Today’s classic song of the day is an early one from the pen of master songsmith Burt Bacharach, “Any Day Now.” It was recorded first by Chuck Jackson but later made into a country hit by singer Ronnie Milsap.
Burt Bacharach wrote the music for “Any Day Now” back in 1962. This was before he cemented his partnership with lyricist Hal David, so the words for this one were written by Bob Hilliard, who contributed lyrics for several other early Bacharach tunes, including “Mexican Divorce,” “(Don’t Go) Please Stay,” and “Tower of Strength.”
R&B singer Chuck Jackson was the first to record and have a hit with “Any Day Now.” His single, released in April of 1962, went to #23 on the Billboard Hot 100, #12 on the Cash Box Top 100, and #2 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Sides chart. It’s the version I know and like best.
As with most Bacharach songs, many other singers covered “Any Day Now” over the years. The list includes Elvis Presley (recorded at American Sound Studio in Memphis and included on the King’s legendary From Elvis in Memphis LP), Bill Medley (of the Righteous Brothers), Scott Walker, Percy Sledge, Frankie Valli, Luther Vandross, Carla Thomas, James Brown, Eddie Kendrick, and Paul Carrack.
The most successful cover of “Any Day Now” was from country artist Ronnie Milsap. He released his version of the song twenty years after Chuck Jackson’s original, in April of 1982. Milsap’s single went all the way to #1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs and Adult Contemporary charts, and even hit #14 on the Billboard Hot 100. It ended up being Billboard’s number-one Adult Contemporary song of the year.
Whomever sings it, “Any Day Now” is a terrific song. It’s just what you expect from Mr. Bacharach—a gorgeous, not particularly predictable melody that sticks with you for days.
