"Alfie" is a song written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David in 1965. "Alfie" … Read Full Bio ↴"Alfie" is a song written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David in 1965. "Alfie" would not become a Top 15 hit in the US until the summer of 1967 when Dionne Warwick, the most prolific interpreter of Bacharach/David compositions and the composers' original choice to cut the song, took it to No.15 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 5 on the Billboard R & B Singles Chart. Introduced on the December 1966 album release Here Where There Is Love, Warwick's version of "Alfie" had been an impromptu addition to a recording session at A&R Studio in New York City whose scheduled tracks had been completed early; Scepter Records A&R man Steve Tyrell suggested to Burt Bacharach that the booked time remaining be put to use by having Warwick record a version of "Alfie". Warwick, though feeling it pointless to increase the song's massive cover version count (there were by then some forty-two recorded versions of the song), was persuaded to record the song cutting her vocal in a single take.

Although the "Alfie" track on Here Where There Is Love began receiving radio airplay as early as January 1967, the track was not issued as a single until March 1967 and then as the intended B-side of "The Beginning of Loneliness"; however disc jockeys preferred "Alfie" and the track began to ascend the Billboard Hot 100 in April 1967, with a major assist from Warwick's performing "Alfie" on the 39th Academy Awards ceremony television broadcast of April 10, 1967. Billboard's year end tally of the biggest Pop hits of 1967 ranked "Alfie" at No.44 in a Top 50 composed otherwise of Top Ten hits.

Alfie
Dionne Warwick Lyrics

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What's it all about, Alfie?
Is it just for the moment we live?
What's it all about when you sort it out, Alfie?
Are we meant to take more than we give?
Or are we meant to be kind?

And if only fools are kind, Alfie
Then I guess it is wise to be cruel

And if life belongs only to the strong, Alfie
What will you lend on an old golden rule?

As sure as I believe there's a heaven above, Alfie
I know there's something much more
Something even non-believers can believe in

I believe in love, Alfie
Without true love we just exist, Alfie
Until you find the love you've missed you're nothing, Alfie
When you walk, let your heart lead the way

And you'll find love any day, Alfie
Alfie

Overall Meaning

Dionne Warwick's song "Alfie" is a poignant and thought-provoking ballad that encourages the titular character to ponder the meaning and purpose of life. The lyrics suggest that life is not about accumulating material possessions or taking more than one gives but about being kind and finding true love. The song questions whether it is wiser to be cruel or kind, and whether life belongs only to the strong. Warwick's character encourages Alfie to find his own way and to follow his heart to find true love, and thus the meaning and purpose of his life.

Line by Line Meaning

What's it all about, Alfie?
Alfie, what is the true and essential meaning of life?

Is it just for the moment we live?
Do we only live in the present moment, without regard for the future or the past?

What's it all about when you sort it out, Alfie?
Once you make sense of things, Alfie, what is left at the core of life?

Are we meant to take more than we give, or are we meant to be kind?
Is life about pursuing selfish interests and taking more than we give, or should we prioritize showing kindness to others?

And if only fools are kind, Alfie Then I guess it is wise to be cruel
If showing kindness makes one a fool, then perhaps it is better to be unkind.

And if life belongs only to the strong, Alfie What will you lend on an old golden rule?
If life only favors those who are strong and dominant, Alfie, then what value does the traditional rule of treating others as you would like to be treated hold?

As sure as I believe there's a heaven above, Alfie I know there's something much more, Something even non-believers can believe in I believe in love, Alfie
Although I believe in heaven, Alfie, I also know there's something else that is just as important, even for those who do not believe in supernatural forces: love.

Without true love we just exist, Alfie
Life without genuine love is merely an existence, not truly living.

Until you find the love you've missed you're nothing, Alfie
If you have not experienced love, Alfie, you are missing a vital aspect of life and will not feel fulfilled.

When you walk let your heart lead the way And you'll find love any day, Alfie
If you follow your heart, Alfie, you will eventually find love.

Alfie
The song ends with a repetition of your name, Alfie.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Burt Bacharach, Hal David

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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