Song Clearance Sheet
3 sources citedI Say a Little Prayer
Pop1960s148BPM
G majKey
More around 150 BPM → · More in G major →
Tempo/key via GetSongBPM →, Deezer →
The verdict
Documented Sampling History
Confirmed songwriters of record (Bacharach & David), no dispute found — connected to “Wood Beez” (this batch), which references Franklin’s cover; both original writers graciously said her version bettered theirs.
Quick Facts
Released1967
GenrePop, Soul
LabelScepter Records
ProducerBurt Bacharach
More infoWikipedia → · Discogs →
Who you need to ask
The songwriters of record — Burt Bacharach & Hal David
Wikipedia → · checked Jul 2026
The current administrator — Not confirmed — Scepter / Atlantic; needs a Songview/Discogs lookup
Unknown · checked Jul 2026
Has it been reused?
Yes — famously covered by Aretha Franklin (her biggest UK hit), referenced by Scritti Politti’s “Wood Beez” (this batch).
Do they allow reuse?
No standalone policy found; confirmed songwriters of record and no dispute found.
Related Songs
Same album, answer records, and songs worth knowing about
References Franklin’s cover of this song in its subtitle (this batch)
Who Owns It
Licenses explained →The two permissions you need, and who holds them
The song itself (the writing)Burt Bacharach & Hal David
The recording (current administrator)Not confirmed
Receipts
Every public mention of terms, policy, or past deals we've found
Both original songwriters said Aretha bettered them
Burt Bacharach has directly stated (to NPR) that Franklin’s version is “better than the record we made” with Warwick; Hal David separately agreed she “topped it.” Wexler had actually advised Franklin against recording it (bad timing, vocal mismatch) before Cissy Houston persuaded him to relent — after which he said she “blew the doors off the song.”
365 Days of Aretha Franklin · read it →
A bipartisan piano moment
During a 2010 performance with the Philadelphia Orchestra, Franklin invited former President George W. Bush to accompany her on piano for this song.
365 Days of Aretha Franklin · read it →
Can You Use It for Free?
How to check PD →Is it public domain?No
Sample History
—
Times sampled
Famously covered by Aretha Franklin
Covers
—
First flip
Big names who used itAretha Franklin
Who to Contact
LP
Burt Bacharach & Hal David (estates)
The confirmed songwriters of record
What they'll chargeNobody's shared numbers yet
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Page history · 2 updates
Jul 2026Page created — full research (Research Queue Batch 10)
Jul 2026BPM/Key pending the automated GetSongBPM/Deezer pass