Burt Bacharach, the songwriter whose hits, including 'I Say a Little Prayer' & 'Walk on By', became classics of easy-listening pop.

Few songwriters have been able to enjoy hits across six decades, as well as the bonus of a dramatic revival of interest in their work during the later years of their careers. Burt Bacharach, who died last week aged 94, could claim both.

He had soaked up the music of the jazz big bands and bebop, and also studied with the French composer Darius Milhaud, who urged him to 'Never ever feel embarrassed or discomforted by a melody that people can remember or whistle'. 

In this clip Sheryl Crow performs the Bacharach classic “Walk On By” in the East Room of the White House on May 9, 2012 in a televised 'Tribute to Burt Bacharach : The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song' presentation presided over by President Barack & First Lady Michelle Obama. 

The Gershwin prize commemorates George and Ira Gershwin, the American songwriting team whose extensive collection resides in the Library of Congress.

Comments:

loriromano6399

Nice job Sheryl!!! No easy job to cover a Bacharach / David classic - especially with Burt sitting in the front row.  Greatest compliment you could have gotten, Burt kissing your hand at the end.  He's a gentleman who appreciates his songs being sung correctly. You did it justice.

efreet02

The reason this sounds so good is because she doesn't try to "Improve" the song.  She just sings the song straight with its incredible arrangement.  

LibertyAboveAllElse

Crow is a pro and did a superb, true to the original Dionne Warwick version job and paid meticulous attention to the original arrangement.  Very nicely done.

dflan2700

No frills, no drama and it was just a perfect performance! Love her!

davidedward2352

Hal's lyrics are great, but it's the songwriting of Burt that is truly outstanding. A genius.

brianclare9884

She has the perfect range for this song. Never realized how good a singer she was..awesome!

lauramason513

She nailed this song beautifully and her dress is a knockout.   5 stars!

sukmandragon

How can anyone not love this... She is beautiful, so talented and what a voice! Thanks for posting :) very enjoyable.

jaytoepfert6776

This is performed with such beauty and class like the original.  One of the best cover versions ever by sheryl  crow.

johnrabaut9977

HUGE fan of Dionne Warwick, but Sheryl definitely nailed this one! Awesome!

epozo777

Never realized how much of a great singer Sheryl is. fantastic.

michaeldaugherty919

Songs like this are made for a voice like Sheryl's. I would love to hear more. If Sheryl made an album with songs like this I would buy it in a heart beat. Sheryl keep up the good work!!

johnwalker6919

She killed it, sublime, soulful, both joyful and bittersweet, sung with astounding precision and total commitment.

stuart.8273

To be fair and to put the performance in context, she has done a beautiful job with a storybook song in front of one of the most powerful men in the world a few feet away. It could have easily had the feel of a local mall talent audition - and yet she has relaxed everyone with tender professionalism. Brilliant.

iriewaregl

Sheryl did an outstanding job on this great song ...

MrGary1960

stunning vocals for a classic song  cant stop playing it 

dnmurphy48

Wow way to go Sheryl!!  I have never heard her sing anything like this before and she is great.

SterlingRe

Sheryl has never been afraid to tackle different genres. Gotta give her props for that. Nice job here.

@jamesdunn9714

She is a better singer than I thought. Great performance. 

IDR2005

What rock have I been under? Sheryl freaking killed! I didn't know she could sing like that.

KnowTrentTimoy

Brilliant version! Great job Sheryl!  

shantebarze1068

I always love Sheryl Crow her voice is soulful.

andywolf5403

Goosebumps. It would seem Ms. Crow was belting these very songs out if front of her mirror when a child. It is likely she is as intimate with this song as many of her own.

showmebear

Wow, first time seeing this.....love this song, love Sheryl, love Dionne!  She did a great job with this classic.

@davidcollazo8224

She's is so natural with this song. Her voice is awesome and she is great!

fredroper398

if it was not for Burt Bacharach we would never have such great performers and great songs he the best

abalancedact

Wow! She nailed it! Love President Obama's reaction

the1realanalogman

Really classy and well crafted performance. Respectful to Dionne's original performance as well. Always have liked Sheryl and now I like her more.

@vref200

Absolutely Outstanding!