Robert Allen; Co-Wrote ‘Chances Are’ and ‘Home for the Holidays’

Robert Allen, 73, composer of popular songs in the 1950s and ‘60s, most notably works performed by Johnny Mathis. With his songwriting partner, lyricist Al Stillman, Allen wrote “Chances Are” and “It’s Not for Me to Say,” which were major hits for Mathis. They also wrote several songs that were hits in the mid-1950s for the Four Lads, including “Moments to Remember,” “Enchanted Island” and “There’s Only One of You.” The duo wrote the popular seasonal hit “Home for the Holidays,” which has been recorded by dozens of performers, including Andy Williams and Garth Brooks. Born in Troy, N.Y., Allen passed up an engineering scholarship to become a musician. He played jazz piano in New York clubs before turning to music writing. One of his memorable early songs was “You Are Never Far Away From Me,” which became the closing number for “Perry Como’s Kraft Music Hall.” On Sunday at his home in Quogue, N.Y., of colon cancer.