Alfie
Bacharach Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

What will you lend on an old golden rule
As sure as I believe there's a heaven above, Alfie
I know there's something much more
Something even non-believers can believe in
I believe in love, Alfie
Without true love we just exist, Alfie
Until you find the love you've missed you're nothing, Alfie

When you walk let your heart lead the way
And you'll find love any day, Alfie, Alfie

Overall Meaning

The song "Alfie" by Burt Bacharach is a contemplative piece that raises existential questions about the purpose of life, highlighting the importance of love and kindness. The first stanza poses the question "What's it all about, Alfie?" suggesting that life and its meaning are uncertain, and asks whether we should take more than we give or be kind. The following lines then challenge the idea that being cruel is wise, indicating that kindness should be valued instead. The lyrics imply that there may be a "golden rule" in life, but it is unclear what this rule may be.

The second stanza reflects on the singer's belief in something greater than earthly existence, an afterlife or higher power, which non-believers can still find in love. Love is presented as the central aspect of life, as without it, we only exist. The final lines encourage Alfie to let his heart lead the way and find love, suggesting that this is his key to understanding the purpose of life.

Overall, the lyrics of "Alfie" draw attention to life's uncertainties, the importance of love and kindness, and the search for meaning and purpose in existence.

Line by Line Meaning

What's it all about, Alfie?
What is the meaning or purpose of life, Alfie?

Is it just for the moment we live?
Do we only live for short-term pleasures or experiences?

What's it all about when you sort it out, Alfie?
Once you figure out the purpose of life, Alfie, what is it really about?

Are we meant to take more than we give or are we meant to be kind?
Is life about being selfish and taking or being generous and kind?

And if only fools are kind, Alfie
If being kind is considered foolish in this world, Alfie

Then I guess it is wise to be cruel
Perhaps it's smarter to be mean or cold-hearted

And if life belongs only to the strong, Alfie
If only the strong survive in life, Alfie

What will you lend on an old golden rule?
What value will you place on traditional guidelines or principles?

As sure as I believe there's a heaven above, Alfie
I am confident that there is a paradise above us, Alfie

I know there's something much more, Something even non-believers can believe in
I'm certain that there is something greater, even those who don't believe can have faith in

I believe in love, Alfie
I have faith in the power of love, Alfie

Without true love we just exist, Alfie
Without genuine love, we simply survive or exist, Alfie

Until you find the love you've missed you're nothing, Alfie
If you haven't found the love you seek, then you haven't truly flourished, Alfie

When you walk let your heart lead the way
Allow your heart to guide you in life

And you'll find love any day, Alfie
And you will discover love along the way, Alfie

Alfie
End of the song, directed at Alfie

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Burt Bacharach, Hal David

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@bgwaterfilter2

9y↑1

What's it all about, Alfie
Is it just for the moment we live
What's it all about when you sort it out, Alfie
Are we meant to take more than we give
Or are we meant to be kind
And if only fools are kind, Alfie
Then I guess it's wise to be cruel
And if life belongs only to the strong, Alfie
What will you lend on an old golden rule
As sure as I believe there's a heaven above, Alfie
I know there's something much more
Something even non-believers can believe in
I believe in love, Alfie
Without true love we just exist, Alfie
Until you find the love you've missed you're nothing, Alfie
When you walk let your heart lead the way
And you'll find love any day, Alfie, Alfie

@laurylienorman8822

8y↑140

What's it all about Alfie
Is it just for the moment we live

What's it all about
When you sort it out, Alfie
Are we meant to take more than we give
Or are we meant to be kind?

And if, if only fools are kind, Alfie
Then I guess it is wise to be cruel
And if life belongs only to the strong, Alfie
What will you lend on an old golden rule?

As sure as I believe there's a heaven above
Alfie, I know there's something much more
Something even non-believers can believe in

I believe in love, Alfie
Without true love we just exist, Alfie
Until you find the love you've missed
You're nothing, Alfie

When you walk let your heart lead the way
And you'll find love any day Alfie, oh Alfie
What's it all about Alfie?

All comments from YouTube:

@melaniep9687

1y↑233

Rest in peace, Mr Bacharach, a musical genius who will be greatly missed. Thank you for touching our hearts and souls with your beautiful work.

