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".
Be True to Yourself
Burt Bacharach Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Be true to yourself and you'll be the girl that I want you to be
Remember that
If some other guy catches your eye just follow your heart
I know your heart won't lead you wrong
our love is much too strong
I have faith in you, can't you see
Darling be true to yourself and you'll always be true to me
Remember that
If some other guy catches your eye just follow your heart
I know your heart won't lead you wrong
our love is much too strong
I'm not afraid of losing you
I have faith in you, can't you see
My darling be true to yourself and you'll always be true to me
The lyrics of Burt Bacharach's Be True to Yourself are a gentle and reassuring message to a loved one. The song tells the listener to stay true to themselves and that doing so will ensure they remain true to the singer as well. It is a message of trust and faith in the person's ability to make the right decisions for themselves, even if that means pursuing someone else.
The chorus repeats the title phrase of "be true to yourself" and adds the promise that the listener will become the person the singer wants them to be if they follow this advice. The song acknowledges that other people may catch the attention of the listener, but encourages them to follow their heart and trust in the strength of the love between them.
The assurances given in the lyrics are tender and sweet, offering a sense of security and acceptance to the listener. The overall message is one of love and support, urging the person to stay true to who they are and to always be honest with themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Be true to yourself and you'll always be true to me
If you are honest with yourself, you will always be true to our relationship.
Be true to yourself and you'll be the girl that I want you to be
By being true to yourself, you will naturally be the person that I love and want to be with.
Remember that
Please keep in mind that what I'm about to say is important.
If some other guy catches your eye just follow your heart
If you are attracted to someone else, listen to your own heart and do what feels right for you.
I know your heart won't lead you wrong
I trust you to make the right decision for yourself because I know your heart is good.
Our love is much too strong
Our relationship is built on a strong foundation of love and trust that is not easily broken.
I'm not afraid of losing you
I have confidence in our love and in you as an individual, so I'm not worried about losing you.
I have faith in you, can't you see
I believe in your ability to make the right choices and to be true to yourself.
Darling be true to yourself and you'll always be true to me
My dear, stay true to who you are and our love will remain strong and real.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVID MARVIN BLAKE, DEON JERRAI BARNETT, KELTON MCDONALD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
John Vandehey
The pinnacle of Bobby Vee's great singing career IMO. Classic Bacharach/David. Sad Altzheimer's ending to a life in which he gave so much to us in music and memories from the greatest decade, the 1960s.
Roccos0722
Can be found on Bobby Vee's "22 Greatest Hits" album. The minute the orchestra played the first chord it was clear that it it was a Bacharach melody, then of course the amazing David lyrics. What an unusual concept, "Be true to yourself."
John Vandehey
Absolutely agree on the first trumpet note. Bacharach/David, combined with Bobby's voice = it can't get much better
Thomas Williams
I just heard this song after Bobby's passing, in a rebroadcast of an interview that he gave on NPR. I was always a big Bobby Vee fan and can't believe I never heard this one. RIP Bobby. I really miss you.
lazy single daisy, Bronwyn
I never heard this until RIGHT NOW, and ... guess what? It's right on time. Thank you! 😘 💕
Octavio Fontoura
É linda, só podia ser do genial Burt Bacharach
Noe Berengena
Bobby Vee told Terry Gross (Fresh Air) that Bacharach pushed him to sing at the upper limit of his vocal range.
Rose Cooper
how is it I've never heard this song before? And how is it the Poly community didn't adopt it as their anthem?
Joe Sampson
I have the sheet music for this.
JaCee Music
Luv!