That’s What Friends Are For – Dionne Warwick | Top 40 Chart Performance, Story and Song Meaning
Chart Performance: Pop (#1); 1986
Story Behind The Song By Harris Sterling
By the mid-1980s, Dionne Warwick returned to the top of the charts with That’s What Friends Are For, a collaboration that also featured Elton John, Gladys Knight, and Stevie Wonder. The song was written by Burt Bacharach and Carole Bayer Sager.
Originally recorded by Rod Stewart for the film Night Shift in 1982, the song was later re-recorded in 1985 as a benefit single for AIDS research. Produced by Bacharach and Sager, the track brought together four established artists for a unified performance.
Released in late 1985, That’s What Friends Are For reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1986 and became one of the year’s biggest hits. Proceeds from the single raised millions of dollars for AIDS charities.
The lyric centers on loyalty and support, emphasizing friendship during difficult times. Delivered through shared lead vocals, the recording underscores the message of unity and compassion.
The song earned the Grammy Award for Song of the Year and remains one of Dionne Warwick’s most significant later-career hits.
This content was created and written by Top 40 Contributing Editor Harris Sterling. © 2026 Harris Sterling. All rights reserved.
Produced by:
Burt Bacharach
Carole Bayer Sager
Lyrics Written by:
Burt Bacharach
Carole Bayer Sager
Awards:
Grammy Award for Song of the Year (1987)
Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals (1987)
Harris Sterling
Independent music label executive Harris Sterling has worked in the music industry for most of his career.
As Executive Vice President for independent music label Madacy Entertainment, he led the strategic marketing and business development for the label, negotiating agreements with the major record labels to release custom music compilations under license with major brands, such as Ford Motor Company, Crayola, Care Bears and Elvis Presley Enterprises.
Harris also led Madacy’s strategy for the licensing of its entire music catalogue to Apple for their launch of the IPOD.
In 2011, Harris co-founded Starting Five Media, a company that specializes in recording and licensing custom renditions of popular songs as well as clearing the rights to the music composition for use by their clients in media projects.
Harris has negotiated publishing and master recording rights for many Top 40 songs for use in various media projects, TV Commercials and more.