Before his international acclaim as a pop vocalist, Nathaniel Adams Coles b… Read Full Bio ↴Before his international acclaim as a pop vocalist, Nathaniel Adams Coles built an indelible reputation as a jazz pianist in the groundbreaking combo, The King Cole Trio. Born into a musical family, young Nat Coles (later changed to Cole) recorded with his older brother, Edward, in 1936 for the Decca label. The four sides cut by Eddie Cole's Solid Swingers gave the general public its first glimpse of Nat's gentle yet lively piano riffs. After touring with a revival show of Eubie Blake's revue Shuffle Along, Cole settled in Los Angeles, playing various nightclubs as a soloist. In 1937, club owner Bob Lewis suggested that Cole assemble a small band to work at his Swanee Inn on North La Brea. The group's unorthodox instrumentation and size - they had no drummer and, at the time, big bands were the rage - featured Wesley Prince on bass and the innovative phrasings of electric guitarist Oscar Moore. The Trio's blend of jump blues and jazzy instrumentals with bouncy vocal stylings was a collective effort, while Cole occasionally took the lead on standard ballads. After an uneventful 1939 session for the Davis & Schwegler recording company in Hollywood, The Trio accompanied Lionel Hampton on two recording dates the following summer. Their association with Hampton helped, and that winter The Trio signed with Decca. Their 1940-41 sessions for the label yielded sixteen songs and captured the attention of fellow musicians, fans and a handful of critics. Later that fall, The Trio sounded right at home with drummer Lee Young on a four-song session for the Ammor label. In 1942, Cole recorded with Red Callender and saxophonist Lester Young for the Philo/Aladdin label, Oscar Moore with Cole at the piano. Image courtesy of the Dave Dexter, Jr. Collection.producing a handful of recordings that became benchmarks in their individual careers. Signing with Capitol Records in 1943, The Trio consisted of Cole, Moore, and Johnny Miller, who had settled in as the permanent bassist. Moore left the fold in 1947 and Irving Ashby replaced him. Capitol Records featured The Trio less and less after that, while Cole was singled out as a vocalist often backed by lush string orchestras. By the 1950's, Cole's reputation as a singer had reached a wide pop audience and, upon his death in 1965, his place in music history was forever cemented. His fellow jazz peers, however, never forgot his equally unique touch on the piano and the influence his early trio work had on later performers such as Oscar Peterson, Red Garland, and Tommy Flanagan.

Early Morning Blues
The Nat King Cole Trio Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Well, early in the morning I wake with the rising sun
Yes, early in the morning I wake with the rising sun
It's my daily motto and the people all calls it fun

Yes, I'm looking for a better future and forgetting about the past
I'm looking for a better future and forgetting about the past
Now I'm so glad that troubles don't always last

Yes, have fun whilst you can 'cause fate's an awful thing

Well, have fun whilst you can 'cause fate's an awful thing
You can't tell what may happen that's the reason I love to sing

Overall Meaning

The Nat King Cole Trio's song "Early Morning Blues" is a classic blues tune that showcases the singer's attitude towards life. The song talks about the singer's admiration for waking up early and starting a new day with hope and optimism. The opening lines of the song convey this idea - "Well, early in the morning I wake with the rising sun. Yes, early in the morning I wake with the rising sun. It's my daily motto and the people all calls it fun." The singer considers waking up early as his daily motto, a practice that brings joy and pleasure to his life. The phrase "the people all call it fun" denotes that his optimism is contagious and admired by others too.

Moreover, the song's refrain speaks about the singer's quest for a better future and his ability to forget the past. The lines "Yes, I'm looking for a better future and forgetting about the past. I'm so glad that troubles don't always last" convey a message of hope, resilience, and the power of positivity. The singer believes that better things are coming his way, and his past troubles will not hold him back.

The song's final verse advises listeners to have fun while they can and embrace life's uncertainty because fate can be unpredictable. The lyrics "Well, have fun whilst you can 'cause fate's an awful thing. You can't tell what may happen that's the reason I love to sing" highlight the singer's approach to life. He acknowledges that fate can be brutal, and life's uncertainties can be challenging, but he chooses to sing, enjoy the moment, and be joyous.

Line by Line Meaning

Well, early in the morning I wake with the rising sun
Every morning, I wake up early when the sun rises

Yes, early in the morning I wake with the rising sun
I consistently follow this routine every morning

It's my daily motto and the people all call it fun
This daily routine is enjoyable and even popular among others

Yes, I'm looking for a better future and forgetting about the past
I aim to improve my future while leaving behind any negative experiences from the past

I'm looking for a better future and forgetting about the past
I focus on moving forward rather than dwelling on what's already happened

Now I'm so glad that troubles don't always last
I've learned that tough situations eventually come to an end

Yes, have fun whilst you can 'cause fate's an awful thing
It's important to enjoy life while you can because you never know what the future holds

Well, have fun whilst you can 'cause fate's an awful thing
We cannot predict our destiny, so we should make the most of our time and have fun

You can't tell what may happen that's the reason I love to sing
The uncertainty of life is why I find joy in singing and cherishing each moment

Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group

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