Friday, November 16, 2012

FMM: Cole me maybe

Successful father-and-daughter singing tandems are quite rare. Most of the time, when a daughter follows her father's footsteps in front of a microphone, she doesn't reach the same level of success that her father did.

Nancy Sinatra had a couple of hits, including my favorite "These boots were made for walkin'," but she didn't quite become as legendary as Frank. Carnie and Wendy Wilson made worldwide hits as member of Wilson Philips. But their father, Brian Wilson, was a global phenomenon as member of The Beach Boys.

There's one exception to this rule that I know of, though. She's one of my favorite singers from the 80s, and until now. And yes, she's the daughter of a famous singer as well.

She's Natalie Cole.

Like her uber famous father, Nat King Cole, she's been singing since she was young, she's churned out hit after hit, she's famous globally, and her career has longevity. I think it's been more than 3 decades, and she's still singing and entertaining audiences worldwide. In addition, her songs have become "anthems" of sorts, and they're still being sung and used today.

Among my favorite Natalie Cole songs include this fun and soulful song that she did when she was still quite young. "This Will be" has to be one of the most upbeat (and most difficult to sing) songs I've heard:


In the 80s, when I was in grade school, I remember hearing this song on the radio as we were driven to school. It's funny because our car that time was this big, gold Buick we dubbed "The Batmobile," and inside the car, we'd be listening to Pink Cadillac.


Then, there's her "signature song," which has been used in movies both here and abroad. It's also a favorite song in videoke joints.

Apart from these 3 Natalie Cole songs that I really like, she had dozens of more hits that are part of our popular culture. And that makes her someone that both Natalie and Nat King Cole have described aptly through song.

She's "Unforgettable."

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