Ramblin' Rose cover art

  Studio Album · No. 10

Ramblin' Rose Songwriting Credits by Nat King Cole

1962 Capitol Records 12 tracks 31 min

Produced by Lee Gillette

Capitol Records Traditional PopCountry Pop
0%
Authorship
Singer / Performer

Holds writing credit on 0 of 12 tracks

Authorship Breakdown 0 / 12 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 12 tracks with documented writers, by whether Nat King Cole carries a lyricist or composer credit.

0%
0 trackswritten by Nat King Cole 12 tracksoutside writers
Nat King Cole's roles on this album

Share of the 12 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist0%
Composer0%
Producer0%
Performer100%

By the Numbers

12
Tracks
16
Lyricists
1
Producers
1
No.1 Single
Gold (500,000+)
Worldwide Copies Sold
1962
Released
Data Insight

Nat King Cole wrote none of Ramblin' Rose; he is the singer, and the authorship belongs to the outside writers Capitol assembled for a country-pop crossover. The hit title track was written by the songwriting brothers Noel Sherman (words) and Joe Sherman (music), not by Cole, a point often blurred because his recording made the song famous. The album draws on established country and folk material, from Merle Kilgore and Claude King's 'Wolverton Mountain' to Hank Williams' 'Your Cheatin' Heart' and the Lead Belly-associated 'Goodnight, Irene.' Belford Hendricks arranged and conducted the sessions under producer Lee Gillette, with 'Skip to My Lou' arranged by Edith Bergdahl and Cole. The record is a vocalist's interpretation album, so every writing credit points to the original composers rather than the performer.

Ramblin' Rose is a 1962 studio album by Nat King Cole, released by Capitol Records and built as a deliberate country-pop crossover for the singer. Anchored by the title track, a number-two Billboard Hot 100 hit written by brothers Noel and Joe Sherman, the record pairs Cole's warm baritone with a program of country standards and folk tunes such as 'Wolverton Mountain,' 'He'll Have to Go,' and Hank Williams' 'Your Cheatin' Heart.' Produced by Lee Gillette with arrangements by Belford Hendricks, it reached number three on the Billboard albums chart and stayed on the chart for more than three years. It became Cole's second gold album and one of his biggest commercial successes of the decade. Cole is the interpreter throughout; the songs come from outside writers, so the credits belong to the country and pop songwriters he covered rather than to Cole himself.

Track Listing & Credits 12 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers
#TitleLyricist(s)Composer(s)Producer(s)Performers
1
Ramblin' Rose #2
Noel Sherman Joe Sherman Lee Gillette Nat King Cole (Vocals)Belford Hendricks (Arranger, Conductor)
2
Wolverton Mountain
Merle KilgoreClaude King Merle KilgoreClaude King Lee Gillette Nat King Cole (Vocals)Belford Hendricks (Arranger, Conductor)
3
Twilight on the Trail
Sidney D. Mitchell Louis Alter Lee Gillette Nat King Cole (Vocals)Belford Hendricks (Arranger, Conductor)
4
I Don't Want It That Way
Noel Sherman Joe Sherman Lee Gillette Nat King Cole (Vocals)Belford Hendricks (Arranger, Conductor)
5
He'll Have to Go
Joe AllisonAudrey Allison Joe AllisonAudrey Allison Lee Gillette Nat King Cole (Vocals)Belford Hendricks (Arranger, Conductor)
6
When You're Smiling
Joe Goodwin Larry ShayMark Fisher Lee Gillette Nat King Cole (Vocals)Belford Hendricks (Arranger, Conductor)
7
Goodnight, Irene, Goodnight
Huddie LedbetterJohn Lomax Huddie LedbetterJohn Lomax Lee Gillette Nat King Cole (Vocals)Belford Hendricks (Arranger, Conductor)
8
Your Cheatin' Heart
Hank Williams Hiram King Williams Lee Gillette Nat King Cole (Vocals)Belford Hendricks (Arranger, Conductor)
9
One Has My Name (the Other Has My Heart)
Eddie DeanHal BlairDearst Dean Eddie DeanHal BlairDearst Dean Lee Gillette Nat King Cole (Vocals)Belford Hendricks (Arranger, Conductor)
10
Skip to My Lou
Traditional Traditional Lee Gillette Nat King Cole (Vocals, Arranger)Edith Bergdahl (Arranger)
11
The Good Times
Ron Miller Ron Miller Lee Gillette Nat King Cole (Vocals)Belford Hendricks (Arranger, Conductor)
12
Sing Another Song (And We'll All Go Home)
Johnny Burke Colin Romoff Lee Gillette Nat King Cole (Vocals)Belford Hendricks (Arranger, Conductor)

Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 26 contributors

More from Nat King Cole

Frequently Asked Questions Ramblin' Rose

Who wrote 'Ramblin' Rose'?
The song was written by the brothers Noel Sherman, who wrote the words, and Joe Sherman, who wrote the music. Nat King Cole sang it but did not write it.
Did Nat King Cole write any songs on Ramblin' Rose?
No. Cole is the vocalist throughout, and every track is credited to outside songwriters, from the Sherman brothers to Hank Williams.
How high did the single 'Ramblin' Rose' chart?
It reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100, held off the top by 'Sherry' by the Four Seasons, and topped the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.
Who produced and arranged the album?
It was produced by Lee Gillette with arrangements conducted by Belford Hendricks. 'Skip to My Lou' was arranged by Edith Bergdahl and Nat King Cole.
Why is Ramblin' Rose considered a country-pop crossover?
The album set Cole's pop baritone against a program of country and folk standards such as 'Wolverton Mountain,' 'He'll Have to Go,' and 'Your Cheatin' Heart,' aiming his sound at both pop and country audiences.
How well did the album sell?
It peaked at number three on the Billboard albums chart, stayed charted for more than three years, and became Nat King Cole's second gold album.
What is on side one of the album?
The record opens with 'Ramblin' Rose,' 'Wolverton Mountain,' 'Twilight on the Trail,' 'I Don't Want It That Way,' 'He'll Have to Go,' and 'When You're Smiling.'

Sources