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You are here: Home / Guitar Chord Songbook / The Very Thought of You Guitar Lesson

The Very Thought of You Guitar Lesson

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Song Background
The song The Very Thought of You, words and music by Ray Noble,  was first published in 1934. After initially having success with Ray Noble, vocals by Al Bowlly and then Bing Crosby, the song appeared again in 1950 movie Young Man With A Horn with vocals by Doris Day. The film was a fictional tale of a Jazz Trumpeter and was loosely based on the life of early Jazz star Bix Beiderbeck. Many artists have been drawn to the tune over the years including Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sanatra, Nat “King Cole” and more recently Rod Stewart ! Ive listed some of my favourite recprdings below.
Guitar Chord Progression Analysis
The chord progression for this tune has mainly two different elements to it, upward movement by ascending steps and downward movement of II-V’s by thirds and seconds. Consistency in movement like this gives great scope for nice moving lines when your doing a chord arrangement. Although allowing great scope, this can still be quite challenging depending on your knowledge of chord shapes.  I’ve listed the chord shapes that I mainly use in my arrangements in my guitar forum which may help you if your struggling when attempting chord progressions like this. 
Suggested Listening
Charlie Byrd

Album -Isn’t It Romantic

Great recording with Charlie Byrd on nylon strung guitar. Listen out for his bass in the solo guitar intro.

Sarah Vaughan

Album – Music for lovers

Great pick up from Barney Kessel. It’s always import how you start a song and this is something I cover in the Beyond Tabs guitar course 

Joe Pass

Album – Unforgettable

As with the Charlie Byrd recording the nylon strung guitar makes another appearance in this version by Joe Pass

Brad Mehldau

Album – Brad Mehldau Trio Live

Becoming a favourite mine I love Brad Mehldau’s subtle playing and harmonic pallette


Which artist’s version of The Very Thought Of You would you recommend? Tell me about it and I can feature it here

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