Main content

The Look of Love

From the 1960s film 'Casino Royale' as sung by Dusty Springfield, the song's lyricist Hal David explores its appeal. From 2010.

Hal David discusses writing The Look of Love with Burt Bacharach, for the soundtrack of the spoof 1967 James Bond film Casino Royale.

This classic track, sung by Dusty Springfield, provided the musical backdrop for a love scene between Peter Sellers and Ursula Andress.

Dusty Springfield's former backing singer, Simon Bell, remembers being on stage at the Albert Hall when Dusty laughed her way through a performance of the song, and musician Jonathan Cohen describes how the samba rhythm underscoring Dusty's smooth vocals combine to make this an enduringly popular love song.

It has been covered many times by artists including Isaac Hayes, Gladys Knight and the French singer Mirielle Mathieu.

This programme hears from people whose personal memories of love and loss are forever linked with The Look of Love.

Contributors:

Sue Clarke
Wally Welling
Simon Bell
Trevor Foster
Jonathan Cohen
Hal David

Series exploring famous pieces of music and their emotional appeal.

Producer: Karen Gregor

First broadcast on 91热爆 Radio 4 in 2010.

Available now

30 minutes

Music Played

  • Dusty Springfield

    The Look of Love

Broadcasts

  • Tue 8 Sep 2009 13:30
  • Sat 12 Sep 2009 15:30
  • Fri 20 May 2016 18:30
  • Sat 21 May 2016 00:30
  • Tue 5 Jan 2021 18:30
  • Wed 6 Jan 2021 00:30
  • Fri 1 Mar 2024 20:30

Why Sam Cooke's 'A Change Is Gonna Come' became a Civil Rights anthem

Why Sam Cooke's 'A Change Is Gonna Come' became a Civil Rights anthem

Watch the animation - Professor Mary King describes how the song became a symbol of hope.

Podcast