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".
All Kinds Of People
Burt Bacharach Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With small kind of people should get together
And talk to each other
All kinds of people should reach out and help one another
Old kind of people should try to listen
To young kind of people
Should try to listen and comfort each other
Light kind of people should feel compassion
For dark kind of people should feel compassion
And care for each other
All kinds of people should reach out and help one another
Light kind of people should feel compassion
For dark kind of people should feel compassion
And care for each other
All kinds of people should reach out and help one another
Hey, hey, help, one another, yeah
Reach out, oh, reach out
Hey, reach out
Oh, reach out and help one another
Reach out, oh, reach out
Hey, reach out
Reach out and help one another
Reach out, oh, honey, reach out
Oh, reach out
Hey, reach out and help one another
Reach out, reach out
Reach out
Reach out and help one another
The lyrics of Burt Bacharach's "All Kinds of People" are a plea for unity and empathy. The song advocates for people of all different backgrounds to come together and support each other. The first verse addresses the issue of height, encouraging tall and short people to communicate with each other. The second verse suggests that the old and the young should try to understand each other's perspectives. The chorus repeats the message that all people, regardless of their differences, should show compassion and help each other.
The third verse focuses on skin color, with light people urged to show compassion to those who are darker-skinned. The repetition of this verse serves to emphasize the importance of racial harmony. The song then ends with a repetition of the chorus, with an added "hey, hey" to encourage the listener to take action and reach out to others.
The song’s message is universal and its theme of love and understanding has transcended many generations. It is one that continues to resonate with people all around the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Tall kind of people should get together
People who are tall should come together and interact
With small kind of people should get together
People who are short should come together and interact
And talk to each other
They should communicate and have a conversation
All kinds of people should reach out and help one another
Everyone should help each other, regardless of their differences
Old kind of people should try to listen
Elderly people should try to be attentive listeners
To young kind of people
To younger generations
Should try to listen and comfort each other
They should not only listen but also provide emotional support
Light kind of people should feel compassion
People who are fair-skinned should be empathetic
For dark kind of people should feel compassion
People who are darker-skinned should also be shown empathy
And care for each other
They should take care of each other, regardless of their differences
Hey, hey, help, one another, yeah
Encouraging people to help each other out
Reach out, oh, reach out
Reiterating the need to extend oneself to others
Hey, reach out
An emphatic exhortation to reach out
Oh, reach out and help one another
Helping others in need is important
Reach out, oh, reach out
Again emphasizing the need to reach out
Reach out and help one another
It is important for everyone to help each other
Reach out, oh, honey, reach out
Addressing the need to reach out in a more personal manner
Reach out and help one another
Reiterating the importance of helping others in need
Reach out, reach out
An appeal to extend oneself to others
Reach out
Encouraging people to reach out and connect with others
Reach out and help one another
Emphasizing the need to lend a helping hand to those in need
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc., BMG Rights Management
Written by: HAL DAVID, BURT BACHARACH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind