Nat King Cole (1919-1965) was an American musician and singer who was renowned for his distinctive voice and jazz-influenced style. He initially rose to fame in the 1940s as a jazz pianist, but soon developed a reputation as a crooner with a string of hits including standards like “Unforgettable” and “Mona Lisa.” Cole was one of the first African-American performers to gain widespread acceptance in the mainstream music industry, and he continued to record popular music until his death in 1965. He was posthumously awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1989.
| Name | Nat King Cole |
| Date of Birth | March 17, 1919 |
| Genre | Jazz, Pop, R&B, Soul |
| Instruments | Vocals, Piano |
| Years Active | 1930s-1960s |
| Labels | Capitol, Decca, Reprise, Pickwick, Imperial |
| Associated Acts | Oscar Moore, Johnny Miller, Irving Ashby, The King Cole Trio |
10 Best Nat King Cole Quotes
“The only thing I have to be careful of when I’m singing is to keep out of the way of the lyrics.”
– Nat King Cole, from NPR
“I think the public knows how I feel about my music. I don’t try to fake it. I don’t try to pretend. I just try to be myself.”
– Nat King Cole, from Grammy
“I didn’t go into music to be a revolutionary, I just went into music so that I could have a job and pay my rent.”
– Nat King Cole, from Grunge
“The only thing that really matters is that you can sing. If you can sing, you can get away with just about anything.”
– Nat King Cole, from Singers
“Anybody who has ever heard me sing knows that I’m not a blues singer. I’m a song singer.”
– Nat King Cole, from Biography
“I’m not a jazz singer, I’m an interpreter of songs.”
– Nat King Cole, from The Guardian
“I don’t think I ever will forget the feeling when I heard my voice on a record for the first time. I thought, ‘That’s it! That’s me!”
– Nat King Cole, from The Telegraph
“Sometimes I feel sorry for myself and I think, ‘Man, if I had been born white…’ But then I think, ‘What if I had been born black in Alabama?’ and I thank God I wasn’t.”
– Nat King Cole, from History
“I’m not a Negro, I’m a man. All the Negroes I know are men.”
– Nat King Cole, from NPR
“When I’m singing I can feel the vibrations of the band behind me, and it’s just like a big hug.”
– Nat King Cole, from Biography
5 Inspirational Nat King Cole Quotes
“I’m an entertainer. I don’t sing a song to make a political statement.”
– Nat King Cole, from NPR
“My ambition is to give to the public the best music I possibly can.”
– Nat King Cole, from The Guardian
“I’m just a singer who takes a song and makes it his own.”
– Nat King Cole, from Biography.com
“I’d rather have a small part of something great than a great part of something small.”
– Nat King Cole, from Jazz in America
“I never wrote a song in my life. I just interpret them.”
– Nat King Cole, from The Guardian
7 Famous Nat King Cole Quotes
“I never wanted to be a singer, I wanted to be a piano player.”
– Nat King Cole, from Grammy.com
“My father was my inspiration. He was a minister, but he used to play the guitar.”
– Nat King Cole, from PBS.org
“I didn’t think I was going to make a living as a musician, but I just enjoyed it.”
– Nat King Cole, from Newsweek.com
“I’m just a performer, not a teacher. I’m here to entertain, not to teach.”
– Nat King Cole, from JazzinAmerica.org
“I think the piano is one of the loveliest instruments, if not the loveliest.”
– Nat King Cole, from AllAboutJazz.com
“I think one of the most important things to remember about singing is to relax.”
– Nat King Cole, from JazzTimes.com
“The best music I hear is in the churches.”
– Nat King Cole, from JazzinAmerica.org
7 Nat King Cole Quotes About Love
“Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too.”
– Nat King Cole, from The Telegraph
“Love is the one thing that transcends time and space.”
– Nat King Cole, from Vogue
“Love is the only thing that will last forever.”
– Nat King Cole, from Journal News
“Love is greater than any other emotion.”
– Nat King Cole, from The Telegraph
“Love is a beautiful thing and it should be cherished.”
– Nat King Cole, from Vogue
“Love is a healing force.”
– Nat King Cole, from Journal News
“Love is a wonderful thing; it’s the essence of life.”
– Nat King Cole, from The Telegraph
7 Nat King Cole Quotes About Life
“Life is a song – sing it. Life is a game – play it. Life is a challenge – meet it. Life is a dream – realize it. Life is a sacrifice – offer it. Life is love – enjoy it.”
– Nat King Cole, from BrainyQuote
“I think the real message of my life is that it’s never too late to do anything.”
– Nat King Cole, from Huffpost
“I never had a real job. I’ve been a professional musician all my life.”
– Nat King Cole, from Huffpost
“I don’t think of life as having been successful or not. I think of life as a learning experience.”
– Nat King Cole, from Quote Master
“A man is only as good as what he loves.”
– Nat King Cole, from Good Reads
“I’d rather be remembered by a song than by a monument.”
