Best songs of Nat King Cole: 20 unforgettable songs

Born March 17, 1919, Nat King Cole He is one of the greatest solo singers in the world and a pioneer of racial equality (he became in the 50s the first African-American artist to host a television series). From "Unforgettable" to "L-O-V-E" and "The Christmas Song", he left behind a series of timeless clbadics. On the occasion of its centenary, we celebrate 20 of Nat King Cole's best songs.

Listen to the best of Nat King Cole on Apple Music and Spotify, and then scroll down to read our 20 best songs from Nat King Cole.

Best songs of Nat King Cole: 20 unforgettable songs

"Straighten up and fly to the right" (1943)

'Straighten Up And Fly Right' was written by Nat King Cole and the lyricist-publisher-publisher Irving Mills and was part of the comic film soundtrack of 1943 This is Elmer. Cole, born March 17, 1919 to Nathaniel Adams Cole in Alabama, grew up in Chicago, son of a Baptist minister. "Straighten Up And Fly Right" was based on a popular tale that Cole's father, Edward, sometimes told in sermons. This wartime version features some of Cole's brilliant early works with his jazz trio (with guitarist Oscar Moore and Wesley Prince on bbad). The song was a hit No. 1 and remained popular. Jeff Goldblum has included a version of his first album in 2018, The sessions of Capitol Studios.

"(Turn on) Route 66" (1946)

Route 66, composed by Julie LondonBobby Troup's husband about a trip from Chicago to Los Angeles is one of the iconic songs on the American road. This hit version of 1946, which is also among the best songs of Nat King Cole, shows Cole's prodigious talents as a pianist. Cole, influenced by jazz maestro Earl Hines, was a fluent pianist who could compete with the best. When Ray Charles In 2000, he announced Cole's integration into the R & B Hall of Fame. He said, "I used to sleep, drink, drink, eat, eat. I mean, his voice and his piano were so in harmony together. That's what I wanted to do … it looks like Nat Cole … and get hired. "

"The Christmas song" (1946)

In 1946, Cole became the first artist to sing clbadic festive lyrics about "baked chestnuts and Jack Frost biting your nose", which many see as the definitive version of "The Christmas Song". The song was co-written by famed crooner Mel Tormé and Bob Wells on a hot summer day. Tormé's youngest son, James – a jazz singer – said that his father and Wells had first introduced him to an editorial house that had rejected the song. "Then they went by car to Nat King Cole, who was then a blazing popularity," said Tormé, Jr. "They played and he asked them to play it again. "Stop everything, it's my song," he said.

Cole's hit version is not only one of Nat King Cole's best songs, it's part of the very modern Christmas.

"Nature Boy" (1947)

The nomadic writer, Brooklyn-born Eden Ahbez, is said to have handed Cole's words and music to the songs and sound of music at "Nature Boy" behind the scenes of a concert. Cole liked the song and cut a version of it on August 22, 1947. She reached the top of the charts and stayed there for eight weeks. "Nature Boy" was a difficult song to tackle and Cole showed all his technique by delivering an imposing version of his silky and baritone voice. The orchestra was conducted by Frank De Vol, who was the internal arranger of Capitol Records, and his use of strings and flute brings out the poignant lyrics, including the memorable lines "The greatest thing you'll ever learn to love and be loved in return. "

"Mona Lisa" (1950)

'Mona Lisa' is one of the great love songs of the twentieth century, which is well worth a place among the best songs of Nat King Cole. It was written by Ray Evans and Jay Livingston for the movie Captain Carey, United States and won an Oscar for the best original song. Surprisingly, 'Mona Lisa' was originally published as the B-side of 'The Greatest Inventor of All' and only took off when the radio's DJs started playing it instead of the main stage. The arrangement for Cole's version is of the great Nelson Riddle, with music by Les Baxter and his orchestra.

The title refers, of course, to Leonardo Da Vinci's famous painting. George Benson, who praised the "suaveness" that Cole had brought to the song, was only eight years old when he won a singing contest that had the prize of being able to record his own song. He recorded a version of 'Mona Lisa' under the nickname Little Georgie Benson. "This song has had such an influence on me," he said.

"To pretend" (1950)

"Pretend" was originally published as a single shellac of 78 rpm by Capitol. Cole's version of the 1930s ballad was created with Stan Kenton's jazz band and included (uncredited) excellent musicians, including Shelly Manne on drums. Natalie Cole, the Grammy-winning singer, recorded her own version on her 1991 album, Unforgettable … with love, who has reworked some of his father's best-known songs.

"Too young" (1951)

'Too Young', which contains the words of novelist Sylvia Dee (she also wrote the words "Bring Me Sunshine") was sold to a million copies and was number one for five weeks. Display panel To call it the 1951 flagship song, Cole described 'Too Young' as perhaps his favorite of all the songs he recorded.

"Unforgettable" (1952)

Album of Cole from 1952 Unforgettable opens with his superb title title, composed by Irving Gordon – who wrote "Me, Myself And I" for Billie Holiday – and represents a defining performance for the career among the best songs of Nat King Cole. His smooth and nuanced performance is perfect and enhanced by a subtle accompaniment of an orchestra arranged by Nelson Riddle.

'Walkin' My Baby Back Home '(1952)

"I'm trying to give people what they want," said Cole, who, at its peak, was selling seven million records a year. In 1952, Capitol Records published a series of his songs on a 10-inch disc called 8 Top Pops, including 'Walkin' My Baby Back Home '. The lyrics of the song were written by the accomplished composer, Roy Turk, whose many successes include Elvis Presley& # 39; Are you alone tonight?