@jnagai9972

1y↑1

✨✨👏👏✨✨

@evelyndelrosario6884

1y↑4

God bless his soul

@janetminoryarnell8483

1y↑3

Yes God Bless His Soul and Give Burt Heavenly Peace and Joy.

@lynnadams7017

1y↑6

But the lyrics were written by Hal David who never gets his credits also. Yes Burt Bacharach is genius but so was Hal who lived to 91

@dean3434

1y↑1

So sorry Melanie. I did not know he passed.
All the Best
Dean
Seattle

1 More Replies...

@reybarreto7979

43w↑27

Now I understand why his songs are so beautiful. Because he composed them out of the depths of a beautiful soul.

@rondeneef

25w↑1

74.000 sheet sungs. so....

@douglasgreen4360

34w↑15

I feel privileged to have been alive at the same time as Burt & Hal were writing such wonderful music and lyrics.

@annemay7367

1y↑82

I was sad to hear of Burt Bacharach's passing. All the songs he wrote were beautiful and stylish. Alfie is especially wonderful. May he rest in peace.

@danielamadeo6877

52w↑1

ANNE, HAY PERSONAS QUE NUNCA DEBERIAN MORIR, PUES HAN ALEGRADO NUESTRAS VIDAS.-

@briane5706

41w↑2

He’s writing new songs with Hal in heaven.

@forestkeeper75

1y↑15

He's the best pop composer ever. He and Hal David's songs are priceless...flawless gem.Thank you🌹

@TrishBell1

1y↑62

RIP Burt. Your talent was amazing. Thank you for all the beautiful music you wrote.

@clairewood-forrester579

5y↑57

I've heard Alfie sung hundreds of times but it's never made me cry before. What an amazing rendition. What an amazing soul. Thanks Hal❤

@cavell52

1y↑4

Ohh made me cry too. What a beautiful man. RIP

@multiconsolacion

1y↑3

It’s the most sentimental song, sung in the most beautiful way I’ve never heard. 😢❤

@jeannestrydom2619

47w↑3

I've surely listened to Alfie countless times, it's like a very good wine it just gets better with time. I am HUGE Burt Bacharach fan, He surely touches ones soul with his music and Absolutely beautiful voice. May his dear soul rest in peace and May the heavens enjoy his talents as much as we did. I thank you for the music Sir Bacharach. 💙🙏

@Fyretyger

1y↑24

RIP, and thanks for blessing us with so many fabulous songs. 🥀

@raylombardo4186

don't forget the other half.............Hal.

@curiousnomad

2y↑46

We’re watching a true genius composer whose music will live for centuries.

@kennyedwards2043

9y↑214

Beautiful. I love hearing Burt sing his own songs. Such a gentle voice.

@MavisGewant

6y↑1

so emotional here

@stefeniedavidmusic

2y↑1

Can't agree with you there, but his music is wonderful. No doubt about that.

@rondeneef

A composer . is a composer on 55years kn

@Gypsy1194

Oh my goodness, so do I. 💕💕Always so very tender.

@Mausgras1

It's true. Sadly, I never did find the love I missed. And I feel like nothing.

@nitpickle

4y↑47

Burt Bacharach...one of the greatest of all time. I absolutely adore him and his work.

@rosamariablume8449

1y↑8

Love the song! "Without true love we just exist, Alfie
Until you find the love you've missed
You're nothing, Alfie
When you walk let your heart lead the way
And you'll find love any day Alfie, Alfie 💜

@briane5706

41w

Hal David brilliant lyricist.

@patricknicholson9407

23w↑2

Besides being one of best songs by the best composer in pop: the piano playing, my goodness… I wonder when humanity will produce another talent like this. He was on a different level to his contemporaries.

@ithajean

51w↑1

Thank you, you live forever with the gifts you left us❤

@TadRapidly

11y↑86

how can we thank Hal and Burt enough for this? It's impossible.

@Carlos-ep1si

1y↑1

Hay una manera, y es muy sencilla, siempre que pueda, escuche su música, sus canciones, y disfrutelo al máximo, estoy seguro que eso es lo que el hubiese querido, de mi parte siempre lo hago, y desde mi corazón le doy las gracias, si supiera la felicidad que siento, esa es mi manera de hacerle un homenaje y de agradecerle.

@koyluhasan4248

37w↑1

I loved his music & lyrics. Pure love.

@triconcert

23w↑1

Beautiful song! Brings tears to my eyes...

@wendyu3403

1y↑7

There are no words good enough to express the wonder and appreciation of his fabulous music. The world was a better place because of his talents. R.I.P.

@josephkane829

3y↑14

Whitney also said this was her most favourite song of all. The words are so powerful.

@raylombardo4186

Then, Kudos to Hal !

@michelegoodwin1370

2y↑10

Burt's favourite song. Truly talented man and feel so lucky to have seen him perform live.

@cleciusviana7623

3y↑4

Para mim, Burt Bacharach é o maior compositor e maestro do século XX e XXI também, músicas fantásticas !

@ReggieWhite15

1y↑6

Brilliant composer! A true legend. ❤️❤️❤️

@donaldeverett714

23w↑1

One Amazing Night is a 1998 live tribute show performed by artists such as Dionne Warwick, Elvis Costello, Luther Vandross, Sheryl Crow and others to honor the music of Burt Bacharach.[1][2][3] It was recorded live at the Hammerstein Ballroom, New York City with Bacharach himself conducting the orchestra and playing the piano.

@jeffers2102

1y↑3

RIP Mr B. I grew up with your music and along with Hal's words, Karen C and Dionne W can STILL literally move me to tears!

@helenfarge420

1y↑6

Thank you Mr Burt Bacharach for writing this beautiful song. I raise a glass to you and my wonderful dad - Alfie.

@user-rz8bu6vl8x

17w

Love this song ❤ RIP Burt

@johnd2371

10y↑35

An incredibly beautiful song, arrangement and lyric. I love it's message.
I give a standing ovation to Mr Bacharach and Mr David.

@manuelespejocastillo8559

25w

Muchas gracias maestro BURT BACHARACH por sus hermosas creaciones musicales junto con HAL DAVID. Ha sido una invaluable experiencia de amor, que ha estremecido mi corazón y mi alma , durante tantos tantos.❤❤ años.QEPD....Abrazos al cielo desde Chile.Nov.2 de 2023.

@whynot5716

48w↑1

This beautiful song makes me sob so easily. Burt and Hal. Wish you guys were here. The world needs your music desperately.

@margaritareyes4600

1y↑6

I grew up with his wonderful music, and now he's gone, he'll live deeply in our hearts, he touched with his UNIQUE music, so many many times throughout years and years..Thanks Burt...YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN...

@andrewcampbell2903

4y↑4

Never more musical than when Burt sings his own . A perfect song that is so strong in it's construction and always so compelling .

@loomingdarks6534

2y↑17

My beautiful mother use to sing this in the morning when she was young and when she passed on in 2018 i didn't mourn as much but i remembered she loved this song and i thought i could handle it if i went to youtube and played it, it broke me to pieces! I sobbed like a child. And when ever i hear it i stop in my tracks and take it all in.

@colinvh5459

8y↑21

this man sings with so much emotion and feeling i just love it

@johnyjoh

34w↑1

It doesn´t get any better than this!

@dek2254

4y↑90

The older I get the more I love and understand this wonderful song - Thanks for the download.

@maria-estelapamittan1496

2y↑3

So do I.Ijust love all Burt Bacharach and Hal David songs.They are timeless!I enjoy listening to it as i grow older.

@rolandburks

Beautiful…❤️🙏❤️🙏

@kyawkyawwin1

4y↑4

One of the greatest composers of the 20th Century - and thank you for providing Dusty with so many iconic songs.

@derekec

2y↑25

I had the pleasure to see this genius musical gift to the world in an intimate performance at BBKings NY about 10 years ago. Small stage packed with maybe 12 piece orchestra. Alfie was never a standout song for me despite Dionne and Cilla's classics until Mr. Bacharach played his original version and funny..it's the only song I now definitively remember from the show. I hold that night as one of my dearest memories. (edit - I see a year later I've written the same comment. I guess the truth always comes out in the end..I love the music, yes I do)

@matthewmerritt7966

6y↑3

Burt Bacharach....What more can you say about this great man that hasn't already been said? I first heard his powerful, timeless music as a kid in the early 70s because that's what my parents were listening to at the time. The music he created was not about money. It came from the heart and it had substance and meaning and emotion. We're all blessed to have received his gift of music!

