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".
Please Stay
Burt Bacharach Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Please stay
If I got on my knees and I pleaded you
Not to go but to stay in my are-arms
Would you walk out the door like you did once before?
Or would this time be different, would you sta-a-ay?
Don't go (please stay)
If I called out your name like a prayer in the night
Would you leave me alone with my tears?
Knowing I, I need you so-o, would you still turn and go?
Or would this time be different in some wa-a-ay?
Don't go (please stay)
Don't go (please stay)
You took me away from the rest of the world
When you taught me to love you like this
Now I hang by a thread in the canyon of doom
But I still can be saved, by your kiss
If I got on my knees and I pleaded with you
Not to go but to stay in my arms
Would you walk out the door like you did once before?
Or would this time be different, would you sta-a-ay?
(Don't go) (please stay)
(Don't go) (please stay)
(Don't go)
(Please stay)
The lyrics to Burt Bacharach's "Please Stay" describe a desperate plea for someone to stay in a relationship. The singer is willing to do anything to prevent their partner from leaving, including begging and pleading on their knees. The singer is afraid of being left alone with their tears and needing their partner to stay. The song hints at a past instance where the partner left the singer before, and the singer is unsure if their partner would leave again. However, the singer is hopeful that this time will be different and that their partner will stay.
Overall, the song speaks to the vulnerability that comes with being in love and the fear of losing that love. It showcases the lengths one might go to keep someone in their life and the hope that love can conquer all. The repetition of "please stay" throughout the song emphasizes the singer's desperation and the importance of their partner staying.
Line by Line Meaning
Please stay don't go
Asking the person to stay instead of leaving
If I got on my knees and I pleaded you
Asking the person to stay by being vulnerable and pleading with them
Not to go but to stay in my are-arms
Wants the person to stay in their embrace
Would you walk out the door like you did once before?
Asking if the person will leave again
Or would this time be different, would you sta-a-ay?
Hoping that this time the person will stay
If I called out your name like a prayer in the night
Expressing the intensity of their love by comparing it to a prayer
Would you leave me alone with my tears?
Asking if the person will leave them alone and sad
Knowing I, I need you so-o, would you still turn and go?
Expressing how much they need the person and questioning if they will still leave
Or would this time be different in some wa-a-ay?
Wishing that this time the person will stay and things will be different
You took me away from the rest of the world
Expressing how the person made them feel special and unique
When you taught me to love you like this
Acknowledging that they learned how to love from the person
Now I hang by a thread in the canyon of doom
Feeling like they are in a dangerous and lonely place without the person
But I still can be saved, by your kiss
Believing that the person's love and affection can help them overcome their troubles
Don't go (please stay)
Repeating the request for the person to stay
Don't go (please stay)
Repeating the request for the person to stay
(Don't go)
Reiterating the plea for the person not to leave
(Please stay)
Reiterating the request for the person to stay
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BURT BACHARACH, BOB HILLIARD, BURT F. BACHARACH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@creolelady4096
Those who gave this song a thumbs down wouldn't know good music if it slapped them in their faces.
@cheryllochhead4714
Never a truer word said. Its fantastic what a voice that man had like velvet full of pathos and emotion
@denniscain5738
Any song that Burt Bacharach contributed to is a plus in my mind
@kevinmahoney7668
They wouldn't know a good tune if it walked up to em and pissed their eye! Visigoths!
This song is a Desert Island Disc
@brendaadams1605
Who else is listening to this timeless classic music in 2022? Omw, I'm so glad to have had the opportunity in my lifetime to grow up with this kind of soulful music..
@rainydais9559
2023! Grew up on it too! If I got on my knees and pleaded!!!!!
@2801561000
The wonderful Rudy Lewis on lead vocals, the best Drifters lead singerof all.
@scottrichman4127
You and me both
@curtisthomas9295
There is no expiration date when it comes to iconic music
@mvhoyt61able
Rudy's voice is fluid and timeless. These early gems are indeed a treasure.