Ray Noble (December 17, 1903 – April 3, 1978) was a British bandleader, com… Read Full Bio ↴Ray Noble (December 17, 1903 – April 3, 1978) was a British bandleader, composer, arranger and actor. Noble studied music at the Royal Academy of Music and became leader of the HMV Records studio band in 1929. The band, known as the New Mayfair Dance Orchestra, featured members of many of the top hotel orchestras of the day. The most popular vocalist with Noble's studio band was Al Bowlly.

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.

Let Yourself Go
Ray Noble and His Orchestra Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

As you listen to the band dont you get a bubble?
As you listen to them play dont you get a glow?
If you step out on the floor
You'll forget your trouble
If you go into your dance
You'll forget your woe
So

Come
Get together
Let the dance floor feel your leather
Step as lightly as a feather
Let yourself go

Come
Hit the timber

Loosen up and start to limber
Cant you hear that hot marimba?
Let yourself go

Let yourself go
Relax
And let yourself go
Relax
You've got yourself tied up in a knot
The night is cold but the musics hot
So

Come
Cuddle closer
Don't you dare to answer no, sir

Butcher, banker, clerk and grocer
Let yourself go

Overall Meaning

The opening lines of Ray Noble and his Orchestra's song "Let Yourself Go" paint a picture of the joy and excitement that dancing can bring. The lyrics ask the listener if they feel a sense of optimism and happiness when they hear the band play. The song encourages the listener to forget their troubles and worries by getting out on the dance floor and losing themselves to the music.

The chorus is a call to action, urging the listener to "let yourself go." It's an invitation to throw caution to the wind and surrender to the rhythm of the music. The verses continue with more specific instructions to "hit the timber" and "loosen up and start to limber" as you dance. The song's upbeat tempo and lively melody convey a sense of enthusiasm and energy that's hard to resist.

The lyrics also acknowledge the potential obstacles to letting go and enjoying oneself. The line, "You've got yourself tied up in a knot," speaks to the anxieties that can prevent us from being carefree and spontaneous. But the song's message is clear: regardless of our concerns or societal roles, we should give ourselves permission to have fun and let loose on the dance floor.

Line by Line Meaning

As you listen to the band dont you get a bubble?
Do not you get a feeling of excitement as you listen to the band?

As you listen to them play dont you get a glow?
do you not feel the enthusiasm while the band is playing?

If you step out on the floor You'll forget your trouble
Your problems will disappear if you start dancing.

If you go into your dance You'll forget your woe
Your sorrows will vanish if you start dancing.

Come Get together Let the dance floor feel your leather Step as lightly as a feather Let yourself go
Join in and let the dance floor feel your energy. Dance gracefully and let yourself get carried away.

Come Hit the timber Loosen up and start to limber Cant you hear that hot marimba? Let yourself go
Start dancing to the rhythm of the music. Relax and move your body. Can't you hear the hot marimba inviting you to dance?

Let yourself go Relax And let yourself go Relax You've got yourself tied up in a knot The night is cold but the musics hot So
Relax and get carried away by the rhythm of the music. Don't be anxious, the atmosphere is perfect for dancing.

Come Cuddle closer Don't you dare to answer no, sir Butcher, banker, clerk and grocer Let yourself go
Come closer and dance with me. Don't say no, let us all dance regardless of our professions or backgrounds.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: IRVING BERLIN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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