The WILD History of ‘The Windmills of Your Mind’
EVERYONE is talking about Severance Season 2. Today we look at the WILD history behind the Apple TV series finale’s “The Windmills of Your Mind” and its journey from 1968 to 2025. This one includes it all — a high flying playboy (Steve McQueen), an olympic skier, an Oscar, and about 5000 covers from the likes of Mel Torme, the Muppets, Dusty Springfield, Sting, Jose Feliciano, and countless others. This is the story of “The Windmills of Your Mind.”
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CHAPTERS:
0:00 From Thomas Crown Affair to Severance Season 2
1:44 The Writing of “Windmills Of Your Mind”
4:26 The Haunting Vocals of Noel Harrison
7:07 A Popular Resurfacing in Severance Season 2
9:16 The Legacy of “The Windmills Of Your Mind”
REFERENCE CLIPS & FURTHER LISTENING:
Noel Harrison – The Windmills of Your Mind https://youtu.be/WEhS9Y9HYjU?si=YAY90eyS0TmIUhdz
Mel Torme – The Windmills of Your Mind https://youtu.be/Wc-V5-EVKc4?si=Qv6SXkNtTD6ViSnf
Dusty Springfield – The WIndmills of Your Mind (Dusty in Deutchland, 1969) https://youtu.be/5Iri-_mye7w?si=xWIN2ztm7LK1dU20
Noel Harrison – The Windmills of Your Mind (East Budleigh, Devon, 2008) https://youtu.be/vK7dscJTr9k?si=C0PP3mKlXhTShYV9
Thomas Crown Affair – Original Hang Glider Scene https://youtu.be/Osl6EJGwFyM?si=ihPrHYp1E5wJ24Vk
Windmills of Your Mind wins an Oscar https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_z5zQNKdoac
Jose Feliciano ‘The Windmills of Your Mind’ (Live) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TENBIrwOHU
The Libertines “The Windmills Of Your Mind” (Live for la Blogoteque) https://youtu.be/sA1D1BHcTrE?si=K6yU9E2uhNS05UNW
The Ricken Goat Theory https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJd5TQfInR4
Mel Torme Live in 1964 https://youtu.be/P_dFcd3s0bU?si=obwmUY5R-4Cz5VN5
#meltorme #noelharrison #windmillsofyourmind #severance #severancetvshow #severanceexplained #vinylcommunity #vinylrecords #vinylcollection #andyfenstermaker #fensepost #vinylchannel #poeticwax #musicessay #musicstory #albumstory #musichistory #albumhistory #musicdocumentary #thelibertines
@AndyFenstermaker
September 13, 2025 at 3:15 am
At long last, I'm now adding mildly edited transcripts and audio clips of many songs mentioned in my Substack: https://poeticwax.substack.com/p/the-wild-story-of-windmills-of-your
Next, check out how The Beach Boys and David Bowie inspired one of the most unexpected albums in rock history (and inspired 'School of Rock' in the process): https://youtu.be/1U5bRdcTR5E
@rockinray6197
September 13, 2025 at 3:15 am
You are cool as all hell
@michelleavery4038
September 13, 2025 at 3:15 am
Sting’s version blows every version away.
@MV-es3sk
September 13, 2025 at 3:15 am
Mel Tormés performance is gorgeous
@MV-es3sk
September 13, 2025 at 3:15 am
Noel Harrison had no sense of pocket on his performance, so rushed and off, distracting from the arrangement, essentially doing the opposite of what Jacques Brel did… too bad.
@nigeldewallens1115
September 13, 2025 at 3:15 am
I have only just listened to Mel Tormé version it is brilliant! However, too slow and I am not trying to knock his version either, as he is an incredible singer! but for the film! for me, It is Noel Harrison is the best version and not slow at all, for this film!
@ejshelby5460
September 13, 2025 at 3:15 am
Want to hear the Japanese version
@markseslstorytellerchannel3418
September 13, 2025 at 3:15 am
Funny, how was this song ever forgotten?
@maxisausepurz2276
September 13, 2025 at 3:15 am
Taste is different in people, for me Harrisons interpretation is much more triggering feelings.
@nymakerable
September 13, 2025 at 3:15 am
You tease us along forever but never play the Mel Tormé version. Now I have to go look it up.
@thatswhatisaid8908
September 13, 2025 at 3:15 am
I prefer Edward Woodward's version. He sings it classically and it's just beautifully done.
@AnJo888
September 13, 2025 at 3:15 am
IMHO the series should end just like that…
I know there are many 'loose strings'…
What happened to Mark and Helly R. after he decided to stay with her? Did Gemma get out or was shot at sight after leaving? Did Ms. Cobel claim her role as the creator of the technology? Did Dylan become e better man/husband outside as he was inside? Did Burt return and saved the day, again?
I really don't care… long series tend to get repetitive, tiresome, and Severance 2nd season just get the story to the point it'll be talked about for a long time.
Great final music score.
@jmrodas9
September 13, 2025 at 3:15 am
I like th song, for me it is a good song, and could not care less why it was composed.
@preparedfarmer
September 13, 2025 at 3:15 am
Immediate follow 🔥
@gametheorybasics
September 13, 2025 at 3:15 am
RIP Alan Bergman…
@dangerouslycheeky3746
September 13, 2025 at 3:15 am
Rest in Peace, Alan.
@gloriahenderson7804
September 13, 2025 at 3:15 am
I prefer Johnny Mathis’s version, it’s just something in his voice that catches me.
@pasion4piano
September 13, 2025 at 3:15 am
Dusty is the absolute best female singer .
@missfit6027
September 13, 2025 at 3:15 am
I ❤ nana mouskouri’s rendition! I thought it was awesome
And Barbra Streisand – that is wonderful as well❣️
@jerryormston3916
September 13, 2025 at 3:15 am
Mel Tormé did it better.
@hsheist9407
September 13, 2025 at 3:15 am
never hear mels version as you just surrendered to your own silly macadamics … really how stupid.
@Sympathy_forLadyVengeance
September 13, 2025 at 3:15 am
Drink everytime this guy says "jazzy"
@Herbivor7
September 13, 2025 at 3:15 am
Great video for an amazing song 👍 I agree Mel Tormé knocked it out of the park. His version in my opinion is the best by far.
“Jimmy loves the velvet fog!!!!”
@sjclips9107
September 13, 2025 at 3:15 am
Honestly he really really should’ve left with his wife. Obviously he was gonna stay with helly for the plot but realistically that’s just stupid as fuck since the whole entire season was about rescuing his stupid fucking wife💀
@bonnijordan2627
September 13, 2025 at 3:15 am
My favorite is Dusty Springfield!
With her sultry voice, smoldering!
@getyourmotorrunning...
September 13, 2025 at 3:15 am
You are just wrong. Torme is too slow and so is Dusty. You can't better Noel's original and Jose really stuffed it
@atwarwithdust
September 13, 2025 at 3:15 am
Esthero did an awesome version too, which everyone tells me sounds like Björk, even though I don’t hear the resemblance really.
@Mark70609
September 13, 2025 at 3:15 am
In the mid 80’s I thought I heard a version of Windmills that sounded like the Smiths and Morrissey did it. It’s a great version and of course I have never been able to find it.
@alexwiththeglasses
September 13, 2025 at 3:15 am
Nice! The French wiki has a draft entry saying it was inspired by the andante movement of the concerto symphony for violin viola K 364 by Mozart, but doesn’t mention the first minor hit French version in ‘68.
Tyvm for the excellent work!
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