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".
Don't Go Breaking My Heart
Burt Bacharach Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
La la la la la la
One drop of rain doesn't make the sun run away
Don't go breaking my heart
One falling leaf doesn't make September in May
Don't go breaking my heart
Now must you make a mountain out of a grain of sand?
Don't throw love away because I went astray for a while
Teach my heart how to smile, oh
One sad goodbye doesn't mean we can't love again
Don't go breaking my heart
My love will last 'till the sky falls down, even then
You'll remain in my heart
Come to my arms forever more
Stay in my arms and give me your love
La la la la, lalalala la, la la la
Don't go breaking my heart
La la la la, lalalala la, la la la
Don't go breaking my heart
The lyrics to Burt Bacharach's Don't Go Breaking My Heart express a plea for forgiveness and a second chance in a romantic relationship. The lines "one drop of rain doesn't make the sun run away" and "one falling leaf doesn't make September in May" convey the idea that small setbacks in a relationship shouldn't be blown out of proportion and used as a reason to give up on love. The singer admits to making a mistake and asks not to have love thrown away because of this one indiscretion. Instead, they ask for their partner to teach their heart how to smile again and to come back into their arms.
The line "my love will last 'till the sky falls down, even then you'll remain in my heart" expresses the singer's devotion to their partner and their confidence in the strength of their love. They ask for their partner to stay and give them love, promising to cherish them forever. Overall, the lyrics are a heartfelt plea for forgiveness and for a second chance at love.
Line by Line Meaning
One drop of rain doesn't make the sun run away
Don't let one small mistake ruin our relationship
Don't go breaking my heart
Please don't hurt me emotionally
One falling leaf doesn't make September in May
Just because things aren't perfect right now doesn't mean they won't get better
I made a mistake
I admit that I did something wrong
Now must you make a mountain out of a grain of sand?
Why turn a small problem into something bigger?
Don't throw love away because I went astray for a while
Our love is worth saving even though I messed up
Teach my heart how to smile, oh
Help me find happiness again
One sad goodbye doesn't mean we can't love again
Just because we separated in the past doesn't mean we can't give love another chance
My love will last 'till the sky falls down, even then
I will always love you, no matter what happens
You'll remain in my heart
I will never forget you
Come to my arms forever more
Be with me for eternity
Stay in my arms and give me your love
Please stay with me and keep loving me
La la la la, lalalala la, la la la
Background vocals, no significant meaning
Don't go breaking my heart
Please don't hurt me emotionally
La la la la, lalalala la, la la la
Background vocals, no significant meaning
Don't go breaking my heart
Please don't hurt me emotionally
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Elton John, Bernie Taupin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@stephenhowell5611
This is from the Hitmaker! album recorded in London in 65, vocals were uncredited but are by a trio called The Breakaways, Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones ( half of Led Zeppelin ) played on it. There was also a tv special featuring Bacharach, there is a clip on here from that special where they perform Trains And Boats And Planes.
@michaelmcdonald5326
Who grew up on this music!
Are we not blessed!!
@dmswanson5694
David is more than impressive, Bacharach is our Gershwin.
@flipnsac
With every song by Bacharach & David that I have never heard before, I just get blown away and I can't get enough of it.
@giancarlopasetti5918
Engel gualdi
@ettorelopinto3859
Discovered just today, 60 years after hearing the first Burt's song. Another mind blowing experience, like with many other Bacharach's
@BRENOPESSURNO
Always loved this song...Love Bacharach since I was 3 years old. I am a singer today and I cannot stop singing his fantastic songs...
@crist67mustang
Do Re Mi too. :) I play in keyboard almost all his songs, even this one, don't go fuckin' my ass.
@pattyDi
Me too!
@gregoryscott3858
Also, I gotta admit how much I adore the fact that, for most of their 'not sung by a name singer' arrangements, Bacharach & David just had backup singers deliver all the leads... backup singer style. The breezy, not-trying-to-conjure-raw-emotion singing allows the music to stay at the front of the picture, which, for these guys... c'mon, so good!!