This week, I simply couldn't select just one song to showcase from Nat King Cole's oeuvre-- the man was incredible. Frankly, I would take him over any of the (more successful?) crooners of his era. Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Bobby Darin-- none of them measure up, in my opinion. I'm truly surprised that he doesn't have a more devoted following these days, considering the attention the same old Sinatra and Dean Martin songs get. Honestly-- how many times can we hear "The Summer Wind" or "Ain't that a Kick in the Head"? No-- I'll take "Straighten Up and Fly Right" or "It was only a Paper Moon" any day, thank you very much.
The two songs that I've selected below are two of my absolute favorites. "Smile" is one of the most beautiful and personally meaningful songs I've ever heard. Nat's version always gets me right in the old ticker.
Then, there is "I Love You (For Sentimental Reasons)", one of the most classically romantic songs you're ever likely to hear. This is the kind of song that makes me wish I was alive during the 1940's, just so I could sign up for the Army and fight in WWII, all just to get the chance to come home in uniform and dance with my gal to this song. Quite an elaborate setup I know, but the song is that good. Trust me.
So, whether you're a big fan or, even if you're someone who has never listened to anything produced before the millennium, do yourself a favor and listen to these songs.
They just don't make 'em like they used to.
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