Post authoHappy #SongLyricsSunday! Today’s a special day: it’s fellow blogger Fandango’s Day! He also chose today’s prompt of finding a song with “this”, “that”, and “other” in either the lyrics or song’s title. I am picking a song to celebrate Fandango Day along with some students of mine leaving for new adventures this week and my best friend’s wedding (which happened yesterday but I couldn’t attend due to COVID travel restrictions). What song is it? It is the 80s song “That’s What Friends Are For” that was made famous by Dionne Warwick Elton John, Gladys Knight, and Stevie Wonder. It is such a beautiful song, but did you know it is a cover. Let’s explore the tune a little more down below.
In Good Times, In Bad Times
“That’s What Friends Are For” is written by Burt Bacharach and Carole Bayer Sager. Burt Bacharach is one of the most important composers of 20th-century popular music. He has written songs for countless artists like Dionne Warwick, Aretha Franklin (“I Say a Little Prayer”), Natalie Cole, Patti LaBelle, Carly Simon, the Carpenters ( “(They Long to Be) Close to You” ), Christopher Cross (“Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do)”), and Neil Diamond. He was married to the lyricist and sing-songwriter Carole Bayer Sager (who also co-wrote “That’s What Friends Are For”) from 1982 to 1991. Sager has written songs for Steve Perry, Bette Midler, Melissa Machester, Barbra Streisand, Rita Coolidge, and Peter Allen.
Rod Stewart was the original singer for “That’s What Friends Are For”. It was released in 1982 on the soundtrack for the Ron Howard movie Night Shifts, which features Henry Winkle, Michael Keaton, Shelley Long, and Richard Belzer (which I am a big fan of thanks to Law & Order). However, the song never was cut as a single. So, it was unknown to many people until Warwick’s cover in 1985.
Dionne Warwick decided to cover “That’s What Friends Are For”. to help raised money for the American Foundation for AIDS Research. It was also released to help to combat the AIDS epidemic, which Warwick personally experienced as she saw friends dying from the disease. This charity single features Gladys Knight, Elton John on vocals and piano, and Stevie Wonder on harmonica and vocals. The song was successful as it reached #1 on many charts in the United States and even worldwide. It won the Grammy Awards for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals and Song of the Year. But most importantly, it raised over three million dollars for the American Foundation for AIDS Research.
Warwick’s version is slightly different then Stewart’s version. The 1985 version has a different second verse. Don’t let that deter you from listening to the song. It’s a beautiful soft rock mid-tempo ballad with lots of wonderful talent. You cannot beat a powerhouse quartet like Dionne Warwick, Elton John, Gladys Knight, and Stevie Wonder. Maybe you can but these four have unique musical talents that made this song so special: Warwick and Knights’ soft vocals, John’s powerful vocals, and Stevie’s unique vocals as well as his harmonica.
Yet, it’s the lyrics that bring out the heart of the song as they are so bittersweet and so true. Just look at that chorus! Those are the exact words that I would say to my friends. Those words are so encouraging and could bring a sime to anyone’s face (or melt hearts). Keep smiling, keep shining, I’ll be on your side forevermore
I always have loved “That’s What Friends Are For” by Dionne Warwick, Elton John, Gladys Knight, and Stevie Wonder. The reason why is because the song featuring amazing talent (both songwriters and performers), wonderful soft rock melodies, and its uplifting messages. What about you? What do you like about “That’s What Friends Are For”? Take a listen to the song below and let me know what you think
Trivia: The song is called “Ai no Harmony” (愛のハーモニー: Love’s Harmony) in Japan.
Dionne Warwick singing with her cousin Whitney Houston for the AIDS charity concert That’s What Friends Are For: Arista Records 15th Anniversary Concert in 1990
Lyrics For “That’s What Friends Are For”
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
Keep smilin’, keep shinin’
Knowin’ you can always count on me for sure
That’s what friends are for
For good times and bad times
I’ll be on your side forevermore
That’s what friends are for
Well, you came and opened me
And now there’s so much more I see
And so, by the way, I thank you
Oh, and then, for the times when we’re apart
Well then, close your eyes and know
These words are comin’ from my heart
And then if you can remember, oh
Keep smiling, keep shining
Knowing you can always count on me for sure
That’s what friends are for
In good times, in bad times
I’ll be on your side forevermore
Oh, that’s what friends are for, oh
Oh, keep smilin’, keep shinin’
Knowin’ you can always count on me for sure
That’s what friends are for
For good times and bad times
I’ll be on your side forevermore
That’s what friends are for
Keep smilin’, keep shinin’
Knowin’ you can always count on me, oh, for sure
‘Cause I tell you that’s what friends are for
For good times and for bad times
I’ll be on your side forevermore, oh
That’s what friends are for
(Ha ha, that’s what friends are for)
(Ha ha, yeah)
On me for sure
Count on me for sure
Count on me for sure
That’s what friends are for
Keep smilin’, keep shinin’
The Rules for #SongLyricsSunday
(This challenge is currently hosted by the generous Jim Adams.)
Anyone can participate in #SongLyricsSunday, even if you aren’t a music blogger! If you want to participate, here are the rules:
- Post the lyrics to the song of your choice, whether it fits the theme or not.
- Please try to include the songwriter(s) – it’s a good idea to give credit where credit is due.
- Make sure you also credit the singer/band and if you desire you can provide a link to where you found the lyrics.
- Link to the YouTube video, or pull it into your post so others can listen to the song.
- Pingback to this post will eventually work, as long as you are being patient, but you can also place your link in the comments if you don’t like to wait.
- Read at least one other person’s blog, so we can all share new and fantastic music and create amazing new blogging friends in the process.
- Feel free to suggest future prompts.
- Have fun and enjoy the music.
