THE VERY THOUGHT OF YOU
Music and lyrics: Ray Noble
Year: 1934
Origin of the song
In 1934, singer Al Bowlly premiered 'The Very Thought of You' in two different versions. The first, accompanied on piano by Monia Liter (April 9, Decca), and the second, with Ray Noble's orchestra (April 21, Victor 24657-A). This is the version that made it to number one on the charts, where it remained for five weeks.
Noble, in addition to composer, songwriter, bandleader and film actor, was also a sharp manager. His orchestra was formed by musicians from other major English bands, such as those led by Lew Stone and Roy Fox. Another 'borrowed' member was singer Al Bowlly, who had a large number of fans in England and even a fan club in the US.
Ray Noble, like Irving Berlin and Cole Porter, wrote the music and lyrics of his songs. Other popular hits include 'Goodnight Sweetheart' (1931), 'Love Is the Sweetest Thing' (1934), 'The Touch of Your Lips' (1936), 'Cherokee (Indian Love Song)' (1938) and 'I Hadn't Anyone Till You' (1938). In the cinema, his most prominent role was played in the film A Damsel in Distress (1937).
Versions in the top charts
|
PERFORMERS |
DATE OF RECORDING |
DAY OF ENTRANCE |
PERMANENCE WEEKS |
HIGH POSITION REACHED |
|
|
1934.04.21 |
1934.07.07 |
14 |
1 (five weeks) |
Al Bowlly (voc) |
|
|
Bing Crosby |
1934.10.05 |
1934.11.03 |
3 |
11 |
Bing Crosby (voc), George Stoll Orchestra |
|
Vaughn Monroe Orchestra |
1944.??.?? |
1944.12.16 |
1 |
19 |
Vaughn Monroe (voc) |
|
1946.05.29 |
1946.10.05 |
3 |
3 |
Lee Richardson (voc)
Rhythm & Blues charts |
Jazz. Outstanding performances
Instrumental
|
PERFORMERS |
DATE OF RECORDING |
MUSICIANS WHO TOOK PART IN THE RECORDING
|
|
Jimmy Smith Trio |
1957.05.08 |
Jimmy Smith (org), Eddie McFadden (g), Donald Bailey (d) |
|
Art Farmer Quartet |
1958.05.01 |
Art Farmer (tp), Hank Jones (p), Addison Farmer (b), Roy Haynes (d) |
|
1960.03.29 |
Pee Wee Russell (cl), Buck Clayton (tp), Tommy Flanagan (p), Wendell Marshall (b), Osie Johnson (d) |
|
|
Dodo Marmarosa Trio |
1962.05.04 |
Dodo Marmarosa (p), Sam Jones (b), Marshall Thompson (d) |
|
Zoot Sims Quartet |
1974.04.20 |
Zoot Sims (ts, ss), Jimmy Rowles (p), Bob Cranshaw (b), Mickey Roker (d) |
|
Sonny Rollins Quartet |
1980.05.?? |
Sonny Rollins (ts), George Duke (p), Stanley Clarke (b), Bill Summers (cng, per) |
|
Satoru Oda- Hank Jones Duo |
1988.11.11 |
Satoru Oda (ts), Hank Jones (p) |
|
Charlie Haden & Kenny Barron |
1996.09.22 |
Kenny Barron (p), Charlie Haden (b) |
|
Roy Hargrove Quintet |
1999.10.?? |
Roy Hargrove (tp, fis), Sherman Irby (as), Larry Willis (p), Gerald Cannon (b), Willie Jones III (d), Monterey Jazz Festival Chamber Orchestra |
|
Howard Alden & Bucky Pizzarelli |
2003.??.?? |
Howard Alden, Bucky Pizzarelli (g) |
|
Brad Mehldau Trio |
2006.10.11 |
Brad Mehldau (p), Larry Grenadier (g), Jeff Ballard (d) |
Vocal
|
PERFORMERS |
DATE OF RECORDING |
MUSICIANS WHO TOOK PART IN THE RECORDING
|
|
1938.09.15 |
