Unforgettable (Nat King Cole song) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids "Unforgettable" |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Early-1950s sheet music
|
||||
| Single by Nat King Cole | ||||
| from the album Unforgettable | ||||
| B-side | "My First and My Last Love" | |||
| Released | October 1951 | |||
| Recorded | August 17, 1951 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 2:33 | |||
| Label | Capitol | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Irving Gordon | |||
| Producer(s) | Lee Gillette | |||
| Nat King Cole singles chronology | ||||
|
||||
| Dinah Washington singles chronology | ||||
|
||||
"Unforgettable" is a very famous song written by Irving Gordon. It was produced by Lee Gillette. The song was first called "Uncomparable." But the music company asked Gordon to change the name to "Unforgettable." This popular song was first released in 1951.
Contents
Nat King Cole's Famous Version
The most well-known recording of "Unforgettable" was made by Nat King Cole in 1951. It was part of his album, also called Unforgettable, which came out in 1952. A talented musician named Nelson Riddle created the music arrangement for this version.
In 1961, Nat King Cole recorded the song again. This time, it was in stereo sound for his album The Nat King Cole Story.
A Special Duet with His Daughter
Many years later, in 1991, something amazing happened. Elvis Presley's music director, Joe Guercio, had a cool idea. He suggested taking Nat King Cole's original 1951 recording and mixing it. This created a "virtual duet" with his daughter, Natalie Cole. It was like they were singing together, even though the recordings were made decades apart!
This new version became very popular. It reached number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 music chart. It also climbed to number three on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.
Awards for "Unforgettable"
The duet version of "Unforgettable" won three big awards at the 34th Annual Grammy Awards in 1992. These awards were:
- Song of the Year
- Record of the Year
- Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance
Nat King Cole's original recording of "Unforgettable" was also honored. It was added to the Grammy Hall of Fame in the year 2000. This means it's recognized as a very important and classic song.
Natalie and Nat King Cole's Duet Version
| "Unforgettable" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
||||
| Single by Natalie Cole with Nat King Cole | ||||
| from the album Unforgettable... with Love | ||||
| B-side | "Cottage for Sale" | |||
| Released | June 1991 | |||
| Recorded | 1991 | |||
| Length | 3:29 | |||
| Label | Elektra | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Irving Gordon | |||
| Producer(s) | David Foster | |||
| Natalie Cole singles chronology | ||||
|
||||
| Nat King Cole singles chronology | ||||
|
||||
In 1991, American singer Natalie Cole released her own version of "Unforgettable." It was on her album called Unforgettable... with Love. This song was special because it was a "virtual duet" with her father, Nat King Cole.
This duet was a big hit around the world. It reached number three on the US Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. It was also number one on the Canadian RPM Adult Contemporary chart. In Australia, it reached number two on the Australian Singles Chart.
Awards and Recognition
The duet version of "Unforgettable" won several major awards. It was honored with the Grammy Award for Record of the Year and Grammy Award for Song of the Year. It also received the Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance. These awards show how much people loved this special song.
Other Artists Who Sang "Unforgettable"
Many other artists have also performed or recorded "Unforgettable." Here are some of them:
- George Benson
- Andrea Bocelli and Lisa Kelly
- Roberto Carlos
- Vikki Carr
- Sammy Davis Jr.
- Roberta Flack
- Aretha Franklin
- Marvin Gaye
- Merle Haggard
- Engelbert Humperdinck
- Johnny Mathis
- Peggy Lee
- Kenny Rogers
- Sia
- Dinah Washington (Her version was added to the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2001.)
Images for kids
-
The album cover for Natalie Cole's Unforgettable... with Love
See also
In Spanish: Unforgettable (canción de Nat King Cole) para niños
