Burt Bacharach Quotes (31 Quotes)


    You could say, 'How does a guy who has written love songs his entire life suddenly decide to rock the boat

    I don't think of it quite that way. It's interesting that you do. I'm thinking more about what's gone wrong in the past four years. You come from a different political spectrum. The thing is, the album is also about love. That's why the album has that early reference to 'What The World Needs Now.' We need love.

    It's not getting any better, is it? I don't want my 19-year-old boy going into the army. I love these little kids. They understand how passionate I am.

    Stuff just kept going more wrong and more wrong here as I was writing.

    I couldn't get out of town fast enough, to go and hide. I went down to Delmar, north of San Diego, and pretty well did nothing for a year, just hibernated.


    He was one of the few singers that you knew without hearing more than a few notes, that it was him.

    Never be ashamed to write a melody that people remember.

    Who are these people that keep telling us lies and how did these people get control of our lives and who'll stop the violence 'cause it's out of control Make 'em stop.

    If Bush said just once: 'Boy. I hope you accept my apology as a country,' or showed some humanity.

    I felt alienated at school, and I never did well with girls.

    I've always had a problem with people who couldn't tell the truth or admit a mistake and say they're wrong.

    I feel it is the most important album I have made and I am very proud of it. I'm pleased that Columbia is joining me in this journey, because these times require passion and emotion.


    People ask why a man who has been known for writing love songs all of his life is suddenly rocking the boat. I had to do it. This is very personal to me, and this is the most passionate album I have ever made. I had to express myself, not only musically but lyrically. It was time for me to ask, 'Who are these people who are taking control of our lives and how do we stop the violence' I've got two little kids and a 19-year-old son and I wonder what they're going to do with their lives. It's so personal to me that I even decided to do some of the singing. This is dedicated to my kids and your kids.

    A small town is a place where there's no place to go where you shouldn't.

    I recorded the song live in front of an orchestra, and yes, I was very moved, I was in tears.


    He was a rare talent and a beautiful man, and his voice was unlike any other. I have great memories of working in the studio recording with Gene. He was a great guy.

    Because I was small, I was getting the hell kicked out of me playing football.

    A synonym is a word you use when you can't spell the word you first thought of.

    Knowing when to leave may be the smartest thing anyone can learn.

    I was blown away by the standing ovation. I've had tributes before, sure, but I don't retain that feeling, and I wasn't prepared for it on Tuesday. But maybe you shouldn't retain these things or you'd be on a permanent high.

    He told me, 'Don't give me an album of pop songs like people will expect, songs that will get played on the radio. Take some risks.'

    The music is the last thing I'm thinking about right now, in order of what's important.

    Things are starting to change it's not so terrific for the world now.

    In addition to shaking up the lyrical content, he also rethought the musical elements. I was working with structures that weren't like a normal song, ... no vocal starting at the top and going to the end.


    I started playing piano with a little band in high school. I was terrible. I thought I had absolutely no talent. I couldn't keep time. I only got into McGill, which was a lousy music school, because they were taking American music students.

    I'd met Dr Dre, he was thinking about his next album, we talked a little and he said, 'Let me give you some of these loops and see what you come up with'.

    Things only get more right-wing when Bacharach unveils Where Did It Go ... When I was a young boy 12 years old Growing up in New York City I could ride the subway by myself And never, ever be afraid Where did it go.

    I'm afraid of public transportation. I was just in London, where they're blowing up buses. It's a more dangerous world.


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