Burt Bacharach Quotations

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

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.

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

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

Never be ashamed to write a melody that people remember.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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'.

I always wanted to write a song with him, ... and we got a chance.

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.

He was a rare talent and a beautiful man.

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

He was a great guy, and I will miss him.

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.

Dre gave me these loops, and as confining and challenging as they are, the sound is extraordinary, and they're a great foundation to work over,

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

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.

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

It's a big loss. We're losing too many singers.

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

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.

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.'

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.

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.

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

What the world needs now is love, sweet love, It's the only thing that there's just too little of.

I never like to be lied to by a girlfriend or agent and certainly not the president of the United States.

Music breeds its own inspiration. You can only do it by doing it. You may not feel like it, but you push yourself. It's a work process. Or just improvise. Something will come.

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