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The great Dionne Warwick hit “I Say a Little Prayer” is this week’s Song of the Week. The million selling song was the second single from Warwick’s 1967 album “The Windows of the World.”

“I Say a Little Prayer” went on to become one of Dionne Warwick’s signature tunes.

Recording date/location

“I Say a Little Prayer” was recorded in June 1966 at A&R Studios in New York City.

Authorship

Original magazine ad for “I Say a Little Prayer” single

The song was one of many million sellers composed by the legendary songwriting partnership of Burt Bacharach and Hal David. Bacharach had first come into contact with Dionne Warwick when she was singing backing vocals on the Drifters’ recording of “Mexican Divorce,” which Bacharach had written. She then began recording demos for Bacharach, before signing for Scepter records in 1962 and releasing her first Bacharach/David composition, “Don’t Mark Me Over.” This was the first Bacharach/David song to break the top 40. Many more collaborations would follow between Bacharach/David and Warwick, including the classics “Walk On By,” “Anyone Who Had a Heart” and “Do You Know the Way to San José?”

Chart performance

“I Say a Little Prayer” hit number four on the Billboard Hot 100 in December 1967, becoming Dionne Warwick’s fourth top 10 hit since “Anyone Who Had a Heart” in 1963.

The B-side to “I Say a Little Prayer” was “Theme from Valley of the Dolls” and this went on to achieve a number two chart placing in February 1968.

The album on which “I Say a little Prayer” appeared, “The Windows of the World,” reached number 22 on the US album charts.

Covers

Aretha Franklin – “I Say a Little Prayer”

Aretha Franklin’s cover is arguably as popular as the original and it is certainly a match for Dionne’s fine recording.

Aretha’s version appeared on her 1968 album “Aretha Now” and also as the B-side of her single “The House that Jack Built.” It also charted separately, reaching number 10 on the US R&B charts. The song was perhaps most popular in the UK where it reached number 4 on the singles chart and would be Franklin’s most popular solo single.

As with Dionne, “I Say a Little Prayer” has become one of Aretha’s signature tunes.

Anne Murray / Glen Campbell – “I Say a Little Prayer” / “By the Time I Get to Phoenix” medley

Anne Murray and Glen Campbell collaborated on a medley of “I Say a Little Prayer” and “By the Time I Get to Phoenix” on their 1971 album “Anne Murray / Glen Campbell.” The songs are interweaved, rather than sung in succession. It’s an interesting idea, but the experiment doesn’t quite come off.

Diana King – “I Say a Little Prayer”

Diana King’s reggae-based version of “I Say a Little Prayer” featured on the soundtrack of the hit movie “My Best Friend’s Wedding” in 1997. King hit number 38 on the US pop charts with her cover.

An amusing cast version was also memorably featured in the film, with Rupert Everett taking the lead.

Dionne and Aretha duet

From the ridiculous to the sublime, now we have Dionne Warwick and Aretha Franklin performing a live duet of “I Say a Little Prayer” on an episode of “Solid Gold” in 1980/81. The clip isn’t in the best quality, but it’s a well worth a look.

Dionne Warwick is second only to Aretha Franklin as the most successful female on the US charts, with 56 singles hitting the Billboard Hot 100 between 1962 and 1998.

There will be a new Song of the Week on August 16.

“I Say a Little Prayer” features on a number of Dionne Warwick compilations, including “Dionne Warwick – The Definitive Collection.” You can buy the album from the following online retailers:

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