Love Can Build a Bridge is an iconic song that was first released in 1990. It was written and performed by a family-overlapping collaboration of five artists: John Barlow Jarvis, Paul Overstreet, Naomi Judd, The Judds, and Wynonna Judd.
John Barlow Jarvis went on to co-write several other hit songs throughout the nineties with other notable country music artists like Mark Wills and Garth Brooks. Before his career in songwriting, he was a professor at the University of Evansville where he taught piano and theory. He received a degree in theory and composition from the University of Evansville at the age of 18; though not yet part of the country music landscape - this early success in academia gave him the technical foundation he needed for his later success as an artist.
Meanwhile, Paul Overstreet had been writing successful songs since the 70s that were covered by big names like Randy Travis, Ricky Skaggs, Billy Ray Cyrus and Kenny Chesney among many others. He wrote eleven number one hits including Love Can Build a Bridge which earned him a 1991 CMA “Song Of The Year” award. His primary musical influence comes from bluegrass, folk and gospel - genres that characterize his unique sound regardless of what style he works in.
Though Naomi Judd had left her singing career behind to take on a role as motherhood had taken center stage for her - Naomi Judd brought her professionalism to mixed with her legendary vocal style on this track lending it yet another layer of transcendence. She had achieved great fame as half of “The Judds” before going solo which resulted in stunning success of this 1990 Grammy award winning song that catapulted her – once again – into super stardom status within popular music culture.
While it is true that The Juddses ate most widely known for their contribution on Love Can Build A Bridge it should be noted that their participation on the record was short lived due to situations unrelated to their music career - more specifically Naomi’s battles with chronic hepatitis which caused them to need to go their separate ways afterward due to health concerns Naomi’s end thus ended their duo gig with sister Wynonna beginning her subsequent solo career while finishing out their contractual obligations on record which is how we ended up with this masterpiece before us today!
Finally we round off our list of contributors but certainly not least is award winning solo artist Wynonna Juddin whom added yet another level perfectionism onto Love Can Build A Bridge having felt immensely fortunate for having worked under such an iconic collaboration as well as feeling honored just being able fulfill her mother's last wishes for recording one final album together before embarking down quite possibly one most rewarding vocal singersmithing quests any female artist has ever been able achieve both then now!
Who wrote the hit single 'Shallow'?
The hit single 'Shallow' was written by Lady Gaga and top hitmakers Mark Ronson, Anthony Rossomando and Andrew Wyatt. Their collective talents have pushed this song to the top of charts around the world since its debut in 2018.
‘Shallow’ was released alongside the popular feature film A Star Is Born, starring Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper. Written specifically for the film, 'Shallow' explores a unique form of romance between two stars, making it relatable to fans around the world.
Lady Gaga has described songwriting as emotional therapy, which "Shallow" proves in spades. Writing along with her collaborators had been a shared experience that has brought immense dividends in connecting with audiences. To date, it has amassed close to 400 million views on YouTube and sold over 3 million copies worldwide; proving its ongoing success.
The team of writers and artists behind ‘Shallow’ are responsible for crafting a timeless classic that will continue to be a part of our musical culture for years to come. Drawing from their unique backgrounds and diverse musical influences allowed them to create an iconic piece of art - proving once again that collaboration can be an incredibly powerful force.
Who composed the soundtrack for the movie 'Titanic'?
The romantic epic movie “Titanic”, directed by James Cameron, is known for its star-crossed couple and the heart-wrenching soundtrack that accompanies them throughout their tumultuous journey. The movie’s soundtrack was composed by 78-time Academy Award winner James Horner, who has composed music for countless other films such as “Glory” (1989), Avatar (2009) and “Braveheart” (1995).
Horner was originally commissioned to compose a score that captured the passionate yet tragic love story between Rose and Jack and depicted the emotional gravity of their grand voyage. He achieved this with the wide array of instrumentation he employed in his works. From gorgeous string sections to menacing brass sections and gentle piano pieces to traditional Irish folk melodies, Horner proves that small details can make all the difference when composing a timeless piece.
When all of these individual elements are brought together, they create a work which sounds nothing like any other movie soundtrack heard before it. Horner transports us out of the cinema theater into a world where it's easy to get lost in sorrowful passages laced with sorrowful melodies that echo through time and bring us back for more each time we watch the film. From almost instant classics like Celine Dion's “My Heart Will Go On” to creative pieces such as “Rose” or sad but beautiful instrumental tracks like “Death Of Titanic” – every ounce of Horner's composition gives way to an experience truly unlike any other.
Who wrote the song 'With a Little Help from My Friends'?
The classic song “With a Little Help from My Friends” was written by two of the greatest songwriters in music history: John Lennon and Paul McCartney. This song, originally released as part of The Beatles’ 1967 album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, remains a fan favorite and a staple in the rock ‘n roll canon.
