They're Playing Our Song

By: Carole Bayer Sager

Narrated by: Carole Bayer Sager

Publisher's summary

Grammy and Academy Award-winning songwriter Carole Bayer Sager shares the remarkably frank and darkly funny story of her life in and out of the recording studio, from her fascinating (and sometimes calamitous) relationships to her collaborations with some of the greatest composers and musical artists of our time.

For five decades Carole Bayer Sager has been among the most admired and successful songwriters at work, responsible for her lyrical contributions to some of the most popular songs in the English language, including "Nobody Does It Better", "A Groovy Kind of Love", "Don't Cry Out Loud", and the theme from the movie Arthur, "The Best That You Can Do" (about getting lost between the moon and New York City).

She has collaborated with (and written for) a dizzying number of stars, including Peter Allen, Ray Charles, Celine Dion, Bob Dylan, Neil Diamond, Clint Eastwood, Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds, Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Carole King, Melissa Manchester, Reba McEntire, Bette Midler, Dolly Parton, Carly Simon, Frank Sinatra, and Barbra Streisand.

Her relationship with composer Marvin Hamlisch was the basis of the long-running hit musical They're Playing Our Song, for which she wrote the lyrics. And her work with composer Burt Bacharach, to whom she was also married for 10 years, produced pop standards such as "On My Own" and "That's What Friends Are For" (inspired by her friendship with Elizabeth Taylor), which raised over $2 million for AIDS research.

But while her professional life was filled with success and fascinating people, her personal life was far more difficult and dramatic. In this memoir Carole Bayer Sager tells the surprisingly frank and darkly humorous story of a woman whose sometimes crippling fears and devastating relationships inspired many of the songs she would ultimately write.

They're Playing Our Song will fascinate anyone interested in the craft of songwriting and the joy of collaboration, but Carole Bayer Sager's memoir is also a deeply personal account of how love and heartbreak made her the woman - and the writer - she is.

©2016 Carole Daly Trust. All rights reserved. (P)2016 Simon & Schuster

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5 out of 5 stars

By SBHN on 10-26-16

Sincere touching and relatable

Carole's story is interesting and relatable. I had seen her on Super Soul Sunday with Oprah and immediately bought the audible version of her book. I love that Carole read her story herself. There is no substitute for hearing an autobiography in the author's voice. I learned so much about her journey through life and how Carole's lyrics were her way of releasing feelings and connecting to others in hopes of touching and at times healing them. My very favorite part is the end of the book by which I believe Carole reveals the "secret" to a happy and well-lived life. I won't spoil it by revealing what she says. I encourage you to read (or, as I did-listen to) her story. There is much wisdom in it.

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5 out of 5 stars

By Joanne Stanco on 10-20-16

wonderful!

i totally enjoyed this audible! CBS is a gifted song writer & so many of her lyrics are part of my memories & experiences - such an honest and fascinating life! thank you for sharing your stories & relationships. always warm regards, js

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5 out of 5 stars

By LEE on 09-18-18

Complete and smart autobiography, easy to follow

I admire Carole Bayer Sager (CBS) for several reasons, but most of all for her narration. I just love it when an authors tell their life stories directly and, at appropriate times in the narration, share quality reflection. For me this book at moments was a thought transference.

In a sense, CBS succeeded so much with this autobiography and in life because of her natural sense of timing. The way she does things and reflects demonstrates a natural sense of timing, I believe. It's almost spooky, depending on how one thinks about it. She even answered questions right when I formed those questions while listening. And sometimes her reflections answered questions that came to my mind within a day of listening to given chapters.

CBS gave me ten credits worth in a rough sense. She gave me perspectives, insights, facts that feel relevant to me, and guidance on some (not all) of life's most pressing problems.

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4 out of 5 stars

By Greta on 08-04-18

A good one-time-through book

Had I written a review while listening, or immediately upon completion, I may have given it five stars across the board, because I found it very engaging. But it was like candy. I was a bit shocked by the dirt-dishing on Bachrach and others, having not read such a "tell-all" tale before, and didn't know what to make of that. But, like a good soap opera, the story led me on. Though the author's insecurities were sometimes a bit overwrought, it's good to see someone through time, and I'm glad I listened. My appreciation for her song-writing genius grew throughout the book. It's not, however, a work I would choose to listen to twice (my criteria for five stars).

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5 out of 5 stars

By Anonymous User on 08-27-23

Review of their playing our song

From the first word Carol utters I was transfixed! Being in the music business and Carol’s age, I knew all the people and moments she spoke of. Truly a great book!

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5 out of 5 stars

By DAPHNE on 11-05-16

So grateful she told her beautiful story!

This is the first book that I have bought as an audio download for my new iPad Pro and I absolutely love it - I love the fact that I can listen to the writer tell their story - And Carol speaks from her heart. I really admire her when they

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5 out of 5 stars

By micari82 on 04-01-17

I loved it

Here's why. CBS was sweet, funny, and honest. I loved how she told her story, she brought me to my memories of her music. I didn't expect her voice to sound like it does...but I grew to love it...I grew up in the late 60's early 70's...perfect story for me.

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5 out of 5 stars

By Talisman on 11-15-17

Awesome

Superb book.
Very well read.
Highly recommended
Lots of great stories about the classic songs she has written.

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5 out of 5 stars

By Phyllis Silver Henkel on 01-18-21

Great audible!

Carole Bayer Sager thank you for sharing your life with all of us! I cried , I laughed, I loved this audible book, now one of my favorites!

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4 out of 5 stars

By Ellen L. Short on 09-04-18

Meaningful, Reflective + Honest

To be honest I wanted this book because I was curious about Ms. Bayer Sager’s reflections about Burt Bacharach. But ... after seeing her talk about her life on Oprah’s Super Soul Sunday I wanted to read it to know more about the author. I enjoyed hearing about Ms. Bayer Sager’s life and especially about her creative path(s) as a composer, singer and artist. I appreciated her honesty and wisdom and loved her voices - embodying the “characters” in her life!

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