Earworm : a catchy song or tune that runs continuously through a person’s mind.

Has there ever been a song that you have equally cherished and chastised ? A song that sticks with you all day that you find yourself humming or whistling at the most inappropriate times ?

One such song for me is The Windmills Of My Mind sung by Noel Harrison back in 1968.

Mrs A  (A graduate of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama no less) describes it as a Baroque style melody similar to a Bach prelude with it’s numerous modulations. Personally I think it just sounds French.

Picture yourself supping your cafe au lait in a Parisian bistro with the strains of  accordion from the beret clad busker across the boulevard.

Hey Pepe Le Peu, gonna gie it a break. Yur doin’ ma heid in wi that tune goin’ roon and roon. A fair near gagged on my croissant !

Of course I would be right. The music was by renowned French pianist and composer Michel Legrand with the English lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman.

Actor and musician Noel Harrison is better known as the son of Rex of My Fair Lady and Doctor Doolittle fame. Although appearing in numerous musicals Rex Harrison never really sang but talked through his songs (listen to If I Could Talk To The Animals)

Fortunately his boy could hold a tune (almost) and found himself singing on the soundtrack of The Thomas Crown Affair beating Andy Williams to the gig. Who can forget that sexy chess scene when Steve McQueen was all hot under the collar at Faye Dunaway’s caressing of the Bishop piece.

The Windmills Of My Mind accompanied a glider scene as well as being used over the opening credits.

So, as the lyrics say :

Round like a circle in a spiral, like a wheel within a wheel
Never ending or beginning on an ever spinning reel

Enjoy……………….for the rest of the day !