That's What Friends Are For

Last updated

"That's What Friends Are For"
Song by Rod Stewart
from the album Night Shift
Released1982
Genre Pop
Length3:54
Label Warner Bros.
Songwriter(s)

"That's What Friends Are For" is a song written by Burt Bacharach and Carole Bayer Sager.

Contents

It was first recorded in 1982 by Rod Stewart for the soundtrack of the film Night Shift , but it is better known for the 1985 cover version by Dionne Warwick, [1] Elton John, Gladys Knight, and Stevie Wonder. This recording, billed as being by Dionne Warwick & Friends, was released as a charity single for AIDS research and prevention. It was a massive hit, becoming the number-one single of 1986 in the United States, and winning the Grammy Awards for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals and Song of the Year. It raised more than $3 million for its cause.

Rod Stewart version

"That’s What Friends Are For" was included on the expanded edition of the 2008 remaster of the album Body Wishes .

Personnel

Dionne Warwick version

We realized we were more than just friends. We were family. Time has a way of giving people the opportunity to grow and understand ... Working with Burt is not a bit different from how it used to be. He expects me to deliver and I can. He knows what I'm going to do before I do it, and the same with me. That's how intertwined we've been. [1]

A one-off collaboration headed by Warwick and featuring Gladys Knight, Elton John, and Stevie Wonder, with a different second verse, was released as a charity single in the UK and the US in 1985. The song is in the key of E♭ major. [3] It was recorded as a benefit for the American Foundation for AIDS Research, and raised more than US$3 million for that cause. Warwick, who had previously raised money for blood-related diseases such as sickle-cell anemia, wanted to help combat the then-growing AIDS epidemic because she had seen friends die painfully of the disease. [4] John plays piano and Wonder plays harmonica on the song; the two had previously worked together on 1983's "I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues".

In the US, the song held the number-one spot of the adult contemporary chart for two weeks, the number-one spot of the soul chart for three weeks, and the top spot of the Billboard Hot 100 for four weeks. It became Billboard's number one single of 1986. It was certified Gold on January 15, 1986, by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It was the final US number one for all but John (John would have two more US number-ones during the 1990s). Due to Wonder's involvement, it also holds the distinction of being the last number-one song for anyone who had topped the charts before the British Invasion (his first number-one hit, "Fingertips", came in 1963).

Outside the United States, the song topped the charts in Canada and Australia and reached the top 10 in Ireland, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, and Sweden. On the UK Singles Chart, the song debuted at number 49 and climbed to its peak of number 16 three weeks later, staying at that position for another week before descending the chart. It remained in the UK top 100 for a further five weeks, totaling 10 weeks on the chart altogether.

The Dionne and Friends version of the song won the performers the Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals, as well as Song of the Year for its writers, Bacharach and Bayer Sager. This rendition is also listed at number 75 on Billboard's Greatest Songs of all time. [5]

Warwick, John, Knight, and Wonder performed the song live together for the first time in 23 years at the 25th Anniversary amfAR gala in New York City on February 10, 2011. [6]

Personnel

Source: [7]

Charts

"That's What Friends Are For"
Dionne and Friends That's What Friends Are For.jpg
Single by Dionne Warwick, Elton John, Gladys Knight and Stevie Wonder
(as "Dionne & Friends")
from the album Friends
B-side "Two Ships Passing in the Night"
ReleasedOctober 1985
Recorded1985
Genre
Length4:15
Label Arista
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Burt Bacharach
  • Carole Bayer Sager
Dionne Warwick singles chronology
"Run to Me"
(1985)		"That's What Friends Are For"
(1985)		"Whisper in the Dark"
(1986)
Elton John singles chronology
"Act of War"
(1985)		"That's What Friends Are For"
(1985)		"Nikita"
(1985)

Certifications

Certifications and sales for "That's What Friends Are For"
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada) [37] Platinum100,000^
United Kingdom (BPI) [38] Silver200,000‡
United States (RIAA) [39] Gold1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