"Almost like being in love" (1955)

Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe wrote "Almost Like Being In Love" for the 40s musical. Brigadon. Cole loved the song and recorded several versions, including a sparkling two-minute take for his 1955 album Nat King Cole sings for two lovers. Cole's version featured in several movies and was the closing song of the 1993 movie marmot day. As Cole said: "Most songs have the same story – about love – and you win or lose."

"When I fall in love" (1956)

Cole performed "When I Fall In Love", a song written by Victor Young and Edward Heyman that was a hit for Doris Day in 1952, and was made with a breathtaking version. Cole's brother, Freddie, said that one of Nat's memorable features was his ability to utter words in songs. His moving performance left an indelible impression on listeners. Singer Suzi Quatro said that she heard that it was one of the defining moments of her childhood. "The first time I heard that, I was very impressionable," said the singer. "I was about ten years old and it was the first love song I heard. I stayed in my sister's room, listened to her and cried. "

"Stardust" (1957)

The beautiful love song 'Stardust' by Hoagy Carmichael was 30 when Cole delivered it for his 1957 album Love is the thing. Steve Hoffman, who worked on the mastering of the album, said that Cole simply had a voice that "demanded attention", regardless of the quality of the musicians' distribution. "I started becoming a jazz pianist, but when I started singing, I sang as I felt it and that's how it was written," said Cole moderately.

'Ballerina' (1957)

Cole recorded 'Ballerina' (sometimes called 'Dance, Ballerina, Dance') ten years after it was written by Carl Sigman. The song was also extremely important for Gregory Porter, who created a version of his 2017 tribute album, Nat King Cole & Me. Calling this song "influential song," he said, "It's a love story and how it does not materialize if this dancer has a career and a life of her own. Cole was one of a kind. He left such good music that you will not be able to stop being influenced by his extraordinary timbre, his style and his absolutely cool style. "

"The very thought of you" (1958)

Ray Noble's beautiful love ballad, "The Very Thought Of You" was premiered by Al Bowlly in 1934 and has since been tackled by many of the world's greatest singers, including Bing Crosby and Billie Holiday. One of the most memorable versions is the silky version of Cole, dating from 1958, which was produced by Lee Gillette and which takes up the fast string arrangements of composer Gordon Jenkins. "I'm an interpreter of stories," said Cole. "When I play, it's like sitting in front of my piano and telling fairy tales."

"Quizás, Quizás, Quizás" ("Maybe, maybe, maybe") (1962)

In one of his Latin music albums, Nat King Cole addressed "Quizás, Quizás, Quizás" ("Maybe, perhaps, perhaps") by Cuban composer Osvaldo Farres. Armando De Sequeira Romeu, a drummer from the Havana Symphony Orchestra, appeared on the highly orchestrated dance floor. Cole sang in Spanish and learned the lyrics in a phonetic way

"I love you for sentimental reasons" (1961)

Deek Watson, a founding member of the vocal group The Ink Spots, co-wrote the timeless clbadic "I Love You" for Sentimental Reasons in 1945. Sixteen years later, Cole put his own imprint on the song with a version for his album. The story of Nat King Cole, which has been nominated for the Grammy Award Album of the Year. His sweet performance influenced a generation of singers. "He just hypnotized me. The singing of Nat King Cole was like a medicine for me, "said Aaron Neville. "Nat was everyone's favorite singer – from Ray Charles to Sam Cooke at Marvin Gaye – All loved him. Everyone wanted Nat King Cole.

"Send For Me" (1961)

From his days playing uncredited on a Lester Young Nat King Cole liked to call on leading jazz musicians for her tracks. On "Send For Me", he hired drummer Lee Young (who had also played with Lester) and guitarist Kenny Burrell. The song was written by Ollie Jones and Cole utters the lyrics with his usual impeccable tone, sounding as relaxed as an interpreter.

"Oh Mary, do not cry" (1961)

Cole grew up surrounded by gospel music and recorded an entire spirituals album for Capitol called Whenever I feel the Spirit. The version of 'Oh Mary, Don' t You Weep 'was adapted by Cole, who had the choir of the first church in Chicago sing. Cole was an innovative figure of American popular music. At the height of his popularity, he became the first African-American to host his own television show, but he never forgot his roots. He put his success on "hard work, integrity and luck" and overcame the appalling racism.

"Ramblin 'Rose" (1962)

Cole's version of a popular song written by brothers Noel and Joe Sherman reached the second place at a time. Display panel graphics and sold to over one million copies. "Ramblin 'Rose" was the title track of her 1962 album of the same name, arranged and directed by Belford Hendrick, a man who had worked with Count Basie and Dinah Washington. The song featured a vocal support chorus and Rene Hall's good electric guitar, which played regularly with big souls, Sam Cooke and Marvin Gaye.

L-O-V-E (1965)

This clbadic of modern love was written by Milt Gabler, uncle of comedian Billy Crystal. In addition to a beautiful interpretation in English, the singer composed Japanese, Spanish and French versions, claiming that it was one of Nat King Cole's best songs of all time. Cole attached great importance to precision in music and his singing was accurate as an atomic clock. The trumpet on the song is courtesy of Bobby Bryant, a jazz maestro who recorded with Oliver Nelson, Lalo Schifrin and Horace Silver. Nat King Cole recorded the song in 1964, at a time when he was diagnosed with lung cancer – a disease of which he died a year later, at the age of 45.

Find out more about Nat King Cole's groundbreaking legacy.