Is Just One of Those Things a good place to start with Nat King Cole?

Yes, Just One of Those Things is recommended as a starting point for new Nat King Cole listeners. A smooth blend of jazz and pop, featuring lush orchestration and Nat King Cole's velvety vocals that evoke nostalgia. Released in 1957, Just One of Those Things was Nat King Cole's follow-up to the successful album Love Is the Thing. At this point in his career, Cole had transitioned from a celebrated jazz pianist to a mainstream crooner, solidifying his status as a leading figure in popular music. The album further showcased his ability to interpret standards with emotional depth and sophistication.

Who is Just One of Those Things for?

Just One of Those Things works well if you're into steady melodic flow throughout, for romantic evenings and nostalgic reflections on love.

How many songs are on Just One of Those Things?

Just One of Those Things has 15 tracks, running approximately 41 minutes.

Just One of Those Things

Nat King Cole · 1957

41 min · 15 tracks · jazz

A smooth blend of jazz and pop, featuring lush orchestration and Nat King Cole's velvety vocals that evoke nostalgia.

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Top tracks — play these first

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When Your Lover Has Gone Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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Don't Get Around Much Anymore — This track stands out for its playful yet melancholic interpretation, showcasing Cole's ability to convey deep emotion through subtle phrasing and timing.
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These Foolish Things Remind Me of You — The song highlights Cole's mastery of vocal nuance, employing soft dynamics that beautifully capture the bittersweet nature of nostalgia.
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Just One of Those Things — The title track encapsulates the album's theme of romantic longing with its relaxed tempo and sophisticated arrangement, perfectly matching Cole's smooth delivery.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

59 /100

Treeline

Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

The album blends smooth orchestration with strong vocal performances, maintaining a cohesive sound throughout.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of lush orchestration throughout, with strings and woodwinds complementing Cole's vocals on nearly every track.
Each song typically follows a standard verse-chorus structure, allowing for smooth transitions between the lyrical content and instrumental sections.
Several tracks, such as 'Don't Get Around Much Anymore', showcase a prominent piano accompaniment that reflects Cole's jazz background while supporting his vocal delivery.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady melodic flow throughout
for romantic evenings
nostalgic reflections on love
gentle background for gatherings
easy listening for relaxation

Maybe skip if you

seekers of high-energy tracks
prefer upbeat dance music

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Fan Favorite — The album is beloved by fans, showcasing Cole's smooth style and jazz standards.
Themes: bittersweet nostalgia· romantic longing· 1950s jazz standards
Moods: Nostalgic· Romantic
Career context: Released in 1957, Just One of Those Things was Nat King Cole's follow-up to the successful album Love Is the Thing. At this point in his career, Cole had transitioned from a celebrated jazz pianist to a mainstream crooner, solidifying his status as a leading figure in popular music. The album further showcased his ability to interpret standards with emotional depth and sophistication.
Stylistic neighbors: Frank Sinatra· Ella Fitzgerald· Tony Bennett