Friday, January 29, 2016

FRIDAY FAVOURITES No 25

In October of 1950 I flew to Melbourne, Victoria.  My mum had encouraged me to sit the Commonwealth test for stenographers as the Department of Civil Aviation in Melbourne was advertising for young women to fill that position. I passed the exam without a problem and flew to take up my new job which I thoroughly enjoyed.

Why did I write the above?  Mainly to explain why I was in Melbourne at this time.  In 1950 a song hit the airwaves that stormed into first place on the hit parade (yes, we did have hit parades way back then) and stayed in first place for many weeks, far longer than any other number had retained first place.     That song was of course Mona Lisa sung by the man with the silky voice Nat King Cole.

I searched YouTube and found this version with Nat playing piano and singing the song.  I hope you will enjoy it along with me.  It brings back great memories for me.  Do you remember Nat King Cole?  Do you remember the song?  After all it is only 66 years ago!!!!  Oh sorry, of course you're not that old are you?  It's me that is the ancient one.



6 comments:

  1. Hari OM
    Oh my, well done on your video find!!! what a handsome young fella he was! Of course am familiar with the song and the voice - though i fall into the 'under 66' category! YAM xx

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    1. I didn't think I'd be so lucky to actually find Nat singing 'his' song.
      I think the reason you remember the song and voice is because it continued on for some time until his untimely death at age 46. Like so many he succumbed to lung cancer.
      He was one of the first African-Americans to stage his own live variety show.
      Glad you enjoyed this one Yam. xx

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  2. Of course I remember Nat King Cole. I remember the song too, but sung by someone else, I've never heard Nat king Cole sing it.
    I remember the mirror shine of "Brilliantine'd" hair too.

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    1. It was definitely Nat King Cole's version when it was on the hit parade in 1950 but of course others have sung it as well.
      Yes, the slicked back hair...Brilliantine or perhaps California Poppy.

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  3. I remember the song but not sure who sang it.

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    1. It was definitely Nat King Cole in 1950 but I am sure many others also sand it in the years that followed.

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