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".
Baby It's You
Burt Bacharach Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's not the way you kiss that tears my apart
But how many many many nights roll by
I sit alone at home and cry over you
What can I do
I can't help myself
'Cause baby it's you
Baby it's you
They say, they say you never never ever been true (Cheat, cheat)
Wo ho, it doesn't matter what they say
I know I'm gonna love you any old way
What can I do, when it's true
Don't want nobody, nobody
'Cause baby it's you
Baby it's you
Wo ho how many many many nights roll by
I sit alone at home and cry over you
What can I do
Can't help myself,
'Cause baby, it's you
Baby, it's you
Don't leave me alone
Come on home
In Burt Bacharach's song Baby It's You, the singer speaks of how they have fallen for someone. It's not just the way they smile or kiss that has touched their heart, but rather the number of nights they have spent alone crying over this person. Despite what others may say about this person's lack of loyalty, the singer loves them anyway and cannot help themselves. They need this person and are begging them to come back home instead of leaving them alone.
The song speaks to the heartache and pain of unrequited love. The singer is completely smitten and devoted to this person, even though they are aware of their reputation for being unfaithful. They are willing to overlook this flaw and love them anyway, unable to escape the grip of their emotions. The repetition of the phrase "Baby, it's you" throughout the song reinforces the idea that this person is the one who has captured their heart and that they cannot imagine being with anyone else.
Line by Line Meaning
It's not the way you smile that touched my heart
Your smile may be beautiful, but it's not what made me fall in love with you.
It's not the way you kiss that tears my apart
Your kiss may be passionate, but it's not what breaks my heart.
But how many many many nights roll by
Countless lonely nights have passed by.
I sit alone at home and cry over you
I can't help but cry when I'm alone, thinking of you.
What can I do
There seems to be nothing I can do about the way I feel.
I can't help myself
I am unable to resist my overwhelming feelings for you.
'Cause baby it's you
It's simply because it's you - no one else.
You should hear what they say about you (Cheat, cheat)
People are gossiping about you, calling you a cheater.
They say, they say you never never ever been true (Cheat, cheat)
I hear rumors that you have never been faithful in any of your relationships.
Wo ho, it doesn't matter what they say
Their words hold no weight or significance.
I know I'm gonna love you any old way
I know that my love for you is steadfast and unwavering, no matter what others say.
Don't want nobody, nobody
I don't want anyone else.
'Cause baby it's you
It's just you who has captured my heart.
Don't leave me alone
Please don't leave me by myself.
Come on home
I want you to come back home to me where you belong.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Burt F. Bacharach, Mack David, Barney Williams
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@shihlin1
I wish Adele would go back to doing adventurous songs such as this one.
Hard to believe she was only in her early 20's yet she was so musically sophisticated.
Yes, Adele, we know you're thin and gorgeous now, but please be reminded of your younger self and make the wondrous musical selections and collaborations you used to make.
@rudolftrost3534
RIP The Great Burt Bacharach Februari 8, 2023. His talent is gone, but his songs will remain here forever.
@sashaconrad3939
He left us many gifts!
@joeimparato2042
4 SURE MEET HIM 1 DAY IN FLA ON A HORSE HE N JERRY MOSS OWND
@peterfeltham5612
Just look at Bacharach''s face during this rendition,he knows just what a truly extraordinary talent this girl is.She is the finest non classical singer of my lifetime,and i'm70 years of age.
@andym3603
+peter feltham If your 70 years of age, then you would be pleased to know that Adele's 1st & greatest influences were Ella & Etta James & Dusty Springfield. She has one of the most unique voices because of these influences although I do know she was also influenced by the Spice Girls.
@voulafisentzidis8830
could hear the talent from the first note. she's the best of her generation.
@WanderingUkes
I was thinking just about the same thing.
@shihlin1
Her voice has so much R&B weight and layers of vocal colors.
Hard to believe she was only in her early 20s here.
I actually think she used to be more musically adventurous than she is now.
@lauraaviles2453
❤❤❤❤