Release type
ALBUM
Inspiration: A Tribute to Nat King Cole (Deluxe Edition)
Product information
From $9.90
2013
15 Tracks
46:40
Release options
© 2021 George Benson, Distributed by Concord.
-
1
Mona Lisa
00:57
Lyrics availablePopularity 0/10 -
2
Just One Of Those Things
02:42
Lyrics availableSynced lyrics availablePopularity 0/10 -
3Popularity 0/10
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4
Walkin’ My Baby Back Home
02:43
Lyrics availablePopularity 0/10 -
5Popularity 0/10
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6
Route 66
03:50
Lyrics availableSynced lyrics availablePopularity 0/10 -
7
Nature Boy
02:39
Lyrics availablePopularity 0/10 -
8
Ballerina
02:46
Lyrics availableSynced lyrics availablePopularity 0/10 -
9Popularity 0/10
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10
Straighten Up And Fly Right
03:05
Lyrics availableSynced lyrics availablePopularity 0/10 -
11Popularity 0/10
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12
I’m Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter
03:04
Lyrics availableSynced lyrics availablePopularity 0/10 -
13
Mona Lisa
03:02
Lyrics availablePopularity 0/10 -
14
That Sunday, That Summer
03:05
Lyrics availablePopularity 0/10 -
15
Ramblin' Rose
02:43
Popularity 0/10
George Benson's place as one of the greatest and most successful guitarists in the history of jazz is secure, but what's easy to forget sometimes is that he began his career as a vocalist, and if this release, a tribute to Nat King Cole, comes as any kind of surprise, it shouldn't. Benson's and Cole's careers are remarkably similar, both becoming known first as instrumentalists, Cole as a pianist, and Benson, of course, as a guitarist, with both eventually easing into the pop mainstream because of their voices. Cole was a one of a kind vocalist, of course, and even Benson wouldn't claim to equal him as a singer, but Benson has a similarly soothing and lush tenor voice that more than holds its own on these familiar songs. The album is bookended by two versions of the Cole classic "Mona Lisa," the first a rare recording of Benson at the age of eight singing it sweetly and charmingly while playing ukulele, while the album closes with a full big-band, Nelson Riddle-arranged orchestral version that also features some sweet guitar from Benson. In between are warm, smooth, and soothing versions of "Walking My Baby Back Home" and "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter," a bouncing and bopping "Route 66," and nice takes on "Unforgettable" (featuring Wynton Marsalis), "When I Fall in Love" (featuring Idina Menzel), "Smile" (featuring Till Brönner), and "Too Young" (featuring Judith Hill), all given the full big-band orchestral treatment from the Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra conducted by Randy Waldman (Waldman also arranged several of the pieces here). It all adds up to a sweet and very impressive album, full of warmth and heart, and it swings where it should. ~ Steve Leggett
1. Mona Lisa
- Primary Artist
- George Benson
- Performer
- George Benson
- Ukulele
- George Benson
- Vocals
- George Benson
- Composer
-
Ray Evans
Jay Livingston
Kroniken
Lars Atterman
Dr Radiounderholdningsorkestret - Lyricist
-
Jay Livingston
Ray Evans - Mastering Engineer
-
Paul Blakemore
Clint Holley - Mixing
-
Seth Presant
Al Schmitt - Producer
-
Randy Waldman
John Burke - Recording
-
Al Schmitt
Dave Poler
Seth Presant - Recording Assistant
-
Chris Owens
Shinnosuke Miyazawa - Recording Producer
- Randy Waldman
- Studio Personnel
-
Chris Owens
Shinnosuke Miyazawa
Clint Holley
Al Schmitt
Dave Poler
Paul Blakemore
Seth Presant - Composer Lyricist
-
Jay Livingston
Ray Evans
2. Just One Of Those Things
- Primary Artist
- George Benson
- Composer
- Cole Porter
- Bass Guitar
- Chuck Berghofer
- Bass Guitar
- Chuck Berghofer
- Drums
- Gregg Field
- Guitar
-
Tim May
George Benson - Lyricist
- Cole Porter
- Conductor
- Randy Waldman
- Mastering Engineer
-
Paul Blakemore
Clint Holley - Chamber Orchestra
- The Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra & Big Band
- Percussion
- Michael Fisher
- Performer
-
The Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra & Big Band
George Benson
Gregg Field
Chuck Berghofer
Tim May
Michael Fisher
Randy Waldman - Piano
- Randy Waldman
- Vocals
- George Benson
- Mixing
-
Al Schmitt
Seth Presant - Producer
-
John Burke
Randy Waldman - Recording
-
Seth Presant
Dave Poler
Al Schmitt - Recording Assistant
-
Shinnosuke Miyazawa
Chris Owens - Recording Producer
- Randy Waldman
- Studio Personnel
-
Clint Holley
Al Schmitt
Chris Owens
Shinnosuke Miyazawa
Seth Presant
Paul Blakemore
Dave Poler - Composer Lyricist
- Cole Porter
- Conductor/ Piano
- Randy Waldman
3. Unforgettable
- Composer
- Irving Gordon
- Featured Artist
- Wynton Marsalis
- Primary Artist
- George Benson
- Bass Guitar
- Chuck Berghofer
- Bass Guitar
- Chuck Berghofer
- Drums
- Gregg Field
- Guitar
-
George Benson
Tim May - Lyricist
- Irving Gordon
- Conductor
- Randy Waldman
- Mastering Engineer
-
Clint Holley
Paul Blakemore - Chamber Orchestra
- The Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra & Big Band
- Percussion
-
Michael Fisher
Sheila E. - Performer
-
Wynton Marsalis
Michael Fisher
Tim May
Randy Waldman
Chuck Berghofer
The Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra & Big Band
Sheila E.
George Benson
Gregg Field - Piano
- Randy Waldman
- Trumpet
- Wynton Marsalis
- Vocals
- George Benson
- Mixing
-
Al Schmitt
Seth Presant - Producer
-
John Burke
Randy Waldman - Recording
-
Seth Presant
Dave Poler
Al Schmitt - Recording Assistant
-
Shinnosuke Miyazawa
Chris Owens - Recording Producer
- Randy Waldman
- Studio Personnel
-
Al Schmitt
Seth Presant
Paul Blakemore
Dave Poler
Clint Holley
Chris Owens
Shinnosuke Miyazawa - Composer Lyricist
- Irving Gordon
- Conductor/ Piano
- Randy Waldman
4. Walkin’ My Baby Back Home
- Primary Artist
- George Benson
- Composer
-
Fred Ahlert
Roy Turk - Bass Guitar
- Chuck Berghofer
- Bass Guitar
- Chuck Berghofer
- Drums
- Gregg Field
- Guitar
-
Tim May
George Benson - Lyricist
-
Roy Turk
Fred Ahlert - Conductor
- Randy Waldman
- Mastering Engineer
-
Paul Blakemore
Clint Holley - Chamber Orchestra
- The Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra & Big Band
- Percussion
- Michael Fisher
- Performer
-
Gregg Field
Randy Waldman
Tim May
Michael Fisher
The Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra & Big Band
George Benson
Chuck Berghofer - Piano
- Randy Waldman
- Vocals
- George Benson
- Mixing
-
Al Schmitt
Seth Presant - Producer
-
John Burke
Randy Waldman - Recording
-
Al Schmitt
Dave Poler
Seth Presant - Recording Assistant
-
Shinnosuke Miyazawa
Chris Owens - Recording Producer
- Randy Waldman
- Studio Personnel
-
Al Schmitt
