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".
I Looked For You
Burt Bacharach Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Before I put on my make-up
I say a little prayer for you
While combing my hair now
And wond'ring what dress to wear now
I say a little prayer for you
Forever
you'll stay in my heart
And I will love you
Forever
and ever
we never will part
Oh, how I'll love you
Together
Forever
that's how it must be.
To live without you
Would only mean heart break for me
I run for the bus, dear
While riding I think of us dear
I say a little prayer for you
At work I just take time
and all through my coffee break time
I say a little prayer for you
Forever
and ever
you'll stay in my heart
And I will love you
Forever
and ever
we never will part
Oh, how I'll love you
Together
Forever
that's how it must be.
To live without you
Would only mean heart break for me
I say a little prayer for you
I say a little prayer for you
My darling, believe me
For me there is no one but you
Please love me too
(Answer his prayer)
I'm in love with you
(Answer his prayer now baby)
Answer my prayer now baby
(Answer his prayer)
Say you love me too
(Forever
and ever
you'll stay in my heart
And I will love you
Forever
and ever
we never will part
Oh, how I'll love you
Together
Forever
that's how it must be.
To live without you
Would only mean heart break for me)
The lyrics to Burt Bacharach's song "I Say a Little Prayer" depict the deep affection and longing of the singer for their beloved. The song begins with the singer starting their day by saying a prayer for their loved one, symbolizing the constant presence of thoughts and love for them in their daily routine. The act of saying a prayer while grooming and getting ready for the day conveys a sense of devotion and commitment to the relationship.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the enduring nature of the singer's love, expressing a desire for their love to last forever and remain in their heart. The repetition of "Forever and ever" signifies the singer's unwavering dedication and the belief that their love is meant to be eternal. The fear of heartbreak and loneliness without their beloved is also highlighted, illustrating the deep emotional connection and dependency on their partner.
As the lyrics progress, the singer continues to express their love through everyday activities such as commuting to work and taking coffee breaks. These mundane moments are infused with thoughts and prayers for the loved one, showcasing the constant presence of their partner in the singer's mind and heart. The repetition of the prayer throughout the day reinforces the strength and depth of the singer's feelings.
The plea for reciprocation and affirmation of love in the bridge of the song adds a touching layer of vulnerability and yearning. The singer begs for their beloved to love them in return and to answer their prayers, underscoring the importance of mutual affection and commitment in the relationship. The repeated affirmations of love, along with the plea for validation, capture the emotional intensity and longing present in the singer's heart.
Overall, "I Say a Little Prayer" by Burt Bacharach is a heartfelt and evocative portrayal of love, devotion, and the yearning for connection. The lyrics beautifully capture the emotional journey of the singer as they express their unwavering love and hope for a lasting and reciprocated relationship. The daily rituals of saying a prayer, the fear of losing their beloved, and the plea for love and affirmation all contribute to the poignant and relatable depiction of love and longing in the song.
Line by Line Meaning
The moment I wake up
As soon as consciousness returns to me each day,
Before I put on my make-up
Before I prepare my appearance to face the world,
I say a little prayer for you
I send a heartfelt wish for your well-being and happiness.
While combing my hair now
While tidying myself up and getting ready,
And wond'ring what dress to wear now
And contemplating the choice of outfit for the day,
I say a little prayer for you
I continue to wish for your happiness and safety.
Forever
For all eternity,
and ever
and endlessly without end.
you'll stay in my heart
you will always hold a special place within my emotions.
And I will love you
And my affection for you will never diminish.
Forever
For all eternity,
and ever
and endlessly without conclusion.
we never will part
we will remain united and never separate.
Oh, how I'll love you
The depth of my love for you is immeasurable.
Together
Side by side in life and love,
Forever
for all time,
that's how it must be.
this is the only way it should unfold.
To live without you
Existing in a world devoid of your presence,
Would only mean heart break for me
would inevitably lead to profound sorrow for my heart.
I run for the bus, dear
I hastily make my way to catch the bus, my dear,
While riding I think of us dear
as I travel, I reflect on our relationship and connection.
I say a little prayer for you
I continue to send thoughts of love and safety your way.
At work I just take time
During my work hours, I pause and take a moment,
and all through my coffee break time
and even during my brief moments for coffee,
I say a little prayer for you
I keep wishing and hoping for your happiness.
Forever
For all eternity,
and ever
and continuously without end.
you'll stay in my heart
you will always be cherished within my soul.
And I will love you
And my devotion to you will remain unwavering.
Forever
For all of time,
and ever
and perpetually without cessation.
we never will part
we will stay together, never to be divided.
Oh, how I'll love you
My affection for you is boundless and eternal.
Together
In unity and companionship,
Forever
for an infinite duration,
that's how it must be.
this is the only way it is meant to be.
To live without you
To exist in a life without you,
Would only mean heart break for me
would lead to unbearable sadness for my heart.
I say a little prayer for you
I consistently offer prayers for your well-being.
I say a little prayer for you
My thoughts of hope for you remain steadfast.
My darling, believe me
My beloved, trust in my words;
For me there is no one but you
in my life, you are the sole person who matters.
Please love me too
I ask you to share the same love for me.
(Answer his prayer)
Respond to my heartfelt wishes and requests.
I'm in love with you
I am deeply and profoundly in love with you.
(Answer his prayer now baby)
Please respond to my desires and hopes, my love.
Answer my prayer now baby
Please fulfill my wishes right now, dear.
(Answer his prayer)
Please heed my heartfelt requests.
Say you love me too
Affirm your love for me as I have for you.
(Forever
For all eternity,
and ever
and continuously without end.
you'll stay in my heart
you will always be held dear within my spirit.
And I will love you
And my adoration for you will never fade.
Forever
For all of time,
and ever
and eternally beyond measure.
we never will part
we shall remain together, unbreakably linked.
Oh, how I'll love you
My capacity to love you is immeasurable.
Together
In unison,
Forever
for as long as time endures,
that's how it must be.
this is the destined way our relationship should unfold.
To live without you
To carry on in life without your presence,
Would only mean heart break for me
would result solely in deep emotional pain for me.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Francisco Javier Julian Del Aguila
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