An ode to the simple, profound joy of being in love.
There are certain voices that don’t just sing a song; they inhabit it, making it their own with an effortless grace that feels both intimate and universal. The voice of Johnny Mathis is one of those treasures. For a generation of listeners, his name became synonymous with romance, a velvet tenor that could make even the most familiar melody feel like a brand-new discovery. In the tapestry of his iconic career, his 1958 rendition of the classic standard “It’s De-Lovely” stands out as a joyous celebration of love in its purest form.
Mathis’s version of this Cole Porter classic was not a major chart hit as a single in its own right, as it was a track from his 1958 album, Swing Softly. This album, a testament to his versatility and smooth stylings, showcased his ability to interpret jazz standards with his signature pop elegance. However, the song’s real legacy lies not in its commercial performance, but in its contribution to the enduring appeal of the album and to the vast library of songs that define his golden era. It was a key piece in the puzzle of his rise as one of the most successful and beloved artists of all time, the kind of song that would be found nestled on turntables across the country, playing softly in living rooms and on first dates.
The story of the song itself is a reflection of a bygone era of American music. “It’s De-Lovely” was originally written by the legendary Cole Porter for the 1936 Broadway musical, Red, Hot and Blue!. Its witty and clever lyrics, a hallmark of Porter’s work, were designed to be a delightful play on words, using the “de-” prefix to describe a state of pure bliss. When Johnny Mathis recorded it over two decades later, he brought a new sensibility to the tune. By the late ’50s, the world had changed, and the breezy, almost conversational style of the original Broadway tune was given a luxurious, full-orchestra treatment, a signature of Mathis’s producer at Columbia Records, Mitch Miller.
But it’s the meaning of the song, and Mathis’s heartfelt delivery, that truly resonates. While many of Porter’s songs were known for their sophisticated cynicism, “It’s De-Lovely” is an unadulterated declaration of pure happiness. It’s a song for those moments when everything just clicks, when the world seems to align perfectly, and the simple act of being with the one you love is all that matters. Mathis’s voice, with its effortless transitions and crystalline clarity, perfectly captures this feeling. He doesn’t just sing the words; he feels them, and in doing so, allows the listener to feel that same joyful intoxication. His rendition is a masterclass in vocal control and emotional depth, each note a testament to the magic of being in love.
For those of us who came of age with this music, “It’s De-Lovely” is more than a classic standard; it is a memory. It’s the soundtrack to sock hops and slow dances, to hopeful phone calls and whispered promises. It reminds us of a time when romance was spelled out in eloquent lyrics and soaring melodies, a time when a simple three-word phrase could encapsulate a feeling that transcended all others. Listening to Johnny Mathis sing this song today is like stepping into a warm embrace, a sweet and nostalgic reminder that the simple delights of love are, and always have been, truly “de-lovely.”