Hal David er mykje mindre kjent enn sin musikalske partner, Burt Bacarach.

Saman skreiv dei ei lang rekke klassiske pop-perler som står att i historia og aldri vil bli gløymt. Hal David var tekstforfattaren, og skreiv smått geniale tekstar til Burt Bacarach sine særprega og elegante melodilinjer.

Ofte kunne tekstane og sangane vere ganske melankolske, ofte var dei mangetydige og rørande. Saman skapte Bacarach og David musikk som ingen andre hadde laga før dei, som ikkje likna på noko anna og som du kjenner igjen med ein gong du høyrer det.

Denne er ei av dei beste: Do you know the way to San José, om alle som vil til Hollywood for å bli berømte og vinne verda. Dei fleste blir verken berømte eller verdsvinnarar, dessverre, men endar opp med å jobbe på barar, caféar og bensinstasjonar.

Do you know the way to San José?
I’ve been away so long. I may go wrong and lose my way.
Do you know the way to San José?
I’m going back to find some peace of mind in San José.

L.a. is a great big freeway.
Put a hundred down and buy a car.
In a week, maybe two, they’ll make you a star
Weeks turn into years. how quck they pass
And all the stars that never were
Are parking cars and pumping gas

Do you know the way to San José?
They’ve got a lot of space. there’ll be a place where I can stay
I was born and raised in San José
I’m going back to find some peace of mind in San José.

Fame and fortune is a magnet.
It can pull you far away from home
With a dream in your heart you’re never alone.
Dreams turn into dust and blow away
And there you are without a friend
You pack your car and ride away

I’ve got lots of friends in San José
Do you know the way to San José?
Can’t wait to get back to San José.

Og kanskje den vakraste og mest rørande av dei alle: Alfie.

What’s it all about, Alfie?
Is it just for the moment we live?
What’s it all about when you sort it out, Alfie?
Are we meant to take more than we give
Or are we meant to be kind?

And if only fools are kind, Alfie,
Then I guess it’s wise to be cruel.
And if life belongs only to the strong, Alfie,
What will you lend on an old golden rule?

As sure as I believe there’s a heaven above, alfie,
I know there’s something much more,
Something even non-believers can believe in.

I believe in love, Alfie.
Without true love we just exist, Alfie.
Until you find the love you’ve missed you’re nothing, Alfie.
When you walk let your heart lead the way
And you’ll find love any day, Alfie, Alfie.