Is The Very Thought of You a good place to start with Nat King Cole?

Yes, The Very Thought of You is recommended as a starting point for new Nat King Cole listeners. A lush orchestral backdrop supports warm, velvety vocals that evoke romantic nostalgia throughout this timeless jazz collection. Released in November 1958, The Very Thought of You was Nat King Cole's fourth studio album and came during his transition from a jazz pianist to a popular vocal icon. Following his breakthrough with the hit single 'Unforgettable,' this album further solidified his status as a leading figure in the music industry, showcasing his smooth vocal style and emotional depth.

Who is The Very Thought of You for?

The Very Thought of You works well if you're into steady romantic melodic journey, velvety vocals for intimate moments and for candlelit evenings.

How many songs are on The Very Thought of You?

The Very Thought of You has 16 tracks, running approximately 57 minutes.

Released 68 years ago this November

The Very Thought of You

Nat King Cole · 1958

57 min · 16 tracks · jazz

A lush orchestral backdrop supports warm, velvety vocals that evoke romantic nostalgia throughout this timeless jazz collection.

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Top tracks — play these first

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The Very Thought of You Start here — The title track serves as an exquisite showcase for Cole's rich baritone, encapsulating the romantic essence that defines the album's mood.
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But Beautiful — This song highlights Cole's ability to convey deep emotion through subtle phrasing and tender delivery, making it a standout ballad on the album.
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There Is No Greater Love — Cole's interpretation brings a heartfelt sincerity to this classic standard, allowing listeners to feel the weight of love and longing in every note.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

63 /100

Treeline

Higher than 74% of albums we've rated

Cole's smooth vocals and lush arrangements create a cohesive and nostalgic jazz experience.

What we noticed

The album features lush orchestral arrangements that complement Cole's warm vocal delivery, with strings and horns creating a romantic atmosphere.
Each track typically follows a standard verse-chorus structure, allowing Cole's voice to shine while the instrumentation provides a smooth backdrop.
The pacing is consistent, with most songs maintaining a slow to mid-tempo feel, contributing to the overall nostalgic mood of the collection.

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: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 8/10

Influence 6/10

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

steady romantic melodic journey
velvety vocals for intimate moments
for candlelit evenings
rich orchestral warmth surrounds
gentle background for conversations

Maybe skip if you

seeks upbeat dance tracks
prefers fast-paced listening

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — This album solidified Nat King Cole's transition to a vocal icon after earlier successes.
Themes: romantic nostalgia· velvety vocals· mid-century love songs
Moods: Romantic· Chill
Career context: Released in November 1958, The Very Thought of You was Nat King Cole's fourth studio album and came during his transition from a jazz pianist to a popular vocal icon. Following his breakthrough with the hit single 'Unforgettable,' this album further solidified his status as a leading figure in the music industry, showcasing his smooth vocal style and emotional depth.
Stylistic neighbors: Frank Sinatra· Ella Fitzgerald· Tony Bennett