully. Yes, I was (am) a geek!

[@psijicassassin7166]

Many people feel good after listening to Beatles songs, but you can't call it music.

[@kilgoretrout5895]

@@psijicassassin7166 Yes, I too feel good after listening to a Beatles song. And I definitely call it music. I assume you call it "noise." I think the world disagrees with you.

[@TomCee53]

@@kilgoretrout5895 the difference between the Beatles and Burt is that the Beatles knew very little about theory,and built their music on simplicity. They did get a bit more adventurous later, but still were not trained musicians. Burt obviously knew when and how to bend the rules. Of course, music is like language. It’s all just putting names on what comes naturally. Few languages are invented with fixed rules, we just make up rules and exceptions to match. The same applies to music. When something new is created, somebody else comes up with a name for it. But what do I know? One thing for certain: Burt Bacharach is a musical genius. And his buddy Hal David ain’t bad.

[@kilgoretrout5895]

@@TomCee53 Thanks for your reply, Tom. Good food for thought. Another thing is for certain: Lennon and McCartney were/are also musical geniuses. They too bent the rules, perhaps a result of their lack of formal training. Their chord changes were sublime for pop/rock of the time, particularly starting with Rubber Soul, and they used rather difficult chords relative to other bands. I would venture to say that The Beatles were more influential to music (and certainly pop culture) than Bacharach by orders of magnitude, and I think most of the world would agree. Comparing Bacharach to The Beatles is like comparing Rachmaninoff to JS Bach. Fantastic tunesmith, but not in the same league. I would include my one of my favorite composers of the '60s, Jimmy Webb, in the same league as Bacharach. As my Jazz History professor at UCLA in the '70s used to tell us, "when it comes to music, people don't know what they like, they like what they know." But we're all entitled to our opinions.

[@January.]

ME TOO😊 Alfie, Make It Easy On Yourself, This Guy's In Love With You, and Nikki.....I love Burt's singing, too 💕

[@kellwillsen]

The music is wonderful in itself, but I especially like the way it supports the lyrics. “Do You Know the Way to San Jose?” wanders away and comes home tonally, as well as lyrically. The ambiguous key in “Close to You” is resolved suddenly on the word “appear”. “What the World Needs Now” is a simple, uplifting message on a simple, uplifting key change. And so on. Masterful song-crafting.

[@AutPen38]

I think one of the reasons why Bacharach and David's songs often have this 'matching' is that many of the songs were started with the lyrics, rather than chords or melodies. The latter method (music first, lyrics as an afterthought) is much more common in contemporary music, but there's a lot to be said for writing music that fits the words. It kind of helps to have Hal David supplying such brilliant lyrics though. When he handed the lyric sheets to Bacharach, the latter knew he had his work cut out trying to do them justice. He couldn't just churn out 4-chord progressions. Those lyrics demanded music to match them.

[@zzzut]

“Anyone Who Had a Heart” is one of Bacharach’s weirdest songs and by far my favourite. Not only the time signatures shift from 5/4 to 4/4 subdivided into ternary beats (not to mention a perfectly smooth 7/8 bar in the final segment), you never really know what key you are hearing. I would love to hear what you think of that song.

[@voxxvoltair2662]

Just a stunning song on every level... his music inspired me to write my own. Love you Burt. ~V~

[@keithlillis7962]

And fantastically sung by Cilla Black

[@zzzut]

@@keithlillis7962 Absolutely! I have the album. I must say, though, that I was disappointed by one of the last arrangements she performed of that particular song. They simplified the time signatures and it was a real mess. I hope someone will take that video off KZbin. It is in no way representative of Cilla Black’s great career.

[@gavinspencer399]

@@zzzut I've seen this written out in all kind of weird ways, but I just hear it as a waltz. Still a lot of odd length phrases but it gets rid of all the 5/4, 4/4 stuff. Much easier to think abut it that way. Still is a 4/4 measure at the end there, but at least it's not 7/8. However you write it out though, it's brilliant.

