Biography.guide
Home › People › Composer › Robert Allen
Portrait of Robert Allen

Robert Allen

1927 – 2000

American pianist, lyricist, and composer

Don't just read it — keep itBiographies to ownE-book · Audio · Video From $7 →

About Robert Allen

Lived 1927 – 2000 (aged 73). Robert Allen was an American composer, lyricist, songwriter, singer, music executive and pianist.

Robert Allen Deitcher (February 5, 1927 – October 1, 2000) was an American pianist and an arranger and writer of music for popular songs.

Biography Allen was born to a Jewish family in Troy, New York and had 4 children: a son, Gordon, and 3 daughters, Pamela, Diana, and Katie.

He was an accompanist for Perry Como, Peter Lind Hayes, and Arthur Godfrey. Many of his compositions were collaborations with lyricist Al Stillman. Allen lived in New Rochelle, New York from 1963, much of his professional life. Three of his most famous songs were: "(There's No Place Like) Home for the Holidays","Everybody Loves a Lover" and "Chances Are".

Robert Allen died in Quogue, New York of colon cancer at the age of 73.

Songs written by Robert Allen

Lyrics by Al Stillman

Perry Como hits "Noodlin' Rag" (1952) "Sweetheart's Holiday" (1952) "To Know You (Is to Love You)" (1952, redone in 1959) "You Are Never Far Away (From Me)" (1952, redone in 1958) "Home for the Holidays" (1954) "My One and Only Heart" (1953) "You Alone (Solo Tu)" (1953, redone in 1961) "Door of Dreams" (1955)

Four Lads hits "Enchanted Island" (1958) "Moments to Remember" (1955) "No, Not Much" (1956) "There's Only One of You (1958) "Who Needs You?" (1956)

Johnny Mathis hits "Chances Are" (1957) "It's Not for Me to Say" (1957) "Teacher, Teacher" (1958)

Other hits "Al's Place" a hit for Al Hirt "If Dreams Came True" (a hit for Pat Boone)

With Richard Adler "Everybody Loves a Lover" (a hit for Doris Day in 1958 and The Shirelles in 1963)

Others "War Eagle" (1954 and 1955) the Auburn University fight song "Song for a Summer Night (a hit for Mitch Miller and His Orchestra and Chorus in 1956) 'Bob McGrath from Sesame Street' by Bob McGrath (1970)

Biography shop

Don’t just read it —
keep it.

Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.

  • E-book
  • Audio
  • Video
Browse the shop — from $7

Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free

Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Education
Dartmouth College
Also known as
Robert Allen Deitcher

People in Robert Allen's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Robert Allen's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Robert Allen?

American pianist, lyricist, and composer (1927–2000)

When was Robert Allen born?

Robert Allen was born on 5 February 1927 in Troy.

When did Robert Allen die?

Robert Allen died on 1 October 2000 in Quogue.

What was Robert Allen's occupation?

Robert Allen was a composer, lyricist, songwriter, singer, music executive and pianist.

What nationality was Robert Allen?

Robert Allen was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Robert Allen

· Wikidata: Q7341456

· DBpedia: Robert Allen (song composer)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Robert Allen. https://biography.guide/robert-allen-composer/

MLA: "Robert Allen." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/robert-allen-composer/.

Chicago: "Robert Allen." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/robert-allen-composer/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

Page generated 2026-09-27 05:17 UTC