Love Is the Thing
Nat King Cole · 1957
46 min · 15 tracks · jazz
A lush blend of smooth jazz and romantic balladry, with velvety vocals floating over orchestral arrangements.
Top tracks — play these first
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When I Fall in Love Start here — This iconic track opens the album with a timeless declaration of romance, showcasing Cole's ability to convey deep emotion through his smooth delivery.
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Stardust — Cole's interpretation of this classic standard highlights his sophisticated phrasing and nuanced vocal style, making it a definitive version that resonates with listeners.
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Ain’t Misbehavin’ — The upbeat tempo and joyful arrangement contrast with the more somber tracks, allowing Cole to exhibit both his playful side and vocal versatility within the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong songwriting and orchestration, with a cohesive romantic theme throughout.
What we noticed
- The album features lush orchestral arrangements that complement Cole's smooth vocal delivery, creating a romantic atmosphere throughout.
- Each track typically follows a standard verse-chorus structure, allowing for a consistent flow and familiarity across the record.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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9/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. 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
- romantic evenings for two
- steady pacing for relaxation
- velvet voice and lush orchestration
- intimate moments of reflection
- background ambiance at dinner
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy tracks
- prefer standalone singles
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album marked Cole's first chart-topping success as a solo artist.
- Themes
- 1950s romance· velvety vocals· jazz balladry
- Career context
- In 1957, Nat King Cole was at a pivotal point in his career, transitioning from a successful jazz pianist to a celebrated vocalist. 'Love Is the Thing' was released during this period of peak popularity, following the commercial success of his previous albums and establishing him firmly as a leading figure in popular music.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Frank Sinatra· Ella Fitzgerald· Tony Bennett
Tracklist
- 1 When I Fall in Love Start here 3:11
- 2 Stardust 3:17
- 3 Stay as Sweet as You Are 3:00
- 4 Where Can I Go Without You? 2:59
- 5 Maybe It’s Because I Love You Too Much 2:50
- 6 If Love Ain’t There 3:12
- 7 Love Letters 2:48
- 8 Someone to Tell It To 3:19
- 9 Ain’t Misbehavin’ 3:18
- 10 The End of a Love Affair 3:12
- 11 I Thought About Marie 3:09
- 12 At Last 3:01
- 13 It’s All in the Game 3:09
- 14 When Sunny Gets Blue 2:48
- 15 Love Is the Thing 3:02
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
In the Wee Small Hours
Frank Sinatra
Similar introspective balladry with lush orchestration and a focus on late-night romantic themes.
Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Irving Berlin Songbook
Ella Fitzgerald
Shares velvety vocal delivery and romantic standards, wrapped in rich orchestral arrangements.
The Beat of My Heart
Tony Bennett
Combines smooth vocals and jazz influences with heartfelt ballads, echoing the romantic ambiance of the era.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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