Dionne Warwick
Dionne Warwick, born Marie Dionne Warrick on December 12, 1940, in East Orange, New Jersey, is a distinguished American singer, actress, and television host. She is widely known for her significant contributions to the pop and rhythm and blues (R&B) genres, where her distinctive soulful sound has earned her a prominent place in music history.
Warwick grew up in a musical environment as the daughter of a record promoter and a gospel group manager. This early exposure to music had a profound influence on her career. She was raised in a deeply religious family and was the oldest of three siblings, which fostered her appreciation for music from a young age.
Dionne Warwick's professional career spans over five decades and has established her as an international music icon. She first gained prominence in the 1960s with a series of hit songs that featured collaborations with legendary songwriters Burt Bacharach and Hal David. Some of her most iconic tracks include "Walk On By," "I Say a Little Prayer," and "Do You Know the Way to San Jose?" Her unique voice and emotive delivery have garnered her numerous accolades, including six Grammy Awards.
Throughout her career, Warwick has not only focused on music but has also made her mark as an actress and television producer. She starred in various television projects and has been a popular figure on TV game shows and talk shows. In 2020, she celebrated her 80th birthday, a milestone that highlights her enduring legacy in the music industry.
Warwick continues to tour and perform, maintaining her relevance in the music world and inspiring new generations of artists. Her impact on both music and culture is significant, making her a revered figure in the entertainment landscape.
Dionne
Backing Vocals – Dionne Warwick
Music By, Lyrics By – Rupert Holmes
Orchestrated By – Greg Mathieson
3:15
A2 After You
Backing Vocals – Barry Manilow, Ron Dante
Music By, Lyrics By – Doug Frank, Doug James
Orchestrated By – Gene Page
4:02
A3 The Letter
Backing Vocals – Barry Manilow, Dionne Warwick, Ron Dante
Music By, Lyrics By – Wayne Carson Thompson
Orchestrated By – Artie Butler
3:11
A4 I'll Never Love This Way Again
Backing Vocals – Barry Manilow, Ron Dante
Lyrics By – Will Jennings
Music By – Richard Kerr
Orchestrated By – Artie Butler
3:33
A5 Deja Vu
Backing Vocals – Barry Manilow, Ron Dante
Lyrics By – Adrienne Anderson
Music By – Isaac Hayes
Orchestrated By – Gene Page
4:06
B1 Feeling Old Feelings
Backing Vocals – Barry Manilow, Ron Dante
Music By, Lyrics By – Chip Hardy, Danny Hice
Orchestrated By – Greg Mathieson
4:03
B2 In Your Eyes
Lyrics By – Bruce Sussman, Jack Feldman
Music By – Barry Manilow
Orchestrated By – Jimmie Haskell
3:43
B3 My Everlasting Love
Backing Vocals – Barry Manilow, Ron Dante
Music By, Lyrics By – Con Cowan, Jeanne FitzSimmons, Rick Sandler
Orchestrated By – Jimmie Haskell
4:23
B4 Out Of My Hands
Backing Vocals – Dionne Warwick
Music By, Lyrics By – Alvin Fields, Cissy Houston, Doug Frank
Orchestrated By – Gene Page
3:17
B5 All The Time
Backing Vocals – Barry Manilow, Ron Dante
Lyrics By – Marty Panzer
Music By, Lyrics By – Barry Manilow
Orchestrated By – Gene Page
4:06
Label: Arista – AB 4230
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1979
Genre: R&B Jazz, Funk, Soul, Pop
Style: Soul, Easy Listening, Ballad
Friends Can Be Lovers
Written-By – Bacharach And David
4:09
2 Age Of Miracles
Written-By – Frank Musker, Richard Kerr
4:41
3 Where My Lips Have Been
Written-By – Don Huber, Robert Charles Burns, Sandy Knox
