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".
only love can break a heart
Burt Bacharach Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Only love can mend it again
Last night i hurt you
But darling
Remember this
Only love can break a heart
You know i'm sorry
I'll prove it
With just one kiss
Give me a chance to make up for the harm i've done
Try to forgive me, and let's keep
The two of us one
Please let me hold you
And love you
For always and always
Only love can break a heart
Only love can mend it again
Only love can break a heart
Only love can mend it again
The lyrics of Burt Bacharach's "Only Love Can Break a Heart" are a heartfelt apology from the singer to his lover after causing her pain. He admits to hurting her the night before and acknowledges that only love has the power to both break and mend a heart. He regrets the harm he has caused and pledges to make it up to her, asking for forgiveness and the chance to continue their love as one. The song ultimately conveys a message of the transformative power of love in the face of heartbreak.
The lyrics are simple yet poignant, expressing the universal emotions of remorse and the power of love to heal. The song was first recorded in 1962 by Gene Pitney and became a hit with his signature soaring vocals. The song has since been covered by numerous artists, including Tom Jones and Dionne Warwick.
Line by Line Meaning
Only love can break a heart
Heartbreak is a consequence of love, nothing else has the power or the significance to inflict that wound.
Only love can mend it again
The only thing capable of soothing that hurt and restoring the heart to fullness is also love.
Last night i hurt you
I was responsible for causing you pain and distress in the recent past.
But darling
However, my dear,
Remember this
Please keep in mind and don't forget that
You know i'm sorry
I feel remorseful and apologetic for my wrongdoings
I'll prove it
I promise to act differently in the future as the greatest testimony to my repentance.
With just one kiss
A single expression of my love should suffice to show my sincerity.
Give me a chance to make up for the harm i've done
I want an opportunity to rectify my mistake and prove my worth.
Try to forgive me, and let's keep
Please attempt to forgive me, and remain
The two of us one
United as a pair indefinitely.
Please let me hold you
Permit me to embrace you affectionately.
And love you
And express my affection towards you
For always and always
Without any end or cessation in our love.
Only love can break a heart
Heartbreak is a consequence of love, nothing else has the power or the significance to inflict that wound.
Only love can mend it again
The only thing capable of soothing that hurt and restoring the heart to fullness is also love.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: HAL DAVID, BURT F. BACHARACH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
boomerang905
Never knew Mr. Bacharach had a hand in this song. So nice. Thanks for sharing. He did things for Marlene Dietrich as well.
Frances Coluccino-Monroe
Love it!
Dbky Here
So beautiful 😍