Nat King Cole, Quizás, Quizás, Quizás | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 30th edition of Throwback Vibez (2024), we recollect and reflect on “Quizás, Quizás, Quizás (Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps)” by Nat King Cole.

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶! Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace this column are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome. In the 30^th edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2024), we recollect and reflect on “Quizás, Quizás, Quizás (Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps)”, performed by Nat King Cole.

“Quizás, Quizás, Quizás (Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps)” is a classic, penned by Cuban songwriter, Osvaldo Farrés, back in 1947.  This thrice-titled number has been covered by numerous artists.  Among the most famous covers arrives courtesy of the late, great, jazz singer and pianist Nat King Cole (1919 – 1965). The Cole rendition arrived as the third track on his 1958 album, Cole Espanol.  As the title suggests, all of the musical selections are Spanish songs, which is super cool. Lee Gillette produced this chill, easygoing take on “Quizás, Quizás, Quizás,” where most of the time, it sounds as if Cole barely breaks a sweat.

What makes “Quizás, Quizás, Quizás (Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps)” alluring? Cole’s voice is timeless – a once in a lifetime vocalist and musician. His tone is utterly sublime – refined to the nth degree.  He doesn’t exaggerate the Spanish lyrics, taking a natural approach that’s true to self. The arrangement/orchestration is marvelous, incorporating Latin music cues within the rhythm section (percussion and piano especially), big band, and orchestra, conducted by Armando Romeau Jr..  The strings are dramatic, while the horns bite.  All the while, Cole is calm, cool, and collected – refined in his approach.  Just for a bit of context, “Quizás, Quizás, Quizás (Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps)” is a romantic number, one of which the singer is trying to get an answer about his love interest’s feelings.  Translated in English, a key section goes:

“So, if you really love me, say yes

But if you don’t dear, confess

And please don’t tell me

‘Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps.”

Don’t play coy – be honest! Perhaps is not a suitable answer.  You know what is suitable though? This stellar, 1958 cover by the late, great Nat King Cole. PERIOD!

🎙 Nat King Cole • 💿 Cole Espanol • 🏷 Capitol • 🗓 1958

Nat King Cole, Quizás, Quizás, Quizás (Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps): Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 30 (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Capitol; OpenClipart-Vectors, Speedy McVroom via  Pixabay]