John Barry, OBE (3 November 1933 - 30 January 2011), born John Barry Prende… Read Full Bio ↴John Barry, OBE (3 November 1933 - 30 January 2011), born John Barry Prendergast in York, UK is considered one of the "Big Four" of late 20th century film composers (the others being John Williams, Jerry Goldsmith, and Henry Mancini).

His family was in the cinema business, but it was during his National Service that he began performing as a musician. After taking a correspondence course and arranging for some of the bands of the day, he formed The John Barry Seven. Barry then met Adam Faith, and composed songs and film scores on the singer's behalf.

It was this notoriety that caught the attention of the producers of Dr. No, who were dissatisfied with the score given to them by Monty Norman. Barry and the JB7 were hired and their recording of Norman's "James Bond Theme" would go on to be one of the most famous signature tunes in film history.

This would be the turning point for Barry, as he would go on to become one of the most celebrated film composers of modern times, winning five Academy Awards and four Grammys, with such memorable scores as The Lion in Winter, Midnight Cowboy, Out of Africa, and Dances with Wolves.

Barry is often cited as having had a distinct style which concentrated on lush strings and extensive use of brass. However, he was also an innovator, being one of the first to employ synthesizers in a film score (On Her Majesty's Secret Service), and to make wide use of pop artists and original songs in Midnight Cowboy.

Living in his native England until the mid 1970s, Barry spent some time in Spain (for tax purposes) before spending much of his life in the United States, mainly in Oyster Bay, outside of New York.

Barry died of a heart attack on 30 January 2011, at his Oyster Bay home, aged 77 years.

Alone In The Night
John Barry Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

In the still of the night
As I gaze out of my window
At the moon in it's flight
My thoughts all stray, stray to you

In the still of the night
While the world lies in slumber
Oh the times without number

When I say to you

Do you love me
Just like I love you
Are you my life to be
That dream come true
Or will this dream of mine
Will it fade way out of sight

Just like that moon growing dim

Way out on the rim of the hill
In the still of the night

Overall Meaning

These lyrics from John Barrowman's song "In the Still of the Night" are a contemplation of love and longing. The night time creates a peaceful and introspective mood, allowing the singer to reflect on their thoughts of a person they love. As they gaze out of their window and see the moon in its flight, their thoughts stray to this person. The stillness of the night contrasts with the restlessness of their mind as they yearn for clarity about their feelings.

The next stanza extends this contemplation to a question of the other person's feelings. While the world is asleep, they ponder whether this person loves them as they love them. Ultimately, the singer is searching for reassurance that their love is reciprocated, asking if this person is the fulfillment of the dream they have had. The final line of the song compares the potential fading away of this dream to the dimming of the moon on the horizon.

Overall, these lyrics perfectly capture the essence of nighttime reflection and the uncertainty of love. They convey the vulnerability and insecurity that comes with being emotionally invested in someone, but also the hope that this love will be returned.

Line by Line Meaning

In the still of the night
During the quiet hours of the night

As I gaze out of my window
Looking out of my window

At the moon in it's flight
Watching the moon move across the sky

My thoughts all stray, stray to you
I can't help but think of you

While the world lies in slumber
While everyone else is asleep

Oh the times without number
Countless times

When I say to you
When I ask you

Do you love me
Do you have feelings for me

Just like I love you
The way I feel for you

Are you my life to be
Are you the one for me

That dream come true
The one I've been waiting for