Unforgettable

Unforgettable was written by Irving Gordon and published in 1951.

Nat King Cole
Nat King Cole

Gordon actually conceived of the title being “Uncomparable”, however the music publishing company requested the name be changed to “Unforgettable.”

The most popular version of the song is by the legendary Nat King Cole.  His arrangement was written by Nelson Riddle.  He initially recorded the song in 1951.

A non-orchestrated version was recorded in 1952 and featured as a bonus track on the 1955 Penthouse Serenade.

In 1961, Cole recorded a new version of the song.  This one was a stereo version of Riddle’s Arrangement which appeared on his album, The Nat King Cole Story.

Nat King Cole died on February 15, 1965 in California.

Nat King Cole with his daughter, Natalie
Nat King Cole with his daughter, Natalie

In 1991, musical director Joe Guercio {who worked with Elvis Presley} had an idea to mix the 1951 version.  This remix was created to allow Nat King’s Cole daughter, Natalie Cole, to sing a duet with her father.  This version essentially introduced the song and Nat King Cole to an whole new generation.

This duet went on to receive numerous awards including the Song of the Year, Record of the Year and Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance at the 1992 Grammy Awards.

In 2000, Nat King Cole’s original 1951 recording was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

Numerous other performers such as Sammy Davis, Jr, Peggy Lee, Aretha Franklin, Kenny Rogers and Ricky Vallen, to name just a few, have recorded versions of Unforgettable.