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Trains and Boats and Planes

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Wikipedia article




"'Trains and Boats and Planes'" is a song written by composer Burt Bacharach and lyricist Hal David. Hit versions were recorded by Bacharach himself in 1965, by Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas in the same year, and by Dionne Warwick in 1966.

Original 1965 recordings



Bacharach and David wrote the song at a time when they had achieved great popular success. Bacharach, in particular, was traveling widely to record and promote his songs. The pair intended the song to be recorded by Gene Pitney, who had had several hits with earlier Bacharach and David songs, including "Only Love Can Break a Heart" and "Twenty Four Hours from Tulsa". However, Pitney declined to record it, telling Bacharach "it's not one of your better ones". Bacharach then recorded it in London, with an orchestra, chorus, and uncredited vocals by female session singers The Breakaways. His version was issued on the 1965 album 'Hit Maker!: Burt Bacharach plays the Burt Bacharach Hits' and as a single. According to writer Serene Dominic,

While a special show was being recorded by Bacharach at the Granada TV studios in Manchester, producer Johnnie Hamp heard the song and arranged for it to be offered to a group who also recorded there, the Four Just Men (who later recorded as Wimple Winch). They turned it down, and the song then came to the attention of Brian Epstein, who suggested that Billy J. Kramer record it.[http://www.manchesterbeat.com/groups/fourjustmen/fourjustmen.php "Four Just Men", 'Manchester Beat']. Retrieved 10 February 2015 Kramer's recording was released at about the same time as Bacharach's own version, and both recordings entered the UK singles chart in the same week in May 1965. Other, less commercially successful, versions were issued in the UK around the same time by Anita Harris and Alma Cogan, and recordings were made in French by Claude Franois and Rene Martel ("Quand un bateau passe").[http://www.secondhandsongs.com/performance/8202/versions "Trains and Boats and Planes", cover versions, 'SecondhandSongs']. Retrieved 10 February 2015 Within the same year, a German language version, ("Frag doch nur dein Herz") was recorded by Die Five Tops.

Bacharach's version reached No. 4 on the UK chart in 1965, while Kramer's recording reached No. 12 in the UK, becoming his final chart hit. When released in the US, Kramer's version reached No. 47 on the 'Billboard' Hot 100, and No. 10 on 'Billboard's Easy Listening chart."[http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/60s/1965/Billboard%201965-08-07.pdf Billboard Top 40 Easy Listening]", 'Billboard', August 7, 1965. p. 18. Accessed June 9, 2016.

Dionne Warwick version



Dionne Warwick recorded the song in 1966. Her version was arranged and conducted by Bacharach, and produced by Bacharach and David. It spent seven weeks on the 'Billboard' Hot 100 chart, and reached No. 22 on August 6, 1966.[http://www.billboard.com/artist/300972/dionne-warwick/chart?page=1&f=379 Dionne Warwick - Chart History - The Hot 100], 'Billboard.com'. Accessed June 9, 2016 Warwick's version also reached No. 37 on 'Billboard's Easy Listening chart[http://www.billboard.com/artist/300972/dionne-warwick/chart?page=3&f=341 Dionne Warwick - Chart History - Adult Contemporary], 'Billboard.com'. Accessed June 9, 2016. and No. 49 on 'Billboard's Hot Rhythm & Blues Singles chart.[http://www.billboard.com/artist/300972/dionne-warwick/chart?page=3&f=367 Dionne Warwick - Chart History - Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs], 'Billboard.com'. Accessed June 9, 2016.

Other recordings



Other recordings include those by Chet Baker (1966), the Everly Brothers, the Box Tops, The Shadows (instrumental), Joanie Sommers, Dinah Shore (all in 1967), Astrud Gilberto (1969), Fred Frith (1997), Fountains of Wayne (2003), Gwyneth Herbert and Will Rutter on their 2003 album 'First Songs', Dwight Yoakam (2003), and Laura Cantrell on her 2008 EP 'Trains and Boats and Planes'.

References



Category:Songs about boats

Category:Songs about trains

Category:1965 songs

Category:Songs with music by Burt Bacharach

Category:Songs with lyrics by Hal David

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