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".
The Best That You Can Do
Burt Bacharach Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Someone who turns your heart around
And next thing you know
You're closing down the town
Wake up and it's still with you
Even though you left her way across town
Wonderin' to yourself
Hey what have i found
When you get caught
Between the moon and new york city
I know it's crazy but it's true
If you get caught
Between the moon and new york city
The best that you can do
The best that you can do
Is fall in love
Arthur, he does as he pleases
All of his life his master's toys
And deep in his heart he's just
He's just a boy
Living his life one day at a time
He's showing himself a pretty good time
He's laughing about the way
They want him to be
Burt Bacharach's "The Best That You Can Do," made famous by the film "Arthur," encapsulates the transformative power of love and the bittersweet nature of human connections. The opening lines present a universal theme: the experience of finding someone who truly resonates with you. This person is portrayed as a catalyst for change, with the phrase "turns your heart around" suggesting that love can rejuvenate and redirect one's emotions. This transformative experience is powerful enough to cause a significant shift in perspective, as indicated by the metaphor of "closing down the town." When someone captures your heart, it can feel like the world outside has dimmed, and all that matters is the connection formed with that special person. The complexity of human emotions is reflected as the singer acknowledges that even if they leave this person behind physically, the feelings and memories continue to linger—leading to introspection about the true nature of their experience and the depth of their discovery.
The song’s refrain introduces a yearning for love that becomes even more pronounced amidst the chaos of life, with the juxtaposition of "between the moon and New York City" serving as a metaphor for feeling caught in a whirlwind of emotions. The moon, often associated with romance and dreams, contrasts sharply with the hustle and bustle of New York City, a setting known for its fast-paced environment and relentless pursuit of success. This juxtaposition suggests that despite the demands and distractions of modern life, the quest for love remains a fundamental desire. The singer acknowledges the seemingly irrational nature of this predicament, encapsulating the struggle between longing for deep emotional connections and the complexities that life throws in one’s path. The concluding line of the refrain—"the best that you can do is fall in love"—serves as a poignant reminder that even amid chaos, embracing love can be the most fulfilling and authentic choice one can make.
As the narrative shifts to Arthur, a character living on his terms, we’re offered another viewpoint on love and life. Arthur's existence is characterized by a carefree attitude, seemingly enjoying the privileges and pleasures afforded to him by wealth ("his master's toys"). Yet, this surface-level indulgence conceals his deeper emotional state. The phrase "deep in his heart he's just a boy" emphasizes Arthur's vulnerability and innocence; despite living an extravagant lifestyle, he retains a longing for simpler joys and genuine human connection. This dichotomy reflects a theme often present in Bacharach’s work—despite external appearances, inner feelings can be profound and complex. Through this contrast, the lyrics invite listeners to reflect on their own lives, pondering the balance between societal expectations and the personal quest for happiness.
Ultimately, the song underscores a fundamental truth about love and life: it is often messy, complicated, and filled with contradictions. Whether it’s the enchanting feelings associated with newfound love or the reluctant acceptance of one’s own emotional journey, both identity and relationships are shaped by our experiences. The lyricist’s masterful use of vivid imagery and relatable scenarios allows listeners to feel deeply connected to both characters—the one searching for love and the one living with the consequences of choices made. Bacharach’s music, combined with poignant lyrics, brings to life the notion that amidst any turmoil, falling in love might be the ultimate resolution, suggesting that this act is both a source of joy and inner peace in a world often fraught with challenges. In this way, the song resonates with anyone who has ever felt swept away by love or grappling with their own identity amidst societal expectations.
Line by Line Meaning
Once in your life you will find her
At some point in your existence, you will encounter a person who profoundly impacts your emotional state.
Someone who turns your heart around
A person who has the power to completely change your feelings and perspective on love and life.
And next thing you know
Before you realize it,
You're closing down the town
You become so consumed by this relationship that it feels as if your world has shrunk to just the two of you, making everything else fade away.
Wake up and it's still with you
You arise each day carrying the emotional impact of this relationship within you.
Even though you left her way across town
Despite the physical distance between you and her, the feelings you have for her remain ever-present.
Wonderin' to yourself
You find yourself pondering internally,
Hey what have i found
You question what this enchanting experience truly is and what significance it holds in your life.
When you get caught
When you find yourself ensnared or trapped in a situation,
Between the moon and new york city
Caught in the midst of the dreamlike and the hustle of urban life, representing the juxtaposition of longing and reality.
I know it's crazy but it's true
It may seem irrational, yet the reality of love's complexities resonates deeply.
If you get caught
If you find yourself ensnared in this emotional dilemma again,
Between the moon and new york city
In that same space of conflicting dreams and realities,
The best that you can do
The most rewarding and fulfilling choice you can make in such a circumstance,
The best that you can do
The optimum response to this emotional turmoil is to embrace love.
Is fall in love
Ultimately, this leads to the realization that allowing yourself to love is the greatest outcome you can hope for.
Arthur, he does as he pleases
Arthur lives his life according to his own desires and whims, unaffected by external expectations.
All of his life his master's toys
Throughout his life, he has mostly engaged with superficial pleasures and distractions, serving what others deem worthy.
And deep in his heart he's just
Yet, beneath it all, he's simply someone seeking authenticity in his emotions.
He's just a boy
At his core, he retains a youthful innocence and the fundamental desires of love and understanding.
Living his life one day at a time
He approaches existence with a day-to-day mindset, focusing on the present rather than the future.
He's showing himself a pretty good time
Arthur is managing to find joy and amusement in his current circumstances.
He's laughing about the way
He finds humor in how life unfolds around him,
They want him to be
Even as others try to impose their expectations and ideals of who he should become.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Burt Bacharach, Christopher Cross, Peter Woolnough Allen, Carole Bayer Sager
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MR-gx3gc
I heard the song on the radio a few weeks ago and I realized that such a masterpiece does not seem to have been composed in the past decades.
The melody, vocals and arrangement testify to the fact that true artists were at work in the production.
Art has the task of beautifying the world and enriching it with timelessly beautiful melodies, and not creating even more chaos and noise.
Christopher Cross has lived up to this maxim with this musical masterpiece.
I would like to express my appreciation for this extraordinary achievement.
@josephpadilla8110
80's is the best for all times!
@iriantosafari9583
No arguments there
@hectorguajardo-kt3xi
Desde luego ✋
@EdmundGomez-j4p
Yess
@lfleck1
Wish I could like your comment a thousand times! 😅
@arsenelupiniii8040
Agreed, the 90s were pretty good as well, but not that 80's magic!
@michaelmann8800
Proof that a song can be simple and elegant and UTTERLY TIMELESS. There is a reason it won the Oscar for Best Original Song.
@LisaLisa-2023
Each time I listen to this Academy winner, its like listening to it for the first time, again. 🤩🤩🤩
@GloriaBerbia-ru5oe
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
@junjunhernandez4976
O@@GloriaBerbia-ru5oe