It’s been a year since the passing of Burt Bacharach, the iconic composer of the 20th century. His art of songwriting, characterized by sophisticated yet beautiful melodies and vibrant, stylish arrangements that make full use of “Bacharach Magic” chord progressions and rhythm changes, along with bold and elegant structures, continues to captivate people’s hearts worldwide. His witty and imaginative compositions, combined with urban and deeply resonant lyrics (especially those of Hal David), create a timeless marriage that still resonates with people around the world, transcending generations.
The records that I consciously purchased and listened to, influenced by Bacharach’s name, exceed lightly 100, including soundtracks and numerous covers. The first time I was drawn to his music was during my junior high school years when three songs played on an FM radio program caught my attention. I’ll never forget it – B.J. Thomas’ “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head,” Dionne Warwick’s “I’ll Never Fall In Love Again,” and Aretha Franklin’s “I Say A Little Prayer.” In this month’s column, let’s explore “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head” from the perspective of its connection with bicycle.
Yes, when we mention B.J. Thomas’ “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head,” one cannot forget the iconic scene from the 1969 American New Cinema classic “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” directed by George Roy Hill, where Paul Newman and Katharine Ross ride a bicycle on their date. Many cinephiles, including some of my friends, consider this scene as a happy and romantic moment that touches the heart in their favorite movies. Although it won the Academy Award for Best Original Song and Best Original Music Score, my favorite part of this song is the ending, “Because I’m free, Nothing’s worrying me.” Let’s once again pay tribute to the great genius, Burt Bacharach, who has gifted us with many heart-touching moments through his music, and express our gratitude. R.I.P.
Toru Hashimoto (SUBURBIA) Editor / Music Selector / DJ / Producer. Founder of Suburbia Factory. Owner of Shibuya’s “Cafe Apres-midi” and “Apres-midi Selecao.” Over 350 compilation CDs, including series like ‘Free Soul,’ ‘Mellow Beats,’ ‘Cafe Apres-midi,’ ‘Jazz Supreme,’ ‘Music With A View,’ and many others, have been curated, making him the world’s foremost selector. He oversees and produces music broadcast channels “usen for Cafe Apres-midi” and “usen for Free Soul” on USEN, wielding significant influence in Japanese music scene since the 1990s. In recent years, his ‘Good Mellows’ series with a focus on mellow chillout has gained great popularity both domestically and internationally.
