Since the first of the year, I have re-entered a spiritual/philosophical stage of my life. As part of that quest, I have started listening more to all types of music, including some of the "crooners," including Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Johnny Mathis and Nat King Cole.
It's funny, but in this phase of my life, I am listening to the words of the songs in a whole new light. While listening to a compilation of Nat King Cole hits, I came across a song called Nature Boy, which he made famous in 1948. When I really listened to the words of the song, it literally blew me away. It pretty much sums up my view of the most important thing to achieve in this life. That being the case, I thought I'd share the lyrics with you.
NATURE BOY
Written by Eden Ahbez
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
A magic day he passed my way
And 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"
Since I have been blessed with a relationship with my wife with whom I share unconditional love, this song has particular significance for me. I share it with you in hopes that it has some significance for you as well.
As mentioned, Nat King Cole originally made this song famous. Since then, however, numerous people have made recordings of the song, in both vocal and instrumental versions. Because the Nat King Cole recordings are so old, the sound quality is not all that great. So, I started a quest to find other renditions.
Interestingly ... and another of those ironies that I love so much ... what I consider to be the best rendition of the song other than Nat King Cole's is by his daughter, Natalie, on her Unforgettable CD.
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