1990 benefit concert

On March 17, 1990, an AIDS benefit titled That's What Friends Are For: Arista Records 15th Anniversary Concert was held at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. One month later, CBS aired a two-hour version of the concert on television. The celebrity guests and performers were: Luther Vandross, Air Supply, Lauren Bacall, Burt Bacharach, Eric Carmen, Chevy Chase, Jane Curtin, Clive Davis, Taylor Dayne, Michael Douglas, Exposé, Whoopi Goldberg, Melanie Griffith, Hall & Oates, Jennifer Holliday, Whitney Houston, Alan Jackson, Kenny G, Melissa Manchester, Barry Manilow, Milli Vanilli, Jeffrey Osborne, Carly Simon, Patti Smith, Lisa Stansfield, The Four Tops, and Dionne Warwick. "That's What Friends Are For" was the finale song sung by Warwick and cousin Houston before being joined on the stage by the other guests of the event. More than $2.5 million was raised that night for the Arista Foundation which gave the proceeds to various AIDS organizations.

Other versions

In September 2023, British actor-singers Denise van Outen and Duncan James released a duet version in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support, which was recorded in tribute to their friend, singer Sarah Harding, who died from breast cancer in 2021. [40]

In 2024, Warwick took part in a parody version of the song for a Capital One commercial celebrating the annual NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament. [41]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dionne Warwick</span> American singer (born 1940)

Marie Dionne Warwick is an American singer, actress, and television host.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Just Don't Know What to Do with Myself</span> 1964 hit single for Dusty Springfield

"I Just Don't Know What to Do with Myself" is a song written by Burt Bacharach and lyricist Hal David.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Say a Little Prayer</span> 1967 song by Burt Bacharach and Hal David

"I Say a Little Prayer" is a song written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David for Dionne Warwick, originally peaking at number four on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 pop singles chart in December 1967. On the R&B Singles chart it peaked at number eight.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">(They Long to Be) Close to You</span> 1970 single by the Carpenters

"(They Long to Be) Close to You" is a song written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David with sections of the early version written by Cathy Steeves. The best-known version is that recorded by American duo the Carpenters for their second studio album Close to You (1970) and produced by Jack Daugherty. Released on May 14, 1970, the single topped both the US Billboard Hot 100 and Adult Contemporary charts. It also reached the top of the Canadian and Australian charts and peaked at number six on the charts of both the UK and Ireland. The record was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in August 1970.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anyone Who Had a Heart (song)</span> 1963 single by Dionne Warwick

"Anyone Who Had a Heart" is a song written by Burt Bacharach (music) and Hal David (lyrics) for Dionne Warwick in 1963. In January 1964, Warwick's original recording hit the Top Ten in the United States, Canada, Spain, Netherlands, South Africa, Belgium and Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Do You Know the Way to San Jose</span> Song by Burt Bacharach with lyrics by Hal David; performed by Dionne Warwick

"Do You Know the Way to San Jose" is a 1968 popular song written and composed for singer Dionne Warwick by Burt Bacharach. Hal David wrote the lyrics. The song was Warwick's biggest international hit to that point, selling several million copies worldwide and winning Warwick her first Grammy Award. David's lyrics tell the story of a native of San Jose, California, who, having failed to break into the entertainment field in Los Angeles, is set to return to her hometown.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Walk On By</span> 1964 single by Dionne Warwick

"Walk On By" is a song written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David for singer Dionne Warwick in 1963. Warwick's recording of the song peaked at number 6 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 1 on the Cash Box Rhythm and Blues Chart In June 1964 and was nominated for a 1965 Grammy Award for the Best Rhythm and Blues Recording.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Make Me Over (song)</span> 1962 single by Dionne Warwick

"Don't Make Me Over" is a song written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, originally recorded by American singer Dionne Warwick in August 1962 and released in October 1962 as her lead solo single from her debut album, Presenting Dionne Warwick (1963), issued under Sceptor Records. The song reached number 21 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number five on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alfie (Burt Bacharach song)</span> 1966 song written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David

"Alfie" is a song written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David to promote the 1966 film Alfie. The song was a major hit for Cilla Black (UK) and Dionne Warwick (US).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'll Never Fall in Love Again</span> 1969 single by Bacharach & David

"I'll Never Fall in Love Again" is a popular song by composer Burt Bacharach and lyricist Hal David that was written for the 1968 musical Promises, Promises. Several recordings of the song were released in 1969; the most popular versions were by Dionne Warwick, who took it to number 6 on Billboard magazine's Hot 100 and spent three weeks topping the magazine's list of the most popular Easy Listening songs, and Bobbie Gentry, who topped the UK chart with her recording and also peaked at number 1 in Australia and Ireland, number 3 in South Africa and number 5 in Norway.

