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".
Everybody's Out of Town
Burt Bacharach Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Seems like there's no one hangin' on
Look through the window
The houses are empty
Hey
Everybody's out of town
Seems like
All of the streets are bare
No traffic tie ups anywhere
Don't have to wait for a seat at the movies
Hey
Everybody's out of town
Seems like
I'm the only one around
Everyone moved out from the ghetto
Lots of space
Empty apartments
No more pollution
Plenty of classrooms everyplace
And it looks like we're ready
To give it one more try
This time there'll be no alibis
I'm gonna send out a message to Noah
Hey
Better send some people down
Everyone on earth
Is out of town
In the opening lines of "Everybody's Out of Town" by Burt Bacharach, the singer notices a stark absence of people in their surroundings. They observe that it seems as though everyone has left or disappeared, leaving behind empty houses and a feeling of solitude. Through the imagery of looking through windows and seeing vacant homes, the lyrics convey a sense of desolation and the eerie quietness that comes with a population suddenly vanishing.
As the song progresses, the singer emphasizes their lonely presence amidst the deserted streets and the lack of human activity. The absence of crowds or traffic jams highlights the stark contrast to the bustling, lively city they once knew. The mention of not having to wait for a seat at the movies further underscores the emptiness and the surreal feeling of being the only one left in a place where people used to gather and socialize.
The lyrics take a more profound turn as they describe a mass exodus from the ghetto, creating a sense of abandonment and a visual of spacious, empty apartments. The imagery of a cleaner, less polluted environment and ample educational facilities implies a societal reset or a fresh start after everyone has seemingly departed, leaving behind a more pristine and organized setting. This shift in the surroundings signifies a potential for transformation and renewal after the absence of familiar faces and the collective departure of a community.
In the poignant conclusion of the song, the singer expresses a hopeful sentiment about the future, indicating a readiness to try again without excuses. The reference to sending a message to Noah, a biblical figure known for building an ark to save humanity from a flood, suggests a metaphorical call for a new beginning or a chance to start anew. The urgent plea to bring back people to Earth conveys a desire for connection and community after the realization that everyone is out of town. Overall, the lyrics of "Everybody's Out of Town" by Burt Bacharach paint a vivid picture of isolation, change, and the potential for a fresh start in the absence of familiar faces and the longing for human presence.
Line by Line Meaning
Where have the people gone
Wondering where everyone has gone
Seems like there's no one hangin' on
It appears that no one is left or sticking around
Look through the window
Viewing the empty houses through the window
The houses are empty
The homes are abandoned or vacant
Hey
Calling out or addressing someone
Everybody's out of town
Everyone has left or gone away
Seems like
It appears as though
I'm the only one around
I am the only person present or nearby
All of the streets are bare
The roads are deserted or empty
No traffic tie ups anywhere
There are no congestions or delays on the roads
Don't have to wait for a seat at the movies
There are plenty of available seats at the cinema without any waiting
Everyone moved out from the ghetto
People have relocated from the disadvantaged or impoverished neighborhood
Lots of space
There is ample room or area
Empty apartments
Vacant or unoccupied flats
No more pollution
Absence of contamination or dirty air
Plenty of classrooms everyplace
Numerous learning spaces in all locations
And it looks like we're ready
It appears that we are prepared
To give it one more try
Ready to attempt something again
This time there'll be no alibis
There will be no excuses or justifications this time
I'm gonna send out a message to Noah
Planning to communicate with Noah (of biblical reference)
Better send some people down
Should dispatch individuals to the location
Everyone on earth
All inhabitants of the planet
Is out of town
Currently absent or away
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Burt Bacharach, Hal David
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Rick S
It's a wonder this song isn't getting lots of airplay during the coronavirus pandemic. You walk through the malls and you have the place pretty much to yourself.
salley kelly
The best song ever, unusual, catchy, vivid self visuals, I just love it. Burt Bacharach and Hal David are Masters at their craft and the world is eternally grateful ...THANK YOU.
barrys
Oh man, who ever knew that one day it would indeed seem like everybody's out of town? I've been hunkered down because of Covid-19 for a few weeks, and this song has been playing in my head for weeks.
Stay safe out there, everybody.
patrick ryan
Love that lazy, winding, drifting; drunken instrumental opening/closing, able both to draw you in then make you want to listen all over again (like you didn't quite get an ample serving first time around). 1/2019
Danny Barrett
WITHOUT ANY DOUBT,,My Favorite song by B.B and H.David....no one sings it better,,B.J. Thomas
Nicholas Mirra
Wow! Long time no hear... what a nice little nostalgic tune... real music from the past, unlike the contemporary garbage we hear on the radio today...
Jose Sanchez
Esta canción la escucho una y mil veces muchas gracias
mmalmec
love it
Lisa Herrera
Here it is 2019 and I'm like oh my what a beautiful decade. I absolutely love all the classical music. I even share it with my grandchildren. I have on that is seven and she's learning about this timeless Music. She even sings Englebert Humperdink and Tom Jones. She is truly amazing.
Robb Job
Lisa Herrera...With respect, may i just clear something up. Some people
call a song like this a classic but, calling this classical music well...this is not classical music, it is pop. I f you want classical you might try Bach instead of Bacharach.