Chris Owens
Shinnosuke Miyazawa
Clint Holley
Seth Presant
Paul Blakemore
Dave Poler - Composer Lyricist
-
Fred Ahlert
Roy Turk - Conductor/ Piano
- Randy Waldman
5. When I Fall In Love
- Composer
-
Victor Young
Edward Heyman - Featured Artist
- Idina Menzel
- Primary Artist
- George Benson
- Bass Guitar
- Chuck Berghofer
- Bass Guitar
- Chuck Berghofer
- Drums
- Gregg Field
- Guitar
-
George Benson
Tim May - Lyricist
-
Victor Young
Edward Heyman - Conductor
- Randy Waldman
- Mastering Engineer
-
Clint Holley
Paul Blakemore - Chamber Orchestra
- The Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra & Big Band
- Percussion
- Michael Fisher
- Performer
-
Idina Menzel
Chuck Berghofer
Gregg Field
Michael Fisher
Tim May
Randy Waldman
George Benson
The Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra & Big Band - Piano
- Randy Waldman
- Vocals
-
Idina Menzel
George Benson - Mixing
-
Seth Presant
Al Schmitt - Producer
-
John Burke
Randy Waldman - Recording
-
Al Schmitt
Seth Presant
Dave Poler - Recording Assistant
-
Chris Owens
Shinnosuke Miyazawa - Recording Producer
- Randy Waldman
- Studio Personnel
-
Clint Holley
Seth Presant
Paul Blakemore
Dave Poler
Al Schmitt
Chris Owens
Shinnosuke Miyazawa - Composer Lyricist
-
Victor Young
Edward Heyman - Conductor/ Piano
- Randy Waldman
6. Route 66
- Primary Artist
- George Benson
- Composer
- Bobby Troup
- Bass Guitar
- Chuck Berghofer
- Bass Guitar
- Chuck Berghofer
- Drums
- Gregg Field
- Guitar
-
Tim May
George Benson - Lyricist
- Bobby Troup
- Conductor
- Randy Waldman
- Mastering Engineer
-
Paul Blakemore
Clint Holley - Chamber Orchestra
- The Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra & Big Band
- Percussion
- Michael Fisher
- Performer
-
The Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra & Big Band
George Benson
Gregg Field
Chuck Berghofer
Tim May
Michael Fisher
Randy Waldman - Piano
- Randy Waldman
- Vocals
- George Benson
- Mixing
-
Al Schmitt
Seth Presant - Producer
-
John Burke
Randy Waldman - Recording
-
Al Schmitt
Dave Poler
Seth Presant - Recording Assistant
-
Shinnosuke Miyazawa
Chris Owens - Recording Producer
- Randy Waldman
- Studio Personnel
-
Al Schmitt
Chris Owens
Shinnosuke Miyazawa
Clint Holley
Seth Presant
Paul Blakemore
Dave Poler - Composer Lyricist
- Bobby Troup
- Conductor/ Piano
- Randy Waldman
7. Nature Boy
- Primary Artist
- George Benson
- Composer
- Eden Ahbez
- Bass Guitar
- Chuck Berghofer
- Bass Guitar
- Chuck Berghofer
- Drums
- Gregg Field
- Guitar
-
Tim May
George Benson - Lyricist
- Eden Ahbez
- Conductor
- Randy Waldman
- Mastering Engineer
-
Paul Blakemore
Clint Holley - Chamber Orchestra
- The Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra & Big Band
- Percussion
- Michael Fisher
- Performer
-
The Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra & Big Band
George Benson
Gregg Field
Chuck Berghofer
Tim May
Michael Fisher
Randy Waldman - Piano
- Randy Waldman
- Vocals
- George Benson
- Mixing
-
Al Schmitt
Seth Presant - Producer
-
John Burke
Randy Waldman - Recording
-
Al Schmitt
Dave Poler
Seth Presant - Recording Assistant
-
Shinnosuke Miyazawa
Chris Owens - Recording Producer
- Randy Waldman
- Studio Personnel
-
Al Schmitt
Chris Owens
Shinnosuke Miyazawa
Clint Holley
Seth Presant
Paul Blakemore
Dave Poler - Composer Lyricist
- Eden Ahbez
- Conductor/ Piano
- Randy Waldman
8. Ballerina
- Primary Artist
