The Thrill Is Gone

Album: Ho Ho, Everybody (1931)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Not to be confused with the blues classic written in 1951 and popularized by B.B. King, this song is a jazz standard written by Lew Brown (lyrics) and Ray Henderson (music) for the 1931 production of George White's Broadway revue Scandals. In the revue, it was sung by Everett Marshall, but the recorded version was sung by Rudy Vallee and released on the Victor label, credited to "Rudy Vallee with his Connecticut Yankees." Vallee was part of the revue that year along with Ethel Merman.
  • A torch ballad, this song is about a love gone stale. The singer is asking to put this affair out of its misery, as there's no sense continuing when the thrill is gone.
  • Structurally, this song is unusual in that it starts with two repetitions of the title. It then plays on the senses to explain the different ways the singer knows it's over:

    I can see it in your eyes
    I can hear it in your sighs
    Feel your touch and realize
    The thrill is gone
  • Artists to cover this song include Chet Baker, Bing Crosby, Sarah Vaughan, Julie London, Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone and Stan Getz.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Graham Nash

Graham NashSongwriter Interviews

Graham Nash tells the stories behind some of his famous songs and photos, and is asked about "yacht rock" for the first time.

The Real Nick Drake

The Real Nick DrakeSong Writing

The head of Drake's estate shares his insights on the late folk singer's life and music.

The 10 Bands Most Like Spinal Tap

The 10 Bands Most Like Spinal TapSong Writing

Based on criteria like girlfriend tension, stage mishaps and drummer turnover, these are the 10 bands most like Spinal Tap.

Joe Elliott of Def Leppard

Joe Elliott of Def LeppardSongwriter Interviews

The Def Leppard frontman talks about their "lamentable" hit he never thought of as a single, and why he's juiced by his Mott The Hoople cover band.

Hardy

HardySongwriter Interviews

The country hitmaker talks about his debut album, A Rock, and how a nursery rhyme inspired his hit single "One Beer."

Ralph Casale  - Session Pro

Ralph Casale - Session ProSongwriter Interviews

A top New York studio musician, Ralph played guitar on many '60s hits, including "Lightnin' Strikes," "A Lover's Concerto" and "I Am A Rock."