We would need too many pages to give credit for the talent, the voice, the accolades that this genius of an entertainer has brought to the world of music. However, here is a brief attempt. An indication of Cole's virtuosity is evident of the genres he has been placed in- Traditional Pop, Swing, Vocal, Jazz, R&B, Early R&B, Vocal Jazz, Vocal Pop. Are you getting it. Mind you, Cole's vocal range did not touch the very high octave, but his velvety voice and his seat at the piano is mesmerizing.
During his time there was a high level of segregation but this artist was able to reach across ethnic lines quite easily, not because he forced it but hearing his voice turned heads and eyes and ears, and followers across racial lines. Operating in the 1940s and 50s was challenging but, Nat Cole became Nat King Cole. Phew!
To identify a song that we think is his best, is impossible. Every song that Cole sang has that scintillating sweetness, that uh, ah, indescribable, mellowness. Now that the Christmas season is on, be thrilled by his songs. When Paul McCarthy was asked on a show which Christmas song he thought was the best, he quickly responded," The Christmas Song", by Nat King Cole. In this article we have selected the song " Back In My Arms", released in 1957. Just three minutes of bliss. Here are the lyrics.
Back In My Arms.
The golden crown of setting sun-goes-down
And soon all over town the lights will glisten
And she'll listen impatiently for me to turn the key
And very soon she'll be back in my arms
And my darling there will stay
'till the sun comes up behind the hill
Then when I must go away
I won't live again until
The purple light of evening fills the night
As day drops out of sight my dreams will flower
For the hour is coming when I'll hurry home and then
I'll take her once again back in my arms
And my darling there will stay
'till the sun come up behind the hill
Then when I must go away
I won't live again until
The purple light of evening fills the night
As day drops out of sight my dreams will flower
For the hour is coming when I'll hurry home and then
I'll take her once again back in my arms.
Writer: Jule Mandel and Roger Roger.
Producer: David Cavanaugh
© 1957 Universal Studios.
During his time there was a high level of segregation but this artist was able to reach across ethnic lines quite easily, not because he forced it but hearing his voice turned heads and eyes and ears, and followers across racial lines. Operating in the 1940s and 50s was challenging but, Nat Cole became Nat King Cole. Phew!
To identify a song that we think is his best, is impossible. Every song that Cole sang has that scintillating sweetness, that uh, ah, indescribable, mellowness. Now that the Christmas season is on, be thrilled by his songs. When Paul McCarthy was asked on a show which Christmas song he thought was the best, he quickly responded," The Christmas Song", by Nat King Cole. In this article we have selected the song " Back In My Arms", released in 1957. Just three minutes of bliss. Here are the lyrics.
Back In My Arms.
The golden crown of setting sun-goes-down
And soon all over town the lights will glisten
And she'll listen impatiently for me to turn the key
And very soon she'll be back in my arms
And my darling there will stay
'till the sun comes up behind the hill
Then when I must go away
I won't live again until
The purple light of evening fills the night
As day drops out of sight my dreams will flower
For the hour is coming when I'll hurry home and then
I'll take her once again back in my arms
And my darling there will stay
'till the sun come up behind the hill
Then when I must go away
I won't live again until
The purple light of evening fills the night
As day drops out of sight my dreams will flower
For the hour is coming when I'll hurry home and then
I'll take her once again back in my arms.
Writer: Jule Mandel and Roger Roger.
Producer: David Cavanaugh
© 1957 Universal Studios.