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The 1934 song Joni Mitchell wanted to hear forever: “I would swoon”
Joni Mitchell identified Ray Noble’s 1934 standard ‘The Very Thought of You’ as a song she could listen to indefinitely, saying its effect on her made her swoon. The article highlights how the singer-songwriter’s musical sensibility was shaped not only by contemporary folk and jazz but also by earlier romantic popular music.
Mitchell recalled first hearing the song in a Kirk Douglas film and being deeply moved by its melody and harmony. Written by English bandleader Ray Noble, ‘The Very Thought of You’ became a widely recorded standard, with its lush, wistful style reflecting the complex and emotional music Mitchell has long admired.
In short
- Joni Mitchell said Ray Noble’s 1934 standard made her swoon.
- She first heard it in a Kirk Douglas film.
- The song reveals her affection for romantic, harmonically rich music.
Explained simply
Joni Mitchell is a Canadian singer-songwriter who became one of the most influential musicians of the late twentieth century, known for her innovative guitar work and introspective songwriting. Her music shaped folk, rock and jazz, and she remains a key reference point for understanding modern popular music.
"The Very Thought of You" is a 1934 popular song written by English bandleader Ray Noble. Though written nearly a century ago, it became a standard that has been recorded countless times and is known for its lush, wistful melody and complex harmonies.
Mitchell's love for this romantic standard from the 1930s shows that her musical taste extended beyond the folk and contemporary jazz circles she is best known for. Her appreciation illustrates that even pioneering artists drew inspiration from earlier generations of popular music.