@margaret513

1y↑1

RIP Mr.Burt Bacharach 💜💜💜🙏 You are the soundtrack to my life and lots of other people too
Such a musical genius composer and New Yorker like me!
They don't make melodies like this anymore
Burt 1928-2023 RIP 🙏Thank you for your beautiful music 💙🎉💙🎉💙🎉💙

@billwilliams6698

1y↑1

Wonderful. A true genius.

@cleciusviana7623

3y↑1

Burt Bacharach é genial, essa música ultrapassa as barreiras dos sentidos, é uma música para ficar na eternidade !

@rejanea9802

1y↑1

Ta musique touche mon âme... R.I.P. Mr. Bacharach!!!

@BillSU77

9y↑4

Truly quoting BURT one of the best lyrics that anyone EVER wrote by HAL DAVID and Burt's beautiful music, amazing! His performance here is exquisite. My favorite song all time.

@jesure58

1y↑2

Un Maestro genial de la música, un artista sobresaliente, fuera de serie. Merece toda mi admiración y respeto!!
Descansa en paz, Maestro!!

@patfurquim160360

1y↑3

Muito obrigada por tantas músicas inesquecíveis e maravilhosas que fizeram parte da minha vida!

@russevans3586

7y↑25

I don't know how he made it through without breaking down. He was close a couple of times, but that's what makes him a professional - paying tribute to his friend of so many years and collaborations.

@tiffsaver

4y↑79

The Swingin' Sixties wouldn't have been the same without the talent of this gifted songwriter. His impact on the music and the beauty of this era is immeasurable.

@zurapDOR

3y↑4

So true. He and Hal D.

@derekec

2y↑2

Yes so true

@ricklochead1032

2y↑1

Burt Bacharach was a one-of-a-kind. What a superb individual musician!!

@ksavannah808

6y↑9

Every SINGLE...Bacharach song...is pure joy.

@josinijdam8700

✨💜✨ I love this song so Much it’s so beautiful thank you so much for sharing this with us love ❤️ this song so Thanks ✨💜✨😘😌

@nsimiao

9y↑233

Burt, a genius behind many hits.A life devoted to music . Great man, a legend, authentic,elegant, unmistakable. A man with big heart, helps many people. His songs are soundtracks of the lives of many people around the world. He captured several kinds of emotions in his musics. And as he says in one of his songs: "The world is a circle without a beginning, and nobody knows where it really ends", so is the music. Burt Bacharach leave a musical legacy of true masterpieces, a universal heritage.[By NSimiao]

@leejohnson8844

THE LEGACY OF PERNELL ROBERTS - By NSimiao

@z-e-r-o-

6y↑1

THE LEGACY OF PERNELL ROBERTS - By NSimiao
”without beginning”
what a deep poetry...

@carlakelton2139

5y↑3

Absolutely one of the Best!

@kandelika2902

5y↑2

Last week he gave a (sold out) concert in Munich. Couples holding hands, people singing along...Three hours of joy with his wonderful music.

@ihavefallenandicantreachmy2113

3y↑1

@Kandelika He ate them, did not he. With "Alfie"redo Sauce.

4 More Replies...

@exotic_1v1ner74

8y↑422

I look at comments and I feel sad that people don't know who Burt Bacharach is. He is a legendary song writer composer who wrote songs for many famous and wonderful singers. he had a show many years ago and he, along with another writer wrote many unforgettable wonderful songs. A true musical legend of his time and his music will live on forever. Dionne Warwick was and still is a wonderful performer and singer who Burt wrote many many songs for and was her manager and mentor. He featured as apart of her shows that I lived to watch as a young girl still at primary school. Irrelevant comments and silly nonsensical statements just piss a person off. What i suggest people do, is look at the history in music. Google the hell out of something, know your music, feel it and appreciate it and respect it and the people who create it. If you can do that, then you will learn to love all kinds of genre. if you feel music you are blessed, but if all you want to do is criticize, because you havent got your flow on, then take your minus musically creative shallow soul elsewhere and dont make a comment. So...yes a wonderful man and his performance is in his latter years, and still very wonderful. Love and respect.

