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".
Waiting For Charlie
Burt Bacharach Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bring me all the love I need
Waiting for Charlie to come home
Bring me his lips, his wild hungry arms
And all of the love that I need
I said a lot of things to him I didn't mean to say
Instead of holding him close to me I drove him far away
And I don't really believe that he wants to come back to me anymore
And I'm waiting for Charlie to come home
And bring me all the love I need
Waiting for Charlie to come home
Bring me his lips, his wild hungry arms
And all of the love that I need
In Burt Bacharach's song "Waiting For Charlie," the singer expresses longing and desperation for the return of a person named Charlie. The lyrics convey a deep yearning for love and affection, as the singer believes that Charlie is the source of the love they require. The repeated line "Waiting for Charlie to come home" emphasizes the anticipation and eagerness for their presence and the love they bring.
The singer reflects on their past actions, realizing that they said hurtful things to Charlie that they didn't mean. Instead of cherishing their relationship and keeping Charlie close, they unknowingly pushed them away, causing them to leave. The singer now regrets their actions, feeling like a fool for letting happiness slip away. They doubt if Charlie still wants to reconcile and return to them.
Overall, the song captures the feeling of loneliness and longing for a lost love. It highlights the singer's willingness to wait indefinitely for Charlie, believing that their love will bring the fulfillment and happiness they can't find elsewhere.
Line by Line Meaning
Waiting for Charlie to come home
Anticipating Charlie's return, yearning for his presence and the fulfillment of my emotional needs
Bring me all the love I need
Provide me with the affection and emotional support I require
Waiting for Charlie to come home
Longing for Charlie's arrival, longing for his passionate kisses, and his embracing arms
Bring me his lips, his wild hungry arms
Grant me the passionate, intimate connection and the strong embrace I desire from Charlie
And all of the love that I need
And fulfill all the emotional love and care that is necessary for my happiness
I said a lot of things to him I didn't mean to say
I expressed hurtful words and regrets to Charlie that I didn't truly intend
Instead of holding him close to me I drove him far away
Rather than embracing him and keeping him close, my actions pushed him away and distanced us emotionally
Here am I the fool who let happiness walk out the door, no
The regretful realization of my foolishness, allowing happiness to leave my life by my own actions
And I don't really believe that he wants to come back to me anymore
I have doubts and lack faith in the possibility of Charlie's desire to return to me
And I'm waiting for Charlie to come home
Continuing to eagerly await Charlie's return, yearning for his presence and the love he brings
And bring me all the love I need
And provide me with the affection and emotional support that I require to feel complete
Waiting for Charlie to come home
Longing for Charlie's arrival, longing for his passionate kisses, and his embracing arms
Bring me his lips, his wild hungry arms
Grant me the passionate, intimate connection and the strong embrace I desire from Charlie
And all of the love that I need
And fulfill all the emotional love and care that is necessary for my happiness
Lyrics © BOURNE CO., BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: B. BACHARACH, B. HILLARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Elizabeth Storino
Amo Burt Bacharach, suas musicas, sua voz rouca e linda. As letras de suas musicas são penetrantes para a alma.
Será o MITO de todos os tempos ele também é lindo!
Sua banda, O que dá uma magia são os instrumentos de sopro, são mágicos!
Jas Pez
Who is the singer? Is it Trijntje?