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".
One Less Bell to Answer
Burt Bacharach Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
One less egg to fry
One less man to pick up after
I should be happy
But all I do is cry (cry, cry, no more laughter)
I should be happy (oh, why did he go)
I only know that since he left my life's so empty
Each time the doorbell rings I still run
I don't know how in the world
To stop thinking of him
'Cause I still love him so
I spend each day the way I start out?
Crying my heart out
One less man to pick up after
No more laughter, no more love
Since he went away (he went away)
(One less bell to answer) why did he leave me (oh why, why did he leave)
(One less bell to answer) now I've got one less egg to fry one less egg to fry
(Oh why, why did he leave) and all I do is cry
(One less bell to answer) because a man told me goodbye (oh why, why did he leave)
(One less bell to answer) somebody tell me please where did he go, why did he go
(Oh why, why did he leave) how could he leave me
The song “One Less Bell to Answer” by Burt Bacharach is a haunting ballad about unrequited love and heartbreak. The lyrics capture the emotional upheaval of a woman who has lost the love of her life. The refrain of “One less bell to answer, one less egg to fry, one less man to pick up after” indicates that the woman has lost her partner and is struggling to cope with the emptiness left behind. Despite the fact that she should be happy that she no longer has to care for or provide for her partner, she is instead tormented by the loss of his presence and companionship in her life.
The woman tries to fill the void by keeping herself busy, but she is unable to forget the man who has left her life. The line "each time the doorbell rings I still run" suggests that every time someone comes to the door, she hopes it will be him. Burt Bacharach's melody adds to the melancholy of the lyrics, with a piano-heavy, mournful sound that emphasizes the sadness of the lyrics. The song is a powerful expression of the pain of losing someone you love and the struggle to move on.
Line by Line Meaning
One less bell to answer
One less person trying to contact me, not calling me anymore
One less egg to fry
One less thing I need to worry about, one less task to perform
One less man to pick up after
One less person whose messes I need to clean
I should be happy
I should feel relieved and pleased about these changes
But all I do is cry (cry, cry, no more laughter)
Instead, I am overwhelmed by sadness and tears, with no more joy or happiness
I should be happy (oh, why did he go)
I should be content, but I can't help but wonder why he left
I only know that since he left my life's so empty
Without him, my life feels incomplete and lacking
Though I try to forget it just can't be done
I make an effort to move on, but I can't seem to let go
Each time the doorbell rings I still run
Every time there's a knock at the door I still hope it's him, even though I know it isn't
I don't know how in the world
I am uncertain and unsure about what to do
To stop thinking of him
To get him out of my mind
'Cause I still love him so
Because even though he's gone, my love for him still exists
I spend each day the way I start out?
I spend each day feeling miserable, much like when I wake up in the morning
Crying my heart out
Crying excessively and with deep emotion
No more laughter, no more love
There is no longer any happiness or affection in my life
Since he went away (he went away)
Since he left, my life has become difficult and unhappy
(One less bell to answer) why did he leave me (oh why, why did he leave)
With him gone, I have one less person trying to call me, and I mourn and question why he left
(One less bell to answer) now I've got one less egg to fry one less egg to fry
With one less person to cook for, I have one less task to perform
(Oh why, why did he leave) and all I do is cry
I can't help but cry and be miserable, wondering why he left
(One less bell to answer) because a man told me goodbye (oh why, why did he leave)
I mourn my lost relationship, because a man I loved said goodbye, and I can't understand why
(One less bell to answer) somebody tell me please where did he go, why did he go
I beg someone to tell me where he went and why he left, because I can't bear the uncertainty
(Oh why, why did he leave) how could he leave me
I am heartbroken as I struggle to understand how he could abandon me and our relationship
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Burt F. Bacharach, Hal David
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
FWD37
So hard to chose between this version and The Fifth Demension , both great . Great Bert and Hal !!!!!!
Matteo Romenghi
Stunning song, stunning performance.
goneatlast
Yet another great song by Bacharach/David. So many fine interpretations: the original by The Fifth Dimension, Babs, Dionne, and this one.
Valéria Faria
Maravilhosa! Eterna!
Mark Almond
How can one man write so many classic songs, so beautifully. You are a legend, sir! thank you
Phil Hall
This was a great show. Burt and Hal wrote so much great music. Thanks for posting! Sheryl did a good job here.
James Casarella
Such beautiful music!
Becky Davis
secret is the music - eliminates stress which kills us! Keep the melodies in your heart!
gilberto minaki
GREAT VOICE
Hector Marchant Cuadra
Hasta siempre maestro. Gracias por tu legado.