@exotic_1v1ner74

8y↑1

Oops thats my nephews profile name. My name Agnes devon

@karmayangzom5497

8y↑1

+Exotic_ 1v1ner Well put! :D <3

@shuroom57

8y↑2

+Exotic_ 1v1ner He's my #1 inspiration, musically. Of course, my REAL muse is a certain girl I would never dare name on the internet.

@missduck9

8y↑11

+Exotic_ 1v1ner I heard Mr. Bacharach perform this in 2009 at the Berklee College of Music. I will never ever forget it--his feeling for the song was truly heartbreaking and beautiful.

@aninhaprsouza

8y↑17

Who grew up listening Burt Bacharach's songs (like me) is a very lucky person. Besides, this man is the only one who brought me to a show! No regrets absolutely. Watch his show, being part of this moment, was one of unforgettable things that I made in my whole life. So sad to live in Brazil and probably no more to have a chance to watch by myself, with my very eyes, this genius. I'm sure that his legacy will rest among Chopin, Tchaikovsky and a few others to all eternity.

40 More Replies...

@ericfischer2206

1y↑5

Burt, you were a musical genius. RIP.

@raylombardo4186

do NOT forget the other half...............HAL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

@deniseribeirosilva8358

Lindo, maravilhoso.

@steveheywood9428

5y↑1

Very heartfelt rendition...what a great and obviously humble man who is now in his twilight years, will leave a musical legacy for people to love for centuries to come. Music like this will never die. 😇

@JANUARY.

1y↑1

I love Burt's singing voice in his prime. Shame he lost his voice later in life. An AMERICAN TREASURE sorely missed 😢😢😢

@mildredmartinez8843

3y↑3

How it shows the deep meaning this song has for him. Elegant, classy a genius of heart. Are we meant to take more than we give?

@likewiselikeyou104

6y↑11

This is my favorite version of this song, I think Burt gives this vocal such a beautiful life. Deceptively smooth, so good.

@jonnythunder75

9y↑10

WOW...hearing Burt sing this wonderful wonderful song....He sang it perfectly imperfectly....with all the emotion this song deserves....!!!!

@elisabethvaleregopeyonbeth3504

6y↑1

Todas músicas dele são tão lindas.. tanto sentimento..
.vem da alma.....tão intenso....

@m.r.2183

1y↑2

Burt’s piano accompaniment is just perfect.

@daveryandirect

3y↑2

He’s amazing. But the partnership with Cilla for this song was amazing! His direction & her youthful passion was so pure❤️❤️

@grandparolie

1y↑1

Mr. Burt I have loved your music since a kid now I’m 62 and I love it more thanks for making us happy in a messed up world. 💯👍🏼🙏🏼😊

@PatchmanMusic

11y↑5

God, I love to hear Burt sing. Love it! Nothing better and more intense.

@Carlos-ep1si

1y↑1

Escuchando esta canción, lloro de tristeza porque ya no está con nosotros, pero también lloro de alegría, pues podemos seguir disfrutando tan precioso legado, Burt Bacharach, te extrañamos.

@SuperDickhertz

10y↑106

Burt is the Clark Cable of songwriting. He’s the gold standard. Even the British Invasion can’t match his stuff. Burt is the music you listen to when you grow up.

@mariafarias5915

John J. Bussmann

@mariafarias5915

biografia burt bacara

@mariafarias5915

@shuroom57

5y↑2

Absolutely Goddamn Right.

@carlakelton2139

5y↑1

Agreed-One Million percent!

5 More Replies...

@bgwaterfilter2

9y↑1

@MyJerseybean

6y↑5

There are not words to describe this beautiful version by the Master himself , its difficult to hold back the tears, our own Cilla Black did a great version of this song in the U.K. with Burt coming over from the USA to record it and play the Piano , I believe he made her Re Sing it many times , but she did it perfectly on the second or Third take. One of her best songs , although not the best Top Twenty number for her ??

@cyrusnanavati

10y↑9

A beautiful rendition - what talent we have in this world!!

