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.
Love Is the Sweetest Thing
Ray Noble and His Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What else on earth could ever bring
Such happiness to ev'rything
As Love's old story.
Love is the strangest thing
No song of birds upon the wing
Shall in our hearts more sweetly sing
Whatever heart may desire
Whatever fate may send
This is the tale that never will tire.
This is the song without end.
Love is the greatest thing
The oldest yet, the latest thing
I only hope that fate may bring
Love's story to you.
The first stanza of Ray Noble's song "Love Is The Sweetest Thing" establishes love as a powerful force; one that has the ability to bring much happiness to everything it touches. The lyrics imply a sense of awe and wonder at the extraordinary transformative power of love; love is able to turn something bitter into something sweet. The words reflect a sense of appreciation for the wonderful gift that love represents. The phrase "Love's old story" conveys the idea that love has been written about and experienced since time immemorial, lending it an almost mythical quality.
The second stanza contrasts the ethereal qualities of love with more grounded realities; the singer emphasizes that, in the midst of the joy that love brings, it is still something that exists in the real world. The idea that love is "the strangest thing" implies that it can never be fully understood, even as it warms our hearts and touches our souls. The mention of birds and their sweet songs emphasizes the natural, even primal, aspect of love, as well as its ability to inspire art and beauty.
Line by Line Meaning
Love is the sweetest thing
Love is the most delightful feeling in the world.
What else on earth could ever bring
There is nothing else in the world that could make us feel as happy as love does.
Such happiness to ev'rything
Love brings immense joy to everything around us.
As Love's old story.
As the story of love has been told for ages.
Love is the strangest thing
Love is a complex feeling that is hard to define.
No song of birds upon the wing
No melody or bird song can match the sweetness of love.
Shall in our hearts more sweetly sing
It sings in our hearts more melodiously than any other song.
Than Love's old story.
As the story of love is timeless and beautiful.
Whatever heart may desire
Whatever one's heart may long for.
Whatever fate may send
Whatever fate may have in store for us.
This is the tale that never will tire.
The story of love is never tiring, no matter how often it is told.
This is the song without end.
The song of love has no end, it continues forever.
Love is the greatest thing
Love is the most powerful and profound feeling.
The oldest yet, the latest thing
Love has been around for ages and will continue to be relevant forever.
I only hope that fate may bring
I pray that fate will bring us the chance to experience the story of love.
Love's story to you.
To experience the story of love with you.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Ray Noble
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lolo-be7wr
Just recently I found this song on 78 at a local thrift shop, I also found "the very thought of you," at the same store funny enough, if only I could find "midnight the stars and you," or "its all forgotten now," but hey, I'm happy with these two gems
@MattKlocke
Both of those are very rare, I previously owned Midnight, the stars and you. Unfortunately, My dog cracked it when I was on holiday.
@lolo-be7wr
@Matt Klocke I'm so sorry, alas a doggo is more important than an LP
@MattKlocke
@lolo 2004 Its ok, I hope to find another one soon
@MrDaiseymay
@Matt Klocke What----another Dog ? If so, don't show him how to play the records.
@MattKlocke
@Philip Croft I didn't, it was my fault, I left it on a spot that he could reach, and he's a curious dog [springer spaniel].
@stevesampson6431
One of my mom’s favorites; heartfelt memory
@stevesampson6431
Reference: Victor 24333-A; released 1932; Ray Noble and his New Mayfair Orchestra; performed by Albert “Al” Bowlly, from the film “Say It With Music” (recorded in Europe). SCS
@midnightdishwasher1071
im glad my fond music is still alive
@MattKlocke
YOUR fond music? This is Ray Noble & Al Bowlly's music. Nobody can make a duo better than those two musical geniuses !