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.
Body and Soul
Nat King Cole Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yes indeed he was;
Talkin' 'bout the guy that made it sound so good
Some people knew him by the Bean
But Hawkins was his name
He sure could swing and play pretty too
Sounds good to me, should sound good to you
Very pleasing to the ear
When I first heard it on the record
I just stopped, right there,
Sounded like a band of angels in the sky,
And I have never ever heard a sweeter tone
In fact I pay no 'ttention to the saxophone
'Til Coleman Hawkins came along and spoke to everyone,
Saying better listen won't you hear me,
While I play for you,
Sometimes it's hot
Then again it's blue
My soul just seems to wander,
Pleasing each and everyone,
It's what I've long been craving for
The doors have not been always open,
But I am trying to please you.
Please don't try to stop me.
Hope you like it folks
And then he started cookin',
Every time he played
Some melodic melody fast or slow
You could tell that it was Hawkins,
No other one ever has
Quite captured his tone
Just he alone,
Has the sound that penetrates
It will sure go right through you
Yes it will,
And every chorus gives you just another thrill
Then along came Eddie Jefferson
He sang the melody like Hawkins played it
He sang it true
He sang it blue
Made words for it too
All his fans in New York loved him
There's no one above him
Here in the USA
I've heard 'em say ol' Eddie was the man
Oh how he could sing
Man did he swing
Sang on the wing, did his own thing
Yes he did
Throughout the country,
Music lovers are still wiggin' on Eddie's singin'
All around the world, he is known
Rhythm was his special joy,
He swung it like a horn
He must have been born to be a singer
'Cause his lyrics were so sincere and true
Funny sad or blue
Oh yeah!
And we've got to remind you
Many years it took him
Singing every day to achieve his first claim to fame
He was twenty years ahead of his time
And he knew it
But he kept right on-a singing
He went all around the world making rhythm
'Cause music sure was in him and he knew it was
Sang with Moody and Richie Cole
He could sing it just like Bird
But his forte was the words he wrote to
Music that he sang
So he sang, and he sang
And he sang his words so clever
And I know they'll silence him never
'Cause he cut this masterpiece
And now we're trying to sing it for you
Hope the Bean and Eddie both would still approve
There we go
We didn't mean to reminisce
You can surely bet
That we won't forget
'Cause we hear them yet
Goodbye
The song "Body and Soul" by Nat King Cole is a tribute to the legendary American jazz musician Coleman Hawkins. Hawkins was known as the king of saxophones and was instrumental in popularizing the tenor saxophone in jazz music. The first verse of the song pays homage to Hawkins and his contribution to the genre, noting how he made the saxophone sound good and that he had a devastatingly sweet tone that no other saxophonist had ever captured. The lyrics also refer to Hawkins by his nickname, "the Bean".
The song's second verse introduces Eddie Jefferson, a jazz vocalist who specialized in scatting and vocalese, which involves singing original lyrics over well-known jazz instrumental tracks. Jefferson is credited with creating new lyrics for Hawkins' rendition of "Body and Soul" and singing them in a style that was faithful to the original melody. The song's lyrics describe Jefferson's talent for singing "clever" words that were "sincere and true," and how his music was still enjoyed by people around the world.
One of the reasons that "Body and Soul" is so revered in the jazz community is because it was one of the first jazz ballads to gain mainstream recognition. The song was written in 1930 by Johnny Green, Edward Heyman, Robert Sour, and Frank Eyton, and was originally performed by Paul Whiteman and his orchestra. Coleman Hawkins made the song his own in 1939 when he recorded a version that is still considered one of the finest examples of tenor saxophone mastery.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't you know, he was the king of saxophones
He was a highly skilled saxophonist and one of the best in his field
Talkin' 'bout the guy that made it sound so good
Referring to the individual who made saxophone playing sound great
Some people knew him by the Bean
An alternate name for the person being referred to
But Hawkins was his name
The actual name of the person being talked about
He sure could swing and play pretty too
He was great at playing jazz in a way that was both lively and beautiful
Sounds good to me, should sound good to you
His music was so good even if you don't know much about jazz, you should still appreciate it
I love to hear him playing Body and Soul
Listening to him play the jazz standard 'Body and Soul' was a delightful experience
When I first heard it on the record
Talking about the time they first heard 'Body and Soul' on a vinyl record
I just stopped, right there,
The song was so good they had to freeze and take a moment
Sounded like a band of angels in the sky,
The music sounded heavenly and divine to them
And I have never ever heard a sweeter tone
It was the most pleasant sound they had ever heard in their life
In fact I pay no 'ttention to the saxophone
They typically didn't listen to saxophone playing until this particular musician came along
'Til Coleman Hawkins came along and spoke to everyone,
Their musical taste changed because of Coleman Hawkins' influence
Saying better listen won't you hear me,
Coleman Hawkins was essentially compelling the listener to give him a chance
While I play for you,
The listener should tune in and listen to his saxophone playing
Sometimes it's hot
The music could be both intense and lively
Then again it's blue
The music could also be melancholy and sad
My soul just seems to wander,
The music elicits an emotional response and makes them feel as though they are wandering
Pleasing each and everyone,
The music is pleasing and enjoyable to everyone
It's what I've long been craving for
They have been searching for music that is this good
The doors have not been always open,
There were times when they were not as receptive to listening to saxophone music
But I am trying to please you.
