I find it fascinating and honestly, a bit frustrating, annoying(?), that everyone is attributing this quote to David Bowie. He didn’t create it. He wasn’t even the first to sing it. David Bowie was only one of more than a dozen covers.

Nature Boy was first recorded in 1947 by Nat King Cole. And he didn’t write it either. The lyrics were gifted to him by a stranger. But before it could be released to the public the songwriter had to be tracked down. His name was Eden Ahbez. And in 1948 the words “The Greatest Thing You’ll Ever Learn Is Just To Love And Be Loved In Return,” were heard for the first time.

Still, David Bowie is an important part of American iconology. I am just wishing people were remembering him for his own glorious creations (for me — being more movie oriented than music oriented, it is his turn as Jareth the Goblin King in 1986’s Labyrinth film.)

Please enjoy the videos (it took a long time to gather them up for you!)

This is the writer singing the song, probably some time after it became “known.”:

 

Nat King Cole recorded 1947, released 1948

 

Dick Haymes, 1948

 

Frank Sinatra, 1948

 

Sarah Vaughan, 1948

 

Peggy Lee, 1948

 

Bobby Darin, 1961

 

Grace Slick and the Great Society, 1965

 

Ella Fitzgerald, 1976

 

George Benson, 1977

 

Etta Jones, 1979

 

Natalie Cole, 1991

 

Abbey Lincoln, 1995

 

Cher, 1998

 

David Bowie & Massive Attack, 2001

 

Aaron Neville, 2003

 

Harry Connick Jr., 2003

 

Celine Dion, 2004

 

Casey Abrams (American Idol TV) 2011

 

Lady Gaga & Tony Bennett, 2014

 

And there are, in the age of YouTube, so many more! Find your favorite and support the artist. Shop at iTunes or Vevo or from personal websites. Most independant artists on YouTube do have their covers available for sale and still others are just trying to get their voice out there and will give you a copy, just give them the feedback, they’ll respond!  Next week I’ll go back to normal #WCW programing.

 

And, here’s my pingback: Rebirth of Lisa