Best Natalie Cole Songs 2013 press shot 1000 CREDIT Jack Guy Universal Music Group Archives
Natalie Cole in a 2013 press shot, showcasing her enduring presence in the music industry. Credit: Jack Guy/Universal Music Group Archives.
Listen to the essential Natalie Cole songs on Spotify.
20: Stand By (1979)
“Stand By,” a standout track from Natalie Cole’s fifth album, I Love You So, released in 1979, is a testament to her songwriting prowess and soulful delivery. Co-written with her then-husband Marvin Yancy, this song climbed into the Top 10 of the US R&B charts, showcasing a deeply spiritual and faithful theme within its driving soul arrangement. The track benefited from the expert touch of Motown arranger Paul Riser, who crafted the vibrant brass and string arrangements, adding a layer of sophisticated soul to Cole’s passionate vocals. “Stand By” exemplifies Cole’s ability to blend personal experiences with universal themes, creating music that is both deeply personal and widely relatable.
19: When I Fall In Love (1987)
Initially, Natalie Cole consciously distanced herself from her father’s legacy, aiming to establish her own distinct musical identity. However, with her 1987 album Everlasting, she began to embrace her heritage, beautifully exemplified by her rendition of “When I Fall In Love.” This track reimagines one of Nat King Cole’s signature ballads, transforming it into a smooth, mid-tempo soul groove perfect for the late 80s soundscape. Notably, the song features a saxophone solo by Kenny G, adding a touch of contemporary jazz flavor to this heartfelt tribute. “When I Fall In Love” marked a turning point, showcasing Natalie’s willingness to honor her father’s musical contributions while still maintaining her unique artistic voice.
18: Be Thankful (1975)
“Be Thankful,” a gem from Natalie Cole’s platinum-selling album Thankful (1975), stands as one of her most uplifting and joyous recordings. Though never released as a single, this song became an instant album favorite, celebrated for its infectious positivity and gospel-infused energy. Evoking the spirited atmosphere of a Baptist church, Cole’s vocals soar over a captivatingly funky rhythm section anchored by Marvin Yancy’s organ work. Michael Boddiker’s synthesizer accents further enhance the track’s unique sonic texture, creating a vibrant and memorable listening experience. “Be Thankful” perfectly captures the optimistic spirit of the mid-70s soul music scene and remains a testament to Cole’s ability to inspire through music.
17: Gimme Some Time (with Peabo Bryson) (1979)
Capitol Records recognized the potential of pairing Natalie Cole with rising soul star Peabo Bryson, leading to the collaborative album We’re The Best Of Friends in 1979. The album’s lead single, “Gimme Some Time,” is an upbeat, danceable track that perfectly showcases the vocal synergy between Cole and Bryson. Their voices blend seamlessly, creating a dynamic and engaging performance that resonated with audiences, propelling the single into the R&B Top 10. The success of “Gimme Some Time” underscored Cole’s versatility and her ability to collaborate effectively, further solidifying her position in the R&B landscape.
16: Unforgettable (with Nat King Cole) (1991)
Natalie Cole’s history with her father’s music dates back to a childhood recording on the Yuletide album The Magic Of Christmas. However, it was in 1991, long after Nat King Cole’s passing, that Natalie embarked on a profound tribute with the album Unforgettable… With Love. This collection featured jazz standards made famous by her father, culminating in a groundbreaking duet on the title track “Unforgettable.” Through innovative studio technology, Natalie and Nat King Cole were virtually united, creating a poignant and emotionally resonant recording. The single reached the Top 10 in the US and Top 20 in the UK, proving to be a global sensation. The saxophone solo by Pete Christlieb adds a final touch of elegance to this iconic track, bridging generations and celebrating a timeless melody.
15: More Than The Stars (1987)
“More Than The Stars,” a beloved track from the Everlasting album, holds a special place among Natalie Cole’s fans. Co-written and arranged by her uncle, Eddie Cole, this song is a delightful Latin-infused gem that highlights Natalie’s vocal prowess and her family’s deep musical roots. The song is elevated by a guest appearance from Latin music icon José Feliciano, who contributes both guitar and vocals, adding an authentic and vibrant layer to the track. Despite not being released as a standalone single, “More Than The Stars” gained popularity as a B-side, showcasing its enduring appeal and musical richness. It exemplifies Natalie’s ability to explore diverse musical styles while maintaining her signature soulful sound.
14: You (1975)
From her debut album Inseparable, “You” reveals Natalie Cole’s sensual and emotive side. This powerful ballad, penned by Chuck Jackson and Marvin Yancy, is a passionate declaration of all-consuming love, delivered with Cole’s signature gospel-reared vocal intensity. The song’s waltz-time rhythm creates an intimate and immersive atmosphere, further enhanced by an uncredited tenor saxophonist whose melodic lines weave beautifully around Cole’s soulful tones in the intro. “You” is a prime example of Cole’s early work, demonstrating her ability to convey deep emotion and connect with listeners on a profound level through her vocal artistry.
The album cover for Natalie Cole’s debut album “Inseparable,” showcasing her breakthrough into the music scene.
13: Jump Start (1987)
After a period of less successful ventures with Epic and Modern labels, Natalie Cole’s career experienced a significant resurgence when she joined EMI’s Manhattan imprint. “Jump Start,” released in the summer of 1987, marked this comeback. This dancefloor-ready track, written and produced by Vincent and Reggie Calloway, injected new energy into Cole’s music, propelling her back to the upper echelons of the American R&B charts, reaching No. 2. “Jump Start” represented a radical shift in her musical direction, embracing drum machines and synth-heavy production, reflecting the contemporary pop and R&B sounds of the era. This track successfully revitalized her career and introduced her to a new generation of listeners.
12: Party Lights (1977)
Natalie Cole embraced the disco era with “Party Lights,” her sixth single, featured on the Unpredictable album. This exuberant disco anthem is driven by a high-energy rhythm section, creating a feel-good, hedonistic vibe that was characteristic of the late 70s disco scene. Written by jazz pianist Tennyson Stephens, “Party Lights” climbed to No. 9 on the US R&B charts, proving to be a successful foray into the disco genre. The track showcases Cole’s adaptability and willingness to experiment with different musical styles, further broadening her appeal and solidifying her status as a versatile artist.
11: Mr Melody (1976)
Following an impressive streak of three consecutive No. 1 R&B singles, “Mr Melody,” from the album Natalie, offered a sleek, Latin-tinged, disco-infused sound. While commercially, it peaked at No. 10 on the US charts, breaking the No. 1 streak, it still contributed to the success of its parent album, which became Natalie’s second gold record. “Mr Melody” demonstrates Cole’s continued exploration of diverse musical landscapes, blending Latin rhythms and disco elements into her signature soul sound. The song, while not reaching the top spot, remains a notable entry in her discography, highlighting her consistent artistic evolution.
10: Inseparable (1975)
“Inseparable,” Natalie Cole’s second single for Capitol Records, released in November 1975, mirrored the success of her debut “This Will Be,” also reaching No. 1 on the US R&B charts. Again crafted by the songwriting and production team of Chuck Jackson and Marvin Yancy, “Inseparable” offered a stark contrast in mood and style to “This Will Be.” This song is a tender, torchy ballad, an earnest expression of love, with Cole’s soulful vocals beautifully enhanced by lush string and horn arrangements. “Inseparable” solidified Cole’s position as a major force in R&B, demonstrating her range and depth as a vocalist capable of delivering both upbeat anthems and deeply emotional ballads.
9: I Live For Your Love (1987)
In the latter part of the 1980s, Natalie Cole’s musical style evolved towards a more pop-oriented direction, broadening her appeal to mainstream audiences. “I Live For Your Love” perfectly exemplifies this transition. This slow-burning power ballad, set in 3/4 time, retains only a subtle R&B undercurrent, leaning more heavily into the pop balladry of the era. Despite its pop sensibilities, the song still resonated strongly within the R&B market, reaching No. 4 on the American R&B chart and also achieving crossover success, reaching No. 13 on the pop charts. “I Live For Your Love” also found popularity in the UK, reaching No. 23, demonstrating Cole’s expanding international reach and her ability to adapt to changing musical trends.
8: La Costa (1977)
“La Costa,” from the Thankful album, opens with the evocative sounds of ocean waves, setting the stage for an atmospheric Latin-infused groove. Co-written by Natalie Cole with R&B singer-songwriter Linda Williams, the track incorporates Brazilian bossa nova elements in its breezy and undulating rhythms. Cole’s sublime vocals float effortlessly above this rich musical tapestry. Although relegated to the B-side of “Our Love,” “La Costa” is considered a high point of her Capitol Records era by many fans and critics. Its sophisticated blend of Latin and soul influences showcases Cole’s musical adventurousness and her ability to create captivating soundscapes.
