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".
Promise Her Anything
Burt Bacharach Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A things that you can never get
Still every now and then
Maybe she'll complain a bit
Because she feels upset
She only wants you to tell her
That you love her
Turn Winter into Spring
Promise her anything
She's dreaming of
Promise her anything
She will be happy
If she only gets your love
She had a lot of dreams
And you can make them all come true
'Cause all she really wants
Is to know you care for her
The way she cares for you
So why not promise her ruby
Even diamonds
She'd trade them all for
A plain golden wedding ring
Promise her anything
She's dreaming of
Promise her anything
She will be happy
If she only gets your love
Oh, you can promise her the moon
When the sun is bright
And promise her the sun
When you're out at night
Promise her the world and promise her
Every wish is your command
And you'll discover soon
She doesn't want the moon, just love will do
Promise her anything
But don't you ever let her
Get away from you
Oh, you can promise her the moon
When the sun is bright
And promise her the sun
When you're out at night
Promise her the world and promise her
Every wish is your command
And you'll discover soon
She doesn't want the moon, just love will do
Promise her anything
But don't you ever let her
Get away from you
In the song "Promise Her Anything" by Burt Bacharach, the lyrics convey a message about the simple yet profound desires of a woman in a relationship. The song portrays a woman who doesn't place value on material possessions or grand gestures, but instead craves genuine love and affection from her partner. The verse "She doesn't really want a things that you can never get, Still every now and then, maybe she'll complain a bit" speaks to the woman's understanding that material possessions cannot replace the emotional connection she seeks.
The chorus emphasizes the woman's primary desire for love and reassurance from her partner. She only needs to hear the words "I love you" and to feel cherished by her significant other. The lines "Promise her anything, She's dreaming of, Promise her anything, She will be happy, If she only gets your love" highlight that the woman's happiness hinges on the presence of genuine love in the relationship, above all else.
The lyrics also touch upon the woman's dreams and aspirations, suggesting that her partner has the ability to make them a reality through demonstrating care and affection. The lines "She had a lot of dreams, And you can make them all come true, 'Cause all she really wants, Is to know you care for her" underline the importance of emotional support and a reciprocated affection in the relationship.
The concluding verses encourage the listener to promise the woman the world, but ultimately realize that all she truly desires is love and devotion. The repeated assertion that material possessions or extravagant promises are unnecessary compared to genuine love conveys a powerful message about the simplicity of fulfilling a partner's desires through emotional connection. The song's plea to not let the woman slip away reiterates the importance of cherishing and maintaining a loving relationship above all else.
Line by Line Meaning
She doesn't really want
Her desires are not focused on material possessions or unattainable ambitions.
A things that you can never get
She seeks not those dreams that are unrealistic or impossible to achieve.
Still every now and then
Occasionally, despite her understanding, she may express dissatisfaction.
Maybe she'll complain a bit
She might voice her feelings of frustration when her emotional needs are overlooked.
Because she feels upset
Her discontent arises from a lack of emotional affirmation in the relationship.
She only wants you to tell her
What she longs for most is reassurance of your affection.
That you love her
Expressing love is her primary emotional necessity.
So if she wants you to
If her desires lean toward something transformative or hopeful,
Turn Winter into Spring
Her wish symbolizes a longing for emotional warmth and rejuvenation in the relationship.
Promise her anything
Make grand assurances that fulfill her whimsical fantasies.
She's dreaming of
Her hopes are filled with aspirations that seem fantastical yet heartfelt.
Promise her anything
Reassure her through your compelling declarations of affection.
She will be happy
Fulfillment of her emotional needs will lead to her contentment.
If she only gets your love
Her happiness is primarily contingent upon feeling cherished by you.
She had a lot of dreams
She possesses many ambitions and aspirations for her life.
And you can make them all come true
You have the power to actualize her hopes through your love and support.
'Cause all she really wants
Ultimately, her deepest desire revolves around one simple truth.
Is to know you care for her
She seeks confirmation of your love and concern, which validates her feelings.
The way she cares for you
Her affection is deep and unconditional, longing for reciprocity.
So why not promise her ruby
Why not assure her of lavish gifts or treasures?
Even diamonds
Luxury items can symbolize love, yet she may value sincerity over extravagance.
She'd trade them all for
Her priorities clearly shift when weighed against her true desires.
A plain golden wedding ring
A simple token of commitment holds far more value than material wealth.
Promise her anything
Engage with her dreams even if they seem unrealistic.
She's dreaming of
Her visions are shaped by heartfelt desires and love.
Promise her anything
Your declarations should be as grand as her aspirations.
She will be happy
Her joy is linked to the fulfillment of her emotional needs.
If she only gets your love
Your love is the key ingredient to her happiness.
Oh, you can promise her the moon
You can make outlandish promises to fulfill her imaginative dreams.
When the sun is bright
You can make bold claims when conditions are favorable and easy.
And promise her the sun
Affirm your devotion in every moment you share.
When you're out at night
Even in darker times, continue to assure her of your unwavering support.
Promise her the world and promise her
Express your willingness to cater to her every whim and fantasy.
Every wish is your command
Act as if fulfilling her desires is your highest priority.
And you'll discover soon
Once deep within this experience, you will realize a crucial truth.
She doesn't want the moon, just love will do
Her heart seeks genuine love and affection above all else, not extravagance.
Promise her anything
Continue to uplift her spirits with your declarations of love.
But don't you ever let her
However, safeguard the bond you share with her.
Get away from you
Ensure that she always feels valued and that your connection remains strong.
Oh, you can promise her the moon
You have the ability to offer her grand, seemingly unattainable things.
When the sun is bright
You can make these promises when the mood is light and joyous.
And promise her the sun
Continue to reassure her of your love in every moment shared.
When you're out at night
Even in times of uncertainty, keep your declarations of love alive.
Promise her the world and promise her
Structure your assurance as encompassing as possible, fulfilling her dreams.
Every wish is your command
Make her happiness your utmost priority in your relationship.
And you'll discover soon
Soon enough, you will understand her true needs.
She doesn't want the moon, just love will do
Her ultimate need lies solely in feeling loved and cherished.
Promise her anything
Continue to weave the fabric of your promises around her dreams.
But don't you ever let her
But remember, protect the connection you hold dear.
Get away from you
Ensure she feels secure and valued in your relationship.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BURT BACHARACH, HAL DAVID
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@patricknicholson9407
Yet another Bacharach composition you just wish would never end
@veronicaordonez7273
Yeah!! I love Sir Tom Jones, absolutely amazing, beautiful voice beautiful man he's my favorite singer 😊❤❤❤❤❤❤
@timwilliams995
Great movie & Great song❣️
@lizconn1958
They sure as hell don't have ANY singers like Tom nowadays. He's great.
@MisterSpigot95
Just astonishing. One of my all-time favourite songs by anyone, ever.
@tracyannchapel9384
My absolute favorite!!
I love this song! I love to dance to it!!!
@LimerickElvis
this is my favourite song of Tom Jones i rember this as going up as a child My Father used to play it R.i.p Dad never forget you
@bartbarton3082
Another time, another place, a young smile upon my face . Then and now : )
@Robin-Woo
A rare and forgotten song by Burt Bacharach and Hal David.
A vocal obstacle course, attacked at an allegro sprint, through serpentine twists and turns in melodies and dynamics.
Only one peerless Baritone was destined to draw the sword from this stone.
@HercGem
One of my favorite Tom Jones songs! Love it!