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".
Long After Tonight Is All Over
Burt Bacharach Lyrics
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I have learned what my lips are for
And darling, now that I've kissed you
I'm craving to kiss you more
Let me tell you
Long after tonight is all over
Long after tonight is all gone
For ever and a day and
Yours, come anything that may
You'll always be just everything to me
Here in my arms
When I hold you
I can feel that the world is mine
Don't go away
Don't you leave me
Or I'll cry 'til the end of time
Let me tell you
Long after tonight is all over
Long after it's all gone
I'll be yours
Come anything that may and
Yours, for ever and a day
You'll always be just everything to me
Let me tell you
Long after tonight is all over
Long after it's all gone
I'll be yours
For ever and a day and
Yours, come anything that may
You'll always be just everything to me
Long after tonight is all over
Long after tonight is all over
After it's over and done
After it's over and done
After it's gone
After it's gone
Long after
tonight is all over, this song expresses the intense emotion of not wanting to let go of a recent love that has been discovered. The singer hasn't felt this way before and realizes the power of a kiss. They express the desperate desire to continue kissing their lover and explain that they will never forget the feeling it brings them. The repetition of "yours" emphasizes the singer's willingness to give themselves entirely to this person and remain loyal to them for eternity.
As the song progresses, the singer begs their lover not to leave them because they fear they will never find someone who can make them feel as happy as they currently do. The lyrics "Here in my arms, when I hold you, I can feel that the world is mine," reflect the feeling of being completely content in someone's embrace. The repetition of "Long after tonight is all over" at the end of the song signifies the singer's resolve to hold onto the love they have found, even if it means holding on to the memory of it long after it's gone.
Line by Line Meaning
Tonight will be for the first time
This night will be the first time that I fully understand the purpose of my lips.
I have learned what my lips are for
Through kissing you, I have realized the true potential and power of my lips.
And darling, now that I've kissed you
My dearest, now that I have experienced the sensation of kissing you,
I'm craving to kiss you more
I am now yearning to kiss you again and experience that same feeling once more.
Let me tell you
Allow me to express and convey my feelings to you.
Long after tonight is all over
Even after this night has ended,
Long after tonight is all gone
Even after the passing of time,
I'll be yours
I will still belong to you.
For ever and a day and
Permanently and eternally,
Yours, come anything that may
No matter what may happen in the future, I will always be yours.
You'll always be just everything to me
You will always be the most important thing in the world to me.
Here in my arms
As I hold you close to me,
When I hold you
Whenever I embrace you,
I can feel that the world is mine
I experience a sense of possessing the entire world when I am with you.
Don't go away
Please do not leave my side.
Don't you leave me
Do not abandon me or depart from me.
Or I'll cry 'til the end of time
If you do leave me, I will be filled with infinite sorrow and tears for eternity.
Long after tonight is all over
Even after this night has ended,
Long after it's all gone
Even if everything fades away,
You'll always be just everything to me
You will always remain everything to me, even if everything else has disappeared.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: B BACHARACH, H DAVID
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind