That Tender, Lingering Feeling of Falling in Love
There are songs that simply drift into your memory like a soft, familiar scent, instantly transporting you back to a time and a feeling. For many, that song is “Misty,” delivered with unparalleled grace by the incomparable Johnny Mathis. His voice, a velvet caress woven with pure emotion, turned this beautiful jazz instrumental into a timeless vocal standard, becoming inextricably linked with his legacy. For those of us who grew up with his melodies, “Misty” is more than just a song; it’s a nostalgic embrace.
“Misty” was originally an instrumental piece composed in 1954 by the brilliant jazz pianist Erroll Garner. The story goes that Garner was inspired by a misty view of clouds and a rainbow during a cross-country flight. Since he famously couldn’t read or write music, he hummed the tune repeatedly until he could get to a piano to lay down the melody. It quickly became a jazz standard. However, it was the addition of lyrics by Johnny Burke in 1955 that truly transformed it into the romantic ballad we cherish today. Burke’s challenge was to fit words to an already established and complex melody, spanning nearly two octaves. He succeeded masterfully, capturing the intoxicating feeling of being utterly consumed by new love.
Johnny Mathis’s iconic recording of “Misty” was released in 1959. It was featured on his critically acclaimed album “Heavenly,” which was a commercial success in its own right. As a single, “Misty” reached number 12 on the U.S. Pop Singles chart (Billboard Hot 100) and also hit number 12 on the UK Singles Chart in early 1960. While not his absolute highest-charting single (he had several top 10 hits, including “Chances Are” and “It’s Not for Me to Say”), “Misty” nevertheless became, and remains to this day, Johnny Mathis’s signature song, the one most often associated with his name and golden voice. Its enduring popularity is further evidenced by its ranking at number 174 on the list of “Songs of the Century” compiled by the Recording Industry Association of America and the National Endowment for the Arts.
The meaning of “Misty” is an exquisite portrayal of being utterly enchanted and overwhelmed by the onset of love. The lyrics speak of a disorientation, a blissful bewilderment that comes with falling deeply for someone. Phrases like “Look at me, I’m as helpless as a kitten up a tree” perfectly encapsulate that feeling of being happily lost and vulnerable. The world around the singer becomes a blur, “misty,” as their entire focus narrows to the object of their affection. When they’re near, “a thousand violins begin to play,” illustrating the overwhelming symphony of emotions that new love can evoke. It’s not just about attraction; it’s about a profound shift in one’s perception, where everything is seen through the rosy, hazy lens of infatuation. The song beautifully captures that dizzying sensation where you’re so smitten, you’re willingly led astray, eager to follow wherever this new, overwhelming feeling takes you.
For many of us who have lived through the tender highs and lows of romance, “Misty” conjures up vivid recollections. Perhaps it was the song playing quietly in the background during a first dance, or the melody that accompanied a quiet moment of newfound connection. Johnny Mathis’s rendition, with his impeccable phrasing and soaring vocal control, allows the listener to fully immerse themselves in that emotional landscape. The lush orchestration that swells around his voice is like a warm, comforting blanket, enveloping the listener in the romantic dream the song so vividly paints. It’s a testament to the power of a perfectly matched voice and song, creating an indelible moment in musical history that continues to stir the heart and evoke those sweet, sometimes hazy, memories of being utterly, delightfully, “misty” in love.