- George Benson
- Composer
-
Carl Sigman
Bob Russell - Bass Guitar
- Chuck Berghofer
- Bass Guitar
- Chuck Berghofer
- Drums
- Gregg Field
- Guitar
-
Tim May
George Benson - Lyricist
-
Bob Russell
Carl Sigman - Conductor
- Randy Waldman
- Mastering Engineer
-
Paul Blakemore
Clint Holley - Chamber Orchestra
- The Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra & Big Band
- Percussion
- Michael Fisher
- Performer
-
Gregg Field
Randy Waldman
Tim May
Michael Fisher
The Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra & Big Band
George Benson
Chuck Berghofer - Piano
- Randy Waldman
- Vocals
- George Benson
- Mixing
-
Al Schmitt
Seth Presant - Producer
-
John Burke
Randy Waldman - Recording
-
Al Schmitt
Dave Poler
Seth Presant - Recording Assistant
-
Shinnosuke Miyazawa
Chris Owens - Recording Producer
- Randy Waldman
- Studio Personnel
-
Al Schmitt
Chris Owens
Shinnosuke Miyazawa
Clint Holley
Seth Presant
Paul Blakemore
Dave Poler - Composer Lyricist
-
Bob Russell
Carl Sigman - Conductor/ Piano
- Randy Waldman
9. Smile
- Composer
-
Charlie Chaplin
John Turner
Geoffrey Parsons - Featured Artist
- Till Brönner
- Primary Artist
- George Benson
- Bass Guitar
- Chuck Berghofer
- Bass Guitar
- Chuck Berghofer
- Drums
- Gregg Field
- Guitar
-
George Benson
Tim May - Lyricist
-
Geoffrey Parsons
Charlie Chaplin
John Turner - Conductor
- Randy Waldman
- Mastering Engineer
-
Paul Blakemore
Clint Holley - Chamber Orchestra
- The Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra & Big Band
- Percussion
- Michael Fisher
- Performer
-
Michael Fisher
Don Shelton
Chuck Berghofer
Randy Waldman
Janey Clewer
The Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra & Big Band
Tim May
Till Brönner
George Benson
Gregg Field
Alvin Chea - Piano
- Randy Waldman
- Trumpet
- Till Brönner
- Vocals
-
Alvin Chea
Don Shelton
Janey Clewer
George Benson - Mixing
-
Seth Presant
Al Schmitt - Producer
-
Randy Waldman
John Burke - Recording
-
Dave Poler
Seth Presant
Al Schmitt - Recording Assistant
-
Shinnosuke Miyazawa
Chris Owens - Recording Producer
- Randy Waldman
- Studio Personnel
-
Clint Holley
Al Schmitt
Shinnosuke Miyazawa
Chris Owens
Seth Presant
Paul Blakemore
Dave Poler - Composer Lyricist
-
Charlie Chaplin
John Turner
Geoffrey Parsons - Conductor/ Piano
- Randy Waldman
10. Straighten Up And Fly Right
- Primary Artist
- George Benson
- Composer
-
Irving Mills
Nat King Cole - Bass Guitar
- Chuck Berghofer
- Bass Guitar
- Chuck Berghofer
- Drums
- Gregg Field
- Guitar
-
George Benson
Tim May - Lyricist
-
Nat King Cole
Irving Mills - Conductor
- Randy Waldman
- Mastering Engineer
-
Clint Holley
Paul Blakemore - Chamber Orchestra
- The Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra & Big Band
- Percussion
- Michael Fisher
- Performer
-
Tim May
George Benson
The Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra & Big Band
Chuck Berghofer
Janey Clewer
C. Papastephanou
Gregg Field
Alvin Chea
Michael Fisher
Don Shelton
Randy Waldman - Piano
- Randy Waldman
- Vocals
-
C. Papastephanou
Alvin Chea
Don Shelton
Janey Clewer
Randy Waldman
George Benson - Mixing
-
Seth Presant
Al Schmitt - Producer
-
Randy Waldman
John Burke - Recording
-
Dave Poler
Seth Presant
Al Schmitt - Recording Assistant
-
Chris Owens
Shinnosuke Miyazawa - Recording Producer
- Randy Waldman
- Studio Personnel
-
Clint Holley
Al Schmitt
Shinnosuke Miyazawa
Chris Owens
