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Unforgettable (Nat King Cole song)

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Wikipedia article




"'Unforgettable'" is a popular song written by Irving Gordon. The song's original working title was "Undeniable"; however, the music publishing company asked Gordon to change it to "Unforgettable". The song was published in 1951.

Nat King Cole version



The most popular version of the song was recorded by Nat King Cole in 1951 from his album 'Unforgettable' (1952), with an arrangement written by Nelson Riddle. A non-orchestrated version of the song recorded in 1952 is featured as one of the seven bonus tracks on Cole's 1998 CD reissue of 1955's otherwise completely instrumental album, 'Penthouse Serenade'. On March 30, 1961, Nat King Cole recorded the tune anew in a stereo version (with Ralph Carmichael and his Orchestra) of the Riddle arrangement, for the album 'The Nat King Cole Story' (1961).

In 1991, after Elvis Presley's musical director Joe Guercio had the idea, Cole's original 1951 recording of the song was edited and reworked to create a duet with his daughter, Natalie. The remixed version reached number 14 on the Hot 100, matching the peak position of the original version on the Billboard Best-Selling Pop Singles chart, and also number three on the 'Billboard' Adult Contemporary chart. The song also won three awards at the 34th Annual Grammy Awards (1992): Song of the Year, Record of the Year and Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

Nat Cole's original recording was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2000.

Chart history



Natalie Cole and Nat King Cole version



American singer Natalie Cole included a cover of the song on her album 'Unforgettable... with Love' (1991). The song, reworked as a "virtual duet" with her father, Nat King Cole, reached number three on the US 'Billboard' Adult Contemporary chart, number one on the Canadian 'RPM' Adult Contemporary chart, and number two on the Australian Singles Chart. The performance of the song at the 1992 Grammy Awards was released on the 1994 album 'Grammy's Greatest Moments Volume I'.

Critical reception

'Billboard' commented, "Through the magic of digital technology father and daughter duet on this timeless song that swells with lush orchestration and moving harmonies."

Charts



Weekly charts



Year-end charts



Certifications and sales



Other cover versions



Semprini with Rhythm Acc. recorded it in London on March 26, 1952, as the third melody of the medley "Dancing to the piano (No. 14) - Part 1. Hit Medley of Foxtrots" along with "Slow Coach" and "Cry". It was released by EMI on the His Master's Voice label as catalog number B 10263.

Other cover versions were performed or recorded by:

Sampled by song



*Nas on "Can't Forget About You" (2006)

References



Category:1950s jazz standards

Category:1951 songs

Category:1991 singles

Category:Capitol Records singles

Category:Elektra Records singles

Category:Nat King Cole songs

Category:Natalie Cole songs

Category:Grammy Award for Record of the Year

Category:Grammy Award for Song of the Year

Category:Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s)

Category:Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album

Category:Sia (musician) songs

Category:Song recordings produced by David Foster

Category:Songs written by Irving Gordon

Category:Music published by Bourne Co. Music Publishers

Category:Pixar songs

Category:Pop standards

Category:Walt Disney Records singles

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