The unforgettable Nat King Cole passed away 48 years ago today at the age of 45 from lung cancer. In the almost five (!) decades since his death, his music continues to have a dedicated following. In honour of Cole, we’ve compiled a list of his top ten hits:

10. Send for Me – #6 in 1957

9. Orange Colored Sky – #5 in 1950 (introduced on The Nat ‘King’ Cole Show – which is getting a digital release more than 50 years after being aired!)

8. Looking Back – #5 in 1958

7. A Blossom Fell – #2 in 1955

6. Pretend – #2 in 1953

5. Ramblin’ Rose – #2 in 1962 (his final Top 10 hit)

4. Too Young – #1 for 5 weeks in 1951

3. I Love You for Sentimental Reasons – #1 for 6 weeks in 1946 (his first #1 hit)

2. Nature Boy – #1 for 8 weeks in 1948

1. Mona Lisa – #1 for 8 weeks in 1950 (it won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1950).

(So many hits we missed! Including: Straighten Up and Fly Right – his first top 10 hit; Walkin’ My Baby Back Home, Answer Me My Love, Those Lazy Hazy Crazy Days of Summer, Unforgettable and Stardust!)

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