Nature Boy

Nat King Cole

About Nature Boy

"Nature Boy" is a song first recorded by American jazz singer Nat King Cole. It was released on March 29, 1948, as a single by Capitol Records, and later appeared on the album, The Nat King Cole Story. The song was written in 1947 by eden ahbez and is partly autobiographical. It is a tribute to ahbez's mentor Bill Pester, who had originally introduced him to Naturmensch and Lebensreform philosophies, which ahbez practiced. When Cole was performing in 1947 at the Lincoln Theater, ahbez wanted to present the song to him, but was ignored. He left the copy with Cole's valet, and from him the singer came to know of "Nature Boy". After receiving appreciation for his performance of the song, Cole wanted to record it but needed consent from the writer. Eventually, he tracked down ahbez. The recording took place on August 22, 1947, and featured an orchestra conducted by Frank De Vol—the in-house arranger of Capitol Records. He used strings and flute as instrumentation in the song, to capture the "enchanting" vibe of the track. The lyrics are a self-portrait of ahbez and his life. The final line—"The greatest thing you'll ever learn, Is just to love and be loved in return"—is considered a poignant moment in the song, with multiple interpretations of it. "Nature Boy" was released amidst the American Federation of Musicians (AFM) ban of 1948, but became commercially successful, reaching the top of the Billboard music charts and selling over a million copies, helping to establish the artist's solo career. 


Year:
2012
2:54
51 
#1

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There was a boy
A very strange enchanted boy
They say he wandered very far, very far
Over land and sea
A little shy and sad of eye
But very wise was he

And then one day
A magic day he passed my way
And while we spoke of many things
Fools and kings
This he said to me
The greatest thing you'll ever learn
Is just to love and be loved in return

The greatest thing you'll ever learn
Is just to love and be loved in return

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Nat King Cole

Nathaniel Adams Coles (March 17, 1919 – February 15, 1965), known professionally as Nat King Cole, was a musician who first came to prominence as a leading jazz pianist. He owes most of his popular musical fame to his soft baritone voice, which he used to perform in big band and jazz genres. He was one of the first black Americans to host a television variety show, and has maintained worldwide popularity since his death. more »

22 fans

Written by: Eden Ahbez

Lyrics © GOLDEN WORLD, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


6 facts about this song

David Bowie
David Bowie covered the song "Nature Boy" for the 2001 movie soundtrack of "Moulin Rouge!". - His version of "Nature Boy" was fused with a piece by Massive Attack called "Bumper Ball Dub" creating a unique adaptation. - Bowie declared that he felt lyrical affinity for the song and it was apt for his character in the movie.
Frank Sinatra
Frank Sinatra recorded his version of "Nature Boy" in 1948, the same year it was written by eden ahbez. - Sinatra's rendition of the song has been included in numerous albums such as "The Columbia Years 1943–1952: The Complete Recordings". - The Sinatra cover of "Nature Boy" showed his versatility as an artist, straying from his usual big band style.
Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga, together with Tony Bennett, recorded a version of "Nature Boy" for their 2014 album "Cheek to Cheek". - Their recording of "Nature Boy" featured an orchestral arrangement, showcasing Gaga's jazz vocal ability. - The cover received positive reviews from critics for their chemistry and harmonious performance.
Nat King Cole
Nat King Cole's 1948 recording of "Nature Boy" is the most famous version, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard charts for eight weeks. - Cole's version significantly contributed to his career success, making him a leading artist in the pop music industry. - "Nature Boy" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999, acknowledging Cole's impactful performance.
Sarah Vaughan
Sarah Vaughan, known for her rich voice, also performed a cover of "Nature Boy". - Her version, recorded in 1948, emphasized the song’s haunting and mystical mood with her powerful jazz vocal stylings. - Vaughan's rendition of "Nature Boy" was included in her album "Sarah Vaughan in Hi-Fi".
Tony Bennett
Tony Bennett released a cover of "Nature Boy" on two separate occasions, first in 1957 and then again in 2014 with Lady Gaga. - Bennett's 1957 version was part of his album "The Beat of My Heart", where he gave a more rhythmic interpretation. - In 2014, Bennett demonstrated his timelessness with his duet with Lady Gaga, introducing the classic to a new generation of listeners.

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