“To Sir With Love” by Lulu

On “To Sir With Love”, the narrator (Lulu) is essentially thanking the addressee. And basically, what she is bigging him up for is helping her make the transition from a girl into a responsible woman. So considering that she makes statements such as her desire to give this individual addressee her heart, it can be interpreted that she is speaking to a romantic interest. However, the lyrics actually read more along the lines of her addressing someone akin to a male mentor.

Indeed this song was written for a specific movie, co-starring Lulu, which is based on that selfsame storyline. So conclusively, the “sir” whom the singer is sending her “love” to is in fact someone who served the function of being a role model in her life.

Facts about “To Sir with Love”

This song is named after a movie which came out in 1967 starring Sidney Poitier. Lulu is also an actress in the film. And the song was released by Epic Records during September of 1967 as part of the soundtrack to that movie.

This track was a massive hit, topping the Hot 100, US Cash Box Top 100 and Canada Top Singles. Moreover “To Sir with Love” topped the year-end Hot 100 for 1967 and has been certified Gold in the United States.

And whereas it is documented as reaching an impressive number 11 on the UK Singles Chart, in the United Kingdom it was not actually a single but rather a B-side to another song entitled “Let’s Pretend”.

Additionally this song has been covered by the likes of The Jackson 5 (1969) and the following:

• Al Green (1978)
• Chaka Khan alongside the London Symphony Orchestra (2004)
• The cast of the television show “Glee” (2010)

This track was written by the duo of Don Black and Mark London. They did so rather swiftly at the direct insistence of Lulu, who had a strong disliking for the other songs which were being considered as the title track for the movie. And its producer was hitmaker Mickie Most (1938-2003).