Bacharach writes anti-war lyrics

Burt Bacharach co-wrote his first hit with Hal David in 1957

Pop composer Burt Bacharach has written his first lyrics in a career spanning nearly 50 years, expressing his disillusionment over the war in Iraq.

The 77-year-old, who wrote songs such as Walk On By with lyricist Hal David, has written a number of political songs on his latest album At This Time.

"I had to do it. This is very personal to me," he said.

Bacharach previously left David and his ex-wife Carole Bayer Sager to write the lyrics to his songs.

Frustration expressed

Bacharach won three Oscars and six Grammys and co-wrote more than 50 chart hits including What the World Needs Now is Love, Make It Easy On Yourself and Alfie.

He also expresses frustration with US political leaders.

"You could say 'how does a guy who has written love songs his entire life suddenly decide to rock the boat?'" he said.

"I thought that was very important because I couldn't have somebody else write these lyrics."

He added: "I never was a political person in my life. I wrote songs during Vietnam, not about Vietnam. I was just writing love songs. Leading my own life in my own insulated world."

Singers on his album include Elvis Costello and Rufus Wainwright, and rap producer Dr Dre provides some drum loops.

"It's very streety, as streety as I can make it," Bacharach said.