4:35
4 Friends Can Be Lovers
Written-By – Andy Morris, Ian Devaney, Lisa Stansfield
5:28
5 Love Will Find A Way
Vocals [Duet With] – Whitney Houston
Written-By – David L. Elliot, Terry Steele
4:56
6 Much Too Much
Written-By – Diane Warren
4:29
7 Til The End Of Time
Written-By – Barry Eastmond, David Elliot, Terry Steele
5:11
8 The Woman That I Am
Written-By – Barry Eastmond, Siedah Garrett
4:35
9 Fragile
Written-By – Sting
4:09
10 I Sing At Dawn
Lyrics By – Tokiko Iwatani
Lyrics By [English Lyric Translation] – Dionne Warwick
4:27
Label: Arista – 07822 18682-2
Format: CD, Album
Country: US
Released: 1993
Genre: R&B Soul, Pop
Style: Soul, Vocal
Heartbreaker
Written-By – Barry, Robin & Maurice Gibb
4:16
A2 It Makes No Difference
Written-By – A. Galuten, B. Gibb
4:26
A3 Yours 4:58
Written-By – Barry, Robin & Maurice Gibb
4:58
A4 Take The Short Way Home
Written-By – A. Galuten, B. Gibb
3:47
A5 Misunderstood 4:07
Written-By – Barry, Robin & Maurice Gibb
B1 All The Love In The World
Written-By – Barry, Robin & Maurice Gibb
3:25
B2 I Can't See Anything (But You)
Written-By – A. Galuten, B. Gibb, M. Gibb
3:24
B3 Just One More Night
Written-By – A. Galuten, B. Gibb
3:51
B4 You Are My Love 3:50
Written-By – Barry, Robin & Maurice Gibb
3:50
B5 Our Day Will Come
Written-By – Bob Hilliard, Mort Garson
3:47
Label: Arista – 204 974
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: Europe
Released: 1982
Genre: R&B Soul, Pop
Style: Eighties Soul, Disco
Just Being Myself
Written-By – Holland-Dozier-Holland
4:20
A2 I Think You Need Love
Written-By – Holland-Dozier-Holland
3:37
A3 You Are The Heart Of Me
Written-By – Michael Smith, Ronald Dunbar
4:14
A4 I Always Get Caught In The Rain
Written-By – Michael Smith, Ronald Dunbar
3:42
B1 Don't Let My Teardrops Bother You
Written-By – Holland-Dozier-Holland
4:00
B2 (I'm) Just Being Myself
Written-By – Holland-Dozier-Holland
4:31
B3 Come Back
Written-By – Holland-Dozier-Holland
4:30
B4 Don't Burn The Bridge (That Took You Across)
Written-By – Holland-Dozier-Holland
4:24
Label: Warner Bros. Records – BS 2658
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1973
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul, Pop
Dionne Warwick's Just Being Myself (1973) is a solid, often overlooked soul/pop album produced by Holland-Dozier-Holland (HDH) after her split with Bacharach/David, featuring her powerful vocals on lush ballads and some funky grooves, with standout tracks like the classic "You're Gonna Need Me," but it was a chart underperformer despite its artistic strengths and later became a crate-digger's favorite for its samples. Critics note its cohesive '70s sound, strong performances, and ironic title as Warwick was pushed into a new creative direction, making it a worthwhile listen for fans of her Warner Bros. era.
The album marked a significant change, moving away from Bacharach & David to the Motown team of Holland-Dozier-Holland (HDH). HDH delivered classic '70s soul arrangements, blending sophisticated pop with more rhythmic, soulful tracks, even using some older backing tracks.
Reviewers praise Warwick's raw, emotional delivery, showing she could convincingly handle soul music, with powerful performances on ballads like "You Are the Heart of Me".
Standout Tracks:
"You're Gonna Need Me": A signature song, a heartbreaking classic sampled heavily by hip-hop artists like J Dilla and Just Blaze.
"(I'm) Just Being Myself": A title track that stands out with jazz flute, percussion, and humble lyrics, according to one reviewer.