"Make It Easy on Yourself" is a popular song written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David which was initially a hit for Jerry Butler in 1962. The best-known version is the 1965 recording by the Walker Brothers, for whom it was a No. 1 UK and Canadian hit. Dionne Warwick, who made a demo of the song in early 1962, later had a hit with it in 1970.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">This Guy's in Love with You</span> 1968 single by Herb Alpert

"This Guy's in Love with You" is a hit song written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David and released by Herb Alpert in May, 1968. Although known primarily for his trumpet playing as the leader of the Tijuana Brass, Alpert sang lead vocals on this solo recording, which was arranged by Bacharach. An earlier recording of the song by British singer Danny Williams with different lyrics titled "That Guy's in Love" appeared on Williams' 1968 self-titled album.

"Wishin' and Hopin'" is a song, written by Hal David and Burt Bacharach, which was a US Top 10 hit for Dusty Springfield in 1964.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Message to Michael</span> 1966 single by Dionne Warwick

"Message to Michael" is a song written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, that has been a hit for several different artists under several different titles. The song was first recorded as "Message to Martha" by Jerry Butler in 1962. In 1964, singer Lou Johnson had a minor US hit with the song, with the title "Kentucky Bluebird". British singer Adam Faith also recorded the song as "A Message to Martha " in 1965, and had a substantial hit with it in the UK, reaching No. 12. Exactly the same recording was issued in Australia as "Message to Martha", where it was a No. 15 hit for Faith. In the United States, Dionne Warwick's version, titled "Message to Michael", was a top ten hit there in 1966.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">One Less Bell to Answer</span> 1970 single by the 5th Dimension

"One Less Bell to Answer" is a song written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David. Originally written in 1967 for Keely Smith, the song was rediscovered in late 1969 by Bones Howe, the producer for the 5th Dimension, and the song was included on the group's 1970 debut album for Bell Records, Portrait. Lead vocals on the single were sung by Marilyn McCoo.

<i>Friends</i> (Dionne Warwick album) 1985 studio album by Dionne Warwick

Friends is a studio album by American singer Dionne Warwick. It was released by Arista Records on November 25, 1985 in the United States. Her seventh album with the label, it was executive produced by Clive Davis, who consulted frequent collaborators Burt Bacharach, Carole Bayer Sager, Albhy Galuten, Barry Manilow, and Stevie Wonder as well as Narada Michael Walden and David Foster to work with Warwick.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love Power (Dionne Warwick song)</span> 1987 single by Dionne Warwick and Jeffrey Osborne

"Love Power" is a song by American singers Dionne Warwick and Jeffrey Osborne. It was written and produced by Burt Bacharach and Carole Bayer Sager for Warwick's studio album, Reservations for Two (1987), and features an appearance by Kenny G playing the alto sax solo. Released as its lead single, it became Warwick's sixth number-one hit on the US Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. The track also reached number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100. "Love Power" marked her final appearance in the top 40 on the latter chart. For Osborne, "Love Power" was his only number-one Adult Contemporary hit, and it would be his last appearance in the Billboard Hot 100 top 40 as well, since "She's On the Left," his only number-one R&B hit, would only reach number 48 on that same chart the following year.

"The Windows of the World" is a song written by Burt Bacharach (music) and Hal David (lyrics) which was a hit single for Dionne Warwick in 1967.

"Trains and Boats and Planes" is a song written by composer Burt Bacharach and lyricist Hal David. Hit versions were recorded by Bacharach in 1965, by Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas in the same year, and by Dionne Warwick in 1966.

<i>Ill Never Fall in Love Again</i> (album) 1970 studio album by Dionne Warwick

I'll Never Fall in Love Again is the thirteenth studio album by American singer Dionne Warwick, released on April 27, 1970 by the Scepter label. It was produced by Burt Bacharach and Hal David. In 1971, the album won the Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.

