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".
If I Never Get to Love You
Burt Bacharach Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It won't be that I didn't try
I'll be trying to possess you
'Till the day I die
If I never get to love you
It won't be that I ran away
For as long as you will have me
What I wouldn't give to hold you tight
Never, never let you out of sight
Be the one you give your first kiss every morning
The last one you kiss goodnight
If I never get to love you
It won't be that I didn't care
There is nothing that I want more
Or I need more
And my heart would surely break in two
If I never get to love you
What I wouldn't give to hold you tight
Never, never let you out of sight
Be the one you give your first kiss every morning
The last one you kiss goodnight
If I never get to love you
It won't be that I didn't care
There is nothing that I want more
Or I need more
And my heart could surely break in two
If I never get to love you
The lyrics of Burt Bacharach's song "If I Never Get to Love You" express the intense longing of the singer for someone whom they deeply love but unfortunately, they're unable to confess their feelings. The lyrics suggest that the singer has been trying to win the heart of their beloved for a long time and will continue to do so until they die, even if they never succeed in winning their love. The lyrics indicate that the singer is fully aware of the possibility that they may never get the chance to love this special someone, but in the meantime, they'll stay as close to them as possible.
The lyrics of the song interspersed with phrases like "what I wouldn't give to hold you tight" and "never, never let you out of sight" convey the intense longing of the singer for the person they dream of loving. These lyrics tell the story of someone who is not giving up easily and despite the potential for heartbreak, they will continue to stay faithful and devoted to their love.
In conclusion, the lyrics of "If I Never Get to Love You" beautifully capture the bittersweet hopelessness of unrequited love. The singer recognizes the possibility of not having a chance to love the person they long for, but they cannot help but hold onto the possibility of being able to. It’s an emotional and thought-provoking song that grasps the listener's heart and soul.
Line by Line Meaning
If I never get to love you
Even if my attempts to love you fail, I would try my best to do so
It won't be that I didn't try
I am determined to try to love you
I'll be trying to possess you
I desire to have you as mine
'Till the day I die
I will keep trying to love and keep you close to me until my last breath
It won't be that I ran away
I won't give up easily and run away from loving you
For as long as you will have me
I will be with you for as long as you want me by your side
What I wouldn't give to hold you tight
I yearn to embrace you and never let you go
Never, never let you out of sight
I want to be with you always, never let you out of my sight
Be the one you give your first kiss every morning
I pray to be your first love and the first person you see each day
The last one you kiss goodnight
I want to give you comfort and love as you go to sleep every night
There is nothing that I want more
You are the most important thing to me, and my love for you is all-encompassing
Or I need more
You are essential to my happiness and fulfillment in life
And my heart would surely break in two
If my love for you is not reciprocated, it would cause me immense heartache
If I never get to love you
My love for you is unwavering, even if I never get the chance to show it
It won't be that I didn't care
I care deeply about you and my love for you is genuine
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HAL DAVID, BURT BACHARACH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Steve Paul
What a team ! Burt Bacharach, Hal David and Dionne Warwick.
Philip Watson
One of the trio's best! Excellent clarity! :)
Richard Belle
TheNewFormat great singing
TheNewFormat
Thank you Phil! ...It's a pleasure to make a difference for people who have good ears like yourself : )
Ma.Cecilia Murillo Alonso- Ballesteros
I love you,Burt Bacharach!!!!!!!!!!! <3
ConsumerWarrior
It's a tie between Dionne Warwick and the Stylistics on who made the best version of this song. They both sound so good.
Natalice Lima
I Love Dionne Warwick
Bill Wolfe
the angels would cry!
GIULIO MUCCIACITO
Il Nicoula che ha i gusti fini e raffinati come i miei
GIULIO MUCCIACITO
Buon martedì sera Nicoula