[@Alisonws]

I adore Linda Ronstadt's version 💖🎶🎤

[@j.d.miller4203]

David Bennett: I really enjoy this video and so many of your other videos! Thank you! Now for my comment: Clever! That's a word I've heard associated with Burt Bacharach's music for many years; And you are right: Bacharach does do some incredibly clever things with key relationships. But for me, his music is so much more than that, because describing Bacharach as 'clever' can lead one to believe that he is a *cerebral composer only*; while I find his manipulation of tonalities to be so satisfying emotionally, on a visceral level. The key changes he uses are gut-wrenching to me. And there are many instances in his songs where he just changes to a key (without modulating - because modulation implies a process - but rather he just jumps into the new key) that is at a 3rd relationship to the home key, and is not such a closely related key. One example (of many) would be 'Come and Get Me' performed by Jackie Deshannon: The verse to this song is in F Major, while the chorus is in D Major - these keys are not so closely related. However, the contrast between the two keys really satisfies this listener on a *visceral level*; i.e. it isn't just a clever 'trick' that Bacharach uses, but rather is one that makes for an emotionally satisfying musical experience. 'Come and Get Me' is here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fnuVk3ZvrMyqbrM

[@nagy-one4212]

Hi,You actually UNCOVERED my exploration into the music my mother sung to me as a child of four years old. It brought me right back to those moments. I had to stop the video and gather my wits and dry my eyes as i miss her . Thank you for the clear cut example of Bacharacheh's compositions . I am a student of piano and read and write everyday. Your family must be proud of you. I will be joining your channel.

[@stevebrand4420]

I love what you’re doing here. I’m a 57 year old multi-instrumentalist and I feel I’m just starting to understand music. Your videos have helped. Thanks.

[@patrickmanion8736]

I love the extra 2/4 measure in 'The Look of Love' in the chorus: 4/4: How long I have |2/4 waited |4/4 waited just... A great example of letting the lyric dictate the harmonic rhythm.

[@whyyeseyec]

Fantastic song!! Stan Getz and Dusty on the same record!

[@waynejohanson1083]

Classic song.

[@br5087]

Thank you for making this fascinating and enlightening video. Thank you, too, for including the relevant comments by Bacharach himself.

[@eplecor]

Brilliant work again David. I hope that more people start to appreciate Bacharach as a result.

[@DukeIrritable]

Thanks for shining a light on Burt Bacharach's ingenious songs. As tastes have changed, particularly in arrangement styles, his innovations have become less appreciated. It's interesting that both Brian Wilson and Donald Fagen, brilliant songwriters in quite different genres, have spoken admiringly about his music and his influence on their output - which is easy to hear. Lennon and McCartney were fans, and covered one of his songs early in their career. One of his most musically fascinating albums is his solo effort "At This Time" (2005) which includes some highly unconventional and experimental songs. The instrumental track "Danger" shows what he could do when he wasn't concerned about mass appeal.

[@friedrichthegreat]

Your work is so inspiring. For someone nearing 60, it is a huge revelation to rediscover music that has been with me during my childhood, and to understand why it had such a huge impact on the way I hear music and make music myself. Thank you!

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thank you!

[@rhmayer1]

A true musical genius in my book. Growing up I thought his songs were just more schmaltzy pop. But the older I got I started to hear more and more of the depth of his music. His melodic lyrical sense rivals Paul McCartney. His intervals are just gorgeous. He'll play 3 notes and just hang on that 3rd note like no other composer - like the first 3 notes of Close To You. So simple. So gorgeous. He does that a lot - hanging on gorgeous notes - lingering. He TAKES HIS TIME and just extracts the beauty of the notes against that chord SO WELL. All of his great songs have that characteristic of just taking their time, with long pauses. The Look Of Love is one of my favorites and another example of this rich, deep, taking your time to really let each note of that gorgeous melody sink in. Just 2 notes - long pause. Then just 2 notes - long pause. Repeating... 2 notes, pause... 2 notes, pause... Where is this going?? Oh, that beautiful resolution... So simple. But so much behind and underneath that simplicity. His music is so beautiful it sometimes makes me cry. Some musicians just have it. The IT factor. Burt Bacharach is one of those rare ones. A legend, whose name (and songs, of course) will remain known for many generations.

