"I started playing piano at five or six," Freddy remembers. "Music was all around me." In the Chicago home of his youth, visitors included Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Lionel Hampton. He also credits Billy Eckstine as a major influence. " He was a fantastic entertainer," Freddy recalls. " I learned so much from just watching and being around him." After a possible career with the NFL was shelved due to a hand injury, he began playing and singing in Chicago clubs as a teenager. Although he was ready to hit the road at 18, his mother intervened and he continued his musical education at the Roosevelt Institute in Chicago.
Freddy moved to New York in 1951, where he studied at the Juilliard School of Music and found himself profoundly influenced by John Lewis, Oscar Peterson and Teddy Wilson. He got a Master's degree at the New England Conservatory of Music and then spent several months on the road as a member of an Earl Bostic band that also included Johnny Coles and Benny Golson.
It was back in New York that Freddy successfully laid the groundwork for a career that continues to flourish to this day. He developed a vast repertoire of songs in Manhattan bistros and concurrently began to supplement his live performances with television and radio commercial jingle work.
A resident of Atlanta since 1972, he currently leads a trio made up of himself, guitarist Jerry Byrd, drummer Curtis Boyd and bassist Elias Bailey that regularly tours the US, Europe, the Far East and South America. Freddy has been a recording artist since 1952, when his first single, "The Joke's on Me", was released on an obscure Chicago-based label.
Freddy recorded several albums for European and English companies during the 1970s that helped him develop a loyal overseas following. Cole believes that becoming an international favorite made him "widen my scope a little bit." He developed a stand-up act, a better rapport with audiences, and learned to sing in other languages. "It made me much more of a performer."
Cole doesn't apologize for sounding like his brother, Nat "King" Cole. There are certain unmistakable similarities. He plays piano and sings and performs live with guitar and upright bass, just like Nat. Yet his voice is raspier, smokier, jazzier even. But he has emerged from the awesome shadow cast by his elder brother. In truth, his phrasing is far closer to that of Frank Sinatra or Billie Holiday than that of his brother and his timing swings a little more. His vocals - suave, elegant, formidable, and articulate - are among the most respected in jazz. Cole's career continues to ascend as he has moved into the front ranks of America's homegrown art form with a style and musical sophistication all his own.
Isn't She Lovely
Freddy Cole Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Isn't she wonderful
Isn't she precious
Less than one minute old
I never thought through love we'd be
Making one as lovely as she
But isn't she lovely made from love
Isn't she pretty
Boy, I'm so happy
We have been heaven blessed
I can't believe what God has done
Through us he's given life to one
But isn't she lovely made from love
Isn't she lovely
Life and love are the same
Life is Aisha
The meaning of her name
Londie, it could have not been done
Without you who conceived the one
That's so very lovely made from love
The song "Isn't She Lovely" by Freddy Cole is a sweet tribute to the birth of his daughter. The lyrics describe the overwhelming feelings of joy and gratitude that come with the arrival of a newborn baby. The first verse highlights the beauty and preciousness of the newborn, who is less than one minute old. The second verse expresses the happiness and blessing that the arrival of the baby is, as the singer can't believe what God has done through them - giving life to this beautiful little girl. The third verse brings in the significance of the baby's name, as she represents the true meaning of life and love.
Line by Line Meaning
Isn't she lovely
This person is marveling at the beauty of a new baby.
Isn't she wonderful
The person is in awe of the baby's wonder and amazement.
Isn't she precious
The person regards the baby as valuable and deserves tender care.
Less than one minute old
The baby is a newborn, just born into the world.
I never thought through love we'd be
The person didn't expect to have a baby with their partner and is grateful for this new life.
Making one as lovely as she
The person is amazed that they could create such a beautiful child.
But isn't she lovely made from love
The person attributes the baby's beauty to the love that brought her into the world.
Isn't she pretty
The person finds the baby to be beautiful and cute.
Truly the angel's best
The person thinks the baby is the best of what an angel has to offer.
Boy, I'm so happy
The person is extremely happy about having the baby.
We have been heaven blessed
The person sees the baby as a blessing from heaven.
I can't believe what God has done
The person is overwhelmed with what God has created through them.
Through us, he's given life to one
The person acknowledges that they were used as instruments for creating a new life.
Isn't she lovely made from love
The person reiterates that the baby's beauty came from the love that gave her life.
Isn't she lovely
The person is struck by the baby's beauty once again.
Life and love are the same
The person sees a connection between life and love.
Life is Aisha
The person gives the baby a name and identifies her with life itself.
The meaning of her name
The person points out that the baby's name has a special meaning behind it.
Londie, it could have not been done
The person thanks their partner and acknowledges that they couldn't have done it alone.
Without you who conceived the one
The person acknowledges their partner for being the one who brought the baby into the world.
That's so very lovely made from love
The person concludes again that the baby's loveliness stems from the love that created her.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, Songtrust Ave
Written by: Stevie Wonder
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@johnlewis9261
I selected this song to dance with my youngest daughter at her wedding. It summed up everything for me. Thank you Mr. Cole, rest easy, and I wish you a peaceful journey.
@steveanderson9515
I’ve just heard this man sing for the first time in my life. I am shocked that his voice is just as pure as his brother Nat’s was.
Why was Freddy not as well known as Nat? To me Nat was the best, until I heard Freddy, who was just as good. Wow.
@islandmoonlight7790
I love this jazzy version of Stevie's song!!
@pbamse
FREDDY COLE (1931 - 2020)
@danpat123
Just came from his live show. He is still amazing
@jody024
The cole genes can be heard in his voice, lovely
@jaynehudson9121
I have to see in him live before I die.... he is a teeasure
@thechronicler1066
This has always been my ALL-TIME favorite recording of Cole, a beautifully soulful rendition of Stevie Wonder's song on the birth of his daughter.
@guidomattina57
Top Line..
@silviamariante4279
❤