I have played this song once before, in March 2019, but given everything going on in the world today, I thought it appropriate for a redux.
This song, written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, was originally offered to Dionne Warwick in 1965, but at the time, she wasn’t interested, so it was originally recorded by Jackie DeShannon whose version peaked at #7 in the U.S. and #1 in Canada in July of that year. In 1996, Dionne Warwick apparently changed her mind and recorded the song, but hers only reached #87 on the U.S. charts. According to Bacharach …
“Dionne rejected that song. She might have thought it was too preachy and I thought Dionne was probably right. Hal pushed me to play it for Jackie De Shannon who we were gonna record. Otherwise I would have let it be and it would still be in the drawer. Once I heard Jackie sing four bars of it, I thought ‘this is great.’ Jackie had such a great voice. Love her voice. Whether it’s a song she wrote herself or singing ‘What The World Needs Now Is Love,’ she’s special. I wish we could have repeated that success with Jackie but the material we gave her on the next session wasn’t as good.”
Now, my preference is Dionne Warwick’s version, but frankly DeShannon’s is also excellent, so I shall play both and you can choose. I’m particularly struck by the lyrics “No not just for some, but for everyone“. Think about it.
What the World Needs Now
Jackie DeShannon/Dionne Warwick
What the world needs now is love, sweet love
It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of
What the world needs now is love, sweet love,
No not just for some but for everyone.
Lord, we don’t need another mountain,
There are mountains and hillsides enough to climb
There are oceans and rivers enough to cross,
Enough to last till the end of time.
What the world needs now is love, sweet love
It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of
What the world needs now is love, sweet love,
No, not just for some but for everyone.
Lord, we don’t need another meadow
There are cornfields and wheat fields enough to grow
There are sunbeams and moonbeams enough to shine
Oh listen, lord, if you want to know.
What the world needs now is love, sweet love
It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of
What the world needs now is love, sweet love,
No, not just for some but for everyone.
No, not just for some, oh, but just for everyone.
Songwriters: Burt F. Bacharach / Hal David
What the World Needs Now lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc
No truer song, just beautiful ❤
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Both versions have exceptional value but it is the message that rings true. I gre with both versions,
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Agreed! They both sang it beautifully and the message resonates, no matter who sings it. Glad you enjoyed it!
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A song that is not only beautiful but also speaks to the need to show love to everyone. To that I would suggest the need for this too : “In a multi-racial society, trust, understanding and tolerance are the cornerstones of peace and order.” – Kamisese Mara. All of that with that an added dash of compassion would be unifying. Thank-you!
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An excellent addition to the song, my friend! Trust, tolerance, compassion … they all seem to be lacking in much of our society today, having been replaced by greed and a sense of entitlement. Sigh. Glad you liked the song, though!
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Beautiful song and beautifully song both times.
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I’m so glad you liked it!!! xx
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Couldn’t agree more with the sentiments of this song!
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Applicable in almost any time, but today it seems particularly apropos.
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Great song for these times for sure!!
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It’s one of those that I think fits almost all times and all ages, but today it seems particularly relevant. Glad you liked it!
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One of the best songs ever written, no matter who sings it.
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I agree … a song for all times and all ages.
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I can’t make my mind up — they’re both good.
And I agree with you about ‘not just for some’.
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Yes, they are both good and I enjoy either one. I only wish more people would listen and actually hear the lyrics, think about them, and … sigh.
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There are a lot of songs like that. John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’ springs to mind. They’re popular — but do those who listen to them really think about the lyrics? I have my doubts.
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Oh yes!!! I’ve played “Imagine” numerous times here and it’s among my favourites. Another is “Ebony and Ivory” by Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder. Hmmmm … perhaps it’s time for a redux of that one! I have my doubts as well, but if nothing else, it lifts my spirits to play them. 😉
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