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".
What's New Pussycat
Burt Bacharach Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What's new pussycat whoa
Pussycat, pussycat, I've got flowers
And lots of hours to spend time with you
So go and powder your cute little pussycat nose
Pussycat, pussycat, I love you, yes I do
You and your pussycat nose
What's new pussycat whoa
What's new pussycat whoa
Pussycat, pussycat, you're so thrilling
And I'm so willing to care for you
So go and make up your big little pussycat eyes
Pussycat, pussycat, I love you, yes I do
You and your pussycat eyes
What's new pussycat whoa
What's new pussycat whoa
Pussycat, pussycat, you're delicious
And if my wishes can all come true
I'll soon be kissing your sweet little pussycat lips
Pussycat, pussycat, I love you, yes I do
You and your pussycat lips
You and your pussycat eyes
You and your pussycat nose
The song 'What's New Pussycat?' by Burt Bacharach is a playful love song about a charming and attractive woman referred to as a pussycat. The song opens with the repeated line, "What's new pussycat?" which takes the form of a self-talking opening or a greeting to the pussycat. The lyrics express the singer's genuine attraction to the woman, offering her flowers and time, with the repeated statement of his love for her. The lyrics suggest that she is cute, thrilling, and delicious, and that the singer is willing to care for her. Throughout the song, the singer uses various feline descriptions such as "pussycat nose," "pussycat eyes," and "pussycat lips," evocative of someone desirable and playful.
In addition, the use of the word "pussycat" as an affectionate pet name for a loved one was especially popular in the 1960s, the same period the song was released, which adds to the song's nostalgic appeal. 'What's New Pussycat?' is a charming and playful song with catchy and repetitive lyrics and upbeat rhythm, an interesting musical combination for a song with such amorous lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
What's new pussycat whoa
The singer is asking the cat what's new while showing excitement.
Pussycat, pussycat, I've got flowers
The singer is declaring that he has brought flowers for the cat and is ready to spend time with them.
And lots of hours to spend time with you
The singer has plenty of free time and wants to spend it with the cat.
So go and powder your cute little pussycat nose
The singer is telling the cat to go freshen up and look their best.
Pussycat, pussycat, I love you, yes I do
The singer is expressing their love for the cat.
You and your pussycat nose
The singer is admiring the cat's cute little nose.
Pussycat, pussycat, you're so thrilling
The singer finds the cat very exciting.
And I'm so willing to care for you
The singer is expressing their willingness to take care of the cat.
So go and make up your big little pussycat eyes
The singer is telling the cat to go make their eyes look bigger and more beautiful.
Pussycat, pussycat, I love you, yes I do
The singer reinforces their love for the cat.
You and your pussycat eyes
The singer is admiring the cat's beautiful eyes.
Pussycat, pussycat, you're delicious
The singer is using an endearing term to express their love for the cat.
And if my wishes can all come true
The singer is expressing a desire for their wishes to come true.
I'll soon be kissing your sweet little pussycat lips
The singer is expressing the desire to kiss the cat's sweet lips.
You and your pussycat lips
The singer is admiring the cat's lips along with their eyes and nose.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Hal David, Burt Bacharach
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Jimbo895-y3s
Wow! Takes me way back, girls & muscle cars. Thank you!
@milabluelady
Música alegre, tempos vão longe. gostei.
@ramonrubenlopez3613
Buena musica de antes
@Makkoito
Pretty Knees