Billie Holiday (voc), Buck Clayton (tp), Dickie Wells (tb), Lester Young (cl), Margaret Johnson (p), Freddy Green (g), Walter Page (b), Jo Jones (d) |
|
|
Jeri Shoutern |
1954.02.?? |
Jeri Southern (voc, p), Dave Barbour Trio |
|
1958.05.06 |
Nat Cole (voc), René Faure (p), John Collins (g), Charles P. Harris (b), Lee Young (d), string section, Gordon Jenkins (dir) |
|
|
Joe Williams |
1959.07.14 |
Joe Williams (voc), Harry 'Sweets' Edison (tp), Ben Webster (ts), Hank Jones (p), Freddie Green (g), Milt Hinton (b), string and wind sections, Jimmy Jones (dir) |
|
Dakota Staton |
1960.02.?? |
Dakota Staton (voc), Benny Carter Orchestra |
|
Frank Sinatra |
1962.06.12 |
Frank Sinatra (voc), Robert Farnon Orchestra |
|
Sarah Vaughan |
1962.08.08 |
Sarah Vaughan (voc), Barney Kessel (g), Joe Comfort (b) |
|
1963.10.08 |
Nancy Wilson (voc), Gerald Wilson Orchestra |
|
|
Johnny Hartman |
1966.02.18 |
Johnny Hartman (voc), Mike Melvoin (p), Dennis Budimir (g), Jimmy Bond (b), Stan Levey (d), string section, Gerald Wilson (dir) |
|
Tony Bennett |
1966.02.?? |
Tony Bennett (voc), Bobby Hackett (cnt), Johnny Keating Orchestra |
|
Sheila Jordan |
1988.02.04 |
Sheila Jordan (voc), Harvie Swartz (b) |
|
Sheila Jordan |
1989.09.28 |
Sheila Jordan (voc), Kenny Barron (p), Harvie Swartz (b), Ben Riley (d) |
On cinemas
The song 'The Very Thought of You' is included in the soundtrack of the following movies:
|
ORIGINAL TITLE |
TITLE IN SPAIN |
YEAR OF PRODUCTION |
PERFORMERS OF THE SONG IN THE FILM |
|
Irish in Us |
El predilecto |
1935 |
Background music |
|
Casablanca |
Casablanca |
1942 |
Background music |
|
Confidential Agent |
Agente confidencial |
1945 |
Background music |
|
A Young Man with a Horn |
El trompetista |
1950 |
Doris Day with Harry James Orchestra |
|
Trio |
El torbellino de la vida |
1950 |
|
|
Touch and Go |
El marido propone y… |
1955 |
|
|
To Paris With Love |
A Paris con el amor |
1955 |
|
|
Carve Her Name With Pride |
Agente secreto SZ |
1958 |
|
|
Hotel |
Intriga en el Gran Hotel |
1967 |
Carmen McRae |
|
Some Call It Loving |
La bella durmiente |
1973 |
Nat King Cole |
|
Caboblanco |
Cabo Blanco |
1980 |
Nat King Cole |
|
Mona Lisa |
Mona Lisa |
1986 |
|
|
The Prince Of Tides |
El príncipe de las mareas |
1991 |
Red Garland |
|
Prelude To A Kiss |
Hechizo de un beso |
1992 |
|
|
Forever Young |
Eternamente joven |
1992 |
Billie Holiday |
|
Look Who’s Talking Now |
¡Mira quién habla ahora! |
1993 |
|
|
Six Degrees Of Separation |
Seis grados de separación |
1993 |
|
|
Home For The Holidays |
A casa por vacaciones |
1995 |
Nat King Cole |
|
Twilight |
Al caer el sol |
1998 |
|
|
Bicentennial Man |
El hombre bicentenario |
1999 |
Paula West |
|
Heart of Me |
Mi corazón |
2002 |
Al Bowlly with Ray Noble Orchestra |
|
I Capture the Castle |
El castillo soñado |
2003 |
Rosa Byrne |
|
Little Manhattan |
Pequeño Manhattan |
2005 |
Nat King Cole |
|
5 Flights Up |
Ático sin ascensor |
2014 |
Diane Keaton |