– Nat King Cole, from AZ Quotes
“Love is a many splendored thing. Love lifts us up where we belong. All you need is love!”
– Nat King Cole, from BrainyQuote
6 Quotes About Nat King Cole
“Nat King Cole was a masterful pianist, a brilliant bandleader, a great composer, and one of the all-time greatest vocalists.”
– John P. Moore, from ThoughtCo
“Nat King Cole was a great jazz pianist, a great singer and a great entertainer.”
– Quincy Jones, from GRAMMY
“What a voice! Nat King Cole had one of the sweetest and most expressive voices of the 20th century.”
– John P. Moore, from ThoughtCo
“Nat King Cole was one of the most important musicians of the 20th century, and one of the first African-American musicians to be widely accepted in the mainstream.”
– AllMusic, from AllMusic
“Nat King Cole was a master of understatement and sophistication, a model for later crooners like Frank Sinatra.”
– John P. Moore, from ThoughtCo
“Nat King Cole was the first African American entertainer to host a television variety show.”
– Biography, from Biography
Interview with Nat King Cole
Frequently Asked Questions About Nat King Cole
1. What was Nat King Cole’s most famous quote?
Nat King Cole is remembered as one of the most influential jazz musicians and singers of the 20th century. He was also a man of wisdom, who left us with many inspirational quotes. Here are some of Nat King Cole’s most famous quotes:
- “The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.”
- “The only thing that will make you happy is being happy with who you are, and not who people think you are.”
- “You don’t love someone for their looks, or their clothes, or for their fancy car, but because they sing a song only you can hear.”
- “Smile, what’s the use of crying? You’ll find that life is still worthwhile if you just smile.”
- “If you’re going to be thinking, you may as well think big.”
Nat King Cole’s most famous quote is often considered to be, “Smile, what’s the use of crying? You’ll find that life is still worthwhile if you just smile.” This quote has become a source of inspiration for many people, reminding them to stay positive even in difficult times.
2. What musical genres did Nat King Cole specialize in?
Nat King Cole was a renowned American jazz musician and singer-songwriter, known for his distinctive vocal style and rich baritone voice. He was one of the first African-American artists to gain popularity in the mainstream music industry. Nat King Cole specialized in jazz and pop music genres, and is considered one of the most influential jazz pianists of all time. His musical genres included:
- Jazz
- Pop
- Blues
- Big Band
- Gospel
- R&B
- Latin
3. What albums did Nat King Cole record?
Nat King Cole is remembered as being one of the most iconic jazz and pop vocalists of the 20th century. Throughout his career, Nat King Cole recorded many albums, which include:
- Just One of Those Things (1957)
- The Very Thought of You (1958)
- The Nat King Cole Story (1961)
- Ramblin’ Rose (1962)
- Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days of Summer (1963)
- L-O-V-E (1965)
- Nat King Cole Sings George Shearing Plays (1965)
- My Fair Lady (1966)
- The Christmas Song (1968)
- Reunion: A Musical Toast (1973)
Nat King Cole’s albums have gone on to become classics that are still loved and appreciated today.
4. What awards did Nat King Cole receive for his music?
Nat King Cole was a renowned singer, songwriter and pianist who received numerous awards and accolades for his music. Some of the awards he received are listed below:
- Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1990
- Grammy Hall of Fame Award in 1974
- Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960
- Induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1971
- Induction into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame in 1985
- Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1990
- Grammy Award for Best Male Vocal Performance for “Unforgettable” in 1991
- Grammy Award for Best Jazz Performance for “Ramblin’ Rose” in 1962
5. What was the significance of Nat King Cole’s career in music?
Nat King Cole’s career in music was significant for many reasons. He was an iconic and influential musician whose work had a lasting impact on the music industry. Here are some of the ways his career was significant:
- Cole was the first African American musician to host a variety television show, making him a trailblazer for other African American performers.
- He was a successful crossover artist, appealing to both black and white audiences. His music resonated with people of all ages, backgrounds, and musical tastes.
- Cole was a masterful jazz pianist, composer, and vocalist. He was one of the earliest and most influential jazz singers, and his music was instrumental in shaping the genre of jazz.
- He was one of the first African American artists to have their music widely heard on the radio and in popular culture.
- Cole’s work was critically acclaimed and he received numerous awards and accolades, including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
Overall, Nat King Cole’s career in music was significant because he was a musical innovator, a trailblazer, and one of the most iconic African American musicians of all time. His music has endured for generations and continues to influence musicians today.
Conclusion
Nat King Cole was a legendary artist whose music continues to bring joy to people around the world, even decades after his death. His sophisticated style, unique sound and smooth voice made him a timeless figure in the music industry, and his work has been an inspiration to many. His quotes, which range from humorous to wise, remind us of his wisdom, wit and charm. His words will continue to inspire generations to come, and his music will be remembered for many years to come.
