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".
Just Friends
Burt Bacharach Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We've traded hearts
I guess that's how
It always starts out
And then I guess it always ends
Look at us
(Now)
I don't think that you and me
Can just be friends
Maybe this is how the whole thing
Has to just end
And if we could
Have loved enough
(La la dee, la la dee dah dah, la la dah, la la dah, la la dah, la)
We would have handled
When it got rough
But one of us let go too soon
So here we are
(Here we are)
Now sayin'
I don't think that you and me
Can just be friends
Maybe this is how the whole thing
Has to just end
I wish you'd understand
It's funny how
When love has gone
There's only one left holdin' on
When someone's always hurtin' more
Still lonely for the other
Sayin'
I don't think that you and me
Can just be friends
(Hmm)
I don't ever wanna feel so much again
Feel again
Unless it's you
You, again
(La la dee, la la dee dah dah, la la dah, la la dah, la la dah, la)
I guess that's how it always starts out
And then I guess
It always ends
Look at us
(Look at us)
(Now)
Now sayin'
I don't think that you and me
Can just be friends
(Hmm)
Maybe this is how the whole thing
Has to just end?
La la dee, la la dee dah dah, la la dah, la la dah, la la dah, la
The lyrics of Burt Bacharach's song "Just Friends" delve into the complexities of a romantic relationship that has ended, yet the lingering emotions and desire for more remain. The song explores the dynamic between two individuals who have traded hearts but find themselves unable to maintain a friendship after their romantic connection has dissipated.
The opening lines suggest that the relationship began by exchanging hearts, indicating a deep emotional bond from the start. However, as the lyrics progress, it becomes apparent that this connection was not sustainable, as it always ends in separation. The singer reflects on the difficulty of transitioning from lovers to friends, acknowledging that this may be the inevitable fate of their relationship.
One of the most poignant aspects of the song is the admission that if they had loved each other enough, they would have been able to overcome the challenges faced along the way. However, one of them let go too soon, implying that the timing or commitment was not equal, leading to the ultimate breakdown of the relationship.
The chorus repeats the refrain of not being able to be "just friends," emphasizing the impossibility of maintaining a platonic relationship after such intense romantic involvement. The singer expresses a desire to move on, not wanting to experience that level of emotion again unless it is with this particular person.
Overall, the lyrics of "Just Friends" capture the conflicting emotions of love lost, longing, and the struggles of transitioning from lovers to friends. It highlights the pain and challenges that often arise when attempting to forge a different type of connection after a romantic relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
You and me
Both of us
We've traded hearts
We have exchanged our feelings
I guess that's how
I suppose that's the way
It always starts out
Every time it begins
And then I guess it always ends
And then I suppose it always concludes
Look at us
Observe the two of us
(Now)
(At this moment)
Sayin'
Expressing
I don't think that you and me
I believe that you and I
Can just be friends
Can only maintain a platonic relationship
Maybe this is how the whole thing
Perhaps this is how the entire situation
Has to just end
Needs to come to a conclusion
And if we could
And in the event that we were able to
Have loved enough
Have experienced sufficient affection
(La la dee, la la dee dah dah, la la dah, la la dah, la la dah, la)
(Melodic interlude)
We would have handled
We would have managed
When it got rough
During difficult times
But one of us let go too soon
Yet one of us released their grasp prematurely
So here we are
Thus, this is our current situation
(Here we are)
(In this place)
Now sayin'
Currently expressing
I don't think that you and me
I believe that you and I
Can just be friends
Can only maintain a platonic relationship
Maybe this is how the whole thing
Perhaps this is how the entire situation
Has to just end
Needs to come to a conclusion
I wish you'd understand
I desire for you to comprehend
It's funny how
It is ironic how
When love has gone
Once love has vanished
There's only one left holdin' on
There is solely one remaining, clinging on
When someone's always hurtin' more
When one person is consistently in more pain
Still lonely for the other
Still longing for the other's company
Sayin'
Expressing
I don't think that you and me
I believe that you and I
Can just be friends
Can only maintain a platonic relationship
(Hmm)
(Thoughtful pause)
I don't ever wanna feel so much again
I never want to experience such intense emotions again
Feel again
Experience those emotions once more
Unless it's you
Unless it is specifically you
You, again
You, once more
(La la dee, la la dee dah dah, la la dah, la la dah, la la dah, la)
(Melodic interlude)
I guess that's how it always starts out
I suppose that's how it consistently begins
And then I guess
And then I suppose
It always ends
It always concludes
Look at us
Observe the two of us
(Look at us)
(Consciously examine us)
(Now)
(At this moment)
Now sayin'
Currently expressing
I don't think that you and me
I believe that you and I
Can just be friends
Can only maintain a platonic relationship
(Hmm)
(Thoughtful pause)
Maybe this is how the whole thing
Perhaps this is how the entire situation
Has to just end?
Needs to come to a conclusion?
La la dee, la la dee dah dah, la la dah, la la dah, la la dah, la
(Melodic interlude)
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: BURT BACHARACH, CAROLE BAYER SAGER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind