Introduction:
Some of the most unforgettable moments in music history begin with a simple act of persistence. For Johnny Mathis, that moment came in 1959, when a song he deeply wanted to record nearly lost its chance to reach the microphone.
The song was “Misty,” a graceful composition by jazz pianist Erroll Garner. Originally written as an instrumental in 1954, it later received lyrics from songwriter Johnny Burke, transforming its delicate melody into a romantic ballad about the dizzying feeling of falling in love. Mathis heard something special in it—and he was determined to make it his own.
There was just one problem: time was running out.
According to Mathis’s official biography, the recording session was nearing its end, and other songs had taken priority. With the schedule slipping away, “Misty” risked being left behind. Mathis pushed for the opportunity to record it, helped by the presence of Martha Glaser, Garner’s business manager, who had come to hear the song performed.
Eventually, Mathis got his chance.
The official account describes the recording as having been captured in a single take—a remarkable detail that has become part of the song’s enduring story. In a later interview, however, Mathis recalled that it may have taken two or three attempts to get everything right. Either way, the important point remains: he fought for the song, took responsibility for shaping his interpretation, and helped create a performance that would define a major part of his career.
Mathis brought a particular kind of intimacy to “Misty.” His smooth voice floated over the arrangement, balancing tenderness with a quiet sense of longing. Rather than overwhelming the melody, he allowed it to unfold naturally, making the song feel like a private confession shared in the middle of a crowded room.
Released in 1959, the recording became one of Mathis’s signature songs. It reached No. 12 on the U.S. pop singles chart and earned him his first Grammy nomination in 1960 for Best Vocal Performance, Single Record or Track, Male. The Recording Academy would later recognize “Misty” as part of the Grammy Hall of Fame, further cementing its place in American popular music.
The song’s success also demonstrated the power of an artist trusting his instincts. Mathis was already establishing himself as one of the leading interpreters of romantic ballads, but “Misty” gave audiences another reason to associate his name with timeless standards. Its appeal extended beyond the moment of its release, inspiring generations of singers and musicians to make the composition their own.
There is something fitting about the way the recording came together. A song nearly pushed aside by a crowded schedule became one of the performances most closely associated with its singer.
Musical history does not always announce itself with grand plans or perfect conditions. Sometimes, it begins with an artist insisting that one more song deserves a chance.
Johnny Mathis believed “Misty” was worth the wait. Decades later, the world is still listening.