[@AutPen38]

I saw him in an interview for the Library of Congress and he almost seemed in pain when saying some of the vocal melodies used quarter- or even eighth-notes. Judging from the manuscripts, he's now taking a rest.

[@jawswasnevermyscene4258]

Rest in peace Mr.Burt , you are the sound of the 60s

[@January.]

*Mr. Bacharach

[@strummercash5601]

I really love your videos, insight, expertise, and attitude. After decades of pounding out on a Martin guitar-used almost percussively-the simple tunes that enter my head demanding attention, I am taking piano lessons at age 53 to finally learn theory. With scales, Hanon method, and dumbed-down versions of children’s songs, I enjoy adding elements of your knowledge to my slowly expanding musical tool box. Thank you, sir. Peace, love, blessings in 2021!

[@ellenrice19]

Been doing music all my life, including some classical training and a healthy dose of music theory. Did I ever get around to analyzing any of the hundreds of songs I know like this? Of course not! But I am finding the analysis of (especially) all these songs I grew up fascinating. Love the channel. Keep up the great work!

[@girlgeniusnyc272]

David, I am so glad KZbin exists to give people like you a platform to share your EXTENSIVE knowledge. You probably have no idea how many people you are helping. Please keep being YOU! This is written with pure respect and intellectual admiration!

[@eeeeewewew]

Best theory music KZbinr. Love the way you present the information

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thanks so much Michael! 😃

[@eeeeewewew]

@@DavidBennettPiano No problem sir! I have learnt so much from watching and rewatching your videos. Keep up the great work.

[@jeff__w]

I don’t have any formal musical background but I really _love_ your videos-they’re perfect models of clarity. I especially appreciate how you _always_ have the alternative version that you’re talking about (like the G major chord version of “Close to You” at 7:41) which really drives the point you’re making home. (And I also like the no-nonsense brevity of the in-video advert-you succinctly make the pitch and it’s back to the video.)

[@simonestreeter1518]

I am SO glad you featured Burt Bacharach today! Would you be willing to do a video on Michel Legrand?

[@tubebydefault]

Burt Bacharach and his long time song writing partner, Hal David, helped define the sound of the sixties. Truly brilliant songs, some of which you highlighted in your video. Bacharach was a perfectionist and demanded the singers give everything in their rendition of his songs. Great video David again, David.

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thanks Hugh! 🙂😊👍🏻

[@BassGirlSusan1961]

"That's what Friends are for" another wonderful Bacharach tune.

[@JackTheRabbitMusic]

I love that one, too! 🐰❤️🌸🎸🎶🤝✌️

[@singingmanmd]

And the very very majority was sung iconicly by the one and only Legendary iconic Ms. Dionne Warwick. She understood what was needed in singing to turn these songs into masterpieces!!!!

[@skorupajp]

Michelle by the Beatles is another outstanding example of the kind of tonal ambiguity you showed with Bacharach's tunes. Great video! I've been a musician most of my life. That was one of the clearest, easy-to-understand videos about key changes I've ever seen.

[@chematornero]

Arthur's Theme (or Best that you can do) is a masterclass in key flowing. A truly deserved Oscar for Mr. Bacharach. PS: I had the privilege to see him live around 12 years ago. Amazing gig.

[@urbangorilla33]

Yes! I just learned that song this week and found it fascinating. Starting with Dm - G - C (is that a 2-5-1?) then up a 4th to F and again a 4th to Bb, then up a tritone (quite uncommon interval) to E, up a 4th to A, which leads to D for the chorus.