Despite the earlier difficulty, they are currently more focused on giving this music a chance
Please don't try to stop me.
They don't want anyone to interrupt their enjoyment of the music
Hope you like it folks
They hope that everyone is enjoying the music as much as they are
And then he started cookin',
The musician's playing picked up and became more lively and energized
Every time he played
Each time he played his saxophone
Some melodic melody fast or slow
He would play either a fast or slow melody that was quite melodic
You could tell that it was Hawkins,
They could identify Coleman Hawkins' playing and distinguish it from others
No other one ever has
No other saxophonist has ever sounded quite like Coleman Hawkins
Quite captured his tone
No one else has been able to replicate his sound on the saxophone
Just he alone,
Only Coleman Hawkins can achieve that sound
Has the sound that penetrates
His music has the power to deeply affect the listener
It will sure go right through you
The music has a very strong emotional impact
Yes it will,
It's a guarantee that the music will affect you emotionally
And every chorus gives you just another thrill
Every time he goes through a chorus or set of melodies, it adds even more excitement and joy to the music
Then along came Eddie Jefferson
Now the conversation is shifting to a different musician: Eddie Jefferson
He sang the melody like Hawkins played it
Eddie Jefferson was able to replicate Coleman Hawkins' sound when he sang the same melody
He sang it true
Eddie Jefferson's singing was authentic and genuine
He sang it blue
His singing was also melancholy and emotional
Made words for it too
Jefferson even wrote his own lyrics to the song
All his fans in New York loved him
Eddie Jefferson had many fans in New York who loved his music
There's no one above him
They believe Eddie Jefferson was the best and no one could match up to his talent and skill
Here in the USA
His music was particularly admired in the United States
I've heard 'em say ol' Eddie was the man
It is often said that Eddie Jefferson was the best of the best
Oh how he could sing
Eddie Jefferson's singing was particularly impressive
Man did he swing
His music had a jazz swing feel to it
Sang on the wing, did his own thing
He sang in his own unique and distinct style
Yes he did
Indeed he did sing in his own unique style
Throughout the country,
Eddie Jefferson was popular all throughout the United States
Music lovers are still wiggin' on Eddie's singin'
Even after all these years, people still greatly appreciate Eddie Jefferson's singing
All around the world, he is known
Eddie Jefferson had worldwide fame and recognition
Rhythm was his special joy,
He had a particular talent for rhythm and timing in his music
He swung it like a horn
His rhythm and timing was so impressive, it was like he was playing a horn instrument
He must have been born to be a singer
He was so skilled at singing that it seems like he was born to do it
'Cause his lyrics were so sincere and true
Eddie Jefferson's lyrics were honest and genuine
Funny sad or blue
His songs could be comedic, emotional, or melancholy
Oh yeah!
A way of expressing enthusiastic agreement with what was just said about Eddie Jefferson's music
And we've got to remind you
Now the conversation is shifting back to Coleman Hawkins
Many years it took him
It took Coleman Hawkins many years before he was finally recognized for his musical talent
Singing every day to achieve his first claim to fame
He worked hard at singing every day and practicing to achieve his first big break in the music industry
He was twenty years ahead of his time
He was ahead of his time by two decades in terms of his musical style and genius
And he knew it
Coleman Hawkins was well aware of how innovative and groundbreaking his music was compared to others at the time
But he kept right on-a singing
He didn't let that stop him from continuing to make amazing music
He went all around the world making rhythm
Coleman Hawkins traveled all around the world to share his music and talent with others
'Cause music sure was in him and he knew it was
He had a natural talent for music that he knew he had to share with the world
Sang with Moody and Richie Cole
He sang with other iconic jazz musicians such as James Moody and Richie Cole
He could sing it just like Bird
He was even able to sing like legendary saxophonist Charlie Parker (nickname: Bird)
But his forte was the words he wrote to
However, his greatest strength was in the lyrics he wrote to his music
Music that he sang
His music was something he sang and performed with honesty and passion
So he sang, and he sang
He loved singing and it was what he did best
And he sang his words so clever
His lyrics were witty and creative, often filled with double entendres
And I know they'll silence him never
His talent and music will never be forgotten or ignored
'Cause he cut this masterpiece
'Body and Soul' was one of Coleman Hawkins' masterpieces
And now we're trying to sing it for you
The musicians are now attempting to recreate and share with others what it was like to listen to Coleman Hawkins' music and lyrics
Hope the Bean and Eddie both would still approve
They hope that both Coleman Hawkins and Eddie Jefferson would approve of their rendition of 'Body and Soul'
There we go
A way of expressing enthusiasm and excitement
We didn't mean to reminisce
They didn't intend to look back and recall previous memories
You can surely bet
It's a certainty that they appreciate and enjoy the music
That we won't forget
They're not going to forget how good the music was
'Cause we hear them yet
They can still hear Coleman Hawkins and Eddie Jefferson's music in their minds
Goodbye
A farewell to the song and to the readers/listeners of the song
Lyrics © CARLIN AMERICA INC, Spirit Music Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Edward Heyman, Frank Eyton, John Green, Robert Sour
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
sandaglad
That bridge between 1:50 and 2:19 is about as close to jazz piano heaven as you'll ever get.
Carlton c Boyd
R.I.P. the greatest player
Jean Tranberg
To Good Compare To Standards Today
africanchina1
Who is the guitarist?
Brian Kehew
Oscar Moore