References

  1. 1 2 3 McEvoy, Colin (February 9, 2023). "What It Was Like to Work with Burt Bacharach, in the Words of his Collaborators". Biography . Retrieved February 11, 2023.
  2. ↑ Breihan, Tom (November 15, 2022). "Bon Jovi - "You Give Love a Bad Name". The Number Ones: Twenty Chart-Topping Hits That Reveal the History of Pop Music. New York: Hachette Book Group. p. 183.
  3. ↑ "That's What Friends Are For by Dionne & Friends – Digital Sheet Music". Musicnotes.com. November 14, 2016. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
  4. ↑ "That's What Friends Are For". Washington Post. 1988. So working against AIDS, especially after years of raising money for work on many blood-related diseases such as sickle-cell anemia, seemed the right thing to do. 'You have to be granite not to want to help people with AIDS, because the devastation that it causes is so painful to see. I was so hurt to see my friend die with such agony,' Warwick remembers. 'I am tired of hurting, and it does hurt.
  5. ↑ "Greatest of All-Time – Hot 100 Songs". Billboard.com.
  6. ↑ Heyman, Marshall (February 11, 2011). "Superstar 'Friends' Reunite". The Wall Street Journal.
  7. ↑ 1985 Dionne Warwick & Friends @sessiondays.com Retrieved November 28, 2021.
  8. ↑ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 . St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
  9. ↑ "Dionne & Friends – That's What Friends Are For" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
  10. ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 0625." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
  11. ↑ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 9353." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
  12. ↑ "European Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Eurotipsheet . Vol. 3, no. 1. January 6, 1986. p. 15. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
  13. ↑ Pennanen, Timo (2021). "Dionne Warwick". Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021 (PDF) (in Finnish). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 278. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  14. ↑ "InfoDisc : Les Tubes de chaque Artiste commençant par W". Infodisc. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
  15. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – That s What Friends Are For". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
  16. ↑ "Classifiche". Musica e dischi (in Italian). Retrieved June 8, 2022. Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Dionne Warwick".
  17. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 48, 1985" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
  18. ↑ "Dionne & Friends – That's What Friends Are For" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
  19. ↑ "Dionne & Friends – That's What Friends Are For". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
  20. ↑ "Dionne & Friends – That's What Friends Are For". VG-lista. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
  21. ↑ "SA Charts 1965 – 1989 Songs T-V". South African Rock Lists. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
  22. ↑ "Dionne & Friends – That's What Friends Are For". Singles Top 100. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
  23. ↑ "Dionne & Friends – That's What Friends Are For". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
  24. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
  25. ↑ "Dionne Warwick Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
  26. ↑ "Dionne Warwick Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
  27. ↑ "Dionne Warwick Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
  28. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Dionne & Friends – That's What Friends Are For" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
  29. ↑ "National Top 100 Singles for 1986". Kent Music Report . No. 650. December 1986. Retrieved January 24, 2023– via Imgur.
  30. ↑ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (Illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
  31. ↑ "Top 100 Singles of '86". RPM . Retrieved June 8, 2018– via Library and Archives Canada.
  32. ↑ "End of Year Charts 1986". Recorded Music NZ . Retrieved March 13, 2020.
  33. ↑ "Top 20 Hit Singles of 1986". South African Rock Lists. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
  34. ↑ "1986 The Year in Music & Video: Top Pop Singles". Billboard. Vol. 98, no. 52. December 27, 1986. p. Y-21.
  35. ↑ "1986 The Year in Music & Video: Top Adult Contemporary Singles". Billboard. Vol. 98, no. 52. December 27, 1986. p. Y-27.
  36. ↑ "1986 The Year in Music & Video: Top Black Singles". Billboard. Vol. 98, no. 52. December 27, 1986. p. Y-23.
  37. ↑ "Canadian single certifications – Dionne Warwick & Friends – That's What Friends Are For". Music Canada . Retrieved September 26, 2019.
  38. ↑ "British single certifications – Dionne Warwick – That's What Friends Are For". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved October 4, 2022.
  39. ↑ "American single certifications – Dionne Warwick & Friends – That's What Friends Are For". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved June 8, 2018.
  40. ↑ O'Connor, Rachael (September 1, 2023). "Duncan James and Denise Van Outen reveal touching way they're remembering Sarah Harding". Metro. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
  41. ↑ "NCAA - That's What March Is For :60 | Capital One". March 13, 2024. Retrieved March 15, 2024– via YouTube.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.