What is the best Burt Bacharach album to start with?

The best album to start with is "Hit maker!" (1965). It's the most representative of what makes Burt Bacharach worth hearing.

How many albums does Burt Bacharach have?

Burt Bacharach has 18 releases in their discography, including 12 albums and 1 EP.

Photo: ABC Television · Public domain

Burt Bacharach

Q: Who is Burt Bacharach for?

If you're into easy listening and lounge music, Burt Bacharach is worth your time. With its intricate phrasing and unexpected rhythmic shifts, Bacharach's music creates a lush sonic tapestry that balances sophistication with an inviting ease.

With its intricate phrasing and unexpected rhythmic shifts, Bacharach's music creates a lush sonic tapestry that balances sophistication with an inviting ease.

easy listening · lounge music · orchestral pop

United States

Read about Burt Bacharach on Bookshop

Start here

The album

Hit maker! (1965)

Captures Bacharach's signature sound with lush arrangements and accessible melodies, making it a great starting point for new listeners.

The song

“Walk On By”

Immediate hook and representative of Bacharach's intricate style, showcasing his ability to blend sophistication with pop sensibilities.

See the full guide

Songs to start with

If you'd rather pick a song than an album.

1

"Please Explain" — from At This Time (2005)

establishes the sonic palette early

About Burt Bacharach

Burt Bacharach's music matters because it redefined the parameters of popular songcraft, elevating the seemingly simple into the profound.

His distinct approach to melody and harmony forged a signature sound that transcended traditional pop, creating a space where introspection met accessibility.

His distinct approach to melody and harmony forged a signature sound that transcended traditional pop, creating a space where introspection met accessibility. Bacharach’s work provided a soundtrack for a generation, influencing not just fellow songwriters but also shaping the contemporary landscape of film scoring and easy listening. His innovative use of unconventional time signatures and intricate arrangements transformed the way songs can be structured, allowing for a more conversational yet sophisticated approach to songwriting. Bacharach’s process often involved collaboration with lyricists who complemented his musical vision, resulting in compositions that felt both intimate and grandiose, challenging the norms of commercial music production. In his lyrics, themes often revolve around love's complexities and emotional nuances, expressed with a blend of sincerity and irony. His storytelling captures fleeting moments and deep sentiments, employing a voice that oscillates between playful and poignant. This duality invites listeners to engage with the music on multiple levels, evoking both nostalgia and reflective contemplation.

12 studio albums· 18 total releases· 5 decades· United States