The Very Thought of You is a 1934 pop standard written by Ray Noble. It was first recorded by Ray Noble and His Orchestra with Al Bowlly on vocals for His Master’s Voice in England in April 1934 at Abbey Road Studios, London, and released in the United States by Victor, where it topped the pop charts for five weeks. The song became a defining piece of the British dance band era and a favorite for many vocalists. Notable cover versions include Nat King Cole on his 1958 album The Very Thought of You, Little Willie John in 1961, Rick Nelson in 1964, and Natalie Cole in 1992. The original rights led to a 1962 copyright dispute between Campbell Connelly and M. Witmark & Sons, resolved in favor of Campbell Connelly by a British High Court ruling. More recently Barbra Streisand and Bob Dylan performed the tune as a duet on Streisand's 2025 album The Secret of Life.
