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".
Kentucky Bluebird
Burt Bacharach Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Kentucky bluebird, fly away
And take a message to Martha, message to Martha
She sings each night in some cafe
In her search to find wealth and fame
I hear Martha has gone and changed her name
It's a year since she was here
And take a message to Martha, message to Martha
Tell her I miss her more each day
As her train pulled out down the track
Martha promised she'd soon be coming back
Oh tell her how my heart just breaks, in two
Since she journeyed far
And even though her dreams of fame fell through
To me she will always be a star
Spread your wings for New Orleans
Kentucky bluebird, fly away
And take a message to Martha, message to Martha
Ask her to start for home today
When you find her please let her know
Rich or poor, I will always love her so
Fly away, Kentucky bluebird
Fly away, Kentucky bluebird
Fly away, fly away, fly away, fly away
The song Kentucky Bluebird is a collaboration between American composer Burt Bacharach and singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright. The lyrics tell the story of a heartbroken lover who requests a Kentucky bluebird to fly to New Orleans and deliver a message to Martha, a woman he loves deeply. The singer acknowledges Martha's dream of finding wealth and fame, but he is saddened to hear that she has changed her name. He misses her desperately and hopes that the bluebird will tell her to return home. The ending of the song reveals the depth of his love when he professes that he will always love Martha, regardless of her riches or poverty.
The metaphor of the Kentucky bluebird in the song represents the concept of freedom and optimism. Bluebirds are often associated with happiness and hope, and this song uses the bird as a symbol of the singer's hope that Martha will return to him. New Orleans is also a symbol of freedom and non-conformity, as it has a reputation for being a city of diverse cultures and creative expression. The singer urges Martha to leave behind her search for wealth and fame and to return to him, where she can find love and happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
Spread your wings for New Orleans
Start anew and fly away from the past to a new beginning
Kentucky bluebird, fly away
Go away and fly to your destination
And take a message to Martha, message to Martha
Deliver this message to Martha
She sings each night in some cafe
Martha is pursuing her singing career in a cafe every night
In her search to find wealth and fame
Martha is searching for financial success and fame
I hear Martha has gone and changed her name
Martha has changed her name to follow her dreams
It's a year since she was here
It's been a year since Martha left
Tell her I miss her more each day
Let Martha know that the artist misses her more with time
As her train pulled out down the track
Martha left on a train
Martha promised she'd soon be coming back
Martha promised to return soon
Oh tell her how my heart just breaks, in two
Expressing how much the singer is hurting without Martha
Since she journeyed far
Since Martha went away to pursue her dreams
And even though her dreams of fame fell through
Although Martha's dream of fame didn't come true
To me she will always be a star
Martha will always be special to the singer
Ask her to start for home today
Tell Martha to come back home
When you find her please let her know
If you find her, please let Martha know
Rich or poor, I will always love her so
The artist will always love Martha regardless of her financial status
Fly away, Kentucky bluebird
Leave and travel to your destination, Kentucky bluebird
Fly away, fly away, fly away, fly away
Go far away and don't look back
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT,
Written by: BURT BACHARACH, HAL DAVID
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@johnmorrow51
I cannot believe such a great song so wonderfully song is practically has had so few viewers. Great music.
@Papermac
Rufus would never sing just any old song. It is clear that he cherishes this masterpiece by the great Burt Bacharach and that he passionately tries and succeeds to do it justice.
@lamusicaeskelly
i miss you lorenzo !!!
@RKMARTIN
The best version I think of the song. Bacharach tells such a sad, beautiful story in the lyrics and music. Luv that Rufus.
@ciarareddy1
This just blew me away first time I heard it on Jools. Spent ages trying to find a recording. No chance but at least I can find it here!
@jacquiswift3524
Wonderful version of this song. ❤️
@phatmom
Can you hear me whistle with the crowd? Geeze, what a beautiful song. I'm living in kentucky now and I can see a video forming in my headof all the places tat he would be...imagination downloads again!
@janetstewart3052
Love this arrangement and Wainwright 's voice
@xarmybrat
rufus can take any old song and make it wonderful1 Thanks for posting
@catalinabusla1151
Amazing Voice and performance! Gorgeous Talented Person Rufus! I love him!💕