Alfie

Dionne Warwick

What's it all about, Alfie?
Is it just for the moment we live?
What's it all about when you sort it out, Alfie?
Are we meant to take more than we give
or are we meant to be kind?

And if only fools are kind, Alfie,
then I guess it's wise to be cruel.
And if life belongs only to the strong, Alfie,
what will you lend on an old golden rule?

As sure as I believe
there's a heaven above, Alfie,
I know there's something much more,
something even non-believers can believe in.

I believe in love, Alfie.
Without true love we just exist, Alfie.
Until you find the love you've missed you're nothing, Alfie.
When you walk let your heart lead the way
and you'll find love any day, Alfie, Alfie.

Notes

The song, "Alfie," was written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David as the theme song for the movie, Alfie, in 1966.

Dionne Warwick's single, which was the B side of the single release, climbed the charts, reaching #15 on the Pop chart and #5 on R&B chart. "Alfie" was included on Warwick's 1967 album, "Here Where There Is Love," which included three other hit singles, "I Don't Know What To Do With Myself," "Trains And Boats And Planes," and "What The World Needs Now Is Love."

Dionne Warwick was signed in the early 1960's to create demos for the songwriting team of Burt Bacharach and Hal David. Soon they let her cut her own records and the team began to hit the Pop and R&B jackpots.

The musical questions asked in the opening stanza of lyrics are the questions that create the drama in the 1966 Oscar-nominated movie, Alfie, starring Michael Caine, Shelley Winters, and Vivien Merchant.

By the way, Dionne Warwick was born Marie Dionne Warrick. In the credits for her first solo recording in 1963, "Don't Make Me Over," her name was misspelled. Shortly thereafter she began using the misspelled "Warwick."

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