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".
After the Fox
Burt Bacharach Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who are you - I am me
Who is me - Me is a thief
You'll bring your poor, poor mother grief
So after the fox, after the fox
Off to the hunt with chains and locks
So after the fox, after the fox
Where is the gold - It's on the truck
Where's the truck - I won't tell
You must tell - Then I will lie
You'll make your poor, poor sister cry
So after the fox, after the fox
Off to the hunt with chains and locks
So after the fox, after the fox
Someone is always chasing after the fox
Why do you steal - So I'll be rich
Why not work - Work is hard
You'll be caught - I never fail
All little crooks wind up in jail - Not me not me
So after the fox, after the fox
Off to the hunt with chains and locks
So after the fox, after the fox
Someone is always chasing after the fox
After the fox
After the fox
After the fox
In Burt Bacharach's "After the Fox," the lyrics depict a conversation between two people, one of whom is a thief referred to as "the fox." The first person asks who the fox is, and the fox replies that he is himself. When asked who he is, the fox explains that he is a thief who will cause grief to someone's poor mother. The lyrics then reveal that the fox has stolen gold that is on a truck, but he refuses to disclose the whereabouts of the truck. When prompted to tell the truth, the fox states that he will simply lie and cause someone's poor sister to cry. The exchange highlights the fox's selfish and reckless nature, as he steals for personal gain and shows no regard for the consequences his actions have on others.
Line by Line Meaning
Who is the fox - I am the fox
I am the one who is causing trouble and committing crimes.
Who are you - I am me
I am my own person and have my own identity.
Who is me - Me is a thief
I am a criminal who steals from others.
You'll bring your poor, poor mother grief
Your actions will hurt and cause sadness for your mother.
So after the fox, after the fox
Everyone is always chasing after me.
Off to the hunt with chains and locks
People are using all kinds of methods to catch me and bring me to justice.
Where is the gold - It's on the truck
The valuable items I stole are on a vehicle that is currently in transit.
Where's the truck - I won't tell
I refuse to give away any information that would lead to the capture of the stolen goods.
You must tell - Then I will lie
If you keep pushing me to reveal the location of the stolen items, I will lie and continue to keep them hidden.
You'll make your poor, poor sister cry
Your actions will also hurt and cause sadness for your sister.
Why do you steal - So I'll be rich
I commit these crimes to become wealthy and increase my personal fortune.
Why not work - Work is hard
I do not want to work hard to earn money, so I choose to steal instead.
You'll be caught - I never fail
Others believe that I will eventually be caught and brought to justice, but I believe that I am too clever to fail.
All little crooks wind up in jail - Not me not me
Many criminals end up in prison, but I do not believe that will happen to me.
After the fox
My criminal activities will always lead to someone chasing after me.
After the fox
As a criminal, I will always be on the run and trying to avoid capture.
After the fox
The cycle of criminal activity and pursuit will continue for me.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BURT F BACHARACH, HAL DAVID
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jan Tyszka
Great soundtrack. The "Making a Movie is Sevalio" tune always makes me feel happier, it's so bright and lively.
frederic suard
maestro bbacharach.......thanx for this post
Y
BGM grotta rosa usada en Chespirito en el episodio "El gimnasio - 1982" del doctor chapatin
Fuki Makai
Yo sabía que usaron esta banda sonora en 1982, pero no sabía que fueron usados tantos tracks! Es una muy buena banda sonora, debo decir
Y
@Fuki Makai de hecho las usaron a mediados de los 70s pero algunas pocas BGM's
Fuki Makai
@Y Ni idea, serían programas que no vi.
Y
Disculpe la molestia se que es una pregunta que no tiene que ver con el vídeo pero Conoces la BGM que se escucha al final de "Los asaltantes - 1982" del doctor chapatin
Fuki Makai
Pregunta a cualquier experto compilador, hay muchos en YouTube, como Lightracks, BGMs Chespirito y más