Alan Bergman, the legendary Oscar- and Grammy-winning lyricist whose poetic touch helped define decades of American music, passed away Thursday night (July 17, 2025) at his Los Angeles home at the age of 99. Known for crafting timeless ballads alongside his wife and creative partner Marilyn Bergman, Alan leaves behind an extraordinary legacy — one that even touched the world of Michael Jackson.
While the Bergmans are most often remembered for their sweeping romantic themes — “The Way We Were,” “How Do You Keep the Music Playing?,” and “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers” among them — their lyrical magic also made its way into the world of the King of Pop. In 1982, Quincy Jones enlisted the Bergmans to work on a unique project: Michael Jackson’s audiobook soundtrack for E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.
The song, “Someone In the Dark,” was an emotional centerpiece of the E.T. storybook album, written by the Bergmans with music by Alan and Marilyn’s longtime friend and collaborator, Quincy Jones. It showcased a more tender and introspective side of Michael Jackson — one that echoed the vulnerability and connection at the heart of Spielberg’s film. Michael Jackson’s haunting yet hopeful vocals elevated the Bergmans’ heartfelt lyrics, making “Someone In the Dark” a rare gem in his discography. The song even won the Grammy Award for Best Recording for Children in 1984.
Though often overlooked in mainstream retrospectives of Michael Jackson’s career, “Someone In the Dark” stands as a shining example of how deeply Alan and Marilyn Bergman’s lyrics could resonate across genres and generations. The Bergmans’ involvement brought cinematic soul to the track, capturing the wonder and melancholy of childhood, loneliness, and friendship — themes that echoed through Michael Jackson’s work as well.
Alan and Marilyn Bergman were fixtures in the music world for decades. With 16 Oscar nominations, three Academy Awards, two Grammys, and four Emmys to their name, their influence stretched far beyond the confines of Hollywood soundstages. They wrote songs for Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, and of course, Barbra Streisand — one of their closest friends and frequent collaborators. Streisand’s rendition of “The Way We Were,” a song whose opening line is now etched into pop culture history, became an anthem of wistful remembrance.
Alan and Marilyn’s partnership was as lyrical off the page as it was on it. Married in 1958, they remained inseparable until Marilyn’s passing in 2022. Their lives read like verses from one of their own songs — born in the same Brooklyn hospital, raised in the same neighborhood, and drawn together by a shared devotion to music. Fittingly, it was through a song Alan co-wrote — “That Face,” recorded by Fred Astaire — that he proposed to Marilyn.
Beyond their film and television accolades, the Bergmans dabbled in Broadway with Ballroom, and even lent their lyrical voice to symphonic work like Visions of America. But for MJ fans, it’s their quiet, poetic brush with the E.T. project that stands out as a tender moment where Michael Jackson’s voice met the soul of two of the greatest lyricists of all time.
Alan Bergman continued writing until his final days, even as he faced respiratory issues in recent months. He is survived by his daughter, Julie Bergman, and a granddaughter.
In the world of music, few have written words that touch the heart as gently, or as enduringly, as Alan and Marilyn Bergman. And thanks to songs like “Someone In the Dark,” the warmth of their words will continue to live on — in the voices of legends, and in the hearts of fans.
Rest in peace, Alan Bergman. Thank you for the memories — and the music.
