Introduction:
“Chances Are,” a timeless ballad performed by the legendary Johnny Mathis, was released on August 12, 1957. This iconic song quickly became a cornerstone of Mathis’s illustrious career, solidifying his reputation as one of the most beloved crooners of his generation. While primarily released as a single, it was subsequently featured on his immensely popular 1958 compilation album, Johnny’s Greatest Hits, which pioneered the concept of a “greatest hits” album in the music industry. The genre of “Chances Are” is firmly rooted in traditional pop and vocal jazz, characterized by its lush orchestral arrangement and Mathis’s signature smooth, romantic vocal delivery.
The achievements of “Chances Are” are nothing short of remarkable. Upon its release, the song soared to the top of the charts, reaching number one on Billboard magazine’s Most Played by Jockeys chart and also topping Cash Box magazine’s best seller list. It peaked at number 4 on Billboard’s Best Sellers in Stores chart and number 5 on the broader Billboard Top 100. Its success was immediate and profound, transforming Johnny Mathis into a household name and a national celebrity. The single was a double-sided hit, with its B-side, “The Twelfth of Never,” also achieving significant chart success, reaching number 9.
Beyond its initial commercial triumph, “Chances Are” has garnered enduring recognition for its cultural and historical significance. In 1998, the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, an honor reserved for recordings of lasting qualitative or historical importance. More recently, in 2024, the Library of Congress selected “Chances Are” for preservation in the National Recording Registry, acknowledging its “cultural, historical or aesthetic importance in the nation’s recorded sound heritage.” These accolades underscore the song’s indelible mark on American popular music, a testament to its timeless melody, poignant lyrics by Al Stillman, and Robert Allen’s music, all delivered with Johnny Mathis’s unparalleled vocal artistry. “Chances Are” remains a quintessential romantic ballad, cherished by generations of music lovers.