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".
Tower Of Strength
Burt Bacharach Lyrics
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I'd look in your eyes and here's what I'd say
"I don't want you, I don't need you, I don't love you anymore"
And I'd walk out that door
You'd be down on your knees
You'd be calling to me
But a tower of a-strength is a-something
If I were a tower of strength, I'd watch you cry
I'd laugh at your tears and tell you goodbye
"I don't want you, I don't need you, I don't love you anymore"
And I'd walk out that door
You'd be down on your knees
You'd be calling to me
But a tower of a-strength is a-something
I'll never be
"I don't want you, I don't a-need you, I don't love you anymore"
And I'd walk out that door
You'd be down on your knees, ah-huh
You'd be calling to me
But a tower of a-strength is a-something
I'll never be
Burt Bacharach's Tower Of Strength is a song about a person who wishes they were a "tower of strength." The idea of the "tower of strength" is used metaphorically throughout the song to symbolize a person who is emotionally strong and able to easily walk away from a difficult situation. The singer implies in the song that they are not emotionally strong like a tower of strength and therefore unable to walk away from someone they no longer want.
The song begins with the singer saying if they were a tower of strength, they'd easily walk away from their partner. They would tell them they don't want them, need them or love them anymore, and walk out the door. The singer seems to be saying that ideally they would be able to be strong enough to end the relationship, but they don't have the emotional strength to do so.
In the second verse, the singer sings about laughing at their partner's tears, further emphasizing their inability to be a tower of strength. The song ends with the repetition of the chorus, highlighting the singer's lack of strength and their partner's need for them.
In summary, Burt Bacharach's Tower Of Strength is a song about the human frailties of the singer against the ideal of attaining an unattainable emotional strength likened to a tower that can withstand anything. The song emphasizes that sometimes, people are not emotionally strong enough to end a difficult relationship, and they end up staying despite their waning love.
Line by Line Meaning
If I had the power to be strong enough to leave you, I would do so without hesitation
I would confront you and let you know that I have fallen out of love with you
I would no longer want you, need you or love you
I would leave through the door without a backward glance
You would be devastated and pleading with me on your knees
But I know I could never be the kind of person who could easily abandon their loved one
If only I could be strong enough to detach myself from you, I would watch you suffer as you cry
I would take joy in seeing your tears and tell you goodbye
I would state that I no longer want you, need you, or love you
I would not hesitate to walk out of your life
You would be shattered and begging for me to stay
But I could never be the type of person who could easily abandon their loved one
I would clearly convey that I no longer have any feelings for you
It would be the end of us
You would be struck down by grief and begging me to stay
But I know I could never be the kind of person who could easily abandon their loved one
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, BOURNE CO., Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: BURT BACHARACH, BOB HILLIARD, BURT F. BACHARACH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind