Nat King Cole - Mona Lisa

"Mona Lisa" is a song written by Ray Evans and Jay Livingston for the Paramount Pictures film Captain Carey, U.S.A. (1950). It won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for 1950. The arrangement was by Nelson Riddle and the orchestral backing was played by Les Baxter and his Orchestra. The soundtrack version by Nat King Cole spent eight weeks at number one in the Billboard singles chart in 1950. Also, Cole's version of the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1992. The Billboard sales charts of 1950 also showed significant sales on versions by Dennis Day and Harry James. In 1986, it was used as the theme to the British film Mona Lisa. An uncredited version of Mona Lisa plays in the background of one scene in Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window (1954). The song was used in the wedding scene of the NBC mini-series, Witness to the Mob, in 1998.

Various artists, including Elvis Presley, Willie Nelson, Art Lund, Shakin' Stevens, Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, the Neville Brothers, and Nat King Cole's daughter Natalie Cole, have released cover versions of this song. Bruddah Iz (Israel Kamakawiwo'ole) also covered the song on the album Alone in IZ World. Harry Connick, Jr. included the song on his 2009 album, Your Songs.

A rockabilly version of "Mona Lisa" (b/w/ "Foolish One") was released by Carl Mann on Phillips International Records (#3539) in March 1959 and reached number 25 on the Billboard Hot 100. Conway Twitty recorded a version of "Mona Lisa" in February 1959, but planned to release it only as an album cut (on an EP and an LP by MGM Records). Nevertheless, it peaked at #5 in the UK Singles Chart in that year.[1] Sam Phillips signed Carl Mann to record his version of the song after the Twitty version began getting radio play in early 1959[4]. This was the most successful single in Mann's career. The melody is slightly different, and the lyrics are also mostly the same as in the original version by Nat King Cole, though a few more phrases are added in that elaborate more on the girl he likes.

The singer Don Cherry recorded a version backed by the Victor Young Orchestra which reached number seven in 1952.

In 1961, this song was covered by Hong Kong female singer Kong Ling (江玲), on her LP album Off-Beat Cha Cha with the local Diamond Records.

(extract from Wikipedia 2011)

[maykechi]

This song is fire, worthy of being spoken of in the same breath as the painting itself.

[icatfishman]

My dad was dying of cancer in 1978 and all he ever asked me to play for him on my guitar was this song and I failed. I play it for him all the time these days.

[juanitaherrin]

My Dad would sing this to me all the time He’s been gone 22 years today! I will never get used to him being gone! I love you my Daddy!!

[panentheistic]

Congratulations from Brazil. I'm 62 years old, but remember my father, since when I was 7 or 9, listening N K C and saying he was the best. At that time I didn't understand why, but now I do. N K C had a natural gift, a legacy to us. Thanks Nat. (sorry about my english).

[michaelbousfield]

Silky, smooth, unique sounding voice coupled with souful, heartfelt phrasing. A favourite of my mum and I now carry on her love of Nat.

[fjccommish]

This guy could sing.  He sounded smooth.  He looked smooth.  He was terrific.

[Juan-udif]

The beauty of the painting is that you can't see a smile on the lips, there's a twinkle of a smile in the eyes, that is the real greatness and loveliness of this masterpiece.

[monaestrada]

I grew up having people sing this song to all the time . I'm 77 now and no one sings to me anymore. I miss it. My name is Ramona and been Mona all my life.

[paccur]

I remember so very long ago, when l was a small child, Saturday mornings, helping my father play his records..Nat King Cole was his favourite and I grew up enjoying them and feeling privileged to be able to help my dad play them..

[GoesSoejono]

I heard this song for the first time in 1955 now I'm 81

[annesaturley]

My dear father's favorite. He was crazy about Nat King Cole's voice.

[inyourfaceguitar]

As a guitarist, I gotta say I was blown away by this guitarist. Nat makes playing the piano look like a walk in the park. What a talent.

[andrewbalan]

It's almost obscene the level of talent this man has been gifted with. Absolutely amazing voice, great piano playing...the full package!

[shaunkelly]

Seventy years ago this month, Nat Cole's signature song was by far the bestselling and most played tune in both the United States and Canada. You could hear it in barbershops, in local diners, car radios, and as the opening song at high school proms everywhere. (For instance, it was the initial number played at Sylvia Plath's 1950 Wellesley High Senior Prom at the Maugus Club in Wellesley, Massachusetts). Before this monstrous hit, Nat King Cole was better known as a renowned jazz pianist. Until 1947 when he was credited as a solo artist on the classic, "Nature Boy, " he recorded as a member of the King Cole Trio. "Mona Lisa" helped establish his reputation as a top vocalist of the era, although many Jazz aficionados also consider Nat one of the best piano players of the time. The timelessness of Cole's version of this ballad is so profound that it still sounds as if it was written and recorded today. In the end, all that is not eternal is eternally out of date.

[Ricky_Bobby]

Nat King Cole had a beautiful voice. May The Almighty rest his soul 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[sofiathemoonwakingarmy]

I remember when I was young, my parents used to play this song at Thanksgiving, and back then, I didn't understand the importance of Nat King Cole until I was 11-years old. Now that I am older and a teenager, I play this song to remember those moments. This is the first song I play on Thanksgiving Day because it reminds me that Christmas is near. Thanks, Mom and Dad for playing this song! This is a very beautiful song and I am so glad that kids today can learn about Nat King Cole through this platform! God bless you, Mr. Nat King Cole, God bless you!

[VictorLopez-tvbp]

As a young boy i was always thrilled to hear nat i dont know howi life would have been without nat

[janicemjones]

A man with a golden voice - -will always love that voice

[terrencehead]

Eating pasta with a little red wine listening to Nat King Cole, heaven.

[spideraxis]

Nat King Cole gives expression to an enigmatic painting that captivates the world.