永志难忘 (1951)

"Unforgettable" is a popular song written by Irving Gordon. The song's original working title was "Uncomparable"; however, the music publishing company asked Gordon to change it to "Unforgettable". The song was published in 1951.

Nat King Cole version

The most popular version of the song was recorded by Nat King Cole, in 1951, from his album, Unforgettable (1952), with an arrangement written by Nelson Riddle. A non-orchestrated version of the song, recorded in 1952, is one of the seven bonus tracks on Cole's 1998 CD reissue of 1955's otherwise completely instrumental album, Penthouse Serenade. On March 30, 1961, Nat King Cole recorded the tune anew, in a stereo version (with Ralph Carmichael and his Orchestra) of the Riddle arrangement, for the album The Nat King Cole Story (1961).

Cole's daughter, Natalie Cole, had been performing this duet using a recorded track in her live show through the 1980s. In 1991, after Elvis Presley's musical director Joe Guercio had the idea, Cole's original 1951 recording of the song was edited and reworked to create a duet with Natalie. The remixed version reached number 14 on the Hot 100, matching the peak position of the original version on the Billboard Best-Selling Pop Singles chart, and also number three on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. The song won three awards at the 34th Annual Grammy Awards (1992): Song of the Year, Record of the Year and Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.

Nat Cole's original recording was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2000.

Natalie Cole and Nat King Cole version

American singer Natalie Cole included a cover of the song on her twelfth album, Unforgettable... with Love (1991). The song, produced by David Foster and reworked as a "virtual duet" with her father, Nat King Cole, reached number three on the US Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, number one on the Canadian RPM 40AC (Adult Contemporary) chart, and number two on the Australian Singles Chart. The performance of the song at the 1992 Grammy Awards was released on the 1994 album Grammy's Greatest Moments Volume I.

Critical reception

Billboard magazine commented, "Through the magic of digital technology father and daughter duet on this timeless song that swells with lush orchestration and moving harmonies."

Other cover versions

Semprini with Rhythm Acc. recorded it in London on March 26, 1952, as the third melody of the medley "Dancing to the piano (No. 14) – Part 1. Hit Medley of Foxtrots" along with "Slow Coach" and "Cry". It was released by EMI on the His Master's Voice label as catalog number B 10263.

Other cover versions were performed or recorded by:

Sampled by song

Nas on "Can't Forget About You" (2006)