Natalie Cole: Love Songs

You might say that Natalie Cole was born to be a singing star. Her father was legendary singer and jazz pianist Nat King Cole; and her mother, Maria Hawkins Ellington, sang with Duke Ellington and Count Basie. Cole's beautiful voice led her to a successful career singing many memorable R&B and pop hits. Cole sold over 30 million records, many of them love songs, perfect for a Valentine's Day playlist for that special someone. On what would have been her 75th birthday, February 6, and for Valentine's Day, here are the greatest love songs from Natalie Cole.

Natalie Cole was determined to have a singing career and did not want to follow directly in her father's famous footsteps. She wanted to sing R&B and blues instead of jazz and was inspired by Janis Joplin. When musicians Chuck Jackson and Marvin Yancy had their songs turned down by Aretha Franklin, they turned to a young Natalie Cole. Her 1975 debut album "Inseparable" was a hit giving Cole her first gold record and the Grammy for best new artist. The single "This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)" became one of her biggest songs.

The love ballad and title track "Inseparable" was a No. 1 soul hit and reached 32 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Cole's follow-up album "Natalie" was also a hit, with the single "Sophisticated Lady (She's a Different Lady)" reaching No. 1 on the Billboard R&B chart.

"I've Got Love on My Mind" from Cole's third album, "Unpredictable," spent five weeks at No. 1 on the soul charts and made it to No. 5 on the Hot 100. The 1977 single is one of her most popular songs.

"Our Love" is one of Natalie Cole's signature songs. The track is on her 1977 album "Thankful." It was certified gold, selling over one million copies.

Cole's career took a downturn as she struggled with personal problems including addiction. 1987's "Everlasting" was her comeback album, reaching gold record status. The love song "I Live For Your Love," was a hit, reaching No. 13 on the Hot 100 in 1988.

In 1991, Cole released one of her most popular albums, "Unforgettable...with Love" featured Cole covering songs made famous by her father, Nat King Cole. The release included Cole singing a duet with an original vocal track by her father on the classic standard "Unforgettable."