During World War II, Wesley Prince left the group and Cole replaced him with Johnny Miller. The King Cole Trio signed with the fledgling Capitol Records in 1943.
In 1947, Irving Ashby replaced Oscar Moore. The trio split up in 1955 after Nat's solo career took frontstage.
What Is This Thing Called Love?
King Cole Trio Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Leading a life apart
When love flew in through my window wide
And quickened my hum-drum heart
Love flew in through my window
I was so happy then
But after love had stayed a little while
Love flew out again
What is this thing called love?
This funny thing called love?
Just who can solve its mystery?
Why should it make a fool of me?
I saw you there one wonderful day
You took my heart and threw it away
That's why I ask the Lord in Heaven above
What is this thing called love?
You gave me days of sunshine
You gave me nights of cheer
You made my life an enchanted dream
'Til somebody else came near
Somebody else came near you
I felt the winter's chill
And now I sit and wonder night and day
Why I love you still?
King Cole Trio's song "What is this thing called love" explores the experience of falling in love, and the confusion that often accompanies it. The song begins with the singer describing themselves as a "humdrum person," leading a life that was unremarkable and uneventful. However, when love "flew in through [their] window wide," everything changed. Love brought excitement and joy, quickening the singer's "hum-drum heart." The singer was overjoyed, but unfortunately, love was fleeting, and it "flew out again" after only a short time.
The chorus of the song poses a series of questions about love. What is this thing called love? Who can solve its mystery? And why does it make a fool of me? These questions express the confusion and uncertainty that often come with the experience of falling in love. The second verse of the song describes the pain that comes with losing love. The singer had "days of sunshine" and "nights of cheer," but when "somebody else came near," they felt the "winter's chill." Despite the pain of losing love, the singer still wonders "night and day" why they love the person who has caused them so much hurt.
Overall, King Cole Trio's "What is this thing called love" is a bittersweet exploration of the joys and pains of falling in love. The song asks important questions about the nature of love, but ultimately leaves its mysteries unsolved.
Line by Line Meaning
I was a humdrum person
I was leading a boring, uneventful life.
Leading a life apart
Living a solitary life, disconnected from others.
When love flew in through my window wide
When I suddenly encountered love, unexpectedly and powerfully.
And quickened my hum-drum heart
And caused my formerly dull and lifeless heart to beat with excitement and joy.
Love flew in through my window
Love arrived suddenly and without warning in my life.
I was so happy then
I felt incredibly happy and fulfilled when I was in love.
But after love had stayed a little while
But my happiness was short-lived, because love didn't last very long.
Love flew out again
Love left my life as suddenly and unexpectedly as it had come.
What is this thing called love?
What exactly is love and how does it work? I don't understand it.
This funny thing called love?
Love is strange and unpredictable, often defying explanation or reason.
Just who can solve its mystery?
No one can truly explain or solve the mystery of love, it is complex and elusive.
Why should it make a fool of me?
Why does love make me feel foolish and vulnerable? Why does it have this power over me?
I saw you there one wonderful day
I first encountered you and fell in love with you on a day that was special and memorable.
You took my heart and threw it away
You betrayed my love and trust by discarding or rejecting me.
That's why I ask the Lord in Heaven above
That's why I turn to God for answers, guidance and solace in my time of heartbreak and confusion.
You gave me days of sunshine
You brought light and warmth into my life, making it more joyful and hopeful.
You gave me nights of cheer
You filled my nights with happiness, laughter and lightheartedness.
You made my life an enchanted dream
You made my life feel magical, wonderful and full of possibility.
'Til somebody else came near
Until another person entered your life and changed the dynamics of our relationship.
Somebody else came near you
Someone else became a rival for your affection and attention.
I felt the winter's chill
I was left feeling cold and alone, with my heart full of pain and sadness.
And now I sit and wonder night and day
And now I'm left to ponder and reflect, unable to move on from the heartbreak and confusion caused by love.
Why I love you still?
Despite everything, I still love you and can't seem to let go of my feelings, even though they cause me pain.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: COLE PORTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
tuxguys
Nat Cole:
The connection between Teddy Wilson and Oscar Peterson.
He was such a Mega-POP Star from the early '50's into the mid-'60's that he was still having top-40 hits, pretty much until his death in 1965.
That success as a (wonderful) vocalist tends to overshadow what a Jazz Colossus he was on piano for over two decades previously.
This 1944 cut (of a timelessly-hip Cole Porter tune) is a great example of that.
Incidentally…
The only more recent example of a musical phenomenon such as this I can think of is George Benson:
In Jazz and Guitar circles he was always a giant, even as a kid, and he had done some singing, largely (and unjustifiably) overlooked...
...and then, just as it did for Cole when he released "Sweet Lorraine," Benson released "This Masquerade," and everything changed.
Stuart Dryer
He was such a great piano player. All those intesting inner voicings. Really innovative. Bill Evans once mentioned that NKC was a big influence.
MrJimmienoone
And so versatile. On this record, his left hand reminds of Teddy Wilson during the first bars, then reverting to basic block chords to accompany the guitar, and finally ending in a right hand single note style with a deep bass contrast of the left. There is only one thing Nat never mastered: how to sound dull.
Donald Edmonds
Nat was the transition pianist from swing to be-bop .His influence on pianists who came later is greatly under rated.
John Rothfield
Great piano playing by Nat King Cole!
tuxguys
Nat Cole:
The connection between Teddy Wilson and Oscar Peterson.
He was such a Mega-POP Star from the early '50's into the mid-'60's that he was still having top-40 hits, pretty much until his death in 1965.
That success as a (wonderful) vocalist tends to overshadow what a Jazz Colossus he was on piano for over two decades previously.
This 1944 cut (of a timelessly-hip Cole Porter tune) is a great example of that.
Incidentally…
The only more recent example of a musical phenomenon such as this I can think of is George Benson:
In Jazz and Guitar circles he was always a giant, even as a kid, and he had done some singing, largely (and unjustifiably) overlooked...
...and then, just as it did for Cole when he released "Sweet Lorraine," Benson released "This Masquerade," and everything changed.
Maria G.
Nat's articulation is fantastic...Red Garland says he tried to emulate Nat's articulation style...Nat was a very underated piano player... and1944 is pre-Bop...this small trio is a precursor to BeBop which hit the scene right about the same time/shortly hereafter.
Sol Jorge Moscol
so good... his touch was perfect
Arv H
well said.. may i add that Oscar Moore's guitaring is rated even lower?
Alberto Smargiasso
you may!
SELMER B.Action
The best trio ever