Dame Shirley Veronica Bassey, (born January 8, 1937), is a Welsh singer, pe… Read Full Bio ↴Dame Shirley Veronica Bassey, (born January 8, 1937), is a Welsh singer, perhaps best-known for performing the theme songs to the James Bond films Goldfinger (1964), Diamonds Are Forever (1971), and Moonraker (1979). She is the only singer to have recorded more than one James Bond theme song.

She now resides in Monaco and has recently sold her London apartment. Many of its furnishings were auctioned for charity. Two very popular 'Audiences With Shirley Bassey' have aired on British TV, the most recent being in March 2006.

In 2006, UK retailer Marks and Spencer hired Bassey for their Christmas advertising campaign, with Dame Shirley singing a cover of P!nk's 'Get the Party Started'.

In late 2009 Bassey released 'The Performance' her first studio album for two decades, which was released in a maelstrom of anticipation. Still popular well into one of the longest and most illustrious musical careers in British and indeed international history, Bassey is considered by Brits to be a national treasure.

Nature Boy
Shirley Bassey Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

There was a boy...
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,

A magic day, he passed my way.
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.

And then one day,
A magic day, he passed my way.
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.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Shirley Bassey's song Nature Boy tell the story of a boy who is described as strange and enchanted, someone who has roamed far and wide across the land and sea with a sense of sadness in his eyes but also exhibiting great wisdom. The singer remembers when this boy ("Nature Boy") passed their way on a magical day that became a turning point in their lives. They had a conversation "of many things, fools and kings," which led to the Nature Boy imparting a simple yet profound piece of advice: "The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return."

This song has been interpreted in various ways, but a common view is that it speaks to the idea of finding meaning and purpose in life, especially in the midst of uncertainty and wandering. The Nature Boy is presented as a kind of mystical figure who possesses a valuable insight, which can help guide the singer (and the listener) in their own search for fulfillment. The emphasis on love and reciprocity suggests that human connection and relationships are key to achieving a sense of wholeness and contentment in life.

Overall, Shirley Bassey's song Nature Boy is a beautiful, contemplative piece that invites us to ponder some of life's biggest questions. Through its lyrics, it encourages us to embrace the unknown, celebrate the beauty of our shared humanity, and appreciate the power of love and connection in our lives.

Line by Line Meaning

There was a boy...
Once upon a time, there was a boy...

A very strange enchanted boy.
He was a peculiar and bewitching child.

They say he wandered very far, very far
Folklore speaks of his extensive travels over vast lands and seas.

Over land and sea,
He traversed both land and water.

A little shy and sad of eye
Despite his wisdom, he remained bashful with a mournful gaze.

But very wise was he.
Nevertheless, he possessed a great deal of knowledge.

And then one day,
Then, out of the blue,

A magic day, he passed my way.
this enchanting day, he crossed my path.

And while we spoke of many things,
As we conversed about various topics,

Fools and kings,
including both foolish and royal subjects,

This he said to me,
He shared this wisdom with me,

The greatest thing you'll ever learn
The ultimate lesson you will ever comprehend

Is just to love and be loved in return.
is to adore unconditionally and receive affection in kind.

Contributed by Bailey B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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Comments from YouTube:

trimntim

7y↑10

The most profound song ever written, sung incredibly well! I love the power in her voice a lot! It does not fade in and out, to be stepped on by the music, as in most versions. Each has it's own time to shine in the song. That is why I also love Nat King Coles rendition. The vocal power Nat and Shirley exhibit, seems to enhance the meaning of the lyrics, at least for me anyway. Timeless! I would love to hear Nicole Sherzinger knock this song out of the park too :)