Nat “King” Cole

Released: January 1, 1964

Songwriter: Arthur Johnston Sam Coslow

Producer: Lee Gillette

[Verse 1]
There's rhythm down in Martinique isle
That has any minuet beat a mile for
Low-down quality, and they call it
The ebony rhapsody

[Verse 2]
Instead of playing music like you do
They supply a little classical voodoo
They keep swingin' that thing
And singin' that ebony rhapsody

[Bridge]
It's got those licks, it's got those tricks
That Mr Liszt would never recognise
It's got that beat, that tropic heat
They shake until they make the old thermometer rise

[Verse 3]
Oh brother yes, they all have bandanas
They go to market singing happy hosannas
Swaying to that ebony rhapsody

[Instrumental break]

[Verse 4]
There's a rhythm down in Martinique isle
That has any minuet beat a mile, for
Low-down quality, and they call it
The ebony rhapsody

[Verse 5]
Instead of playing music like you do
They supply a little classical voodoo
They keep swingin' that thing
While singing that ebony rhapsody

[Bridge]
It's got those licks, it's got those tricks
That Mr Liszt would never recognise
It's got that beat, that tropic heat
They shake until they make the old thermometer rise

[Verse 6]
Brother yes, they all have bandanas
They go to market singing happy hosannas
Swaying to that ebony rhapsody
Twisting to the ebony rhapsody

Nathaniel Adams Coles (17 March 1919 – 15 February 1965) was born in Montgomery, Alabama and used the stage name Nat “King” Cole throughout his career as a jazz pianist and later as a singer.

Cole’s first mainstream hit was “Straighten Up and Fly Right” in 1943. Bo Diddley, who performed similar folk-based material said that song was a big influence on him.

In the late 40s, Cole began recording more pop-oriented material. His stature as a pop singer was cemented by hits like “Route 66”, “Mona Lisa” and “Unforgettable”. In the 50s, virtually every home had a copy of his Christmas album.

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Let’s Face the Music!

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Let’s Face the Music! (1964)

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Ebony RhapsodyNat “King” Cole

Nat “King” Cole

Let’s Face the Music!