Noble played the piano but seldom did so with his orchestra. In a movie short from the 1940s featuring Ray Noble and Buddy Clark (one of his most popular band singers), Ray Noble is asked by the announcer to play one of his most popular hits. He sits down at the piano and plays "Goodnight Sweetheart" ("Goodnight sweetheart, 'til we meet tomorrow. Goodnight sweetheart, parting is such sorrow"). This is the song that once seemed to be played at the end of every high school and college prom, the end of every party featuring live music, and the last song played by a dance band to signal the end of the evening.
Although Noble was no singer, he did appear twice as an upper crust Englishmen on two of his more popular New York records, 1935's Top Hat and 1937's Slumming on Park Avenue.
Noble and Bowlly's 1934 recording of "Midnight, the Stars and You" was prominently featured on the soundtrack of Stanley Kubrick's film The Shining in 1980.
Experiment
Ray Noble and His Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Through a meadow land toward a closing door
A door marked "nevermore" that wasn't there before
The lonely night discloses just a passing breeze filled with memories
Of the golden smile that introduced me to
The days of wine and roses and you
Of the golden smile that introduced me to
The days of wine and roses and you-oo-oo
The lyrics of "Experiment" by Ray Noble and His Orchestra are poetic and nostalgic, with a deep sense of loss and regret. The singer reminiscences about the days of wine and roses, a time of joy and happiness where everything seemed possible. However, that time is now gone and has passed away, just like a child running and playing without looking back.
The singer then describes a meadow land that leads to a closing door, marked "nevermore", which suggests a definitive end to something that can't be reopened. This door was never seen before, indicating that it's a gateway to a different reality, one that's filled with regrets and lost opportunities.
The next verse continues this theme of loss and regret, as the singer recalls a golden smile that introduced them to the days of wine and roses and to a person they loved. The passing breeze of the lonely night serves as a reminder of the happiness that has been lost, and the memories that are triggered make the singer feel like they can almost touch the past, but unfortunately, it's too far gone.
Overall, "Experiment" is a poignant and melancholic song that reminds us of the fleeting nature of happiness and the importance of cherishing the moments that truly matter.
Line by Line Meaning
The days of wine and roses laugh and run away like a child at play
The happy times we had seem to slip away easily, just like how a child happily runs and hides during playtime.
Through a meadow land toward a closing door
We were heading towards an end, just like walking towards a door that is about to shut.
A door marked "nevermore" that wasn't there before
That closed door is final, a sign that I can never go back to the happy times we once had.
(The lonely night discloses) just a passing breeze filled with memories
During sleepless nights, I am reminded by the faint sound of a gentle wind which brings back memories of you.
Of the golden smile that introduced me to
The memory of your beautiful, welcoming smile that caught my attention and interest.
The days of wine and roses and you-oo-oo
These sweet memories of happiness and love remind me of you and how much I miss you.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HENRY NICOLA MANCINI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mark Story Jenks
This is a fascinating song, although the meaning then and the meaning now might not be the same when it comes to relationships. What do you think about that?
Steven Torrey
I didn't realize it was so well represented in the repertoire ...
Dimitri
I fell asleep listening to this music and just wow, i had a wonderful sleep. Miss the good old days
Vladislov Kyzinski
There is a spectacular version of this from the NYMPH ERRANT musical finale elsewhere here on YT.
songanddanceman100
odd little tune. never heard of it before now. thx
Niels Ohlsen
little?
if only more people would have the courage and imagination to live their lives as suggested by Cole Porter, the world - as confined by humans - surely would be a much more meaningful place?
songanddanceman100
***** Maybe. I dunno....
Vladislov Kyzinski
From the musical NYMPH ERRANT. There is a spectacular version of this arranged by Donald Pippin elsewhere here on YT.