Nat “King” Cole

Released: March 29, 1948

Songwriter: Eden Ahbez

Producer: Lee Gillette

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
One magic day he passed my way
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"

"The greatest thing you'll ever learn
Is just to love and be loved in return"

[Instrumental Interlude]

"The greatest thing you'll ever learn
Is just to love and be loved in return"

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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