Date of Birth: May 25, 1921
Zodiac Sign: Gemini
Date of Death: September 1, 2012
Biography
Harold Lane David, commonly known as Hal David, was a prolific American lyricist whose partnership with composer Burt Bacharach yielded some of the most memorable songs of the 20th century. Born in Brooklyn, New York, David showed an early aptitude for writing, a talent that would later flourish into a celebrated career in music. He graduated from New York University and served in the military during World War II, where he began to write songs. David’s breakthrough came in the late 1950s when he teamed up with Burt Bacharach. Together, they created timeless hits such as “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head,” “What the World Needs Now Is Love,” and “Do You Know the Way to San Jose?” They worked with iconic artists like Dionne Warwick, Dusty Springfield, and Tom Jones, producing songs that topped the charts and became classics. Hal David’s lyrics were known for their emotional depth and poetic simplicity. He received numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, Grammy Awards, and induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Even after his collaboration with Bacharach ended, David continued to write and contribute to the music industry until his passing in 2012.
5 Interesting Facts about Hal David
1. Hal David served in the U.S. Army during World War II, where he began writing songs.
2. His song “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head” won an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1969.
3. David’s collaboration with Burt Bacharach produced more than 100 top 40 hits.
4. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1972.
5. Hal David received the prestigious Johnny Mercer Award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1996.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Hal David
1. “Lyrics should touch people in some way, and they should be simple enough to be understood.”
2. “A good song can make you feel something in your heart, even if you don’t know what it is.”
3. “Success is not measured by the hits you have but by the songs that last.”
4. “Writing lyrics is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. It’s also the most rewarding.”
5. “When you write a song, you’re giving a piece of yourself to the world.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
The highest net worth Hal David achieved was approximately $20 million.
Children
Hal David had two children, Jim David and Craig David.
Relevant Links
1. [Wikipedia – Hal David](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hal_David
2. [Songwriters Hall of Fame – Hal David](https://www.songhall.org/profile/hal_david
3. [Biography – Hal David](https://www.biography.com/musician/hal-david
4. [AllMusic – Hal David](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/hal-david-mn0000941599
5. [Grammy Awards History – Hal David](https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/hal-david
