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".
That's What Friends Are For
Burt Bacharach Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And as far as I'm concerned
I'm glad I got the chance to say
That I do believe I love you
And if I should ever go away
Well, then close your eyes and try
To feel the way we do today
Keep smiling, keep shining
Knowing you can always count on me
For sure
That's what friends are for
For good times and bad times
I'll be on your side forever more
That's what friends are for
I never thought I'd feel this way
Well you came and opened me
And now there's so much more I see
And so, by the way, I thank you
And then for the times when we're apart
Well, then close your eyes and know
These words are coming from my heart
And then if you can remember
Keep smiling, keep shining
Knowing you can always count on me
For sure
That's what friends are for
In good times and bad times
I'll be on your side forevermore
That's what friends are for
The lyrics to Burt Bacharach's song That's What Friends Are For are a beautiful tribute to true friendship. The singer expresses his unexpected love and gratitude for his friend, who has brought so much joy and perspective into his life. The singer acknowledges that he never thought he would feel this way about anyone, but his friend has opened his eyes to what true friendship is all about. This acknowledgement is quite powerful as it illustrates the depth of their friendship and how much it means to him.
The song goes on to highlight that no matter what happens, their friendship will always endure. The singer implores his friend to keep smiling and shining, knowing that he can always count on the singer to be there for him in good times and bad. The line "For sure, that's what friends are for" encapsulates the entire message of the song. No matter what happens in life, true friends will always have each others' backs.
Overall, That's What Friends Are For is a beautiful tribute to the power of friendship. The lyrics and melody capture the essence of what it means to be a true friend and the importance of having these relationships in our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
And I never thought I'd feel this way
I never expected to have such strong feelings for you
And as far as I'm concerned
Speaking for myself
I'm glad I got the chance to say
I'm grateful that I can express my love for you
That I do believe I love you
I truly believe that I love you
And if I should ever go away
If I ever have to leave
Well, then close your eyes and try
If that happens, just think back on our time together
To feel the way we do today
To remember the way we feel right now
And then if you can remember
If you can recall
Keep smiling, keep shining
Stay happy and successful
Knowing you can always count on me
Remember that you can rely on me
For sure
Without doubt
That's what friends are for
This is what true friends do for each other
For good times and bad times
Through thick and thin
I'll be on your side forever more
I will always be here for you
That's what friends are for
This is what true friends do for each other
I never thought I'd feel this way
I never expected to have such strong feelings for you
Well you came and opened me
You helped me become a better person
And now there's so much more I see
I see the world in a different way
And so, by the way, I thank you
By the way, I want to express my gratitude to you
And then for the times when we're apart
When we're not together
Well, then close your eyes and know
Just remember
These words are coming from my heart
I truly mean what I'm saying
And then if you can remember
If you can recall
Keep smiling, keep shining
Stay happy and successful
Knowing you can always count on me
Remember that you can rely on me
For sure
Without doubt
That's what friends are for
This is what true friends do for each other
In good times and bad times
Through thick and thin
I'll be on your side forevermore
I will always be here for you
That's what friends are for
This is what true friends do for each other
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Burt Bacharach, Carole Sager
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jose Ignacio Trejo Montes
And I never thought I'd feel this way
And as far as I'm concerned
I'm glad I got the chance to say
That I do believe I love you
And if I should ever go away
Well then close your eyes and try
To feel the way we do today
And then if you can remember
Keep smilin' keep shinin'
Knowing you can always count on me for sure
That's what friends are for
For good times and bad times
I'll be on your side forever more
That's what friends are for
Well you came and opened me
And now there's so much more I see
And so by the way I thank you
And then for the times when we're apart
Well then close your eyes and know
These words are coming from my heart
And then if you can remember
Keep smilin' keep shinin'
Knowing you can always count on me for sure
That's what friends are for
For good times and bad times
I'll be on your side forever more
That's what friends are for
Nade Rahma
And I never thought I'd feel this way
And as far as I'm concerned
I'm glad I got the chance to say
That I do believe, I love you
And if I should ever go away
Well, then close your eyes and try
To feel the way we do today
And then if you can remember
Keep smiling, keep shining
Knowing you can always count on me, for sure
That's what friends are for
For good times and bad times
I'll be on your side forever more
That's what friends are for
Well, you came in loving me
And now there's so much more I see
And so by the way
I thank you
Oh and then for the times when we're apart
Well, then close your eyes and know
The words are coming from my heart
And then if you can remember
Keep smiling and keep shining
Knowing you can always count on me, for sure
That's what friends
Jenny May
This is SO soothing and absolutely beautiful combination of voice and guitar.. Ooooo. Love it.
Chaiyut Sricharoen
This is definitely one of the best version of this song ...beautiful
goinxnginx
Trijntje Oosterhuis is simply one of the all time best pop vocalists in the entire world. She can adapt to any style, any genre...and her voice dives deeply into listener's heart and usually causes at least one of every five listeners to cry. That one in five would be me. I heard her about seven years ago, and knew immediately that she was my favorite. She is also one of the rare performers who can sing Bacharach and do it perfectly. She did a project with the Clayton-Hamilton Orchestra a few years back, and it is amazing, but then, all of her work is amazing. My bucket list includes a front row seat for one of her concerts. My "impossible fantasy dream list" includes getting to sing a duet with her in a recording studio in Amsterdam.
Helen Bee
To have this gift of song, to create magic with your voice, must be a truly phenomenal feeling.
Tommy
My late mother used to say, “Everybody is born with a gift, some people tap into it and others never do” R.I.P. mom.
Derek Chin
Incredible. So clear and on pitch...beautiful voice and accompaniment. This is now my favorite version of this song, then Rod Stewart's, then Dionne Warwick's.
Nicolas Giusti - Operissimae
Trijntje Oosterhuis, you are one of the best singer all time!
Music By Zenobia
A very special interpretation of this song. What a voice! Thanks for sharing.
aawillemsen
Burt always choose THE best singers to Sing his songs. This is perfection ❤️
joão xico
Such an awesome rendition of this classic song!!!