7: Pink Cadillac (1987)
Natalie Cole scored a significant pop hit by infusing Bruce Springsteen’s “Pink Cadillac” with her signature funk and gospel energy. Originally a B-side to Springsteen’s “Dancing In The Dark,” Cole transformed the song into a high-octane, church-infused rendition while preserving its rock and roll core. Her version reached No. 5 on the US pop charts and No. 9 R&B, achieving gold status in the UK and becoming one of her most recognizable and successful crossover hits. “Pink Cadillac” demonstrated Cole’s ability to reinterpret songs and make them entirely her own, bridging genres and appealing to a wide audience.
6: Annie Mae (1978)
“Annie Mae,” penned solely by Natalie Cole, is a funky and jazzy track from the Thankful album that tells a story of aspiration and self-improvement. Inspired by Cole’s housekeeper, a young woman named Stella, the song embodies the dreams of girls seeking a better life. As Cole explained in her autobiography, “Annie Mae” symbolizes those striving for upward mobility and a brighter future. Released as a single, the song reached No. 6 on the American R&B charts, resonating with its relatable themes and infectious groove. “Annie Mae” highlights Cole’s songwriting talent and her ability to draw inspiration from everyday life, crafting songs with both personal and social resonance.
5: Sophisticated Lady (She’s A Different Lady) (1976)
“Sophisticated Lady (She’s A Different Lady),” co-written by Cole with producers Chuck Jackson and Marvin Yancy, is an irresistibly catchy and funky track from her second album, Natalie. This lead single topped the US R&B charts for a week and earned Cole a Grammy Award, solidifying her status as a major musical force. Sharp-eared listeners might detect echoes of David Bowie’s “Fame” in the song’s intro, adding an intriguing layer to its musical texture. “Sophisticated Lady” is a quintessential example of 70s funk-soul, showcasing Cole’s vocal dynamism and her ability to deliver both sophisticated and deeply groovy tracks.
4: Miss You Like Crazy (1989)
“Miss You Like Crazy” stands as Natalie Cole’s biggest UK hit, reaching No. 2 in April 1989. This yearning power ballad, co-written by Preston Glass, Gerry Goffin, and Michael Masser, achieved even greater success in the US, topping the R&B charts in March of the same year. The song’s commercial triumph rewarded Cole’s patience with producer Michael Masser, known for his perfectionism, which led to an extensive recording process involving 60 vocal tracks and nine months in the studio. “Miss You Like Crazy” is a testament to the payoff of meticulous craftsmanship, resulting in a timeless ballad that resonated deeply with audiences worldwide.
3: Our Love (1977)
Natalie Cole’s remarkable chart success continued into 1978 with “Our Love.” This emotive ballad, another collaboration with Chuck Jackson and Marvin Yancy, soared to the top of the US R&B charts in January 1978 and also broke into the US pop Top 10. From her platinum-selling album Thankful, “Our Love” was recorded while Cole was pregnant, adding a layer of personal significance to the recording. The single spent an impressive 24 weeks on the charts and achieved million-selling status, becoming her second most commercially successful single. “Our Love” is a powerful testament to Cole’s ability to connect with listeners through heartfelt performances and relatable narratives of love and life.
2: I’ve Got Love On My Mind (1977)
Natalie Cole’s collaborations with Chuck Jackson and Marvin Yancy continued to yield exceptional results with her third album, Unpredictable. “I’ve Got Love On My Mind” became her fourth chart-topping single and her biggest hit to date, spending five weeks at the summit of the US R&B singles chart. In this track, Cole showcased her jazz-infused vocal style on a smooth beat ballad, engaging in passionate call-and-response exchanges with her backing vocalists. “I’ve Got Love On My Mind” is a definitive Natalie Cole song, highlighting her vocal range, her jazz sensibilities, and her ability to deliver a song with both emotional depth and infectious rhythm.
1: This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) (1975)
Topping the list of the best Natalie Cole songs is “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love),” the final track written and recorded for her debut album, Inseparable. This jubilant, gospel-tinged anthem, penned by Chuck Jackson and Marvin Yancy, features an instantly memorable chorus and an irresistible, clap-along beat. “This Will Be” catapulted Natalie Cole to the forefront of the music scene, topping Billboard’s US R&B charts for two weeks in July 1975, breaking into the US pop Top 10, and earning her a Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance. As a debut single, “This Will Be” is an unparalleled triumph, establishing Natalie Cole as a major artist and setting the stage for her illustrious career.
The single cover for “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love),” Natalie Cole’s breakthrough hit single.
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