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".
Something Big
Burt Bacharach Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That wants to be
A rolling stone
I want to be the man
I'm not
And have the things
I really haven't got
And that's a lot
There'll be joy
And there'll be laughter
Something big is what I'm after now
Yes, it's what I'm after now
After taking, take up giving
Something big is what I'm living for
Yes, it's what I'm living for
Living for
Why do I go on
And fill my life with little things
When there are big things I must do
And lots of dreams
That really should come true
Before I'm through?
There'll be joy
After taking, take up giving
Burt Bacharach's song Something Big talks about the desire to achieve greatness and success in life. In the first verse, Bacharach uses the metaphor of a grain of sand that wants to be a rolling stone to refer to his desires to become someone greater than he currently is. He wishes to be the man he is not and to have the things that he does not currently possess. The second verse emphasizes the need to aim high and to pursue great things in life. Bacharach acknowledges that he fills his life with little things but there are bigger things he must do and dreams that should come true before he dies.
The chorus emphasizes the optimism and hope that come with the pursuit of something big. Bacharach is determined to achieve something great and is excited about the joy and laughter he anticipates as he pursues this dream. He is aware that he needs to give as much as he takes, but the potential of achieving something significant is what keeps him going.
The message behind Something Big is to encourage individuals to strive to achieve greatness in life, regardless of how impossible it might seem. The song highlights the importance of dreaming big and the potential for joy and satisfaction that come with the pursuit of greatness. It serves as a reminder to not get bogged down by the little things and to keep pushing towards bigger things in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Like a grain of sand
Just like a small grain of sand on the beach, I'm tiny and insignificant.
That wants to be
Despite my smallness, I wish to be something more.
A rolling stone
I desire to be constantly moving and changing, never settling down in one place for too long.
I want to be the man
I want to grow and evolve as a person, becoming a better version of myself.
I'm not
But currently, I am not that man, far from it.
And have the things
I want to acquire material possessions and worldly goods.
I really haven't got
Even though I may already possess many things, it's never enough for me.
And that's a lot
I'm never content with what I have and always want more, even if it seems excessive.
There'll be joy
If I can achieve what I want and obtain something big, there'll be happiness and pleasure.
And there'll be laughter
Along with that joy, there will be much laughter, and my spirit will be lifted.
Something big is what I'm after now
I'm currently pursuing something massive, something grandiose.
Yes, it's what I'm after now
There's no doubt about it - this is what I'm chasing.
After taking, take up giving
Once I've gotten what I want, it's important to give back in return.
Something big is what I'm living for
This grand ambition is the driving force that motivates me and keeps me going.
Yes, it's what I'm living for
Every moment of my life is spent in pursuit of this incredible goal.
Why do I go on
Even though I know what's important, sometimes I can't help but continue on this path of mundane, little things.
And fill my life with little things
These small, insignificant things are pervasive and always seem to get in the way of my bigger aspirations.
When there are big things I must do
I have important goals and dreams that I must remember and focus on at all times.
And lots of dreams
I have so many aspirations and dreams, both big and small, that I want to make a reality.
That really should come true
These goals aren't just idle fantasies - they are essential milestones that I must attain in my lifetime.
Before I'm through?
I need to achieve these goals before my journey here on earth is over.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BURT F. BACHARACH, HAL DAVID
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind