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".
Promises
Burt Bacharach Lyrics
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I'm all through with promises, promises now
I don't know how I got the nerve to walk out
If I shout, remember I feel free
Now I can look at myself and be proud
I'm laughing out loud
Oh, promises, promises
I don't pretend that what was wrong can be right
Every night I sleep now, no more lies
Things that I promised myself fell apart
But I found my heart
Oh, promises, their kind of promises, can just destroy a life
Oh, promises, those kind of promises, take all the joy from life
Oh, promises, promises, my kind of promises
Can lead to joy and hope and love
Yes, love!!
Every night I sleep now, no more lies
Things that I promised myself fell apart
But I found my heart
Oh, promises, their kind of promises can just destroy a life
Oh, promises, those kind of promises take all the joy from life
Oh, promises, promises, my kind of promises
Can lead to joy and hope and love
Yes, love!!
The lyrics to Burt Bacharach's "Promises" describe a person who has reached the end of their patience with promises made by another. The singer has finally gained the courage to walk away from these empty promises, and if they shout in frustration, it is because they are finally feeling free. The lyrics also express that the promises made were destructive to the singer's life, and in the end, they found joy, hope, and love through their own promises.
The repetition of the phrase "promises, promises" throughout the song emphasizes the betrayal felt by the singer. They have been let down time and time again, and now they are done with empty words. The line "I'm all through with promises, promises now" shows that the singer has reached their breaking point and is ready to move on. The shift in tone from frustration to joy in the last verse shows that the singer has found peace and happiness by making their own promises and living up to them.
Overall, the lyrics to "Promises" are a powerful expression of the pain caused by broken promises, as well as the freedom and happiness that can be found by making and keeping promises to oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
Promises, promises
Repeating the word 'promises' implies a sense of frustration or disappointment with unfulfilled commitments made by people.
I'm all through with promises, promises now
The singer has decided they are no longer willing to make or accept empty promises that are unlikely to be kept or fulfilled.
I don't know how I got the nerve to walk out
The singer is surprised and questioning their own decision to leave a situation where they were being burdened with false or unfulfilled promises.
If I shout, remember I feel free
The artist is asserting their newfound freedom to express their emotions openly, possibly because they no longer feel obligated to maintain a facade of positivity or hopefulness in the face of unfulfilled promises.
Now I can look at myself and be proud
The artist has regained a sense of self-respect and confidence by asserting their right to expect and demand fulfilled promises, and acting on that expectation.
I'm laughing out loud
The singer is experiencing a sense of joy or relief at having liberated themselves from the burden of unfulfilled promises.
Oh, promises, promises
Repeating the word 'promises' again implies disillusionment or frustration with the concept of promises in general, which have likely caused the singer pain or disappointment in the past.
This is where those promises, promises end
The artist is affirming that they are done with making or accepting empty promises, and that any future commitments will have to be genuine and reliable.
I don't pretend that what was wrong can be right
The artist is acknowledging that some things cannot be fixed or resolved, especially when they involve broken or unfulfilled promises, and that acceptance is sometimes the only option.
Every night I sleep now, no more lies
The artist is expressing a sense of peace or contentment at no longer having to lie to themselves or others in order to accept unfulfilled promises or maintain a sense of hope.
Things that I promised myself fell apart
The singer is admitting that their own aspirations or expectations have not been fulfilled, possibly because they relied on others to keep their promises or because they made unrealistic promises to themselves.
But I found my heart
Despite the disappointment or disillusionment with promises, the artist has rediscovered their own sense of emotional clarity or sincerity, which is more reliable than any external promise.
Oh, promises, their kind of promises can just destroy a life
The singer is cautioning against the dangers of false or unfulfilled promises, which can cause significant harm or damage to one's mental or emotional wellbeing.
Oh, promises, those kind of promises take all the joy from life
Repeating the warning against unfulfilled promises, the singer emphasizes how they can erode one's sense of joy or hope, making life feel bleak or unbearable.
Oh, promises, promises, my kind of promises
The singer is distinguishing between meaningless promises that are easily broken or forgotten, and genuine promises that are backed by sincerity and commitment.
Can lead to joy and hope and love
The artist asserts that promises can be a source of fulfillment, joy, and warmth, as long as they are genuine and kept with sincerity.
Yes, love
The artist affirms that genuine, heartfelt promises can be an expression of love, trust, and mutual respect, which can be a source of immense happiness and strength.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, ONErpm
Written by: HAL DAVID, BURT F. BACHARACH, BURT BACHARACH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind