3 Eternal Pop-Soul Songs by Dionne Warwick

While today Dionne Warwick is known as much for her candid and hilarious X personality, ever since the 1960s she has been understood to be one of the great American singers of all time. Given the number of times her music has appeared on the Billboard Hot 100, she is one of the best-selling and most-heard pop stars ever.

A recipient of six Grammy Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award, the 83-year-old Rock & Roll Hall of Famer has released many songs that are still in the zeitgeist, the proverbial musical ether. Here below, we wanted to explore a trio of songs from the indelible artist that have stood the test of time upon their release. Indeed, these are three eternal Dionne Warwick songs.

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“Walk on By” from Make Way for Dionne Warwick (1964)

Sampled most recently for the 2023 pop track “Paint the Town Red” by Doja Cat, this soul song was originally written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, two longtime collaborators of Warwick’s. The lyrics show a woman grieving a relationship. But sometimes when we break up with someone there is a tendency, because we still love them as a person, to want to help assuage their tears. But Warwick warns not to do that. Instead, she sings, just walk on by. She continues,

I just can’t get over losing you
And so if I seem broken and blue
Walk on by, walk on by

Foolish pride
That’s all that I have left
So let me hide
The tears and the sadness you gave me
When you said goodbye

Walk on by (don’t stop)
Walk on by (don’t stop)
Walk on by (don’t stop)
Walk on

“That’s What Friends Are For” from Friends (1985)

Originally preformed by Rod Stewart for the soundtrack for the 1982 movie Night Shift, this song was made even more famous by the ever-smiling Warwick, who recorded her version with Stevie Wonder, Elton John, and Gladys Knight for Warwick’s 1985 album Friends. (What a collection of artists!) The song was originally cut to raise money for AIDS research and it ended up garnering some $3 million for the cause. On the song, Warwick opens the song by singing,

And I never thought I’d feel this way
And as far as I’m concerned
I’m glad I got the chance to say
That I do believe I love you
And if I should ever go away
Well, then close your eyes and try
To feel the way we do today
And then if you can remember

“I Say a Little Prayer” from The Windows of the World (1967)

Speaking about this classic, Warwick told American Songwriter: “’Say A Little Prayer,’ well, it was well worth doing. It was written [by Burt Bacharach and Hal David] during the period of the Vietnam War. I believe Hal David was singing very, very seriously about our babies over there. And I must say this: It was a senseless war. And children—that’s exactly what they were, 18-, 19-, 20-years-old babies—were over there fighting the silly war. And it was a way of saying how much we missed them, how much we loved them, how much we prayed for them, and wanted them to come on home.”

And on the anti-war song, she sings,

The moment I wake up
Before I put on my makeup (makeup)
I say a little prayer for you
While combing my hair now
I’m wondering what to wear now (wear now)
I say a little prayer for you (for you, ooh)
Oh, baby

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