[@cjshardcorepunkmusicvault8474]

Dude, I love your video's. Most people don't understand music theory to this degree. You are making that accessible to beginner musicians or just non-musicians who enjoy theory. Cheers.

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thanks so much! I really appreciate that 🙂😃

[@maetzchenmusik]

Many people state they'd love music, but I guess they're not quite honest on that. Otherwise they'd be more into musical details. Just imagine music commentators talking about music the same way e.g. football commentators do on TV, including their natural use of terminology. Unconceivable, isn't it? They're lost for words instead and will stay that way. Altering this would be something. David's attempts on this are to be hailed without question.

[@RickeyJones0312]

I’ve always loved Burt’s chord substitutions and open voicing. His jazz background certainly caught my ear! He leaves an influential, memorable musical/cultural legacy. 👏🏿👏🏿.

[@sabrinasjourney]

Yes! I am fascinated with his songs and why they sound the way they do. Thank you so much for this!

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thanks! 😃 me too!

[@pnojazz]

Great job David! I’ve been a huge Burt Bacharach fan since 1964! His songs have been the soundtrack of my life. You truly need to get your album on Apple Music. Your playing is fantastic. Keep playing!

[@AidanORourke]

This is a great analysis of three of my all time favourite songs, but I don't understand it fully, I will need to replay it and stop it at each point so I can understand it better. Looking at all his song titles, he seems to just jump from one key to another like an acrobat. It's so subtle but key changes are like a magician pulling something out of a hat. You're right when latter day songs don't seem to use key changes like they used to pre-80s. Two songs I've been playing recently are Looking through the window and I never can say goodbye girl, both written by Clifton Davis, the key changes are mesmerising - well they were to to me as a child!

[@johngiangrande2996]

Great video David. Burt is one of my favorite song composers. A mention here goes to lyricist Hal David and his contribution to these songs almost all of Burt's early hits. All those meter and key changes in his music come from his love of Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Ravel, Debussy and Stravinsky. He even got the changes to study for a time under Darius Milhaud (Les Six). He was then Marlene Dietrich's orchestra arranger and leader for her tours. Thankfully, he got out of writing songs for the Brill Publishing -- he's right! Those early ones, like Magic Moments, were comparatively square -- and he produced on his own, taking Hal with him. Keep up the great work David!

[@kaicanyonellis]

This EP of yours is fire. Well done, my dude.

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thanks! That really means a lot 😃😃

[@L7lighthouse]

The key shift up (for the whole song, usually at the end) is such an obvious emotional ploy that it's a bit embarrassing. But Bacharach's subtle shifts back and forth within a verse emphasize the lyrical structure and it's emotional content. Very informative, thanx again.

[@LumilusD]

Burt Bacharach is an OG songwriter.

[@superblip9372]

Him and John Barry!

[@SHKEVE]

Guillaume de Machaut: Am I a joke to you?

[@sieteocho]

He even did an album with Dr Dre.

[@subg8858]

When you join the disciples, Bacharach beats you in

[@normancastelli3546]

OK I give up I am no longer a mind reader. So what is an OG songwriter?? OG I think I just found out.

[@rashidrani2333]

Bacharach and Hal David.....my most favourite composer and lyricist....

[@hamishspencer]

"Painted from memory" is a criminally underrated Bacharach album. "Such unlikely lovers" has some very interesting modulations in the verse especially

[@jkryanspark]

Shame on me. I'm a huge Costello fan, but have ignored the album. I'm gonna look for it in my CD bin and give it a listen. Thank you.

[@GFLJO]

Burt says the record company dropped the ball, never promoted it well, then they subsequently folded. "Painted From Memory" is a masterwork album by Burt and Elvis Costello. I could listen to it over and over. I bought the piano score, and the chords are just mesmerizing. Burt says it's some of his finest arrangements. I agree. Thank you, Burt, for lifting us up in appreciation of your vision!