The most iconic version of the track is sung by John himself, though all four members of The Beatles sang their own solo parts on the original studio release. When recording the album, McCartney provided the rough structure for what would become “With a Little Help From My Friends” while Lennon added some additional lyrics to it. The mother of drummer Ringo Starr (who sang lead vocals on this particular track) even played a role in inspiring this classic song; she used to tell her son that he would only succeed “with a little help from my friends.”
When it comes to pop/rock music masterpieces, one can hardly find a better example than this timeless gem. A song about friendship and camaraderie, full of positive vibes – who wouldn’t be moved by such an inspiring piece? To those unaware of its true authorship or original context, it is particularly captivating due to its feel-good energy and life-affirming attitude. It's no wonder that it continues to stand today as one of the highest-selling singles ever released by The Beatles!
Who wrote the theme song for the TV show 'Friends'?
The iconic theme song for the beloved TV show “Friends” was written and recorded by The Rembrandts. Released in 1995 and titled “I’ll Be There For You,” no other piece of music has come to more accurately sum up the entire show quite like this upbeat tune. Over the years, it has become widely known signaling the start of a weekly dose of “Friends”-related laughs.
Composed by Michael Skloff, Allee Willis and The Rembrandts' lead singers, Phil Solem and Danny Wilde, “I’ll Be There For You” became an instant hit when it debuted on the eighth episode of season one. The song was later released as a single in 1995 alongside their album LP. Interestingly enough, their record label Warner Bros. advised against it arguing that it would hurt the sales of their album - this advice was ultimately rejected as fans did indeed buy both versions of the song.
What makes "I'll be There For You" such a timeless classic is its perfect mix between upbeat melodies, positive lyrics and its nostalgic sound. Even after 25 years since its first release, this song still remains an iconic reminder of that special show; one that perfectly summed up those extraordinary ‘90s vibes.
Who wrote the lyrics for the song 'We Are the World'?
'We Are the World' is best-known for being an anthem of global peace and unity, with the iconic charity song written by none other than Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie. Both Jackson and Richie composed the lyrics together to create a message of hope and togetherness - something that was desperately needed at a time when there was so much tragedy around the world, especially in Ethiopia.
The song was released in March 1985 and quickly became an international hit, topping charts throughout the world. It reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in May 1985, becoming the fastest-selling single of all time. The idea behind the song came from Quincy Jones, who wanted to gather some of music's biggest stars to create an anthem of hope. Artists including Bruce Springsteen, Cyndi Lauper, Daryl Hall, Kenny Rogers, Ray Charles and Bob Dylan all participated in recording sessions for 'We Are the World'.
The message of 'We Are The World' has never been more important than it is today. The song has become a timeless classic that reinforces our collective responsibility to care for each other regardless of race or nationality - something we should remember now more than ever before. As Lionel Richie said when he wrote those lines: ‘There’s a choice we’re making…we’re saving our own lives…it’s true we'll make a better day…just you and me”.'
Who wrote the classic ballad 'Unchained Melody'?
The classic ballad ‘Unchained Melody’ was written by Alex North and Hy Zaret. North, a prolific composer and conductor of film music, wrote the music in 1955. Zaret wrote the lyrics later that year while working with North on the soundtrack for the movie Unchained. The first version of the song was released by Al Hibbler in 1955 and was fairly unsuccessful at the time.
The version we now recognize as ‘Unchained Melody’ was released in 1965 by The Righteous Brothers, topping both US and UK charts. The Righteous Brothers had planned to record it as a B-side; however, both members agreed that their upbeat ‘Just Once in My Life’ wasn’t good for airplay, leading them to choose 'Unchained Melody' instead. Phil Spector produced their version of the song – which utilized all the bells and whistles he was known for - making 'Unchained Melody' a classic that is still popular today.
Since its original release, other versions of 'Unchained Melody' have been sung by artists such as Elvis Presley, LeAnn Rimes, Barry Manilow and Gareth Gates. In 1990 it was remade into an almost unrecognizable dance melody from forcemd One which made it to number one in several countries including Australia. It has also become one of the most popular wedding songs ever written; featured on dozens of movie soundtracks; featured in numerous commercials; and remains a staple on classic Guitar Hero video games. It is safe to say this song will be around for many years to come!
Sources
- https://www.songhall.org/awards/winner/unchained_melody
- https://www.npr.org/2019/12/25/791317324/songwriter-allee-willis-whose-work-spanned-friends-and-the-color-purple-dies
- https://www.wideopencountry.com/love-can-build-a-bridge/
- https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/25/us/allee-willis-obit/index.html
- https://www.songfacts.com/facts/the-beatles/with-a-little-help-from-my-friends
- https://qa.answers.com/entertainment/Who_wrote_the_theme_song_to_the_TV_show_Friends
- https://www.foxnews.com/story/writer-of-most-widely-recorded-song-ever-unchained-melody-hy-zaret-dies-at-99
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