Freelon had a part in the Mel Gibson movie What Women Want.
Nature Boy
Nnenna Freelon Lyrics
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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
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"
Nnenna Freelon's "Nature Boy" is a beautiful and enigmatic song with lyrics that evoke feelings of mystery and wonder. As the song opens, we are introduced to a boy who is described as "very strange" and "enchanted." He is said to have wandered far and wide, over land and sea, and though he is characterized as being "a little shy and sad of eye," the singer notes that he is also incredibly wise.
Then, one day, the boy passes the singer's way, and they strike up a conversation about "fools and kings" and many other things. It is during this conversation that the boy imparts his wisdom, saying that "the greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return." With these powerful and inspiring words, the song comes to an end, leaving the listener with a sense of awe and wonder.
Perhaps one of the most interesting things about "Nature Boy" is its origin story. The song was written in 1947 by eden ahbez, a musician and songwriter who was something of a bohemian and a mystic. Ahbez was known for his long hair and beard, and he was often seen wearing sandals and a robe. Legend has it that he lived under the Hollywood sign, in a small hut that he had built himself.
Another fascinating fact about "Nature Boy" is that it was inspired by a real-life encounter that ahbez had had with a young man on the beach in Los Angeles. The young man was said to have been living off the land, and ahbez was struck by his unconventional lifestyle and his wisdom. He gave the young man a copy of the book "The Prophet" by Kahlil Gibran, which became an important inspiration for the song.
Other interesting facts about "Nature Boy" include the fact that it was first recorded by Nat King Cole, who made it into a hit. The song has been covered by a wide range of other artists over the years, including David Bowie, Celine Dion, and John Coltrane. The song has also been used in a number of films and television shows, including "The Fault in Our Stars" and "Better Call Saul."
Chords (in C):
Verse:
C - Cmaj7 - C6 - Cmaj7
C - Cmaj7 - C6 - Cmaj7
Am7 - Dm7 - G7 - C
Chorus:
Am7 - Dm7 - G7 - C
Am7 - Dm7 - G7 - C
Am7 - Dm7 - G7 - C
C - Cmaj7 - C6 - Cmaj7
Bridge:
F - Dm7 - G7 - C
F - Dm7 - G7 - C
Am7 - Dm7 - G7 - C
Am7 - Dm7 - G7 - C
Outro:
Am7 - Dm7 - G7 - C
C - Cmaj7 - C6 - Cmaj7
C - Cmaj7 - C6 - Cmaj7
C - Cmaj7 - C6 - Cmaj7
Line by Line Meaning
There was a boy
Once there was a boy
A very strange enchanted boy
This boy was quite peculiar and had an intriguing charm about him
They say he wandered very far, very far
He traveled to distant places and explored the world
Over land and sea
He journeyed across both land and water
A little shy and sad of eye
Despite his travels, he had a timid and sorrowful appearance
But very wise was he
However, he possessed a great deal of knowledge and insight
And then one day
One fortunate day
A magic day he passed my way
This enchanted boy crossed my path on a mystical day
And while we spoke of many things
As we conversed on various topics
Fools and kings
Ranging from the foolish to the royal
This he said to me
He told me this
"The greatest thing you'll ever learn
"The most important lesson you'll ever receive
Is just to love and be loved in return"
Is to simply love others and receive love in return
Writer(s): Eden Ahbez, James Brown Copyright: Crestview-music Corp., Dynatone Publishing Company, Edwin H. Morris & Co. Inc.
Contributed by Nicholas E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.