Burt Bacharach (1928 – 2023)

“Burt was clearly bound to go out on his own. He was an exceptionally talented, classically trained pianist, with very clear ideas on the musicality of songs, how they should be played, and what they should sound like. I appreciated his musical gifts.”

~ Vic Damone

The legendary composer Burt Bacharach died this week, of natural causes, at the age of 94.  Hubby and I broke out into random duetting when we heard the news.  Some of his songs were the backdrop to our childhoods, and some came later.  Before the Beatles came along and changed pop music, his ballads were some of the best words and music combinations around.  His successes included 73 top 40 hits in the U.S. and 52 in the U.K., and his musical output spanned six decades.

Birth Chart

Burt Bacharach was born under one of the two Venus-ruled signs, the musical sign of Taurus (the other being Libra).  Taurus is very descriptive of the sort of melodic ballad which he wrote.  He had Venus in Taurus, too; Venus and the Sun in Libra would be lighter, more airy compositions.  With Venus closely conjunct Chiron in Taurus, he often wrote about the wounds of love, playing at the heartstrings.  Adele also has Venus conjunct Chiron.  With Jupiter closely trine Neptune, he could create a sense of moods on an inspirational level.  the brilliant success of his career is shown by Uranus exactly trine his Midheaven (careerpoint),

Life and Career

He was born in Kansas City, and his mother encouraged his musical talents – she herself was a songwriter.  As a teenager, he enjoyed jazz, especially Dizzie Gillespie, Count Basie, Thelonius Monk and Charlie Parker.  He went on to study music at Montreal, New York, and California.  He was drafted into the U.S. army in 1950, and teamed up with the singer Vic Damone while in Germany.  He subsequently toured with Damone as a pianist, and Damone was later to recall how much he valued his contribution (see the above quotation).

By 1956, he was working with Marlene Dietrich as her musical director, and this collaboration lasted for five years, at the same time as he was building a career out of songwriting.  She wrote in her autobiography:

“As a man, he embodied everything a woman could wish for … How many such men are there? For me he was the only one.”

Meanwhile, in 1957, he met the lyricist Hal David, who played a huge role in boosting Bacharach’s success.  While their fortunes were tied, they were guaranteed success, but they later fell out, and their synastry is mixed.  The height of musical inspiration was produced by Hal’s Venus exactly trine Burt’s Neptune. [please note this week’s Venus/Neptune conjunction, which could make a songwriter or poet out of you!].  Reinforcing that, was Hal’s Neptune sextile Burt’s North Node, so the inspiration was mutual.  Hal’s Pluto also supported Burt’s Venus in a sextile, which deepened their experience of feeling, useful in songwriting.  But the stumbling block was a square between their Saturns, which could be stubborn on both sides on an issue.  They wrote over a hundred songs together.

Burt Bacharach was married four times, and was quoted as saying: “I didn’t mean to hurt anybody, but when you wind up being married four times, there are a lot of bodies strewn in your wake.”

Remembering his Songs

Musically, he was described as producing “easy-listening” music, whereas in fact his arrangements were quite complex, and encompassed different genres.  He also wrote some highly regarded film scores. Here are a few of his memorable songs by just a few of the artists he worked with (sing along, if you will):

1957 The Story of My Life – Marty Robbins

Someday I’m going to write
The story of my life
I’ll tell about the night we met
And how my heart can’t forget
The way you smiled at me

1957 Magic Moments – Perry Como

Magic moments, memories we’ve been sharin’
Magic moments, when two hearts are carin’
Time can’t erase the memory of
These magic moments filled with love

1962 Don’t Make me Over – Dionne Warwick

Dionne Warwick worked with Bacharach and David for several years, and her relationship with Bacharach broke down around the same time as his relationship with David.

Burt’s relationship with Dionne shows up the following interaspects:

Her Mars was square his Moon, so quite fiery emotionally.  Her Mars was trine his Pluto, a driven relationship on both sides.  Her Jupiter on his Chiron in 3rd House, her ability to bring out the best and most healing from his songwriting.  Her Saturn on his Venus in his 3rd House, that is where there may have been too much demand on her part.

Don’t make me over
Now that I’d do anything for you
Don’t make me over
Now that you know how I adore you

1963 Make it Easy on Yourself – Jerry Butler and The Walker Brothers

If you really love him
And there’s nothing I can do
Don’t try to spare my feelings
Just tell me that we’re through

1964 Anyone who had a Heart – Dionne Warwick and Cilla Black

Anyone who ever loved could look at me
And know that I love you
Anyone who ever dreamed could look at me
And know I dream of you
Knowing I love you so

1967 I say a Little Prayer – Dionne Warwick and Aretha Franklin

The moment I wake upBefore I put on my makeup (makeup)I say a little prayer for youWhile combing my hair nowI’m wondering what to wear now (wear now)I say a little prayer for you

1967 The Look of Love – Dusty Springfield

The look of love
Is in your eyes
The look your heart
Can’t disguise

1968 This Guy’s in Love with You – Herb Alpert

You see this guy
This guy’s in love with you
Yes, I’m in love
Who looks at you the way I do 

1970 (They Long to Be) Close to You – The Carpenters

Why do birds suddenly appear
Every time you are near?
Just like me, they long to be
Close to you

[Apologies if I have left out your favourite!] 

Of his own performances of songs, he wrote: ““I [tried] to sing the songs not as a singer, but just interpreting it as a composer and interpreting a great lyric that Hal [David] wrote.”

They don’t make ’em like they used to.

“Burt was a hero of mine and very influential on my work.  He was a giant in the music business.  His songs will live for ever.”

~ Brian Wilson

Aspects

In the early hours of today Mars was sextile with Chiron.  Wilful types may see that their way of doing things is not working in a group situation (it may work for them on their own), and invite some healing input from others.  Healing actions and efforts can thrive under this aspect.  If it influenced your dreaming time, it may have rebalanced your system somewhat, between activity, rest and healing.

We have a sweet conjunction on Wednesday (15th), the afterglow of Valentine’s Day.  If you had a romantic time the day before,  you can savour it, or dine out on it.  Inspired artistic and musical expression is assisted.  Idealized and spiritual love may also be on the menu.  You may find inspired ways to show love.  With Neptune being in Pisces there is an idealized element to love (being in love, as distinct from loving):

“Rows and flows of angel hair
And ice cream castles in the air
And feather canyons everywhere
Looked at clouds that way…”

We experience a sharp contrast the day after, on Thursday (16th).  First, the challenge of the Nodal Axis squaring Mercury, a much more analytical way of looking at life, probably triggered by necessity or a demanding communication.  But it is an opportunity to tackle, or honour, your karma!  We can give more thought and exercise more mindfulness in our processes and actions.  Whether it is personal relationship karma or environmental karma, we can put our minds to what needs to change for the future.  Put into practice what we can do now.

Next, on the same day, is an unromantic conjunction of Sun and Saturn, which may deflect your attention if you are still basking in the Valentine’s week mood.  This conjunction bears a serious message.  Take note of the area/House it falls in, if you know it, as that will help you to ascertain the purpose of this event.  There is a great sense of concentration about this conjunction, focussed on practicalities  such as “what can we do about the situation?”  Caution is Saturn’s name.  Saturn demands responsibility, commitment, and common sense.

“…I’ve looked at love from both sides now
From give and take and still somehow
It’s love’s illusions that I recall
I really don’t know love
Really don’t know love at all” 

~ Joni Mitchell

Saturday (18th) is a chance to recoup some joie de vivre, starting with a sextile between Mercury and Jupiter in the early hours, so sweet dreams of travelling may be on the cards.  This sextile encourages mental development and learning (if you are on a course of study, for instance), and is helpful to businesses in need of a lift.  If you are learning a new language, you may experience a shift and take off with it!  It will also be favourable for the teaching profession.  If you are travelling, remember St. Christopher is with you.

Then, at the other end of the day, late evening, the Sun leaves Aquarius and enters Pisces, and the general tone of life will become more soft focus.  We become more introspective and aware of our deeper emotions with the Sun in Pisces.  We also become more aware of the sentience and oneness of all life, especially the plight of the creatures of the ocean and the state of the waters.  This is the last stage of our winter introspection before the coming of the spring.  We are also preparing for the imminent entry of Saturn into Pisces, and taking into account a more empathetic outlook towards the general suffering in the world.  Perhaps a change in government handling of and attitude towards refugees and asylum seekers.

The week in bullet points:

  • Today – rebalancing your system
  • Wednesday – sweetness and light
  • Thursday – karmic information; sober reflections
  • Saturday – widening horizons; charitable behaviour
Date: Feb 12th, 2023 · Comments RSS · Tags: Obituary