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Do You Know the Way to San Jose

"Do You Know the Way to San Jose" is a 1968 popular song written and composed for singer Dionne Warwick by Burt Bacharach. Hal David wrote the lyrics. The song was Warwick's biggest international hit to that point, selling several million copies worldwide and winning Warwick her first Grammy Award. David's lyrics tell the story of a native of San Jose, California, who, having failed to break into the entertainment field in Los Angeles, is set to return to her hometown.

"Do You Know the Way to San Jose"
"Do You Know the Way to San Jose" became an international best-seller in 1968.
Single by Dionne Warwick
from the album Dionne Warwick in Valley of the Dolls
B-side"Let Me Be Lonely"
ReleasedApril 1968
Recorded1967
StudioBell Sound (New York City)
Genre
Length2:58
LabelScepter SCE-12216
Songwriter(s)Burt Bacharach, Hal David
Producer(s)Burt Bacharach, Hal David
Dionne Warwick singles chronology
"(Theme from) Valley of the Dolls"
(1968) 		"Do You Know the Way to San Jose"
(1968) 		"Who Is Gonna Love Me"
(1968)

The song was released on the 1968 RIAA Certified Gold album Dionne Warwick in Valley of the Dolls. "Do You Know the Way to San Jose" was issued as the follow-up single to the double-sided hit "(Theme from) Valley of the Dolls"/ "I Say a Little Prayer" in April 1968. It became Warwick's third consecutive top ten song in the closing months of 1967 and into 1968, punctuating the most successful period of her recording career.

The song peaked at No. 8 in the UK, Ireland, and Canada. It also charted highly in France, Italy, South Africa, Australia, Germany, Brazil, Mexico, Israel, Lebanon, Japan, and many other countries throughout the world. The single was one of the most successful of Warwick's international hits, selling over 3,500,000 copies worldwide. The flip-side of the single, "Let Me Be Lonely", also penned by Bacharach and David, charted in the Billboard Hot 100 as well and became one of many double-sided hits for Warwick.

Production

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Bacharach had composed the music for the song before David wrote its lyrics. David had a special interest in San Jose, having been stationed there while in the Navy.[3]

The track was the last Dionne Warwick single to be recorded at New York City's Bell Sound Studios. It features a prominent use of bass drum, played by session musician Gary Chester. The engineer was Ed Smith, who devised the famous introduction to the tune by directly attaching a microphone to the head of Chester's bass drum. The electric bass was played by studio musician Lou Mauro.

Warwick did not like "Do You Know the Way to San Jose", and she had to be convinced to record it. In a May 1983 interview with Ebony, she said: "It's a dumb song and I didn't want to sing it. But it was a hit, just like [her recent Top Ten hit] 'Heartbreaker' is. I'm happy these songs were successful, but that still doesn't change my opinion about them."[4] Though she still does not like it, the song remains one of Warwick's most popular chart selections, and she still includes it in almost every concert she performs.[5]

Awards

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Charts

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Cover versions

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References

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  1. ^ Bryans, Chris (2015). "Aretha Franklin - "I Say A Little Prayer". In Dimery, Robert (ed.). 1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die. New York: Universe. p. 219.
  2. ^ Moon, Tom (August 28, 2008). "Dionne Warwick - The Dionne Warwick Collection". 1,000 Recordings To Hear Before You Die. Workman Publishing Company. pp. 846–847. ISBN 9-780761-139638.
  3. ^ Dominic, Serene (2003). Burt Bacharach, song by song: the ultimate Burt Bacharach reference for fans. New York City: Schirmer Trade Books. p. 190. ISBN 0-8256-7280-5.
  4. ^ Hunt, Dennis (May 1983). "Dionne Wardwick Speaks Out for Strong Black Women". Ebony. Johnson Publishing Company: 100. Archived from the original on July 27, 2014. Retrieved July 17, 2014.
  5. ^ "BBC Radio 5 Live - Midnight Meets With Colin Murray, Dionne Warwick, The hit song Dionne Warwick doesn't like". BBC. April 19, 2021.
  6. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  7. ^ "CAN Charts > Dionne Warwick". RPM. Retrieved June 17, 2020.
  8. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Do You Know the Way to San Jose". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
  9. ^ "NZ Charts > Dionne Warwick". Official New Zealand Music Chart. Retrieved June 17, 2020.
  10. ^ "UK Charts > Dionne Warwick". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 17, 2020.
  11. ^ "Dionne Warwick Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  12. ^ "Dionne Warwick Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  13. ^ "Dionne Warwick Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
  14. ^ "Top 100 Hits of 1968/Top 100 Songs of 1968". Musicoutfitters.com. Retrieved January 17, 2015.
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