"I Think You Need Love": A strong, soulful ballad.
While musically strong and artistically successful in showing Warwick's versatility, it was her lowest-charting studio album at the time, beginning a difficult chart period for her.
Overall, Just Being Myself is considered a solid, emotionally rich album from Warwick's often-overlooked Warner Bros. period, showcasing her adaptability and delivering soulful gems, even if it wasn't a major commercial hit initially. Today, it's celebrated by collectors for its breaks and soulful depth, especially for hip-hop producers.
Presenting Dionne Warwick
Written-By – Bacharach & David
2:55
A2 Wishin' And Hopin'
Written-By – Bacharach & David
2:55
A3 I Cry Alone
Written-By – Bacharach & David
2:37
A4 Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah
Written-By – A. Wrubel, R. Gilbert
2:40
A5 Make The Music Play
Written-By – Bacharach & David
2:25
A6 If You See Bill
Written-By – L. Dixon
2:58
B1 Don't Make Me Over
Written-By – Bacharach & David
2:46
B2 It's Love That Really Counts
Written-By – Bacharach & David
2:16
B3 Unlucky
Written-By – L. Shockley, B. Banks
2:25
B4 I Smiled Yesterday
Written-By – Bacharach & David
2:44
B5 Make It Easy On Yourself
Written-By – Bacharach & David
2:40
B6 The Love Of A Boy
Written-By – Bacharach & David
1:59
Label: Scepter Records – SPS 508
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Country: US
Released: 1963
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Sixties Soul, Pop
The Magic Of Believing
Arranged By – Dionne Warwick
3:07
A2 Somebody Bigger Than You And I
Written By – Lange/Heath/Burke
3:33
A3 Jesus Will
Written By – J. Cleveland
3:00
A4 Old Landmark
Arranged By – Dionne Warwick
2:44
A5 The Magic Of Believing
Written By – N. Monath/R. Leveen
2:27
B1 Blessed Be The Name Of The Lord
Arranged By – Cissy Houston
2:48
B2 Grace
Arranged By – Roberta Martin
Written By – J. Cleveland
3:20
B3 Steal Away
Arranged By – Dionne Warwick
2:35
B4 In The Garden
Written By – C. A. Miles
3:07
B5 Who Do You Think It Was?
Arranged By – Ann Moss
1:49
Label: Scepter Records – SPS 567
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: Canada
Released: 1968
Genre: R&B Funk, Soul
Style: Gospel
The Windows Of The World
Arranged By – Burt Bacharach 3:04
A2 Walk Little Dolly
Arranged By – Burt Bacharach 3:27
A3 The Beginning Of Loneliness
Arranged By – Burt Bacharach 3:30
A4 Another Night
Arranged By – Burt Bacharach 2:34
A5 The Windows Of The World
Arranged By – Burt Bacharach 3:23
B1 (There's) Always Something There To Remind Me
Arranged By – Burt Bacharach 2:59
B2 Somewhere
Arranged By – Peter Matz
Written-By – L. Bernstein, S. Sondheim 4:23
B3 You're Gonna Hear From Me
Arranged By – Peter Matz
Written-By – André Previn, Dory Previn 4:29
B4 Love
Arranged By – O. B. Masingill
Written-By – B. Kaempfert, M. Gabler 2:52
B5 What's Good About Goodbye
Arranged By – Peter Matz
Written-By – Harold Arlen, Lee Robin 2:41
Label: Scepter Records – SPS 563
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1967
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Sixties Soul, Pop
The Windows of the Worldis the eighth studio album by American singer Dionne Warwick, released on August 31, 1967, by Scepter Records. The album is primarily known for showcasing the successful collaboration between Warwick and the prolific songwriting and production team of Burt Bacharach and Hal David, who wrote six of the album's ten tracks.
