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".
Who Are These People
Burt Bacharach Lyrics
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And how did these people get control of our lives
And who started the violence 'cause it's out of control
Make them stop
Who are these people that destroy everything?
And sell off the future for whatever it brings
And what kind of leaders can't admit when they're wrong
This stupid mess we own just keeps getting worse
So many people die indeed in sin
Looks like these lies will inherit the earth
Even pretending to pray and getting away with it
Who are these people that keep telling us lies?
And how did these people get control of our lives
And who started the violence 'cause it's out of control
We got to make them stop
Who are these people that keep telling us lies?
And how did these people get control of our lives
And who started the violence 'cause it's out of control
Make them stop
See things really have to change or we're all fucked
The lyrics to Burt Bacharach's song, "Who Are These People?" speak to a sense of frustration and powerlessness in the face of life's challenges. The song begins by questioning who the people are that keep telling lies and controlling our lives, and who is responsible for the violence that seems to be out of control. The lyrics seem to be calling for accountability and a desire for action to be taken against those who are causing harm and destruction.
The next verse speaks to the destruction of everything and the selling off of the future, again questioning the leadership that cannot admit when they are wrong. The lyrics make a strong call to make them stop, and in the last verse, it speaks to the dire consequences of what will happen if things do not change, saying that we are all "fucked" if they do not. The song is a powerful commentary on the state of society and the need for change and action against those who are causing harm.
Line by Line Meaning
Who are these people that keep telling those lies?
Who are the individuals responsible for constantly sharing false information?
And how did these people get control of our lives
How did these individuals obtain the power to influence our existence?
And who started the violence 'cause it's out of control
Who initiated the brutal acts that are currently beyond our ability to manage?
Make them stop
We must put an end to their actions and prevent further chaos.
Who are these people that destroy everything?
Who are the culprits responsible for the destruction of all things?
And sell off the future for whatever it brings
Why do these individuals sell away the potential for later generations for their own benefit?
And what kind of leaders can't admit when they're wrong
What sort of people in charge refuse to acknowledge their errors?
Make them stop
Their actions must cease, regardless of their motivations.
This stupid mess we own just keeps getting worse
The disastrous situation we are in only ever seems to worsen.
So many people die indeed in sin
Multitudes perish, surely to live as sinners.
Looks like these lies will inherit the earth
It appears that falsehood will be the driving force of our world.
Even pretending to pray and getting away with it
There are even individuals who falsify religious actions and face no accountability.
Who are these people that keep telling us lies?
Who are the individuals continuously spreading misinformation to us?
We got to make them stop
It is our responsibility to halt their wrongdoings for the greater good.
See things really have to change or we're all fucked
It is crucial for improvements to occur, or else we face complete disaster and ruin.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: BURT BACHARACH, BURT F BACHARACH, STEVEN KRIKORIAN, STEVEN M. KRIKORIAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind