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".
Me Japanese Boy I Love You
Burt Bacharach Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A little boy and a girl were so in love
Standing neath the moon above
He said, "me Japanese boy, I love you, I do love you
You Japanese girl, you love me, please say you do"
They carved their names on an cherry tree
Then he gently held her hand
And said, "me Japaneses boy, I love you, I do love you
You Japaneses girl, you love me, please say you do"
In a blue and white Kimono
She became his happy bride
From that day until this very moment
She'd been standing by his side
Now they are old and from what I am told
They're still in love just as much as they once were
Every night he kisses her
And said, "me Japanese boy, I love you, I do love you"
There is the way that it should be when love is true
There is the way that it should be for me and you
The lyrics to Burt Bacharach's song Me Japanese Boy I Love You tell the story of a young Japanese boy and girl in love. The singer describes how they carved their names on a cherry tree, a tradition in Japan, and how the boy professed his love for the girl. The lyrics continue as they get older, get married and remain in love, even into their old age. The song suggests that true love is pure and everlasting.
The song's lyrics are reflective of a simpler time and way of life. The use of the name "Japanese" in the title and throughout the lyrics may be seen as culturally insensitive by today's standards. However, it is important to recognize the context of the song and the time it was written, in the 1950s, when the United States was experiencing a fascination with Japanese culture following World War II.
Line by Line Meaning
Long, long ago in a land far away
Many years ago, in a distant place.
A little boy and a girl were so in love
A young boy and girl were deeply in love with each other.
Standing neath the moon above
Standing under the moonlit sky.
He said, "me Japanese boy, I love you, I do love you
You Japanese girl, you love me, please say you do"
He expressed his affection for her and asked her to reciprocate.
They carved their names on an cherry tree
Just like they've done in Japan since time began
Then he gently held her hand
They engraved their names on a cherry tree, a tradition in Japan, and then he tenderly took her hand.
In a blue and white Kimono
She became his happy bride
From that day until this very moment
She'd been standing by his side
She wore a blue and white kimono on their wedding day, and has been devotedly by his side ever since.
Now they are old and from what I am told
They're still in love just as much as they once were
Every night he kisses her
They are now elderly and reportedly still love each other as much as they did when they were young, as evidenced by his nightly kisses.
And said, "me Japanese boy, I love you, I do love you"
He continues to tell her that he loves her.
There is the way that it should be when love is true
There is the way that it should be for me and you
This is the ideal way that true love should be, for both them and others.
Lyrics Β© BMG Rights Management
Written by: BURT BACHARACH, HAL DAVID
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lisa Herrera
How beautiful!! Brought me a smile. This Music needs to be played Now and forever. Especially in this time of everything that's going on in the WORLD.
Philip Watson
Thanks again for reminding us of Burt's genius. Brings back many happy memories :)
Maria A . Salazar
beautifull song
boomerang905
Beautiful. π
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