I am mourning. I am humming. All day long yesterday and the days before that, I have been playing his songs, especially the ones rendered by my all-time favorite singer, Dionne Warwick.

Walk On By, Promises, Promises, What Do You Get When You Fall in Love, Alfie, A House in Not a Home, Do You Know The Way to San Jose? They’re the theme songs of my youth, the 70s.

It’s strange, it’s scintillating, the magic woven by Burt Bacharach’s music, echoing throughout the world, getting us connected, making us fall in love, no matter how far and distant we are.

Mr. Bacharach passed at 94 of natural causes on February 8 at his home in Los Angeles, California, leaving behind a wealthy legacy of immortal songs recorded by the world’s greatest singers, led by Dionne, and joined by the likes of Tony Bennet, The Carpenters, Tom Jones, Dusty Springfield, Aretha Franklin, Matt Monro.

The passing of the legendary composer whose works kicked off Dionne’s career starting from the late 1960s fetched this tribute from the equally legendary singer.

As reported by USA Today on February 9, 2023, Dionne said:

“Burt’s transition is like losing a family member."

"These words I’ve been asked to write are being written with sadness over the loss of my Dear Friend and my Musical Partner."

In the same story, Warwick also reflected on the happiness Bacharach brought to her life.

"On the lighter side we laughed a lot and had our run ins, but always found a way to let each other know our family, like roots, were the most important part of our relationship," she added. "My heartfelt condolences go out to his family, letting them know he is now peacefully resting and I too will miss him.”

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Other music icons, like Tony Bennett, Dianne Warren, Rick Astley, Beach Boys co-founder Brian Wilson, paid tribute to Bacharach on social media and elsewhere.

They called him all sorts: the great American composer, hero, very influential force, giant in the music business, legend, icon.

They said: "His songs will live forever."

Timeless.

Diane Warren wrote: "The Songwriting world has lost its Beethoven today."

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Celeste Legaspi said she has precious memories woven into Bacharach’s music. At 17, when she was starting to carve her own music career, she was listening intently to his songs.

With Burt’s passing, Celeste says she has rediscovered Dionne’s magical singing prowess, especially as she renders “Promises, Promises,” a most difficult song to sing, she says.

In his tribute, National Artist Ryan Cayabyab summed up his Bacharach era as the best days, the best songs.

Jose Mari Chan, in a text message to me, wrote: Burt Bacharach was a brilliant and innovative composer/songwriter. His works are varied but always appealing to people of all ages. From his earlier hit song: like “Magic Moments” and “The Blob” to his later hit “That’s What Friends Are For”, his versatility always shines through.

Dusty Springfield’s version of his “The Look of Love” and Matt Monro’s version of “Alfie” are classic examples of Bacharach songs that will live on long after he is gone.

I say, thank you for the music, Burt Bacharach.