Invitation is a jazz standard composed by Bronisław Kaper with lyrics by Paul Francis Webster. It first appeared as the main theme in the 1950 MGM film A Life of Her Own, and the melody was later used as the title theme for the 1952 film Invitation, which helped it enter the jazz repertoire. The mood is lush and haunting, with Webster’s lyric weaving temptation and longing—the story of a mysterious invitation that lingers long after the moment passes. The tune is noted for its complex 48-bar form and rich harmonies, and it is considered Kaper’s second most famous song after On Green Dolphin Street. The piece gained wide recognition largely through John Coltrane’s 1958 recording, cementing its status as a jazz standard. Other notable versions include George Shearing’s piano arrangement, Dakota Staton’s 1958 Dynamic! album, and Rosemary Clooney’s 1963 Love album with Nelson Riddle’s lush accompaniment. Many other artists have tackled Invitation, making it a enduring favorite for performance and arrangement.