Seth Presant
Paul Blakemore
Dave Poler - Composer Lyricist
-
Nat King Cole
Irving Mills - Conductor/ Piano
- Randy Waldman
11. Too Young
- Composer
-
Sidney Lippman
Sylvia Dee - Featured Artist
- Judith Hill
- Primary Artist
- George Benson
- Bass Guitar
- Chuck Berghofer
- Bass Guitar
- Chuck Berghofer
- Drums
- Gregg Field
- Guitar
-
George Benson
Tim May - Lyricist
-
Sidney Lippman
Sylvia Dee - Conductor
- Randy Waldman
- Mastering Engineer
-
Clint Holley
Paul Blakemore - Chamber Orchestra
- The Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra & Big Band
- Percussion
- Michael Fisher
- Performer
-
The Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra & Big Band
Chuck Berghofer
Gregg Field
Michael Fisher
Tim May
Randy Waldman
George Benson
Judith Hill - Piano
- Randy Waldman
- Vocals
-
Judith Hill
George Benson - Mixing
-
Seth Presant
Al Schmitt - Producer
-
John Burke
Randy Waldman - Recording
-
Al Schmitt
Seth Presant
Dave Poler - Recording Assistant
-
Chris Owens
Shinnosuke Miyazawa - Recording Producer
- Randy Waldman
- Studio Personnel
-
Clint Holley
Seth Presant
Paul Blakemore
Dave Poler
Al Schmitt
Chris Owens
Shinnosuke Miyazawa - Composer Lyricist
-
Sidney Lippman
Sylvia Dee - Conductor/ Piano
- Randy Waldman
12. I’m Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter
- Primary Artist
- George Benson
- Composer
-
Joe Young
Fred E. Ahlert - Bass Guitar
- Chuck Berghofer
- Bass Guitar
- Chuck Berghofer
- Drums
- Gregg Field
- Guitar
-
Tim May
George Benson - Lyricist
-
Fred E. Ahlert
Joe Young - Conductor
- Randy Waldman
- Mastering Engineer
-
Paul Blakemore
Clint Holley - Chamber Orchestra
- The Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra & Big Band
- Percussion
- Michael Fisher
- Performer
-
Gregg Field
Randy Waldman
Tim May
Michael Fisher
The Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra & Big Band
George Benson
Chuck Berghofer - Piano
- Randy Waldman
- Vocals
- George Benson
- Mixing
-
Al Schmitt
Seth Presant - Producer
-
John Burke
Randy Waldman - Recording
-
Al Schmitt
Dave Poler
Seth Presant - Recording Assistant
-
Shinnosuke Miyazawa
Chris Owens - Recording Producer
- Randy Waldman
- Studio Personnel
-
Al Schmitt
Chris Owens
Shinnosuke Miyazawa
Clint Holley
Seth Presant
Paul Blakemore
Dave Poler - Composer Lyricist
-
Joe Young
Fred E. Ahlert - Conductor/ Piano
- Randy Waldman
13. Mona Lisa
- Primary Artist
- George Benson
- Composer
-
Kroniken
Dr Radiounderholdningsorkestret
Lars Atterman
Jay Livingston
Ray Evans - Bass Guitar
- Chuck Berghofer
- Bass Guitar
- Chuck Berghofer
- Drums
- Gregg Field
- Guitar
-
Tim May
George Benson - Lyricist
-
Ray Evans
Jay Livingston - Conductor
- Randy Waldman
- Mastering Engineer
-
Clint Holley
Paul Blakemore - Chamber Orchestra
- The Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra & Big Band
- Percussion
- Michael Fisher
- Performer
-
George Benson
Gregg Field
Michael Fisher
Tim May
Randy Waldman
Chuck Berghofer
The Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra & Big Band - Piano
- Randy Waldman
- Vocals
- George Benson
- Mixing
-
Seth Presant
Al Schmitt - Producer
-
Randy Waldman
John Burke - Recording
-
Seth Presant
Al Schmitt
Dave Poler - Recording Assistant
-
Chris Owens
Shinnosuke Miyazawa - Recording Producer
- Randy Waldman
- Studio Personnel
-
Shinnosuke Miyazawa
Seth Presant
Paul Blakemore
Dave Poler
Chris Owens
