The Burt Bacharach Discussion Forum

Ok, this one's driving me crazy. At the end of this song, both the Burt instrumental version and Dionne's vocal version, a girl chorus sings a line that I simply can't make out. It repeats as the song fades out.

All you BB experts---help!

Thanks much,

---SteveM

It seems I recall reading the official lyrics, such as they are, as 'Oom pah pah, pity the girl.'

Well, that's certainly the right amount of syllables.

Until someone comes up with something better, I'll buy it!

Thanks!!

---SteveM

The above is correct.

We have confirmation!
You guys are great.
Thanks a lot,
---SteveM

Now the only remaining question is:....... Which girl is being pitied by the female chorus?....... Is it Dionne or the "other woman" about to be chastised by Dionne for "messin' with her man"?

Hi Folks,
Draw your own conclusions ?


"blue"
PS
Burt's "Instrumental" version on the "Reach Out" album is a absolute knock-out as well !!!

This song lyric had it's origins perhaps in the 1950's song hit "Silhouettes" by the Rays, where a guy thought he saw his gf and another man's figures outlined behind the living room shades...but this lyric is even more intense... a great job by Hal David and Burt's music is equally brilliant!

ron hertel wrote:Now the only remaining question is:....... Which girl is being pitied by the female chorus?....... Is it Dionne or the "other woman" about to be chastised by Dionne for "messin' with her man"?

It seems to me, and I have always believed, that the chorus was referring to Dionne. That is to say that the woman who is singing should be pitied for finding out that her guy is cheating on her. The only way that it would make sense to me for the pitied party to be the "other woman" would be if "oom pah pah pity the girl" were sung by the singer and not the chorus. The chorus, in my estimation, is commenting on the protagonist (i.e., the singer) and not the "other woman". And might I add that, either way, this is a great song and I remember the first time I heard it on the radio.

An Enormous BB Fan:

I too remember the first time I heard the song - it was on the Hullabaloo TV show! Liked it from the very first time I heard it and could never figure out why that song along with "(Here I Go Again )Lookin' With My Eyes" - from the "Here I Am" LP were not more successful on the charts. It was at that time I began to realize that Burt's music was just too sophisticated for the casual listener. Your take on who is being pitied is probably right!

Ron