Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. Burt Bacharach: His Best Songs Live On
Burt Bacharach: His songs are immortal — but the mere mention of his name is the best Austin Powers line ever
Burt Bacharach lived an extraordinary life, dying at 94, but his name makes us imitate Austin Powers: “Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Burt Bacharach.”
The New York Times music critic called Bacharach the 1960s version of “Cole Porter with a beat,” making melodies “at the level of (John) Lennon and (Paul) McCartney,” that also became “make-out music.”
“Instead of reading what’s on the paper, just feel in your heart,” Bacharach taught us. He worked with multiple lyricists (including his third wife, one of the best lyricists) and every amazing singer.
As Paul McCartney said, “His songs were an inspiration to people like me.”
But Bacharach made it all into music.
What does he leave behind? More than 500 songs — perfect pop — full of depth with giant orchestras and a big sound that moved you.
He’d wake up in the middle of the night recalling the tiniest “pimple” in unforgettable songs that will be played for centuries to come.
