As a piano player, he formed a jazz trio in 1938 that played Los Angeles nightclubs, one of the first jazz trios featuring guitar and piano. Prior to this he had played music since he was a child and had worked with bands since he was sixteen. He was raised in Chicago and exposed to the abundant jazz scene there. He was heavily influenced by pianist Earl "Fatha" Hines.
Later he became more popularly known as a singer and crooner and his work became more orchestrated.
His first mainstream vocal hit was in 1944 with Straighten Up and Fly Right, based on a black folk tale that his father had used as a theme for a sermon. Although hardly a rocker, the song's success proved that an audience for folk-based material existed. It is considered a predecessor to the first rock and roll records. Indeed, Bo Diddley, who performed similar transformations of folk material, counted Cole as an influence.
Beginning in the late 1940s, Cole began recording and performing more pop-oriented material for mainstream audiences, often accompanied by a string orchestra. His stature as a popular icon was cemented during this period with such hits as The Christmas Song (1946), Nature Boy (1948), Mona Lisa (1950), and his signature tune Unforgettable (1951). While this shift to pop music led some jazz critics and fans to accuse Cole of selling out, he never totally abandoned his musical roots; as late as 1956, for instance, he recorded an all-jazz album, After Midnight. In 1991, Mosaic Records released the Complete Nat King Cole Trio Recordings on Capitol, which contained 349 songs on twenty-seven LPs or eighteen CDs.
Throughout the 1950s Cole continued to rack up hit after hit, including Smile, Pretend, A Blossom Fell, and If I May. Most of his pop hits were collaborations with famed arranger/conductor Nelson Riddle. It was with Riddle that Cole released his first ten-inch long-play album in 1953 entitled Sings for Two in Love. Several more albums followed, including the Gordon Jenkins arranged Love Is the Thing, which reached number one on the album charts in April 1957.
Inspired by a trip to Havana, Cuba in 1958, Nat went back there that same year and recorded Cole Espanol, an album sung entirely in Spanish and Portuguese. The album was a hit not only in the U.S., but in Latin America as well. The album was so popular, that two others followed: A mis amigos in 1959, and More Cole Espanol in 1962.
Musical tastes were changing in the late 1950s, and despite a successful stab at rock n' roll with Send for Me, Cole's ballad singing had grown old to younger listeners. Like contemporaries Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett, Nat found that the pop singles chart had been almost entirely taken over by youth oriented acts. In 1960, Nat's longtime collaborator Nelson Riddle, left Capitol Records for Frank Sinatra's newly formed Reprise Records label. The two parted ways with one final hit album Wild Is Love, based on lyrics by Ray Rasch and Dotty Wayne. Nat would later re-tool the concept album into an off-Broadway production called I'm With You.
As the 1960s progressed, Nat once again found success on the American singles chart, starting with the country/pop flavored hit Ramblin' Rose in August of 1962. Three more hit singles followed: Dear Lonely Hearts, Those Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days of Summer, and That Sunday, That Summer. Nat's final album was entitled L.O.V.E, and was recorded in late 1964. It was released just prior to his death and reached number four on the Billboard Albums chart in the spring of 1965. A "Best Of" album went gold in 1968. His 1957 song When I Fall in Love was a chart topping hit for the U.K. in 1987.
Cole was the first African-American to have his own radio program. He repeated that success in the late-1950s with the first truly national television show starring an African-American. In both cases, the programs were ultimately canceled because sponsors shied away from a black artist. Cole fought racism all his life, refusing to perform in segregated venues. In 1956, he was attacked on stage in Birmingham, Alabama by members of the White Citizens' Council who apparently were attempting to kidnap him. Despite injuries, Cole completed the show but vowed never to perform in the South again.
On 23rd August 1956, Cole spoke at the Republican National Convention in the Cow Palace, San Francisco, California. He was also present at the Democratic National Convention in 1960, to throw his support behind President John F. Kennedy. Cole was also among the dozens of entertainers recruited by Frank Sinatra to perform at the Kennedy Inaugural gala in 1961. Nat King Cole frequently consulted with President Kennedy (and later President Johnson) on the issue of civil rights. Yet he was dogged by critics, who felt he shied away from controversy when it came to the civil rights issue. Among the most notable was Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, who was upset that Cole didn't take stronger action after the 1956 on-stage attack.
In 1948, Cole purchased a house in the all-white Hancock Park neighborhood in Los Angeles, California. The property owners association told Cole they didn't want any undesirables moving in, to which Cole retorted "Neither do I. And if I see anybody undesirable coming in here, I'll be the first to complain."
He and his second wife, Maria Ellington, were married in Harlem's Abyssinian Baptist Church by Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. They had five children, including twin girls. Daughter Carol Cole, and son Kelly Cole were adopted. Kelly Cole died in 1995. Nat's daughter, Natalie Cole, and his younger brother, Freddie Cole are also singers.
Natalie and her father had an unexpected hit in the summer of 1991. The younger Cole mixed a 1961 recording of her father's rendition of Unforgettable with her own voice, creating an electronic duet. Both the song and the album of the same name won several Grammy awards the following year.
Cole performed in many short films, and played W. C. Handy in the film Saint Louis Blues. He also appeared in The Nat King Cole Story, China Gate, and The Blue Gardenia.
Nat King Cole was a heavy smoker of Kool menthol cigarettes, believing that smoking up to three packs a day gave his voice the rich sound it had (Cole would smoke several cigarettes in rapid succession before a recording for this very purpose). Cole died of lung cancer at St. John's Hospital in Santa Monica, California, on 15th February 1965. His funeral was held at St. Victor's Catholic Church in West Hollywood, and he was buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California. Cat Ballou, his final film, was released several months later.
Answer Me My Love
Nat King Cole Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh, my love
Just what sin have I been guilty of
Tell me how I came to lose your love
Please answer me, sweetheart
You were mine yesterday
I believed that love was here to stay
Please answer me, my love
If you're happier without me
I'll try not to care
But if you still think about me
Please listen to my prayer
You must know I've been true
Won't you say that we can start anew
In my sorrow now I turn to you
Please answer me, my love
(If you're happier without me)
(I'll try not to care)
But if you still think about me
Please listen to my prayer
You must know (You must know)
I've been true (I've been true)
Won't you say that we can start anew
In my sorrow now I turn to you
Please answer me, my love
Answer me, my love
The lyrics to Nat King Cole's song "Answer Me My Love" tell a story of a lost love and the singer's plea for answers. The song begins with the singer asking their former lover what sin they were guilty of and how they came to lose their love. The singer is confused and heartbroken, seeking answers from the person who they still love. Throughout the song, the singer is asking for their love's attention and begging for answers. They express their desire to start anew, swear their true love, and ask their love to consider their prayer.
The lyrics convey a universal theme of heartbreak and regret. It speaks to anyone who has lost someone they love and longs for a second chance. The lyrics are simple yet poignant and are executed perfectly by the soothing voice of Nat King Cole. The song's melody and lyrics evoke a powerful sense of longing and heartbreak, making it a classic.
Line by Line Meaning
Answer me
I am begging you to respond to me with a valid reason for your sudden disappearance from my life.
Oh, my love
I am addressing my loved one with affection and sadness.
Just what sin have I been guilty of
I am questioning my actions that may have caused you to leave me and asking for clarity.
Tell me how I came to lose your love
I am pleading with you to explain how I lost your affection and love.
Please answer me, sweetheart
I am asking my sweetheart to respond to my heart-wrenching inquiries.
You were mine yesterday
I am implying that you were mine in the past and suggesting that our love can be rekindled.
I believed that love was here to stay
I thought our love was permanent and would endure over time.
Won't you tell me where I've gone astray
I am requesting my loved one to reveal where I made a mistake so that I can learn from it.
Please answer me, my love
I am imploring my love interest to respond to my plea for answers.
If you're happier without me
I acknowledge that if you're happier without me, I will try not to be bitter.
I'll try not to care
I will attempt to remain indifferent if you're happier without me.
But if you still think about me
I am suggesting that you may have nostalgic memories of me.
Please listen to my prayer
I am appealing to you to hear my request for a second chance at love.
You must know I've been true
I am affirming my faithfulness to you and hoping that you will acknowledge it.
Won't you say that we can start anew
I am requesting that we start over and rekindle our relationship.
In my sorrow now I turn to you
I am expressing my sadness to you and hoping that you can provide comfort.
Please answer me, my love
I am pleading once again for my love interest to provide me with closure and tell me what went wrong in our relationship.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CHRISTOPHER BRATTON, DANIEL O'MAHONY, GAVIN OGLESBY, STERLING WILSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
luis montecinos
Answer me, Lord above:
Just what sin have I been guilty of?
Tell me how I came to lose my love
Please answer me, oh, Lord
She was mine yesterday
An' I believed that love was here to stay
Won't you tell me where I've gone astray:
Please answer me, oh, Lord
If she's happier without me
Don't tell her I care
But if she still thinks about me
Please let her hear my prayer
Let her know I've been true
Send her back so we can start anew
In my sorrow, may I turn to you?
Please answer me, oh, Lord
If she's…
Source: public domain
Casimero Montero
Greatest Golden MemoriesAnswer me, oh, my love
Just what sin have I been guilty of?
Tell me how I came to lose your love
Please answer me, sweetheart
You were mine yesterday
I believed that love was here to stay
Won't you tell me where I've gone astray?
Please answer me, my love
If you're happier without me
I'll try not to care
But if you still think about me
Please listen to my prayer
You must know I've been true
Won't you say that we can start anew?
In my sorrow now I turn to you
Please answer me, my love
instrumental interlude
(if you're happier without me)
(I'll try not to care)
But if you still think about me
Please listen to my prayer Love Song..
josefina rebacca
" ANSWER ME MY LOVE -NAT KING COLE { LYRICS } " + shared on google , thanks and have a nice day friends
Answer me, oh, my love
Just what sin have I been guilty of?
Tell me, how I came to lose your love?
Please answer me, sweetheart
You were mine yesterday
I believed that love was here to stay
Won't you tell me where I've gone astray?
Please answer me, my love
If you're happier without me
I'll try not to care
But if you still think about me
Please listen to my prayer
You must know I've been true
Won't you say that we can start anew?
In my sorrow now I turn to you
Please answer me, my love
If you're happier without me
I'll try not to care
But if you still think about me
Please listen to my prayer
You must know
(You must know)
I've been true
(I've been true)
Won't you say that we can start anew?
In my sorrow now I turn to you
Please answer me, my love
Answer me, my love
SONGWRITERS
BLACK, MATT DAVID/MORE, JONATHAN RICHARD /
PUBLISHED BY
LYRICS © EMI MUSIC PUBLISHING, BOURNE CO.
Torpedo8
Nat King Cole is everything that's missing in modern pop. I feel sorry for today's kids, there's nothing like this out there. Lush, romantic, absolutely gorgeous music. Where's the modern equivalent?
Gemma Montoya
Unforgettable beautiful voices of Nat King Cole ❤
AntonioBarsanio
nat king Cole is an angel singing to us .
Myles Lynk
Such a haunting song, sung with such grace and a slow sadness by Nat King Cole. It resonates in my life, bringing with it memories of loss and longing. In each of our lives, for every road we take and choice we make, there are roads not taken and choices we do not make. I love this song, and the heartfelt memories it brings.
Darrel Johnson
One of the most beautiful songs ever written sung by one of the greatest singers ever..
Adam Mocio
+Darrel Johnson the greatest
william Aggrey-Orleans
i stumbled upon this great song by accident and now am hooked...What a great song !!!
Mikey Mike
@william Aggrey-Orleans yes indeed.so true.
Lionel Boucher
Who are those people who voted this classics down? Are they insane? This is an all time classic. One of the best songs ever sung by a true legend.
HandwhistlerBen
Wonderful and heavenly voice. Nat was one of the all time greatest pianists and vocalists. Smooth as silk.