The Warner era (1972-1978)

Without the guidance and tailor-made songwriting that Bacharach/David had provided in the first phase of Warwick's career, it slowed greatly in the 1970s. There were no big hits until 1974's Then Came You, recorded as a duet with the Spinners and produced by Thom Bell. It was her first US #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. Nevertheless, other than this success, Warwick's five years on Warner Bros. Records -- despite the fact that she worked the entire time -- left her almost completely without hits. There were a few quality, but lesser known hits such as His House and Me and Once You Hit The Road (#79 R&B, #6 Adult Contemporary)-- both of which were produced in 1975 and 1976, respectively, by Thom Bell.

Warwick recorded five albums with Warners: Dionne, produced by Bacharach and David; Just Being Myself, produced by Holland-Dozier-Holland; Then Came You, produced by Jerry Ragavoy; Track of the Cat, produced by Thom Bell; and Love at First Sight, produced by Steve Barri and Michael Omartian. The singer's five-year contract with Warners expired in 1977, and with that, Warwick gladly ended her stay at the label.