I love a celebrity trivia quiz question.
Who edited Michael Jackson’s 1988 autobiography Moonwalk? It was former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.
Who invented the military glider? None other than romantic novelist Dame Barbara Cartland.
And who wrote the old jazz standard Smile? It was silent film star Charlie Chaplin – he wrote the music for the song which was the theme tune for his classic movie Modern Times.
It’s also one of my favourite songs of all time – something I’ve got in common with pop star Seal.
The man who gave us Kiss From A Rose and Crazy has recorded the track for his latest album, called Standards.
On it he covers some classic jazz songs from the 20th Century by the likes of Frank Sinatra, Cole Porter and George and Ira Gershwin.
But he told me last week that it’s the track Smile by Nat King Cole that gave him the most pleasure to record.
“It is literally my favourite song, the greatest ever written,” he smiled. “It’s so beautiful.
“No matter who you are, where you are, from whatever walk of life … at some point that song has related to you. The lyrics are just so beautiful.
“Singing these jazz standards is something I’ve had a natural inclination towards, because they’re great songs. They’re written for singers who love to sing.
“And it was done in a way that’s largely been forgotten.
“If Nat King Cole was going to sing a song there would be an arranger who would sit around the piano.
“I’ve always liked singing them because they’re really good songs.
“They’ve been here before us, these songs, and they’ll be here after us!”
Given the name Seal, he must be at home in the water.
But I wonder if he ever used that wonderful voice in the shower.
“If there’s something I’m working on I’ll sing in the shower,” he laughed. “Standards are great to sing in the shower!
“But old standards sing you – you don’t really sing them. They take you by the hand and lead you.
“There’s nothing in there that’s jarring like…”
Seal then effortlessly sings a few bars of his ballad Kiss From A Rose with his wonderful voice.
It almost put my version of Ten Guitars, delivered at 3am on Hogmanay, to shame!
Enjoy the convenience of having The Sunday Post delivered as a digital ePaper straight to your smartphone, tablet or computer.
Subscribe for only £5.49 a month and enjoy all the benefits of the printed paper as a digital replica.
Subscribe