The Burt Bacharach & Friends Songbook Quiz

Answer: Christopher Cross

"...When you get caught between the Moon and New York City
I know it's crazy, but it's true..."

This was a collaboration between Bacharach, Carole Bayer Sager, Peter Allen and Christopher Cross for the 1981 movie, "Arthur".

Released as a single by Cross, it topped the Billboard Hot 100 and also won an Oscar for Best Song.

Cross later said of the song-writing session: "....And certainly stylistically 'Arthur' is much more in a Burt Bacharach vein than a Christopher Cross vein. I think Burt, out of all four of us that wrote it, was certainly the most responsible for the track. Peter and Carole came up with the words, Burt and I put the music together."

Answer: Dionne & Friends

"Keep smilin', keep shinin'
Knowing you can always count on me for sure
That's what friends are for
For good times and bad times
I'll be on your side forever more
That's what friends are for"

"Dionne & Friends" were Dionne Warwick, Stevie Wonder, Elton John and Gladys Knight.

It was released as a single to raise money for the American Foundation For AIDS Research (AmFAR). It raised $500,000 and won a Grammy.

It was written by Bacharach and his girlfriend, later wife, (and later ex-wife) Carole Bayer Sager.

Originally, the London-born Rod Stewart sang it on the closing credits for the 1982 movie "Night Shift."

Answer: Patti Labelle and Michael McDonald

"So many times said it was forever
Said our love would always be true
Something in my heart always knew
I'd be lying here beside you

On my own
On my own
On my own"

The song was written by Bacharach with his wife, Carole Bayer Sager.

They had promised the song to LaBelle, but her producer was not impressed and Sager and Bacharach produced it.

LaBelle and McDonald recorded their parts separately, Patti LaBelle in Philadelphia and Michael McDonald in Los Angeles. They also shot the promoting video separately, LaBelle in New York City and McDonald in LA.

In an interview with 'New Musical Express' in 1986, LaBelle said: "The success of 'On My Own' came as a shock. I don't record for commercial value. With 'On My Own' I went into the studio thinking, I'm gonna record something I love. Usually if I love it, it bubbles under. And I was surprised it made a hit."

The song topped the US Billboard Hot 100 and was also a number one in Canada.

Answer: Roberta Flack

"Here... close to our feeling... we touch again... we love again
Remember when we thought our hearts would never mend?
And we're all the better for each other
There's more to love, I know... than making love..."

Written with Carole Bayer Sager and Bruce Roberts, "Making Love" reached number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1982. It was the theme song of a movie of the same name, and was to be Flack's last big solo hit.

Answer: Elvis Costello

"Such a picture of loveliness
Didn't you notice the resemblance?
Doesn't it look like she could speak?
Those eyes I tried to capture
They are lost to me now forever
They smile for someone else
Funny, how looks can be deceiving
But she`s not easily
Painted from memory..."

The song was written by Bacharach and Elvis Costello. It was one of 12 songs jointly on Costello's album "Painted From Memory,"

They got together to write "God Give Me Strength" for the 1996 film "Grace of My Heart" and decided to expand the collaboration. They were the first new Bacharach songs for 21 years. The song did not chart, although "Toledo", from the album, hit number 78 on the UK Single Charts.

Answer: Neil Diamond

"Turn on your heartlight
Let it shine wherever you go
Let it make a happy glow
For all the world to see..."

"Heartlight" was written by Bacharach with Neil Diamond and Carole Bayer Sager.

They wrote it after watching a screening of the 1982 movie "E.T."

Diamond later said: "We wanted to express how all of us felt about the little alien who suddenly appears in a strange world."

It reached number five on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1982.

Answer: The Drifters

"Don't go
(Please stay)
Don't go
(Please stay)..."

Written by Bacharach and Bob Hilliard, it reached number 14 on the US pop charts in 1961.

It was recorded by the 'new' Drifters line-up when Rudy Lewis replaced Ben E. King.

Answer: Gene McDaniels

"If I were a tower of strength, I'd walk away
I'd look in your eyes and here's what I'd say
"I don't want you, I don't need you, I don't love you any more"
And I'd walk out that door..."

"Tower of Strength" was written by Burt Bacharach and Bob Hilliard.

McDaniels took it to number five on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1961.

Answer: The New Christy Minstrels

"Three wheels on my wagon
And I'm still rolling along
The Cherokees are chasing me
Arrows fly
Right on by
But I'm singing a happy song.."

Bacharach wrote this with Bob Hilliard. Dick Van Dyke also recorded it.

The Van Dyke version did not chart, but The New Christy Minstrels version was apparently a radio hit in the UK. (Sorry, I have been able to locate a chart position.)

Appearing on "DINAH" with Dinah Shore in 1980, Bacharach was asked by her if there was a song he wished he hadn't written and he performed "Three Wheels on My Wagon."

Answer: The Shirelles

"It's not the way you smile that touched my heart
It's not the way you kiss that tears my apart
But how many many many nights roll by
I sit alone at home and cry over you
What can I do
I can't help myself
'Cause baby it's you
Baby it's you"

The song was written by Bacharach with Mack David (brother of Hal) and Luther Dixon.

It was a number eight in the US in 1961.

The Beatles later included it on their first album, "Please Please Me". The band Smith took it to number five in 1969.