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.
My Funny Valentine
Johnny Mathis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
His virtue doth parade.
Thou knowest not, my dim witted friend,
The picture Thou hast made.
Thy vacant brow and thy tousled hair
Conceal Thy good intent.
Thou, noble upright, truthful, sincere
My funny valentine,
Sweet comic valentine,
You make me smile with my heart.
You looks are laughable, unphotographable;
Yet you're my favorite work of art.
Is your figure less than Greek?
Is your mouth a little bit weak?
When you open it to speak, are you smart?
Don't change a hair for me,
Not if you care for me.
Stay little valentine stay.
Each day is valentine's day.
The song "My Funny Valentine" by Johnny Mathis captures the essence of love in a humorous and endearing way. The opening lines describe a bird who showcases its virtuous qualities to impress others. The singer addresses his "dim witted friend" and tells him that he does not realize the picture he makes. The second stanza tells us how his sincere yet dopey nature is endearing to someone else.
The singer then calls his friend 'My Funny Valentine' and speaks about how he makes him smile with his heart. He calls him a sweet comic valentine and shows how his looks are not important to him, as they are unphotographable. The singer is admiring his friend's inner beauty, which is more important to him than anything else.
The last stanza holds a simple message that tells his friend not to change for him, and to stay the same. Every day is a day of love, and the singer loves his friend for who he is.
Overall, the song My Funny Valentine talks about loving a person for who they are, despite their physical appearance. It's not about what the person looks like or how they present themselves, but rather about their inner beauty and their true nature. The song shows how love transcends all superficial barriers and connects people deep in their hearts.
Line by Line Meaning
Behold the way our fine feathered-friend
Look at how the bird flaunts its virtues.
His virtue doth parade.
It proudly shows off what it has to offer.
Thou knowest not, my dim witted friend,
You may not realize, my simple-minded friend,
The picture Thou hast made.
How you present yourself to others.
Thy vacant brow and thy tousled hair
Your empty expression and messy hair
Conceal Thy good intent.
Hides your good intentions.
Thou, noble upright, truthful, sincere
You are a noble, upright person who is truthful and sincere
And slightly dopey gent,- you are...
But also a slightly foolish gentleman.
My funny valentine,
My unique and amusing lover,
Sweet comic valentine,
Charmingly humorous lover,
You make me smile with my heart.
You bring joy to my soul.
You looks are laughable, unphotographable;
Your appearance is so funny and unique that it cannot be captured by photography.
Yet you're my favorite work of art.
You are a masterpiece in my eyes.
Is your figure less than Greek?
Do you have a less than perfect body shape?
Is your mouth a little bit weak?
Do you speak with a stutter or unsure tone?
When you open it to speak, are you smart?
Do not worry, your intelligence is still attractive to me.
Don't change a hair for me,
Do not change anything about yourself for me.
Not if you care for me.
If you truly love me, you will not change anything about yourself.
Stay little valentine stay.
Stay with me, my dear valentine.
Each day is valentine's day.
Every day with you is special like Valentine's Day.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
lenoremewton
oh how wonderful that you were there- and i am SO glad to make this available for you to see. I can see very clearly how spellbound you all were- that's what I was describing in the introduction- "the camera tells the story itself'-. What I wouldn't have given to be there with you all. I understand that the UK fans have been a dedicated group for many years- i am sure Johnny benefited from your admiration and caring as much as you all did and do from his work- and self. Enjoy, enjoy:)
lenoremewton
This is a wonderful song- and i've heard that it was incredible to be there for this special event held by Johnny's dedicated fans from the UK. So nice you've enjoyed them in concert. Gil (Reigers is his name) has been with Johnny for over 39 years. A legacy of a musical relationship. Thanks for your very nice comments.
Jay DeLuca
Beautiful beyond words! Johnny Mathis is an artist in every cell of his being. His voice rings with truth. He enchants those who hear and for a moment transcends the bounds of this world to offer a glimpse of unbearable beauty and depth. As a guitarist, singer, and musician, I am jealous to the bone of his marvelous guitarist, Gil, who has the great fortune to experience the art of Johnny Mathis. If JM creates this enchantment live with just his voice and a guitar, it is magic.
lenoremewton
Thank you- great way to state it- touching the soul- this is one of Johnny's personal/vocal gifts. enjoy!
ANITA SCHON
The audience is mesmerized, you can hear a pin drop. What a beautiful rendition.
lenoremewton
Well said- Less is "more" in words. One gets the feeling that when he sings, especially for an intimate audience, that he is singing just for them. I would think that's very close to the truth. So glad you found it here - enjoy!
justine s
I'm crying...he puts his whole heart & soul deeply into this song so that everyone is able to feel the same deep passion and emotion!
Bruce Marchetta PCMA
Valentine Day Feb 14th, 2019: I am in awe; mesmerized and engrossed in his words, sounds, emotions, expressions and it brings tears to the eyes of this elderly man whose heart and mind becomes reminiscent of the time gone by of those people I happily admired and loved. Bruce @ 82 yrs.
lenoremewton
his sings with his whole self- and his articulation is perfection. Thanks for stopping by- !
evelyn weaver
First time I've heard him sing this,he did a wonderful job as always.