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".
Let The Music Play
Burt Bacharach Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just a little longer
Let the music play
Just a little longer
Let the music play
Just a little longer
Just a little longer
Let me trill
A little longer
Make the music play
Just a little slower
Just a little slower
Let me hear her tender sighs
Let me look into her eyes
A little longer
Make the music play
Keep this magic going
Keep those trumpets blowing
All through the night
Don't ever skip a beat or
She may slip away
And if we were parted
I'd be broken hearted
Till she's in my arms to stay
Forever and a day
Please let the music play
Till she's in my arms to stay
Forever and a day
Please let the music play
Oh yeah please let the music play
Please let the music play
Oh yeah please let the music play
Oh yeah please let the music play
The lyrics to Burt Bacharach's Let The Music Play are about a man deeply in love pleading for the music to keep playing so he can have more time with his lover. He wants to hold her in his arms a little longer, listen to her tender sighs, and look into her eyes before she slips away. The music is a representation of their love and he fears losing her if the music stops. He asks for the trumpets to keep blowing, the beat to never skip, and the magic to keep going all through the night so he can be with her forever and a day.
The repetition of "just a little longer" and "oh yeah please let the music play" in the lyrics emphasizes the man's desperation to hold onto his love a bit more. The song captures the bittersweet feeling of wanting time to stand still in a moment of happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
Let the music play
The singer wants the music to keep playing for as long as possible.
Just a little longer
The singer is asking for a short extension of time for the music to play.
Let me hold her in my arms
The singer wants to be close to someone special while the music is playing.
Let me trill
The artist wants to express a musical nuance or embellishment for a little longer.
Make the music play
The artist is pleading for the music to continue playing.
Just a little slower
The singer wants the music to slow down a little.
Let me hear her tender sighs
The singer wants to listen to someone special's sweet and intimate expressions.
Let me look into her eyes
The artist wants to gaze into someone special's eyes while the music is playing.
Keep this magic going
The artist wants the musical atmosphere to stay the same.
Keep those trumpets blowing
The artist asks for the trumpets to keep playing in order for the musical atmosphere to stay the same.
All through the night
The singer wants the music to continue playing throughout the night.
Don't ever skip a beat or
The artist warns against stopping the music suddenly.
She may slip away
The singer believes that someone special may leave if the music stops.
And if we were parted
The singer is considering what would happen if they and someone special were separated.
I'd be broken hearted
The singer would be very emotional if they and someone special were separated.
Till she's in my arms to stay
The artist wants to hold someone special for as long as possible.
Forever and a day
The artist wants to hold someone special forever.
Please let the music play
The singer begs for the music to keep playing.
Oh yeah please let the music play
The singer expresses their strong desire for the music to keep playing.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: BURT BACHARACH, HAL DAVID
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rachelcummings2705
brilliant !! X
@clareons
Thanks Rachel X
@tonyhuddlestone4859
check out Roy Hamilton singing this GREAT TUNE
@erroljones326
I am sick and tired of hearing that R&B singers are black people. We are just great singers . We are great intertainers simple as that. We just don't get the recognition that we so rightly deserved. The Bee Gees , they are ROCK STARS , and then there's the r&bs still being ignored. 🙁 😔 😞
@jerryhayward10
Rudy lewis was the drifters enough said what a singer.
@cheryldodds7067
What an incredible voice Rudy Lewis had. Another tragic waste of life dying at 27. Joining the 27 club. Such emotion and pathos so beautiful.
@caribman10
Rudy Lewis, one of the finest R&B singers ever, with an arranger who could really highlight him. Masterwork. Too bad you never hear his name today...what a voice!
@glendalynch590
Not only the vocals are great but the orchestration on this song is fantastic! I have loved this version of the song for over 50 years when I first heard it at a backyard barbecue...Summer memories...And who would think the Drifters would be forever tied to the great Burt Bacharach who passed away today! His music lives! "Let the Music Play!"
@clareons
I agree, I love The Drifters and this version. R.I.P Burt Bacharach one of the best songwriters and composers of all time. Thank you for commenting.
@sonnypearl1948
After seven years, I'm still coming back to hear this gem sung by the greatest lead singer the Drifters ever had, Mr. Rudy Lewis.