Robert Mellin first achieved success with "My One and Only Love" in 1952, which he co-wrote with lyricist Guy Wood. The song was recorded by countless artists, among them Louis Armstrong, Chet Baker, Ella Fitzgerald, and Frank Sinatra. A later major song-writing success came in 1962, when he wrote lyrics for Acker Bilk's instrumental hit "Stranger on the Shore", which was also covered by vocal acts like Andy Wiliams and the Drifters. In the mid-'60s, he moved into scoring and writing soundtrack music, of which "Robinson Crusoe" is but one example.