Bacharach studied music at McGill University and the Mannes School of Music. In the 1950s and the early 1960s he was the pianist, arranger and bandleader for Marlene Dietrich with whom he toured. He teamed with lyricist Hal David and others to write many popular songs in the 1960s and 1970s.
Bacharach's music has been sung by a number of popular singers including The Beatles,The Carpenters, Aretha Franklin, Jack Jones, Tom Jones, Dusty Springfield, Luther Vandross and The Drifters. He met Dionne Warwick, with whom he would form a famed collaboration. His songs are characterized by (1) the use of unexpected harmonic changes and (2) unusual rhythmic patterns and time signatures. He employs times such as 5/4 or 3/2, and frequently goes from one time signature to another in the same song, often after each measure. He also changes keys frequently. An excellent example of his style is "Promises, Promises", from his score to the musical of the same name. He has a total of 52 Top 40 hits. In addition, many of his songs were adapted by jazz artists of the time, such as Stan Getz and Wes Montgomery. The Bacharach-David composition "My Little Red Book", originally recorded by Manfred Mann for the film What's New, Pussycat, and promptly covered by Love in 1965, has become a rock standard. He composed and arranged the soundtrack of the 1967 film Casino Royale.
He has been married four times, to Paula Stewart (1953-1958), to actress Angie Dickinson (1965-1980), to lyricist Carole Bayer Sager (1982-1991) - with whom he collaborated on a number of pieces - and (since 1993) Jane Hanson. He has a total of four children, two girls and two boys.
In 1998 he collaborated on an album called Painted From Memory with singer/songwriter Elvis Costello. His 2005 album At This Time features collaborations with Costello, Rufus Wainwright, and Dr. Dre (who provides bass-and-drum loops).
Bacharach has had cameo roles in a number of Hollywood movies including all three Austin Powers movies. His music is also credited as providing inspiration for these movies.
During subsequent Burt Bacharach concert tours, each show would open with a very brief video clip from the movie Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, with Mike Myers (as Austin Powers) uttering "Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. Burt Bacharach".
A Lifetime Of Loneliness
Burt Bacharach Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm finding out what heartbreak is
So help me, save me
You are the judge and I'm your prisoner
Don't sentence me into a lifetime of loneliness
Without your love, I would die
Without your love, I wouldn't even try to carry on
Spare me a life of loneliness and tears
For I believe when love is true
One hasn't got the right to turn to someone new
One hasn't got the right to break somebody's heart
The way you've broken mine
Come back, I want you, need you
Bring back the love you shared with me
Without you, darling I'm such a lonely human being
Don't sentence me into a lifetime of loneliness
Without your love, I would die
Without your love, I wouldn't even try to carry on
I was born to love you
Come to my arms and rescue, rescue me
The lyrics to Burt Bacharach's "A Lifetime of Loneliness" express the deep pain and heartbreak experienced by someone who has been left by a loved one. The singer is reaching out to their former partner, desperately pleading for their return, willing to do anything to save themselves from a lifetime of loneliness. The plea is addressed to the former partner, who has become the judge, and the singer is now their prisoner, subject to their will.
The singer expresses their firm belief in the value and sanctity of true love, proclaiming that one doesn't have the right to turn to someone else or to break somebody's heart when love is true. The lyrics illustrate the intensity and depth of the singer's love for their former partner, who holds the key to their happiness and survival. The song is a powerful evocation of the human experience of love and loss, and it speaks to the universality of this experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Since you left me
Ever since you left me, my life has changed for the worse. I'm now experiencing what heartbreak truly means.
So help me, save me
I'm in desperate need of your help and rescue. Only you can save me from this pain and suffering.
You are the judge and I'm your prisoner
You have complete control over my life and my fate. I'm at your mercy and I'll do whatever it takes to win back your love.
Don't sentence me into a lifetime of loneliness
Please don't condemn me to a lonely, loveless life. I can't bear the thought of living without you.
Without your love, I would die
Your love is the very essence of my being. Without it, I wouldn't be able to survive or find meaning in this world.
Without your love, I wouldn't even try to carry on
If you don't return to me, I don't see the point of carrying on. Your love is what gives me the strength to keep going in life.
I was born to love you
From the moment I was born, I knew that you were the one for me. My heart and soul were made to love and cherish you.
Spare me a life of loneliness and tears
Please spare me from a future of being alone and crying every night. I can't bear the thought of living without you for the rest of my life.
For I believe when love is true
I truly believe that our love was genuine and real. When love is true, it's not something that can be easily replaced or forgotten.
One hasn't got the right to turn to someone new
I don't believe it's right to replace one person's love for another simply because they're no longer around. True love is something that can't be easily substituted.
One hasn't got the right to break somebody's heart
It's not fair or just for someone to come in and break another person's heart when they've already invested so much into their relationship.
The way you've broken mine
The pain that you've caused me is immeasurable. My heart is shattered into a thousand pieces and it feels like I'll never be able to put it back together again.
Come back, I want you, need you
I'm begging you to come back to me. I want and need you more than anything else in this world.
Bring back the love you shared with me
I'm asking you to bring back the love that we once shared. The love that filled our hearts and souls with so much joy and happiness.
Without you, darling I'm such a lonely human being
If you're not around, I feel incredibly lonely and empty inside. You're the missing puzzle piece that completes me and makes me feel whole.
Come to my arms and rescue, rescue me
Please come back to me and hold me in your arms. Rescue me from this unbearable pain and make everything right again.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: BURT BACHARACH, HAL DAVID, BURT F. BACHARACH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
sauquoit13456
On this day in 1965 {October 9th} Jackie DeShannon performed "A Lifetime of Loneliness" on the ABC-TC program 'Shindig!' One week earlier on October 2nd it entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart; eventually it peaked at #66 & spent 6 weeks on the Top 100 chart The year before in Feb. 1964 she toured with the Beatles during their first U.S.A. tour R.I.P. Jimmy O'Neill {Shindig's host, 1940 - 2013} and Ms. DeShannon, born Sharon Lee Myers, celebrated her 72nd birthday two months ago on August 21st
Voyagersguidebook
Okay now I'm depressed. But what a good song. :D She about sums it up.
TheNewFormat
@Klaatubes Thanks G! - I'm glad you like : )
TheNewFormat
@Voyagersguidebook Aww... Glad you put a smiley face in here. But yah, it's pretty much a slash your wrists song. Cheer up! ; )