Lulu sang the title song and starred in the film with the great Sidney Poitier and famous sixties stars, Judy Geeson, Adrienne Posta and Suzy Kendall (who was married to Dudley Moore). The film also included Michael Des Barres, lead vocalist of Silverhead (that included Blondie’s Nigel Harrison and Robbie Blunt who played with Robert Plant on his post Led Zeppelin eighties albums). Blunt also played with seventies band Bronco and Des Barres was a member of Detective signed to Led Zep’s Swan Song label and last but not least the husband of the legendary Pamela Des Barres. In the film Des Barres plays a small role of the kid that never takes his sunglasses off!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judy_Geeson
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzy_Kendall
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adrienne_Posta
The lyric was written by Don Black and the music by Mark London. Black has written lyrics to many famous songs, Diamonds Are Forever, Thunderball, Born Free. Black and London co-wrote Best Of Both Worlds, Lulu’s follow up single to To Sir With Love (also recorded by Scott Walker). London worked closely with the notorious Peter Grant (Led Zeppelin’s manager) co-managing, naming and producing, Stone The Crows four albums as well as singer Maggie Bell’s solo records. He co-wrote I Saw America, a song that took up a whole side of their debut album. He also composed the soundtrack (with Mike Leander) to the film Privilege starring Paul Jones from Manfred Mann.
(EMI Music Publishing)
Those school girl days of telling tales
And biting nails are gone
But in my mind I know
They will still live on and on
But how do you thank someone
Who has taken you from crayons to perfume?
It isn’t easy, but I’ll try
If you wanted the sky
I would write across the sky in letters
That would soar a thousand feet high
To Sir, with love
The time has come for closing books
And long last looks must end
And as I leave I know
That I am leaving my best friend
A friend who taught me right from wrong
And weak from strong
That’s a lot to learn, what
Can I give you in return?
If you wanted the moon
I would try to make a star
But I, would rather you let me give my heart
To Sir, with love
The song was produced by Mickie Most and became a massisve hit in America reaching No.1 and staying there for five weeks. In the UK – they didn’t release it!
This is the poster for the movie from 1967. Sidney Poitier was the first black actor to win an Academy Award in 1964 for his role in Lilies Of The Field.
The book was written by ER Braithwaite based on his own experiences. Originally from British Guyana, he joined the RAF and was demobbed in 1945. The book, published in 1959 was originally set in post-war England but was changed to the swinging sixties.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/To_Sir,_With_Love_(novel)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/To_Sir,_with_Love
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/To_Sir,_with_Love_(song)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sidney_poitier
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lulu_(singer)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Des_Barres
Here is the film trailer:
The film also starred The Mindbenders, the line up included Eric Stewart who went on to massive success with 10cc and later joined Paul McCartney in the post Wings era.
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