@CarRamrod-uf2ub

Rest in piece Mr. Bacharach. Your beautiful compositions will carry your memory eternally.

@cc-jp4gh

30w

Burt's wonderfull music first touched me with This Guys in Love With You while dancing a smooch with a girl at our youth club. All these decades later it's still touching me. Burt's music is timeless. Much love to you Burt.

@deepalmer3960

4y↑1

Still listening to this amazing songwriter! I loved Burt Bacharach as a little kid in the 60s, and I still love him today!

@ggreen56

Burt is one of the best composers of all time. I have loved him for many many years. He is gorgeous and gifted.

@jyee2217

5y↑1

It is a treat when composers and writers perform their own material. U get the intended emotions behind the words and music. Respect.

@stefaniacondemi6420

26w↑1

Meraviglioso.... rimarrà negli anni..Burt Bacharach,per chi ,non lo sa .E" ed è stato":un grandissimo compositore... Grandissimo ❤❤❤

@edwardnashen5960

A musical genius! Bless him! 🌹

@jazzbirdbecky

7y↑1

Burt had always been my no. One composer. I've seen him 2x in Buffalo. He's still my heartthrob. I'm a vocalist and I listen to music all day everyday. Can't beat BB

@khairilanuarothman3869

11y↑11

You did do it justice Burt. Love it.

@jmg8888

Bacharach's works are masterpieces. He had many great hits in his lifetime but for me Alfie was his greatest work.

@poalotesta7743

As you move through the years this song resonates in different ways,but always,always speaks to you,classic.

@regina1644

6y↑2

Magnífico, Adoro Burt Bacharach!!!!

@laurylienorman8822

8y↑140

@rondeneef

4y↑3

ya L..

@nicolegreene2208

4y↑12

You are a lovely for sharing this, dear friend

@caroleh4900

3y↑9

This is the meaning of life

@nickyleach

What a legacy! RIP to a musical genius.

@okoklalala1

1y↑1

Thanks for your wonderful songs, especially this one is my lifetime favorite.

@taxitalknyc7600

4y↑2

I have ALWAYS been amazed how TOP musicians from the ENTIRE musical spectrum LOVE this song….

@dromendozacoraspevc9141

5y↑2

Thank you Mr. Bacharach for making me feel the way I feel every time I see you and hear you: grateful to be alive.

@michelest-jean9686

2y↑1

Great heart you have dear and is truth dear Burt Bacharrach ❤❤❤❤❤

@MrBuckoP

RIP Burt. A legend.

@pearseobyrne

9y↑16

Wow, I've never seen Burt Bacharach before and this just knocked me out.... what a fabulous musician and artist...

@alanadair5711

Rest easy Burt. Thank you for the legacy of beautiful music you have left us.

@wisadhaadhitya1666

15w

What a song with those beautiful melodies and deep lyrics that captured a human dillemma.

@Jorvaskrr

Another bright star gone. Rest in peace, Maestro Bacharach !

@alfonskifmann3976

35w↑1

Two Songs by Burt Bacharach will be heard for my funeral: What the World needs New is live, and Alfie...

@jamesodonnell6399

1y↑1

He gave us more than we give a legend gone ,special very special

@suzannemcdonald1882

10y↑4

Amazing. Heart and soul in this version. Sung by the man who composed it. It is the meaning of life. It asks "life". Alfie. What's it all about ? Thanks Burt. I love you

@dbo514

3y↑2

It's just about the emotion and the feel. And Burt has every once of it.

@fiandrhi

I'm not a Bacharach fan, but this is simply a wonderful song.

@jeanette590

3y↑1

One of the first songs I learned how to play on my little electric organ as a child. I didn’t understand the lyrics at 9 years old. I understand now at 53. Thank you for the memory

@derekec

As a music fanatic all my 64 years, Alfie, while a fine song performed in legendary fashion by the likes of Cilla and Dionne became my most remembered song of a performance by Mr. Bacharach at a small club in NY perhaps 15 yrs ago. His intimate voicing similar to this but better live, sent a message I'd not noticed before. He allowed others to deliver his songs but a great performer in his own right, perhaps even genius.Another piece of my heart ripped away now, RIP.

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