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 The World Needs Now Is Love
Burt Bacharach Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Its the only thing that there's just to little of,
What the world needs now is love sweet love,
No, not just for some but for everyone,
Lord we don't need another mountain,
There are mountains and hillsides,
Enough to climb
Enough to cross, enough to last till the end of time,
What the world needs now is love sweet love,
Its the only thing that there's just to little of,
What the world needs now is love sweet love,
No, not just for some but for everyone,
Lord, we don't need another meadow,
There are cornfields and wheat fields,
Enough to grow
There are sunbeams and moonbeams,
Enough to shine,
Oh listen lord, if you want to no,
What the world needs now is love sweet love,
Its the only thing that there's just to little of,
What the world needs now is love sweet love,
No, not just for some,
Oh but just for every every everyone
What the world needs now (oh)
Is love sweet love (is love)
What the world needs now (oh)
Is love sweet love (is love)
What the world needs now (oh)
Is love sweet love (is love)
The song What The World Needs Now Is Love by Burt Bacharach is a classic and timeless call for love and compassion that transcends time and space. The lyrics tell us plainly that there is a deficiency of love in this world, and that what is needed is more love, not just for some, but for everyone. The song emphasizes the idea that the world doesn't need more physical things like mountains, meadows, cornfields or wheat fields; what it needs is the intangible essence of love that can heal the world and bring people closer together.
The second verse of the song makes it clear that there are plenty of material things in the world; oceans and rivers, mountains and hillsides, sunbeams and moonbeams - they are all there in abundance. What we lack is love, and it is up to us to share it with each other. The repetition of the chorus, "What the world needs now is love sweet love" drives the message home and emphasizes the magnitude of the need for this essential human emotion. The song is a touching reminder for us to be more loving, compassionate and kind to everyone we encounter in our daily lives.
Line by Line Meaning
What the world needs now is love sweet love
Love is the most important thing the world needs at the moment, particularly due to its scarcity.
Its the only thing that there's just too little of
The world does not have enough love to go around to all those who need it.
No, not just for some but for everyone
Love should not only be given to a select few but to all individuals without exception.
Lord we don't need another mountain
The world has enough challenges we need to overcome besides creating another obstacle for ourselves.
There are mountains and hillsides, enough to climb
There exists a plethora of obstacles we have to face in this world, and we need not create additional ones for ourselves.
There are oceans and rivers enough to cross, enough to last till the end of time
The challenges that we face in this world are immense, but there exist enough resources for us to tackle them until the end of time.
Lord, we don't need another meadow
We do not need more space, we need more love.
There are cornfields and wheat fields enough to grow
The earth has ample space and resources to sustain humanity, so there is no need to create more.
There are sunbeams and moonbeams enough to shine
The world is full of natural beauty, which is sufficient to lift our spirits even in troubled times.
Oh listen lord, if you want to know
The songwriter wants to make it clear that the message is as it seems – everyone needs more love.
Oh but just for every, every, everyone
Love is not partial and should reach every single person, regardless of race, ethnicity, social status, or religion.
What the world needs now (oh)
Love is necessary in this world.
Is love sweet love (is love)
Love is the only way forward for humanity.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Hal David, Burt Bacharach
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@fraserdavidson4226
RIP Burt Bacharach, one of the best songwriters of all time
@chicagosue7510
Another great talent of the era now passed…
@danuhnuhdanuhnuh131
Came here just to play this as soon as I heard.
@Anthonydavis65
@@danuhnuhdanuhnuh131 me too
@brianherrington7226
RIP to a Master songwriter.
@bless7942
It’s what the world needs now today Burt sings his song in memory .
I hope we all listen Thank you Burt!
@peteycrack301
LADIES AND GENTLEMAN MR. BURT BACHARACH!
@indrawij
austin power
@chrischristopher1312
Austin Danger Powers to be precise
@belthazarthedestroyer4371
Oh God the nostalgia