Who hasn’t been captivated by the enchanting melody of “Misty”? This week, we delve into one of the most beloved and frequently recorded songs of all time. Recognized by ASCAP as one of the top 25 most performed standards of the 20th Century, “Misty Song” holds a unique place in music history. Remarkably, since 1954, it has been covered by more jazz artists than any other song except for Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn’s “Satin Doll.” Interestingly, the two most iconic recordings of “Misty” arose unexpectedly, not as planned tracks for their respective recording sessions – a story we’ll explore further.
The Instrumental Origins of “Misty”
“Misty” was born in 1954 from the creative mind of jazz pianist Erroll Garner, initially conceived as an instrumental piece. Garner recounted that the melody blossomed during a long airplane flight, inspired by the breathtaking view of clouds and the tender thoughts of his wife. Unable to write or read musical notation, Garner meticulously memorized the tune until he could return home and commit it to a recording for transcription. He first recorded “Misty” with his trio, featuring it on his 1954 album “Contrasts.” The instrumental “Misty song” swiftly gained popularity, becoming a celebrated jazz standard, leading to countless instrumental interpretations over the years.
Johnny Burke Adds the Heartfelt Lyrics
The task of adding lyrics to the already famous instrumental “Misty” fell to Johnny Burke, a highly successful and acclaimed lyricist of the 1930s to 1950s. Burke, known for his fruitful collaborations with Jimmy Van Heusen, penned numerous hits, including Oscar-winning songs for Bing Crosby films like “Swinging on a Star” from Going My Way (1944). “Misty’s” expansive nearly two-octave range and inherently melancholic mood presented a lyrical challenge. However, in 1955, Burke masterfully crafted the now-iconic lyrics in just a few hours. He brilliantly captured the overwhelming emotion of being deeply in love, all while respecting the established melody and the already popular title, “Misty song.” His words gave voice to the feeling the music evoked, transforming the instrumental into a deeply personal and relatable love song.
Johnny Mathis and the Iconic Vocal Performance
Johnny Mathis’s connection with “Misty song” began in his youth. As a teenager in San Francisco, he frequented the Black Hawk jazz club where he first heard Erroll Garner perform the instrumental “Misty.” Mathis vividly remembered exclaiming to Garner, “Mr. Garner, I am going to record your song if I ever make a record.” (At this point, the song was still without lyrics). Fate intervened, and Mathis was discovered and signed by Columbia Records in 1956 at the age of 21, while performing jazz at the very same Black Hawk club. After some initial jazz recordings that didn’t achieve commercial success, Mathis began collaborating with Columbia’s A&R head Mitch Miller. This partnership steered him towards a more mainstream vocal style, focusing on romantic ballads and songs with wider appeal.
Johnny Mathis and Errol Garner
In 1959, preparing for a recording session, Mathis was tasked with selecting and providing demos of songs he felt were suitable. Among his choices was “Misty,” inspired by a recent vocal recording he admired by Sarah Vaughan. As the recording session neared its end, time permitted only one more song. Unexpectedly, Erroll Garner’s business manager, Martha Glaser, arrived at the session, having heard that Johnny intended to record Garner’s composition. (Some accounts even suggest Erroll Garner himself was present). Despite contractual obligations to record a different song, Mathis, moved by his long-held admiration for “Misty song,” chose to record it that day. This impromptu decision resulted in the definitive and timeless vocal version of “Misty” that continues to resonate with audiences worldwide.
For an in-depth account of the Johnny Mathis “Misty” recording session, including interviews with participants, read Joe Manning’s 2010 article: here.
“Misty”‘s Diverse Interpretations
“Misty song”‘s versatility is further highlighted by Ray Stevens’s 1975 hit rendition, which took a completely different approach. Similar to the Johnny Mathis story, recording “Misty” was not initially planned for Stevens’ session. Ray Stevens has recounted that during a warm-up session with his musicians, they playfully explored an upbeat, country-infused version of “Misty.” They, along with the producer, were captivated by the sound, and the final version was recorded in just two takes. Stevens’ reimagined “Misty” became a Billboard Hot 100 hit and earned a Grammy Award for Music Arrangement of the Year, demonstrating the song’s adaptability across genres.
The enduring appeal of “Misty” lies in its breathtaking melody, beautifully enhanced by Johnny Burke’s masterful lyrics. This combination has inspired countless vocal artists to interpret and reinterpret “Misty song,” adding their unique voices to its rich history.
“Misty” Notable Releases and Versions (Instrumentals):
- Errol Garner Trio (1954)
- Count Basie and His Orchestra (1960)
- Liberace (1962)
- Ahmad Jamal (1966)
- Richard “Groove” Holmes (1966)
- Les & Larry Elgart (1969)
- Slide Hampton (1970)
- Pete Fountain (1970)
- Lionel Hampton with Earl “Fatha” Hines (1977)
- The Oscar Peterson Trio (1982) – medley
- Dave Koz (1993)
- Itzhak Perlman & Oscar Peterson (1994)
“Misty” Notable Releases and Versions (Vocals):
- Dakota Staton (1957)
- Johnny Desmond with Dick Marx Quartet (1957)
- Sarah Vaughan (1959)
- Johnny Mathis (1959)
- Ella Fitzgerald (1960)
- The Ray Charles Singers (1961)
- Frank Sinatra (1962)
- Andy Williams (1962)
- Marty Robbins (1962)
- Lesley Gore (1963)
- Lloyd Price (1963)
- Steve Lawrence (1963)
- The Four Freshman (1964)
- Gene Pitney (1965)
- Pat Boone (1965)
- Billy Stewart (1965)
- Aretha Franklin (1965)
- Donny Hathaway (1970)
- Solomon Burke (1972)
- Ray Stevens (1975)
- Peggy Lee (1977)
- Etta James (1986)
- The Real Group (1987)
- Kenny G featuring Gladys Knight (2005)
- Michael Ball (2011)
- Galaad Moutoz Swing Orchestra (2017)
- Eddie Brewer & The Manic Episodes (2018)
“Misty song” continues to enchant listeners across generations and musical tastes. Its journey from an instrumental improvisation to a lyrical masterpiece and a genre-bending hit is a testament to its inherent musicality and emotional depth. Take some time to explore the diverse renditions of “Misty” and discover your own favorite version of this timeless classic.
