That's What Friends Are For

This song exhibits Burt Bacharach's signature 'Sophisti-pop' style. Instead of standard I-IV-V progressions, it utilizes mediant substitutions (Gm7 for Eb) and secondary dominants (G7) to create a smooth, adult contemporary sound. The use of maj7 and sus4 chords, combined with a descending stepwise bassline (C to Bb to Ab), provides the sophisticated harmonic depth characteristic of 1980s R&B-influenced pop.

Written by Burt Bacharach and Carole Bayer Sager, the song was originally recorded by Rod Stewart in 1982 for the 'Night Shift' film soundtrack. It was later recorded as a charity collaboration by Dionne Warwick, Elton John, Gladys Knight, and Stevie Wonder to raise funds for AIDS research.

Originally recorded by Rod Stewart, this 1985 rendition by Dionne Warwick, Elton John, Gladys Knight, and Stevie Wonder became a massive hit to benefit AIDS research. The collaboration won two Grammy Awards and was named Billboard's number-one single of 1986.