Sunday, November 04, 2007

Writers Island - Unforgettable


Some songs are truly unforgettable, and for me 'Unforgettable' by Nat King Cole tops the list.

A simple tune, with even simpler lyrics that says so much in just a few words and notes.

It was written by Irving Gordon, and when it was released in 1951 it reached number 12 in the charts. A version by Dinah Washington also proved a hit, as did a ‘duet’ with his daughter Natalie Cole in 1991.


Born on March 17 1919 in Montgomery Alabama, Nathanial Adams Coles was the son of a butcher and Baptist deacon. As a child he learned the organ and later the piano.

Originally he played jazz, gospel and classical music and during the 30’s when he was a teenager, he began his performing career. At first he played with his own Jazz trio, but as he became better known he found his niche in mainstream pop. By the 50’s he was one the worlds leading artists with his own TV shows and several movies to his credit.


His catalogue of hits is enormous. Rambling Rose, Lazy Hazy Crazy Days of Summer, Mona Lisa, Smile - the list is endless. When I Fall in love has to be one of the most romantic songs of all time.

But his signature tune, Unforgettable, is the song for which he is best remembered.


Nat King Cole was a heavy smoker. On February 15 1965 he died of lung cancer. He was at the height of his career.
‘Unforgettable in every way
And for ever more that’s how you’ll stay‘.



Part 3 of The Stranger *new!*

Part 2 of The Stranger

Part 1 of The Stranger

21 comments:

  1. Very interesting Keith. Learned a lot again. Thanks

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  2. The man is sheer poetry.

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  3. I love that song!
    Great colors for the blog - very uplifting.
    Sending good vibes your way,
    Frances

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  4. A very nice tribute to a very unforgettable entertainer and to an unforgettable career. I too was born in Montgomery Alabama.

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  5. I didn't know much about Nat King Cole before reading this (despite my parents listening to his music endlessly while I was growing up!) so thanks for sharing this.

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  6. the lyrics are great...and yes the song's lovely...nice tribute...:)

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  7. Keith,
    NKC, has and continues to be a favorite of mine also!
    rel

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  8. this song has been playing in my head since i first read the prompt.. i am soooo happy someone picked up the torch and ran with it,,, this was excellent keith!!!!

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  9. Huge Nat fan (from my grandma), huge, so I loved this!

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  10. A wonderful tribute - thank you! I'm so glad I wasn't the only one who got earwormed with the song when I saw the writing prompt. Actually, I rather wonder who managed to escape that! :)

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  11. Thanks for this post! I love his songs! I even like Natalie King Cole!

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  12. I'd have to concur. I remember him on TV and what a singer!

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  13. indeed unforgettable, some of the songs I love mainly for the lyrics are so unforgettable

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  14. Oops I commented on the Guy Fawkes post - thought that was your take on the 'unforgettable prompt',noticed this afterward. I love this song myself, and it's one of my favs. Thanks for sharing. Onto the stranger continuation.

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  15. Lovely post! He was one of a kind, wasn't he. Each song embedded itself in my head and the mention of one sends me humming down the list.

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  16. Great minds think alike! Excellent post!

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  17. A timeless song and a timeless artist. Excellent post.

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  18. Hey there - this is great. I love learning something new and this is great. Thanks.

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  19. Being my dads favorite artist the melodic sound of Nat King Cole rang through my house growing up. Mona Lisa and Unforgettable being the favored. My brother and I still play his Christmas album as a tribute to our now deceased father and all the unforgettable Christmases of childhood! Thanks for evoking a few terrific memories. I never realized my father and NKC were born the same year! This song was also my first thought when I heard the prompt....oh the power of words!

    Peace Giggles

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  20. Nat King Cole was indeed an Unforgettable singer/songwriter.

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  21. I enjoyed reading this. Nat King Cole will certainly never be forgotten. Thank you for putting this together.

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