Nat King Cole Quiz: Guess the Song & Test Your Trivia
Before the voice, Nat King Cole was a jazz pianist, and a Nat King Cole quiz rewards ears that catch both. Guess the Nat King Cole song from 'Unforgettable' and 'L-O-V-E' to 'Mona Lisa', 'Smile' and 'The Christmas Song', then test your trivia on the trio years and the standards that won awards. 'Mona Lisa' took an Oscar in 1951, 'Nature Boy' had topped the chart in 1948, and 'Unforgettable' came back in 1991 as a duet with his daughter Natalie Cole. See how well you know that velvet baritone.
Start your solo quiz
Name as many tracks as you can from short audio clips. The faster you answer, the more you score.
10 questions4 answers each
Guess the Nat King Cole Song
'Unforgettable', 'L-O-V-E' and 'Mona Lisa' are the baritone standards players catch first.
Unforgettable
L-O-V-E
Mona Lisa
The Christmas Song
Smile
Nature Boy
Route 66
Straighten Up and Fly Right
Nat King Cole Trivia: Oscars and a Posthumous Duet
The Academy Award for 'Mona Lisa', the jazz trio roots, and the 1991 duet with his daughter.
How Well Do You Know Nat King Cole
The baritone standards are quick points; the trio jazz and award rounds decide it.
The velvet-voice standards
'Unforgettable', 'Mona Lisa', 'L-O-V-E' and 'Smile' are the velvet-baritone hits players name first. These smooth standards are the easy points before the jazz sides show up.
The pianist behind the singer
He was a pianist before a crooner. The Nat King Cole Trio cut jazz sides like '(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66' in 1946, and those piano-led tracks are where casual fans get lost.
The songs that won awards
'Mona Lisa' won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1951, and 'Nature Boy' had already topped the chart in 1948. A round often asks which standard took which prize.
The posthumous duet and the family name
In 1991 his 1961 stereo re-recording of 'Unforgettable' was rebuilt as a duet with daughter Natalie Cole; the single won Grammys for Record and Song of the Year, while Natalie's album 'Unforgettable... with Love' took Album of the Year. He was also, in 1956, the first Black man to host a national US television variety series.
Nat King Cole Quiz FAQ
How does the Nat King Cole quiz work?
You hear a clip of a Nat King Cole recording and name it, then answer trivia across his baritone standards, the jazz trio years, and the songs that won awards.
Which Nat King Cole songs are in the quiz?
Standards like 'Unforgettable', 'Mona Lisa' and 'L-O-V-E', plus earlier sides such as 'Nature Boy' and '(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66'.
Why is the Nat King Cole quiz tricky?
His jazz trio recordings sound very different from his later pop standards, so placing the trio years against the baritone hits is where points are won.
How did the 1991 'Unforgettable' duet happen?
Natalie Cole recorded her vocal over her late father's 1961 stereo re-recording, creating a posthumous duet. The single won the Grammy for Record of the Year, while her album 'Unforgettable... with Love' won Album of the Year.
Who was Nat King Cole?
Nat King Cole was an American jazz pianist and singer known for his smooth baritone. He lived from 1919 to 1965 and was the father of Natalie Cole.
Is the Nat King Cole quiz free?
Yes. The Nat King Cole quiz is free on Songtrivia, with no account and no Spotify required.
📚 Sources & methodology
Sources consulted
Wikipedia · AllMusic · Pitchfork · Billboard · Songtrivia editorial team.
Our methodology
Each topic is curated by a Quiz Master with category expertise. Selection crosses cultural impact, chart performance, recognition potential and era variety.