John Bettis

John Bettis

Lyricist John Bettis was best known for his extended collaboration with the Carpenters, which began with 1969's Offering and continued throughout the duration of the duo's career, yielding such Top Ten hits as "Goodbye to Love," "Yesteday Once More," "Top of the World," and "Only Yesterday." His other major compositions include "Human Nature" (the Top Ten ballad from Michael Jackson's 1982 blockbuster Thriller), "Slow Hand" (a smash for both Conway Twitty and the Pointer Sisters), and "Crazy for You" (the 1985 Madonna chart-topper). From 1986 to 1987, Bettis served as the Chairman of the Board of the National Academy of Songwriters; in 1988, he also earned an Emmy Award for "One Moment in Time," his theme for the Olympic Games. "Promise Me You'll Remember," his collaboration with composer Carmine Coppola for the 1990 film The Godfather Part III, earned an Oscar nomination as well. Two years later, Bettis partnered with Steve Dorff to pen "Heartland," the theme to the George Strait movie Pure Country. Jason Ankeny

Awards & Nominations