Clint Holley
Al Schmitt - Composer Lyricist
-
Jay Livingston
Ray Evans - Conductor/ Piano
- Randy Waldman
14. That Sunday, That Summer
- Primary Artist
- George Benson
- Composer
-
Joe Sherman
George David Weiss - Bass Guitar
- Chuck Berghofer
- Bass Guitar
- Chuck Berghofer
- Drums
- Gregg Field
- Guitar
-
Tim May
George Benson - Lyricist
-
George David Weiss
Joe Sherman - Conductor
- Randy Waldman
- Mastering Engineer
-
Paul Blakemore
Clint Holley - Chamber Orchestra
- The Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra & Big Band
- Percussion
- Michael Fisher
- Performer
-
Gregg Field
Alvin Chea
Michael Fisher
Don Shelton
Randy Waldman
Janey Clewer
Tim May
The Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra & Big Band
George Benson
Chuck Berghofer - Piano
- Randy Waldman
- Vocals
-
Alvin Chea
Don Shelton
Janey Clewer
George Benson - Mixing
-
Al Schmitt
Seth Presant - Producer
- Randy Waldman
- Recording
-
Seth Presant
Dave Poler
Al Schmitt - Recording Assistant
-
Shinnosuke Miyazawa
Chris Owens - Recording Producer
- Randy Waldman
- Studio Personnel
-
Clint Holley
Chris Owens
Shinnosuke Miyazawa
Al Schmitt
Seth Presant
Paul Blakemore
Dave Poler - Composer Lyricist
-
Joe Sherman
George David Weiss - Conductor/ Piano
- Randy Waldman
15. Ramblin' Rose
- Primary Artist
- George Benson
- Composer
-
Joe Sherman
Noel Sherman - Bass Guitar
- Chuck Berghofer
- Bass Guitar
- Chuck Berghofer
- Drums
- Gregg Field
- Guitar
-
Tim May
George Benson - Lyricist
-
Noel Sherman
Joe Sherman - Conductor
- Randy Waldman
- Mastering Engineer
-
Paul Blakemore
Clint Holley - Chamber Orchestra
- The Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra & Big Band
- Percussion
- Michael Fisher
- Performer
-
Gregg Field
Alvin Chea
Michael Fisher
Don Shelton
Randy Waldman
Janey Clewer
Tim May
The Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra & Big Band
George Benson
Chuck Berghofer - Piano
- Randy Waldman
- Vocals
-
Alvin Chea
Don Shelton
Janey Clewer
George Benson - Mixing
-
Al Schmitt
Seth Presant - Producer
- Randy Waldman
- Recording
-
Seth Presant
Dave Poler
Al Schmitt - Recording Assistant
-
Shinnosuke Miyazawa
Chris Owens - Recording Producer
- Randy Waldman
- Studio Personnel
-
Clint Holley
Chris Owens
Shinnosuke Miyazawa
Al Schmitt
Seth Presant
Paul Blakemore
Dave Poler - Composer Lyricist
-
Noel Sherman
Joe Sherman - Conductor/ Piano
- Randy Waldman
Technical Specifications
- Volume
- 1 volume only
- Tracks
- 15 tracks available
- Type
- ALBUM
- Format
- Digital Media
- Duration
- 46 minutes and 40 seconds
- Explicit
- None
- Coverart
- Available and up to 1000x1000 px
- Booklet
- Not available
- Max Quality
CD Quality (Lossless)
16bit / 44.1 kHz
Stereo
- Audio Extension
Lossless: FLAC, M4A, WAV, WV, AIFF
Lossy: AAC, MP3, M4A, MP4, OGA, OGG, OPUS, WMA
- Archive Format
- Available in these formats: ZIP, TAR, RAR
- Lyrics
- 14/15 tracks have lyrics
- Synchronized Lyrics
- 6/15 tracks have synced lyrics
- Genres
- Jazz, Pop-Jazz
- Label
- Craft Recordings
- Music Distribution Service
- UMG Global
- Country
United States- Language
- English (United States)
- Popularity
- Popularity 0/10
- Release Date
- Jun 3, 2013
- Track Preview
- Available
- Delivery Charge
- Free
- Delivery Method
- Digital download link via Email or Personal Dashboard on this site
- UPC
- 888072280632
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