1001 Songs Challenge #225: The Look of Love (1967)

On 11 February 2019 I set myself the challenging of reading 1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die by Robert Dimery (ed.) and following the book’s advice to the letter. I’ve previously read 1001 Films… and started 1001 Albums… but felt 1001 Songs… would be a sensible place to start for what I have in mind here.

My challenge is to read about one song per day and listen to it (YouTube and Spotify, I need you tonight!) before sharing my own thoughts. Some songs I will love, others I’ll hate, and I’m sure there will be those that leave me perplexed but listen to them I shall.

I’ll also try, and most likely fail, to pinpoint the best song from the 1001 on offer but I’m nothing if not foolhardy. Instead of one song, I’m predicting I’ll have about 100 favourites by the end and may have to resort to a Top 10 so far to maintain any semblance of sanity.

So long as I post everyday (including Christmas) then this challenge should come to an end on Wednesday 8 November 2021. Staying with the Barney Stinson theme I am hoping that the whole experience will prove to be…

 

Dusty Springfield – The Look of Love (1967)

We’re returning to the UK today, dear reader, and yesterday we had one Springfield (Buffalo) and today we have another in the form of Dusty Springfield making her second appearance on this list. Previously, Dusty appeared with I Just Don’t Know What To Do With Myself, written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David. Our song today was written by the same duo and appeared in the James Bond spoof Casino Royale. Dusty Springfield was chosen to sing the number and her version is considered the one worthiest of our illustrious list.

In The Look of Love, Springfield’s narrator is someone who has been waiting a long time to find love but now it is here. How do they know this? Well, their prospective lover has the “look of love” of the title in their eyes and Springfield tells us that such a look captures and says so much more than mere words could possibly convey. She is thrilled that this person has such love in their eyes and she now not only longs to be with them but hopes that their union will be one that lasts a long time.

I haven’t seen Casino Royale despite enjoying many James Bond films in the past. I’m a Roger Moore enthusiast in case you were wondering. Sorry Sean, Timothy, Pierce, Daniel…and (checks Wikipedia)…George. This is a relatively quiet number with Springfield’s voice carrying its message of love but the backing music complements her well. I honestly didn’t enjoy this one as much as I Just Don’t Know What To Do With Myself but it’s still a solid effort from Dusty Springfield. I wonder if we will see her for a third time on our list?

 

Favourite songs so far:

Ben E. King – Stand By Me (1961)

The Animals – House of the Rising Sun (1964)

Simon & Garfunkel – The Sounds of Silence (1965)

The Righteous Brothers – Unchained Melody (1965)

The Who – Substitute (1966)

The Rolling Stones – Paint It Black (1966)

The Beach Boys – God Only Knows (1966)

The Beatles – Eleanor Rigby (1966)

The Monkees – I’m a Believer (1966)

The Doors – The End (1967)