Burt Freeman Bacharach(May 12, 1928 – February 8, 2023) was an American com… Read Full Bio ↴Burt Freeman Bacharach(May 12, 1928 – February 8, 2023) was an American composer, songwriter, and musician who is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential figures of 20th-century popular music.

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".

Hasbrook Heights
Burt Bacharach Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

If you ever get out to Hasbrook Heights
And you're dying to see some sights
Don't be lonely
Just phone me
I'll come and get you
I'll show you a good time

Da bop bop

You won't need a motel in Hasbrook Heights
No one ever has a sleepless night
Now at my house it's your house
Go kick your shoes off
Start having a good time
Each day is like a week's vacation
Come rest up
Bring along your swim suit
That's how we get dressed up

You can get away from it all at Hasbrook Heights
If you're tired of neon lights
We've got sun beams
And moon beams
And friendly people
They'll show you a good time

Throw some things in a grip
Take the early train
It's a beautiful trip
Don't forget the name

Hasbrook Heights
Hasbrook Heights

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Burt Bacharach's song Hasbrook Heights have two main parts. The first part talks about inviting someone to visit Hasbrook Heights with the promise of a good time. The second part depicts Hasbrook Heights as a peaceful place without the hustle and bustle of city life, and as a place where people can relax and have fun.

The first verse uses anaphora, repetition of "I'll" to emphasize how the singer is willing to make the effort for the visitor. The lines, "You won't need a motel in Hasbrook Heights, No one ever has a sleepless night," suggest that Hasbrook Heights is a calm and secure place to be, a stark contrast to the noisy and sleepless nights that one may experience in the city.

The imagery is further enhanced in the second verse with "sun beams and moon beams," highlighting the natural beauty of the place. The line, "Each day is like a week's vacation," implies that time moves slowly and people can escape the stress of their daily lives by visiting. Additionally, "That's how we get dressed up" in the chorus encapsulates the laid-back attitude of the people in the area.

Overall, the song creates a sense of warmth, inclusiveness, and escapism. The invitation to visit Hasbrook Heights is welcoming and the lyrics depicting the place as a getaway shows the singer's passion for Hasbrook Heights.

Line by Line Meaning

If you ever get out to Hasbrook Heights
In case you find yourself in Hasbrook Heights

And you're dying to see some sights
And you're eager to explore the place

Don't be lonely
Don't feel isolated

Just phone me
Just give me a call

I'll come and get you
I'll come and pick you up

I'll show you a good time
I'll make sure you have a great experience

You won't need a motel in Hasbrook Heights
You won't have to look for a place to stay in Hasbrook Heights

No one ever has a sleepless night
You won't have trouble sleeping at night

Now at my house it's your house
At my home, you're an honored guest

Go kick your shoes off
Relax and feel at home

Start having a good time
Begin enjoying yourself