The album blends Bacharach and David's sophisticated pop sound with a mix of original compositions and covers of stage and film songs. The production features lush arrangements, including orchestral elements, which were a hallmark of Bacharach's style at the time. The title track itself was a thematic departure for the songwriting duo, functioning as a subtle anti-war protest song inspired by Hal David's concerns about the Vietnam War.
The album is most famous for featuring the iconic hit single "I Say a Little Prayer," a track that became a top 10 hit and helped re-establish Warwick's commercial success at the time. The song's breezy arrangement was initially downplayed by Bacharach but proved to be very popular with disc jockeys and the public.
Considered a must-have for collectors, solidifying Warwick's status and proving that great music emerged even from the counter-cultural '60s.
Track Of The Cat
Written-By – L. Creed, T. Bell
6:54
A2 His House And Me
Written-By – L. Creed, T. Bell
4:50
A3 Ronnie Lee
Written-By – L. Creed, T. Bell
3:39
A4 World Of My Dreams
Written-By – L. Creed, T. Bell
3:59
B1 Jealousy
Written-By – S. Marshall, T. Wortham, V. Barrett
3:24
B2 This Is Love
Written-By – S. Marshall, T. Bell
3:30
B3 Love Me One More Time
Written-By – L. Creed, T. Bell
4:11
B4 Once You Hit The Road
Written-By – C. Simmons, J. Jefferson
4:03
Label: Warner Bros. Records – BS 2893
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1975
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul, Philly
Track of the Cat (1975) is a critically acclaimed but commercially underrated album produced by Thom Bell, featuring a mature, polished blend of Philadelphia soul and pop.
It is considered an artistic triumph for Dionne Warwick, showcasing her sophisticated vocals alongside consistent, well-written tracks that create a cohesive, sometimes mysterious atmosphere.
Produced by Thom Bell, known for his work with The Spinners, the album features lush, string-heavy arrangements and a "sleek and sexy" Philly soul sound.
Despite a peak of only No. 79 on the Billboard Pop chart, it is highly regarded by critics, with some, including AllMusic and The Rolling Stone Album Guide, giving it a perfect five-star rating.
Highlight Tracks:-
"Once You Hit the Road": A standout single that reached No. 5 on the R&B charts, described as "pure upbeat Philly soul" with potent strings.
"Track of the Cat": The nearly 7-minute title track is praised for its slinky, funky, and mysterious atmosphere.
"His House and Me": Noted for its emotional depth and resonance with Warwick’s personal life at the time.
Contemporary and retrospective reviews often call it an "artistic triumph" and a hidden gem from her Warner Bros. era. Rolling Stone famously hailed it as "her best album in years" upon its release.
The album touches upon themes of jealousy and suspicion, offering a more mature sound for Warwick during the mid-70s. It is highly recommended for fans of 1970s soul and is considered a "must-have" album for its consistent quality.
Without Your Love
Lyrics By – Marti Sharron
Music By – Ken Hirsch
3:33
A2 Without Your Love
Written-By – Robert John Lange
4:42
A3 Run To Me
Duet With – Barry Manilow
Written-By – Barry, Robin & Maurice Gibb
4:35
A4 Finder Of Lost Loves
Duet With – Glenn Jones
Written-By – Burt Bacharach, Carole Bayer Sager
4:40
A5 Love Doesn't Live Here Anymore
Written-By – Steve Goldman
4:59
B1 It's You
Duet With – Stevie Wonder
Written-By – Stevie Wonder
4:54
B2 It's Love
Lyrics By – Adrienne Anderson
Music By – Barry Manilow
3:38
B3 Bedroom Eyes
Lyrics By – Bruce Sussman, Jack Feldman
Music By – Barry Manilow
4:45
B4 Weakness
Duet With - Stevie Wonder
Written-By – Stevie Wonder
4:14
B5 You Made Me Want To Love Again
Lyrics By – Norman Gimbel
Music By – Richard Kerr
4:33
Label: Arista – AL8-8262
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1985
Genre: R&B Soul, Pop
Style: Eighties Pop-Soul