About
Raymond Stanley Noble (17 December 1903 – 3 April 1978) was an English jazz and big band musician, who was a bandleader, composer and arranger, as well as a radio host, television and film comedian and actor; he also performed in the United States. He is best known for his signature tune, "The Very Thought of You", and for "Cherokee".
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Noble wrote both lyrics and music for many popular songs during the British dance band era, known as the "Golden Age of British music", notably for his longtime friend and associate Al Bowlly. His most iconic musical numbers included songs such as "Love Is the Sweetest Thing", "Cherokee", "The Touch of Your Lips", "I Hadn't Anyone Till You", Goodnight, Sweetheart, What More Can I Ask?, and "The Very Thought of You". Noble played a radio comedian opposite American ventriloquist Edgar Bergen's stage act of Mortimer Snerd and Charlie McCarthy, and American comedy duo Burns and Allen, later transferring these roles from radio to TV and popular films.
Members
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Johnny Mince clarinet
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Ray Noble eponymous
Discography
Albums
EPs
Singles
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Whistle My Love / I Hear the Bluebells Ring
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Vampin' / The Sheik of Araby
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Loretta / I Want to Be Near You
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Save a Little Sunbeam / Mama, What'll I Do
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It's a Most Unusual Day / Down by the Station
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Just Reminiscing / Down by the Station
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You're Always There / Melissa
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With You Anywhere You Are / I Don't Wanna Be Kissed
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Underneath the Linden Tree / The Streets of Laredo
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Judaline / It's a Most Unusual Day
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Serenade / What Do I Have to Do
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Suspicion!/ Goodnight Sweetheart
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Saturday Night in Central Park / I Fell in Love With You
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I Wish I Knew the Name (Of the Girl in My Dreams) / Serenade
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My Heart Is a Hobo / You'll Know When It Happens
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April Showers / I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now
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I'll Dance At Your Wedding / Those Things Money Can't Buy
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Linda / Love Is a Random Thing
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(The Treasure of) Sierra Madre / Two Loves Have I
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Sweet Dreams, Sweetheart / Linda
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Full Moon and Empty Arms / It Might as Well Be Spring
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What a Sweet Surprise / The Charm of You
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Sweet Dreams, Sweetheart / How Bright the Stars
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Cuddles / I'll Be Walkin' With My Honey (Soon, Soon, Soon)
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So-o-o-o in Love / I Wish That I Wish Tonight
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Isola Bella / Is That Good?
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By the Light of the Silv'Ry Moon / While My Lady Sleeps
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Friday Night at the Hartys / Saturday Night at the Nobles
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Goodnight Sweetheart / The Very Thought of You
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Believe Me, If All Those Endearing Young Charms / A Grecian Melody
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Is It Possible? / Tonight
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Kiss the Boys Goodbye / Is That Good?
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My Wild Irish Rose / A Little Bit of Blarney
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If It's You / Harbor of Dreams
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I’m Waiting for Ships That Never Come In / We Three
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From Oakland to Burbank / Harlem Nocturne
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Maybe / I'll Never Smile Again
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That's for Me / Rhythm on the River
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Seminole / Sleepy Time Gal
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Captain Custard / Sweet Potato Piper
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A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square / We Three
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Carolina in the Morning / If I Had My Way
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Comanche War Dance / Iroquois
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The Yam / The Yam Step
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The Moon of Manakoora / I Hadn't Anyone 'Till You
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The Night Is Blue / Swingin' the Apach'
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Cherokee / By the Waters of Minnetonka
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To Love You and to Lose You / Long as You Got Your Health
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I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm / Slumming on Park Avenue
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Mad About the Boy / The Younger Generation
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A Foggy Day / I Can't Be Bothered Now
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Change Partners / I Used to Be Color Blind
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Nice Work If You Can Get It / I Can't Be Bothered Now
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When I'm With You / But Definitely
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Dinah / Bugle Call Rag
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We Saw the Sea / If You Love Me
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Empty Saddles / Big Chief de Sota
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Flowers for Madame / Clouds
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I've Got You Under My Skin / Easy to Love
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There’s Something in the Air / Where the Lazy River Goes By
Live
Compilations
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The Myth of Ray Noble
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The HMV Sessions 1930-1934, Volume Six
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The HMV Sessions 1930-1934, Volume Twelve
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The HMV Sessions 1930-1934, Volume Nine
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The HMV Sessions 1930-1934, Volume Seven
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The HMV Sessions 1930-1934, Volume Ten
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The HMV Sessions 1930-1934, Volume Thirteen
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The HMV Sessions 1930-1934, Volume One
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The HMV Sessions 1930-1934, Volume Four
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The HMV Sessions 1930-1934, Volume Eight
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The HMV Sessions 1930-1934, Volume Five
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The HMV Sessions 1930-1934, Volume Eleven
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The HMV Sessions 1930-1934, Volume Two
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The HMV Sessions 1930-1934, Volume Three
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Everything Stops for Tea
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XX Век. Ретропанорама
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Midnight the Stars and You, in London 1930-34
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The Dance Band Years
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The Very Thought of You
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The 1930's, Volume One
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The HMV Sessions 1930-1934
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Big Bands of the 30’s
Links
Also known as
Ray Noble & His All Stars · Ray Noble & His Orchestra · Ray Nobles’ Orchestra · Ray Noble’s Orchestra
Identifiers
- MusicBrainz
- 37e6ae96-689c-4dda-804b-9007669a6708
Data from MusicBrainz, saved 7 Nov 2026. Photo from Wikimedia Commons, covers from the Cover Art Archive and Apple Music.