Close Your Eyes

By Bernice Petkere
1933

Ironically, although this melodic ballad was composed by the American songwriter Petkere, it was actually introduced by British crooner Al Bowlly (pictured) and the Ray Noble orchestra. With its beautifully romantic lyric and hummable tune, it has remained in favor by practitioners of the Songbook ever since.

Lyrics:

Music play
Something dreamy for dancing
While we're here romancing
It's love's holiday
And Love will be our guide
Close your eyes
When you open them dear
I'll be right hear by your side.

So...
Close your eyes
Rest your head on my shoulder and sleep
Close your eyes
And I will close mine.

Close your eyes
Let's pretend that we're both counting sheep
Close your eyes
This is divine.

From: http://www.musicbabylon.com

Recorded By:

Harry Belafonte
Tony Bennett
Stacey Kent
Doris Day
Peggy Lee

The Very Thought of You

By Ray Noble
1934

British bandleader Noble composed this endurant and poignant standard, and introduced it with his own orchestra, featuring Al Bowlly as the singer. It has been recorded countless times by pop and jazz artists, popping up decade after decade. On a personal note, my grandmother's wartime sweetheart used to sing this to her before going off to Europe, where he was killed. It is also a favorite to sing to my daughter at bedtime, and my best friend wisely used the Billie Holiday recording as his wedding song...

Lyrics:

I don't need your photograph to keep by my bed
Your picture is always in my head
I don't need your portrait, dear, to bring you to mind
For sleeping or waking, dear, I find

The very thought of you and I forget to do
The little ordinary things that everyone ought to do
I'm living in a kind of daydream
I'm happy as a king
And foolish though it may seem
Why to me that's everything

The mere idea of you, the longing here for you
You'll never know how slow the moments go till I'm near to you
I see your face in every flower
Your eyes in stars above
It's just the thought of you
The very thought of you, my love

I see your face in every flower
Your eyes in stars above
It's just the thought of you
The very thought of you, my love

Recorded By:

Bing Crosby
Frank Sinatra
Ella Fitzgerald
Billie Holiday
Tony Bennett & Paul McCartney