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".
Whoever You Are
Burt Bacharach Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Although I know they're really green.
I seem to see you dif-f'rent-ly;
Changing as I'm treated kindly,
or treated meanly.
From moment to moment
you're two different people,
Faithful and warm, when I'm in your arms,
You're so untrue.
But
How-ever you are,
Deep down whatever you are,
Whoever you are, I love you.
Sometimes, I feel you're mine alone,
And yet I'm sure it's just not so.
I get this feeling on my own;
After I learn if you're staying,
or if you're going.
From moment to moment
You're two dif-f'rent people,
Someone I know as the man I love,
Or the man I wish
I never knew.
But
However you are,
Deep down whatever you are,
Whoever you are, I love you.
The lyrics of Burt Bacharach's song "Whoever You Are" recount a complex relationship dynamic, with the narrating protagonist experiencing the personal transformation of his or her partner. The opening lines describe the singer's perception of their partner's eyes changing between blue and green, suggesting that the way their partner sees the world is in constant flux. This indecision is extended to the partner's personality, which is described as transitioning from a faithful and warm lover to an untruthful one, based on the singer's treatment.
The singer's difficulty in ascribing a consistent identity to their partner is further highlighted in the second verse. Despite feeling like their partner is "mine alone" at times, they admit that they cannot be sure if that is truly the case. The crux of the matter is the uncertainty of their partner's intentions - they never know if their partner is staying or leaving, which leads to a sense of disorientation.
Overall, the song paints a picture of a relationship that is inherently volatile, with the singer struggling to understand their partner's core identity. The message seems to be that despite the constant changes and uncertainties, the singer loves their partner regardless of who they are deep down.
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes your eyes look blue to me,
At times I see a different version of you than the one I know to be true.
Although I know they're really green.
Despite knowing who you truly are, I still see something else in you.
I seem to see you dif-f'rent-ly;
My perception of you changes depending on how you treat me.
Changing as I'm treated kindly,or treated meanly.
You become a different person depending on how I am treated by you.
From moment to moment you're two different people,
You have two sides to you that are constantly at odds with one another.
Faithful and warm, when I'm in your arms,
You are capable of being loving and affectionate when we are together.
And then, when you leave, You're so untrue.
But when you are not with me, you are unfaithful and deceptive.
But How-ever you are,
Despite everything I have said before,
Deep down whatever you are,
Regardless of the different versions of you that I see,
Whoever you are, I love you.
I love you for who you truly are, even if I see different versions of you at different times.
Sometimes, I feel you're mine alone,
Occasionally I feel a sense of exclusivity in our love.
And yet I'm sure it's just not so.
But I know deep down that my feelings are not entirely accurate.
I get this feeling on my own;
This feeling arises without any external factors influencing it.
After I learn if you're staying,or if you're going.
The feeling intensifies depending on whether you will stay or leave.
From moment to moment You're two dif-f'rent people,
Just as before, you fluctuate between different versions of yourself.
Someone I know as the man I love,
During your loving moments, you are the man I am in love with.
Or the man I wish I never knew.
But during your unfaithful moments, I wish I had never met you.
But However you are,
Despite all of this,
Deep down whatever you are,
Regardless of the different versions of you that I see,
Whoever you are, I love you.
I love you for who you truly are, even if I see different versions of you at different times.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: BURT F. BACHARACH, HAL DAVID
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind