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".
Us
Burt Bacharach Lyrics
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Even when there's no one sitting there
But a chair is not a house
And a house is not a home
When there's no one there to hold you tight,
And no one there you can kiss good night.
A room is still a room
But a room is not a house,
And a house is not a home
When the two of us are far apart
And one of us has a broken heart.
Now and then I call your name
And suddenly your face appears
But it's just a crazy game
When it ends it ends in tears.
Darling, have a heart,
Don't let one mistake keep us apart.
I'm not meant to live alone. Turn this house into a home.
When I climb the stair and turn the key,
Oh, please be there still in love with me.
The lyrics to Burt Bacharach's song Us explore the idea that physical objects such as a chair, room or house can be considered as nothing more than inanimate objects without the presence of loved ones. The opening verse, "A chair is still a chair, even when there's no one sitting there, but a chair is not a house, and a house is not a home" portrays this concept quite clearly. The second verse expands on this idea by stating, "A room is still a room, even when there's nothing there but gloom, but a room is not a house, and a house is not a home when the two of us are far apart and one of us has a broken heart."
The chorus speaks directly to the idea of missing someone who is not physically present. The lyrics express the longing for the comfort of being held tight, and the intimacy of kissing good night. The bridge builds on the idea that memories are just a fleeting moment in time, and that the fear of losing someone can be a crazy game, but that ultimately it's a game that ends in tears.
Desperately trying to hold on to the relationship, the singer makes a plea to their lover. The line "Darling, have a heart, don't let one mistake keep us apart" emphasises the power of forgiveness, and the importance of not letting a single mistake ruin everything. The last two lines of the song, "When I climb the stair and turn the key, oh please be there still in love with me" highlights the fear of returning to an empty house with nobody to hold, and the hope that the relationship can be salvaged, and that love can remain.
Line by Line Meaning
A chair is still a chair
An object retains its identity even when it's not being used.
Even when there's no one sitting there
Presence or absence of people doesn't change an object's identity.
But a chair is not a house
A chair doesn't provide what a house does.
And a house is not a home
A house only becomes a home when certain conditions are met.
When there's no one there to hold you tight,
Without affection, a house doesn't feel like a home.
And no one there you can kiss good night.
Without connection, a house doesn't feel like a home.
A room is still a room
A space remains the same irrespective of its contents.
Even when there's nothing there but gloom;
A room retains its identity even when it's full of emptiness.
But a room is not a house,
A room doesn't provide what a house does.
When the two of us far apart
Distance between people affects the very essence of a house.
And one of us has a broken heart.
Physical distancing can cause emotional distress.
Now and then I call your name
Longing for someone's presence might bring up their name.
And suddenly your face appears
Memory can bring a person closer even when they are not around.
But it's just a crazy game
Yearning for someone isn't always rational.
When it ends it ends in tears.
Separation can bring sadness and sorrow.
Darling, have a heart,
A plea for emotional connection.
Don't let one mistake keep us apart.
One mistake shouldn't lead to long-term separation.
I'm not meant to live alone. Turn this house into a home.
A house isn't enough, for human beings need more than just a physical shelter to make a home.
When I climb the stair and turn the key,
Returning home.
Oh, please be there still in love with me.
A desire for affection and love between two people in a relationship.
Writer(s): Bobby Russell, Burt F. Bacharach, Burt Bacharach Copyright: Music Sales Corp. O.B.O. New Hidden Valley Music, New Hidden Valley Music Company
Contributed by Lucy N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Gianni De Poli
I'm never tired to listen this song. It contains and emit an extraordinary energy!
evelyn lee
Beautiful song deserves to be better known. Thanx for posting