[@deusfilius7]

Thank you for this comment! I have discovered a gem! Brilliant. I can see influences over several bands over the years. “Such unlikely lovers” Wow.

[@hamishspencer]

@@deusfilius7 My pleasure. I'm so glad you like it

[@hamishspencer]

@@jkryanspark You're very welcome. You could always listen to the album on KZbin.

[@jacquesmersereau4173]

Thank you for producing this video. It really help the listener to understand just how special Burt's songwriting was and what makes his songs not only stand out but sound great.

[@ilwayeebstay1080]

Once again, stupendously informative and clearly presented. My favorite channel on KZbin. I look forward to every video.

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thank you so much! 😄🙏

[@deusfilius7]

Astute observation. Burt Bacharach is hands down one of the finest, if not the finest songwriter of our age.

[@applehack97]

not only I didn't know The Carpenters didn't write the song, I also didn't know they weren't even the original performers! Also thanks for reminding me to listen to The Longest March, I'm gonna listen to it on Spotify

[@DavidBennettPiano]

The Carpenters really made that song their own! The original Richard Chamberlain version actually came out seven years before the classic Carpenters version! 🤭 And thanks for checking out the EP! 🥳

[@masicbemester]

i mean, they also covered a song from "the band everyone thought were The Beatles", the band is called Klaatu, and Polyphonic made a video on them, if I recall. The song in question is Calling Occupants Of Interplanetary Craft.

[@applehack97]

@@masicbemester I watched that video too. I'm not gonna lie, their sound is very interesting indeed

[@DavidBennettPiano]

MasicBemester 『メイジク ビー厶スター』 the Carpenters actually covered a lot of their hits. They had an amazing knack for arrangement!

[@auldthymer]

Check out their cover of "Ticket to Ride" -- out of this world. (Beware: they sang it on the Andy Williams show, in a medley, and it becomes trash with the lyric "We've got a ticket to ride")

[@30mouse]

Thank you David for posting this, it's very insightful and well done. His chord progressions/modulations always sound fresh and unusual in the very best way. A true original.

[@daverogers3566]

I always loved the beauty, intelligence and complexity of Bacharach's compositions. And my all time favourite composer, Tony Banks, cites Bacharach as one of his influences. Perfect.

[@urskakrumpak]

I’ve been gradually discovering Burt Bacharach songs and each time I hear one I don’t know yet I marvel at the melody line. It keeps the song interesting. The latest one I fell in love with is I’ll Never Fall in Love Again

[@lp-xl9ld]

One of the things you do--and do very well--is make me look at music that I'm familiar with in ways I never did before (probably because I didn't know how to). Thanks.

[@DavidBennettPiano]

That’s great 😊😊 thanks!

[@Scoharr]

Thanks for the run-through. I've been a fan of Burt Bacharach since my childhood. Your original music is great, too David!

[@daniellel230]

Congratulations on the EP! That's incredible! You're such a talented musician, and your videos always demonstrate your understanding of music so well. Also so excited for this video. Sounds like it's going to be awesome.

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thanks Danielle! The EP was a long time in the making (about two years!) so it feels great to have it out there now and for people to be listening to it! Thanks again for your support 😁

[@daniellel230]

@@DavidBennettPiano I bet it was- two years certainly is a long time coming, but it just proves how hard you must have worked on it.

[@johnnicholls5344]

Hi David This is just the ticket...well done as always. Dusty Springfield and Cilla Black singing Burt Bacharach and Hal David songs is such a special memory for me. As it happens, last night I pulled out my book of Burt Bacharach songs and sat down at the piano and played through half a dozen of them. All the rhythmic feels of these iconic songs came back into my fingers. But I started to notice his harmonic language too. So interesting. Such a particular sound world he created. So this video is such an apposite event for me. Well done 👏 John

[@farbror77]

Great video, David! What about “Anyone who had a heart”. Talk about key changes. There’s got to be at least three in the first verse alone, and then a couple of more later.

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Amazing song! I’ll have to take a closer look at that one!

[@sbphillips177]

Soooo true!! Its amazing to me it was not stated..so strong so obvious..so great

[@tommyron]

Really nice, focused presentation on a fascinating topic. Many thanks! And congratulations on your EP, which I look forward to spinning tonight.

[@jamesdignanmusic2765]

The "that's what you get for all your trouble" part of "I'll never fall in love again" is also a lovely temporary modulation.

[@boatfaceslim9005]

Great tune! I love the lingering emphasis on the enharmonic melody note on the title line: "I'll never fall in love a *geee-he-he-hen* " which is the minor 3rd of the major key that it's in. Very clever, gives the tune a unique identity, underlines the message of the song lyric. Genius songwriting.

[@hurricane6014]

As a producer of CHILL music, it behoves me to say that I’m a Burt B. listener and cherish his melodic writing style. So melancholy, so ethereal and calming. You sure can learn a lot. Thanks David 🤓

[@dansanger5340]

The fact that these songs flow so nicely despite these key changes is probably an indication of the limitations of musical notation and orthodoxy rather than anything unusual about the songs themselves.

[@DavidBennettPiano]

The notation isn’t struggling to accommodate these songs at all. If anything, music notation developed to notate the music of classical composers whose music would regularly flow between key centres like Bacharach’s!

[@DrQuizzler]

There's this great classic commercial for some sort of adult beverage by Martini & Rossi which features Angie Dickinson (TV's "Police Woman") apparently at home, extoling the virtues of this marvelous elixir. She then walks into another room where her husband Burt Bacharach is sitting at a piano and she asks him what he would say to Martini & Rossi. He responds by singing and playing a little impromptu jingle, "Yes,...yes...to Martini & Rossi...on the rocks,...say Yes!". The ad ends with Ms. Dickinson agreeing, "Yeah!" I figured out the chords and sang the song for my wife after showing her the commercial just to see if I could capture that "epitome of cool" thing Mr. Bacharach exuded. She simply shook her head. I guess there's only one Burt Bacharach, the epitome of cool!!

[@ElizabethNicoleSchwartz]

Your videos are literally always SO interesting.

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thank you! 🙂🙂😀😀

[@Shermanbay]

There are two notational errors in the page that begins at 8:54 (This Guy's in Love). I'm sure they are just typos. In line 1, bar 4, the chord is G FLAT maj 7, and in line 2, bar 2, the chord is B FLAT m7. A significant difference. Never be afraid to proofread.

[@abcabc-oh9gc]

I've always liked close to you, there's just something about the chords that speaks to me. Thx for giving me some background!

[@davidmthorley]

This video is great. As a layman who knows nothing about music theory I always got the impression there was something really different and unique about Bacharach songs but I never really understood what was going on behind the curtain that made them so special.

[@singingmanmd]

The song writing team of Bacharach and David and the iconic masterful legendary one of a kind vocals of Ms. Dionne Warwick turned these songs all into masterpieces!!! No one could truly record these masterpieces the way she did and how they needed them to be done, period!!!

[@January.]

*songwriting

[@mette21]

I very enjoy Burt Bacharach‘s work and it made me happy to see this video :) Well done!

[@Ninanotlina]

Didn’t know that many songs I like were written by Burt Bacharach 😱 He’s already a composer whose music I enjoy 😊👏🏻🥳🤗

[@davidkucera2625]

One Less Bell to Answer has some interesting modulation going on. Thanks, David, this was a brilliant take on my favorite songwriter of the past 60 years.

[@composer7325]

Just fantastic, David. I love your analyses. Thank you again.

[@DavidBennettPiano]

You’re welcome Peter! Sorry it was so long coming!

