“New top valentine’s song”

Ella Fitzgerald and Nat King Cole performing on a 1955 episode of 'Ford Star Jubilee,' New York.

Nat King Cole - Nature Boy 1948

The single was released in 1948, and later appeared on the 1961 album The Nat King Cole Story. It reached the top of the Billboard music charts and sold over a million copies, and introduced him to the white music market. In 1999, the song was awarded the Grammy Hall of Fame Award, a special award established in 1973 to honor recordings that are at least twenty-five years old and that have "qualitative or historical significance". Following Cole's success, rival record companies released cover versions of "Nature Boy" by other artists which ultimately became a pop and jazz standard, with many artists interpreting the song. It was also used in numerous films like The Boy with Green Hair, The Talented Mr. Ripley, and the 2001 musical Moulin Rouge!, for which David Bowie recorded a version. Both new and old listeners like the song, with a total of 74,6% yes votes in total.

Nat King Cole, March 17, 1919 – February 15, 1965.

Straighten Up & Fly Right

hello moominvalley i come bearing gifts (doodles made at 3AM) 🎁🎁🎁

Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole and Dean Martin at the "Friars Club" (1957)

Today In History

Nat King Cole, legendary singer, pianist, and entertainer, was born in Montgomery, AL, on this date March 17, 1919.

By the 1950s, Cole emerged as a popular solo performer. He scored numerous hits, with such songs as “Nature Boy,” “Mona Lisa,” “Too Young” and “Unforgettable.” In the studio, Cole got to work with some of the country’s top talent, including Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald, and famous arrangers such as Nelson Riddle.

Cole made television history in 1956 when he became the first African American performer to host a variety TV series. The Nat King Cole Show featured many of the leading performers of the day, including Count Basie, Peggy Lee, Sammy Davis Jr. and Tony Bennett.

His daughter Natalie Cole included a cover of the song Unforgettable on her album Unforgettable… with Love. It was certified 7× platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), and won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year, for which Cole became the first African-American woman to win the award.

CARTER™️ Magazine

N a t K i n g C o l e // L o u i s A r m s t r o n g

Nat King Cole - When I Fall in Love 1956

"When I Fall in Love" is a song written by Victor Young and Edward Heyman. It was introduced in Howard Hughes' last film One Minute to Zero as the instrumental titled "Theme from One Minute to Zero". Jeri Southern sang on the first vocal recording released in April 1952 with the song's composer, Victor Young, handling the arranging and conducting duties. The song has become a standard, with many artists recording it; the first hit version was sung by Doris Day released in July 1952. The song reached number 20 on the Billboard chart.

A version was recorded by American jazz vocalist Nat King Cole in 1956, and featured on the album titled Love Is the Thing. The song was also used as the recurrent love theme in the 1957 film Istanbul, in which Cole sang the song on screen. The single was released in the UK in 1957 and reached number 2 on the UK Singles Chart. This recording was re-released in 1987 and reached number 4. Love Is the Thing reached number 1 on Billboard's Pop Albums Chart and number 1 on the UK Charts.

Natalie Cole recorded two different versions of the song: a contemporary R&B/smooth jazz version for her 1987 album Everlasting, and a more traditional version for her 1996 Stardust album as a virtual duet with her father Nat King Cole, including recordings of his vocals from his 1956 version. This version won two awards at the 39th Grammy Awards: Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals and Best Instrumental Arrangement with Accompanying Vocal(s) for arrangers Alan Broadbent and David Foster.

"When I Fall in Love" received a total of 68,8% yes votes! Previous Nat King Cole polls: #9 "Nature Boy"

Chestnuts

Chestnuts are among my favorite Christmas fare. Nat King Cole's song served as the catalyst for everything, and you've undoubtedly heard the opening line of "The Christmas Song"—"Chestnuts roasting on an open fire." I was curious to give this nut a taste, so I did. Since then, I've become addicted. What say you, too? Would you mind sharing your preferred holiday snack?

Chestnuts are my favorite ingredient to use in the fall, especially for the holidays. I always find that they are meaty, hearty and have a mysterious refinement when cooked or roasted over sea salt.

Geoffrey Zakarian

Natalie Cole gets into the holiday spirit by singing carols with her famous father, musician Nat King Cole.

‘‘ I don't want to see tomorrow, Unless I see it with you… ’’

Nat King Cole - It’s Only A Paper Moon (1963)