Johnny was 13 years old when Clem took him to see Connie Cox, a Bay Area voice teacher, who agreed to take on the youngster in exchange for his doing odd jobs around her house. Johnny studied with Connie for six years learning vocal scales and exercises, voice production, classical and operatic skills.
At George Washington High School, Johnny was known not only for his singing ability but his athleticism as well. He became a star athlete on the track and field team as a high jumper and hurdler and played on the basketball team.
In 1954, Johnny enrolled at San Francisco State College with the intention of being an English and Physical Education teacher. While there, Johnny set a high jump record of 6’-5 1/2”. This is still on the College’s Top 15 list and was only two inches short of the Olympic record of the time. Just as when he was in high school, Johnny’s name was frequently mentioned in the sports sections of the Northern California newspapers. He was often referred to as “the best all-around athlete to come out of the San Francisco Bay Area”.
A fellow student whose sextet was working at the Black Hawk nightclub brought Johnny in for a Sunday afternoon jam session. It was at the Black Hawk that Helen Noga, co-owner of the club, first heard him sing. She decided that she wanted to manage his career.
In early September of 1955, Johnny landed a job singing weekends at Ann Dee’s 440 Club. After repeated attempts, Helen convinced George Avakian, then head of Jazz A&R at Columbia, to see him. Avakian came to the club, heard Johnny sing and sent the now famous telegram to his record company: “Have found phenomenal 19 year old boy who could go all the way. Send blank contracts.”
Avakian left for New York after telling Johnny that he would eventually send for him. Johnny continued his studies at San Francisco State and gained additional fame as a high jumper. In early 1956, Johnny was asked to attend the trials for the 1956 Olympic teams that would travel to Melbourne, Australia that summer. At the same time, Columbia Records requested that Johnny come to New York to start arrangements for his first recording session. Clem helped his son decide that his future and best interests were with the recording company. So, Johnny gave up his chance to become a member of the USA Olympic Team. He went to New York to record his first album in March of 1956.
The first album was a collection of jazz oriented renditions of popular standards entitled: Johnny Mathis: A New Sound In Popular Song. It included jazz musicians Gil Evans, John Lewis and Teo Macero and songs like “Angel Eyes”, “Easy to Love” and “Babalu”. The album enjoyed only moderate success because jazz vocal albums were not good sellers. Nevertheless, Johnny remained in New York and landed bookings at some of the leading nightclubs such as the Village Vanguard, The Blue Angel and Basin Street East.
Soon, Columbia placed Johnny under the supervision of producer Mitch Miller. Mitch favored using Johnny’s voice to sing soft, romantic ballads. At his second recording session, in the fall of 1956, Johnny recorded two singles. These songs were to become among his most popular all-time greatest hits: “Wonderful, Wonderful” and “It’s Not For Me To Say.” Subsequently, MGM Studios signed Johnny to sing “It’s Not For Me To Say” in the film Lizzie . He played a tavern piano bar singer. In 1958, Johnny made another motion picture appearance. This time it was for 20th Century Fox in A Certain Smile. In this movie, he sang the title song playing himself in an elegant nightclub scene. Since then, Johnny’s voice has been used in countless Hollywood movies for theme songs, background music and to enhance a particular setting or segment.
“Wonderful, Wonderful” and “It’s Not For Me To Say” reached their peaks on the BILLBOARD pop chart in July of 1957. These successes were followed by the monumental single “Chances Are” which became Johnny’s first #1 hit.
In June of 1957, Johnny appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show where he was introduced to the record buying public and became a national celebrity and household name. Columbia Records continued to release albums of Johnny singing beautiful and romantic ballads, classic standards and the best songs from Broadway musicals. These albums, like the singles, became immediate successes with sales in the millions. It was not uncommon for Johnny to have as many as four albums on the BILLBOARD Top Albums chart at the same time. In late 1959, Johnny recorded another song that became synonymous with the name of Johnny Mathis, the Erroll Garner composition, “Misty”.
Johnny’s accomplishments are numerous and varied. He holds many records and has set many precedents in the music industry. In 1958, two years after being signed by Columbia Records, Johnny’s Greatest Hits was released. It began a “Greatest Hits” tradition copied by every record company since then. Johnny’s Greatest Hits went on to become one of the most popular albums of all time and spent an unprecedented 490 continuous weeks (almost ten years) on the BILLBOARD Top Albums Chart. This record has been noted in the GUINNESS BOOK OF WORLD RECORDS.
According to record historian Joel Whitburn, Johnny is one of only five recording artists to have Top 40 Hits spanning each of the four decades since 1955. Amazingly, his second #1 Hit Single, “Too Much, Too Little, Too Late” (recorded with Deniece Williams), came almost 21 years after his very first #1 Hit Single, “Chances Are”.
Johnny has been honored to make several appearances before various heads of state. Starting in June of 1973, he sang at a State Dinner held in honor of the President of Liberia. In 1978, Johnny sang for the British Royal Family at A Command Performance held at The London Palladium. He performed for President and Mrs. Reagan at the State Dinner held in honor of the Prime Minister of Japan in April of 1987. Four years later in April of 1991, he sang for President and Mrs. Bush in honor of the President of Nicaragua. Most recently, in May of 1994, Johnny sang for President and Mrs. Clinton (along with the other five living First Ladies) at a very special First Ladies Tribute.
Johnny has also been honored by entertainment heads of state. In June of 1972, he was awarded his own star on the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame. He has participated in the Academy Awards presentation many times to sing the song nominated in the “Best Song” category. He has received two Grammy nominations. The first was for “Misty” in 1960 in the category of Best Vocal Performance Single Record or Track Male. The second came in 1992 for In a Sentimental Mood/Mathis Sings Ellington in the category of Best Traditional Pop Performance.
1996 marked Johnny’s 40th Anniversary as a recording artist. He celebrated by releasing All About Love. He then released The Global Masters (songs from his three year contract at Mercury Records) in 1997, and 1998 saw the release of The Ultimate Hits and Because You Loved Me.
In his free time, Johnny loves to golf. He plays golf almost every day when he’s not traveling and has sung at many golf banquets such as the Ryder Cup. In 1985 and 1986, Johnny hosted his own golf tournament, The Johnny Mathis Seniors PGA Classic which was held in Los Angeles, California.
Johnny’s other favorite avocation is cooking. He is a gourmet cook who cooks for himself and often others when he’s home or traveling. His mother taught him at an early age how to cook up a storm and do it well. He’s enjoyed doing so all his life.
Life Is A Song Worth Singing
Johnny Mathis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Why don't you sing it
Life is a song worth singing
Why don't you sing it
You hold the key in the palm of your hand use it
Don't blame your life on the master plan change it
Only you generate the power to decide what to do with your life
Life is a song worth singing
Why don't you sing it
Life is a song worth singing
Why don't you sing it
You don't like the way your living to bad
You can't change your life because it's out of your hand so sad
So you sit on your pants and holler
'Cause the world ain't been treating you right
Don't you know you contain the power to control destiny with your mind
The song Life Is A Song Worth Singing by Johnny Mathis highlights the power of individuals to make their own lives meaningful and fulfilling. The lyrics are a call to action for listeners to take control of their own lives and find their own purpose. The song opens with an invitation to sing the song of life, emphasizing the value of life and the importance of living it to the fullest.
The next lines advise listeners to use the power they hold in the palm of their hand to change their situations and not to blame their lives on fate or circumstances. The song then declares that only individuals generate the power to decide what to do with their lives and that anyone who thinks that they are helpless is a fool. The chorus repeats the message that Life Is A Song Worth Singing and urges listeners to sing it.
The second verse of the song identifies the apathy some people feel towards their unhappy lives and how they believe they cannot change their situation. Johnny Mathis reminds listeners that they have the power to control their destiny with their mind and not to give up hope. The song culminates with the repetition of the chorus, emphasizing the message that life is indeed worth living fully.
Overall, the song is a powerful message of inspiration and hope, urging listeners to take control of their own lives and find their purpose.
Line by Line Meaning
Life is a song worth singing
Life is a valuable experience that deserves to be celebrated through music and singing.
Why don't you sing it
Encouraging the listener to embrace their life and express their joy and gratitude through music.
You hold the key in the palm of your hand use it
You have the power and control to shape your life, and it's up to you to take advantage of that power.
Don't blame your life on the master plan change it
Don't blame external factors or fate for your circumstances; take action and change your life for the better.
Only you generate the power to decide what to do with your life
You have the ultimate authority over your own life and choices; no one else can dictate your path but you.
You're a fool if you think your helpless you control what you do with your life
Thinking that you are powerless and helpless in life is a mistake; you have the capacity to make your own decisions and shape your future.
You don't like the way your living to bad
If you are unhappy with your current situation, it's up to you to take action and change it; wallowing in self-pity won't help.
You can't change your life because it's out of your hand so sad
Believing that you are unable to improve your life is a sad and defeatist attitude; it's up to you to take the reins and make a change.
So you sit on your pants and holler
Continuing to complain and do nothing is a waste of time and energy; it's time to take action instead.
'Cause the world ain't been treating you right
Blaming the world or external circumstances for your problems is a limiting and unproductive mindset.
Don't you know you contain the power to control destiny with your mind
Recognizing that your thoughts and mindset have a powerful influence on your life trajectory and outcomes.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Linda Creed, Thom Bell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Richard Stevens
A huge amount of credit and respect due to legendary arranger Thom Bell on this . His classical roots very evident fused with Jazz - Soul - and funk . A master piece . R.
Jim Shipp
RIP Thom Bell.
Raul
En el planetario de Palermo se escuchaba en la presentación, todo un lujo este temazo de Jhonny allá por el 77
bella marie
My 72year old father listened to Johnny when I was a teenager and I still love his music at 55!
Silvia Bravo
Una verdadera joya 💖
Bruce Beatlefan
Lyrics worth remembering and hiding in your heart. A moody and elaborate musical arrangement worthy of the lyric. Finally, the singing with conviction and soul by the immortal Johnny Mathis. A total package.
Grant Albrecht
yes
Who Dat Superbowl Queen
I love this man! His life concert redention of this song is fantastic!
Alex Zambra
Mathis at his best.
bisonette5
Probably the best song Johnny ever recorded. And the song is well over half over before he starts singing. Makes an impact.