[@composer7325]

@@DavidBennettPiano It was worth waiting for, David.

[@love80music]

I'm a huge fan of Burt Bacharach. He's one of the greatest songwriters in pop music history. Thank you for this useful video!

[@DavidBennettPiano]

If you're interested, it would really mean a lot to me if you'd check out my new EP, "The Longest March" 🎹 Stream it on Spotify: sptfy.com/davidbennett or download it on Bandcamp: davidbennettpiano.bandcamp.com Thank you! 🎵😀🙏

[@AidanORourke]

I really like the fourth track! Kind of hypnotic! Uneven bars!

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Aidan O'Rourke thank you! It’s in 5/8 time 🙂🙂

[@AidanORourke]

@@DavidBennettPiano Ah yes! Ahem I knew that! 🙂

[@gi5897]

Hey David, in your Tiny Dancer video I tought that Thinking Out Loud from Ed Sheeran is a song that has a weird structure, since it gives you a sense that you are in the chorus when you arent, since the chorus is in the part that says "Take me into your loving arms..." And also there is a spanish singer called Alejandro Sanz that basically most of his songs has chorus that come in minute 1:30 or longer lol

[@liquidsolids9415]

Gonna pick it up on Bandcamp. Sounds great!

[@Fabsurf101]

I really appreciate how you break down the music and let us grapple with such immense talent more. I have been his fan since the early 60s now I know why. Thank you.

[@JohnnyReading]

Love, love, love this one. Always been a BB fan after finding out Saint Ettienne were heavily influenced.

[@mal2ksc]

I hear sort of a samba vibe in his approach to both harmony and timing. With that, I never really thought the key changes were strange. It would have been strange if they _weren't_ there. The half-diminished backdoor resolution kinda brought that home for me.

[@rodywithers3536]

Best Bacharach song ever: “Windows of the World” - a minor hit for his greatest interpreter Dionne Warwick. So full of unusual key shifts and they all work beautifully. A strikingly unusual song.

[@looppool]

I love them both and missed this one. Off to listen now. Thanks a lot for the comment!

[@rhyfelwrDuw]

I have learned instruments over the past 40+ years, but not many of my teachers have been hot on music theory - your videos are so informative and mind blowing!

[@Darren79]

I love his score for Casino Royale (1967)! - I didn't realise he was still alive at 92!:)

[@martyemmons1859]

And still performing! I went to see him in 2015.

[@robduff]

I have been learning so much from your video's, thank you to you and your team. Live long and prosper.

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thanks Rob!

[@BenTajer89]

I'm surprised Burt Bacharach doesn't get more attention from people who talk about music theory, amazing song writer.

[@Gk2003m]

On ‘San Jose’, another way to grasp it is that E minor, the iii- chord, is a valid substitution for C major (the ONE chord). So that song, depending on how you analyze it, could be said to remain in C from a harmonic standpoint. a minor is the vi- C#-7b5 is the #1 diminished, d-7 the ii-, etc. The real beauty of that harmonization is that it works in both keys, and therefore is incredibly seamless. I’ll have to remember this, very cool

[@deanroddey2881]

This Guy really does have a unique and compelling atmosphere.

[@stefan1024]

Very nice! Always wanted to learn more about Burt's composing techniques. To me he's one of the great masters of pop music.

[@cakemartyr5794]

Really informative, as ever. If, one day, my writing evolves, it will be in so small part thanks to the understanding and insight you have given me.

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thanks Cake! 😄😃

[@johnglielmi6428]

you forgot to acknowledge his writing partner Hal David, his Lyricist. he deserves just as much credit for any Burt Bacharach tune you are talking of here. Lately he's been co writing with Elvis Costello.

[@DavidBennettPiano]

I probably should have mentioned Hal too, although in this video I’m only talking about the music, not the lyrics (Hal David only wrote lyrics)