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".
Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head
Burt Bacharach Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And just like the guy whose feet are too big for his bed
Nothin' seems to fit
Those raindrops are falling on my head, they keep falling
So I just did me some talkin' to the sun
And I said I didn't like the way he' got things done
Sleepin' on the job
But there's one thing i know
The blues he sends to meet me won't defeat me
It won't be long 'till happiness steps up to greet me
Raindrops keep falling on my head
But that doesn't mean my eyes will soon be turnin' red
Crying's not for me
'Cause I'm never gonna stop the rain by complainin'
Because I'm free
Nothing's worrying me.
The lyrics to "Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head" by Burt Bacharach describe the experience of feeling weighed down by life's difficulties, symbolized by the falling raindrops. The singer compares his struggles to those of a man with feet that are too big for his bed - a feeling of being out of place and uncomfortable. However, instead of simply complaining about his situation, the singer decides to take action by talking to the sun and expressing his dissatisfaction with the way things are going. This signifies a desire to control his own destiny and create positive change.
Despite the challenges that he faces, the singer refuses to give in to despair. He acknowledges that the "blues" will come to meet him, but asserts that they will not defeat him. He remains optimistic that happiness is just around the corner, waiting to greet him. In the final verse, he declares his freedom from worry and asserts that crying is not the answer to his problems.
Line by Line Meaning
Raindrops keep falling on my head
The singer is experiencing a steady downfall of rain upon their head.
And just like the guy whose feet are too big for his bed
Similar to someone with too big of feet for their bed, nothing seems to fit in the singer's life.
Nothin' seems to fit
The singer is feeling like things in their life are not fitting together well.
Those raindrops are falling on my head, they keep falling
The constant rain continues to fall on the artist's head without relenting.
So I just did me some talkin' to the sun
The artist talks to the sun about their dissatisfaction with the way things are going.
And I said I didn't like the way he' got things done
The singer expresses their dislike of the sun's job performance.
Sleepin' on the job
The singer believes the sun is not doing their job well enough.
Those raindrops are falling on my, head they keep falling
The constant rain continues to fall on the artist's head without relenting.
But there's one thing i know
The artist has something they know to be true.
The blues he sends to meet me won't defeat me
The artist believes they can overcome any sadness that comes their way.
It won't be long 'till happiness steps up to greet me
The singer anticipates happiness to come to them soon.
Raindrops keep falling on my head
The constant rain continues to fall on the artist's head without relenting.
But that doesn't mean my eyes will soon be turnin' red
The singer will not let the rain bring them to tears.
Crying's not for me
The singer does not want to cry.
'Cause I'm never gonna stop the rain by complainin'
The singer understands complaining will not stop the rain.
Because I'm free
The artist is free from worrying about the rain and other problems in their life.
Nothing's worrying me.
The artist is not worried about anything in their life.
Lyrics © Red Smoke Publishing, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Burt F. Bacharach, Hal David
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Pecgbr
Raindrops are falling on my head
And just like the guy whose feet are too big for his bed
Nothing seems to fit
Those raindrops are falling on my head, they keep falling
So I just did me some talking to the sun
And I said I didn't like the way he got things done
Sleeping on the job
Those raindrops are falling on my head, they keep falling
But there's one thing I know
The blues they send to meet me
Won't defeat me, it won't be long
Till happiness steps up to greet me
Raindrops keep falling on my head
But that doesn't mean my eyes will soon be turning red
Crying's not for me
'Cause I'm never gonna stop the rain by complaining
Because I'm free
Nothing's worrying me
It won't be long till happiness steps up to greet me
Raindrops keep falling on my head
But that doesn't mean my eyes will soon be turning red
Crying's not for me
'Cause I'm never gonna stop the rain by complaining
Because I'm free
Nothing's worrying me
@lavalp
One of the finest songwriters of the 20th century. RIP Mr. Bacharach. Thank you for the incredible songs that made the world a better place to live in.
@nancypatiarroy9499
❤
@AvetissovGeorge
🙏🙏🙏
@terrencewilsonpoopoo
Hal David too
@gilbertgouirand1990
Ooo yesss
@mariaeind7597
Ljf😊
@apexmitch7986
I turned 50 today. I remember my mother singing this song to me as a little kid.
@melissawood6943
Same. I'll be 53 Wednesday and my boyfriend bought me the vinyl today. It makes me cry thinking about how fast life has gone by
@townshendshean
I used to sing this with my mom when I was a tiny litte kid. She'd play it on piano and I'd sing. Still love it 50+ years later! Hell, I've been playing guitar for 46 years now...maybe I should record my own version just for fun LOL!!
@todd4335
I'm 58 and exact same. She loves don Williams also.