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".
Sittin' in a Tree House
Burt Bacharach Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Me and my baby
Up where the whipporills nest all day
We cuddle all night
(in a tree house)
(in a tree house)
Me and my baby
Ask any whipporill and he'll say
We're doin' alright
(in a tree house)
(in a tree house)
When supper is through
I hurry on to
Our maple tree house rendezvous
Soon as I climb the ladder then I'm
Aglow and oh so darn excited
Sittin' in a tree house
Lovin' my baby
Someday we'll marry and settle down
My baby and me
(in a tree house)
(in a tree house)
When supper is through
I hurry on to
Our maple tree house rendezvous
Soon as I climb the ladder then I'm
Aglow and oh so darn excited
(aglow and oh so darn excited)
Sittin' in a tree house
Lovin' my baby
Someday we'll marry and settle down
My baby and me
(in a tree house)
How happy we'll be
(in a tree house)
On top of a tree
(in a tree house)
My baby and me
(in a tree house)
The upbeat and whimsical lyrics of Burt Bacharach's "Sittin' in a Tree House" tell the story of a young couple who have found a magical hideaway in the trees where they can escape and be together. The song describes their romantic adventures in their "maple tree house," where they cuddle all night, kiss "lots of kisses," and dream about their future life together.
The use of the word "whippoorwill," a nocturnal bird, adds a touch of magic to the idyllic setting of the story. The couple's innocence and the song's playful tone give the impression that they are lost in a childlike wonderland where they can explore their love and affection for each other without the pressures and responsibilities of the adult world.
Overall, "Sittin' in a Tree House" is a charming love story that illustrates the simple joys of being with the one you love.
Line by Line Meaning
Sittin' in a tree house
The singer is sitting in a tree house.
Me and my baby
The singer's romantic partner is with them in the tree house.
Up where the whipporills nest all day
The tree house is located near whipporills' nests.
We cuddle all night
The singer and their partner cuddle throughout the night.
(in a tree house)
The tree house is the setting for the entire song.
Kissin' lots of kisses
The singer and their partner are sharing many kisses.
Ask any whipporill and he'll say
The whipporills nearby would confirm the lovers' happiness.
We're doin' alright
The couple is doing well and happy together.
When supper is through
Once dinner is finished.
I hurry on to
The singer quickly goes.
Our maple tree house rendezvous
The couple's meeting place in the tree is a maple tree house.
Soon as I climb the ladder then I'm
The singer is excited as soon as they climb up to the tree house.
Aglow and oh so darn excited
The singer is happy and excited to be with their partner.
Someday we'll marry and settle down
The couple plans to get married and live together permanently.
How happy we'll be
The couple will be very happy together.
On top of a tree
Their home will be at the top of a tree.
My baby and me
The couple will be together.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: BURT BACHARACH, HAL DAVID
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind