|
Structure
Interesting Questions, Facts and Information
- There are a total of 30 general entries.
Special Topics
|
 Interesting Questions, Facts, and Information
 Mathis, Johnny
1935. On September 30, 1935, Mildred Mathis gave birth to the fourth of seven children, John.
Texas. Johnny Mathis was born in Gilmer, Texas. His mother Mildred worked as a housekeeper and father Clem was a chauffeur and handyman. The family later moved to San Francisco.
true. 13-year-old Johnny studied for six years with Connie Cox, where his vocal training included opera.
Lizzie. "Lizzie" was a 1957 movie about a woman with multiple personalities, one of which was sending threatening notes to one of the others.
"Playboy After Dark" was a television series in 1969. Johnny Mathis appeared in two episodes as a singer.
Johnny couldn't have been in "The Saint and the Singer"; it was a silent film released in 1914.
"Play Misty for Me", a 1971 film, starred Clint Eastwood as a DJ who had a casual affair with a fan who kept requesting Mathis' "Misty" to be played for him. The fan was obsessive and rather homicidal...
Cooking. Habilitat's "Celebrity Cookbook" includes some of Johnny's recipes. Johnny's own book is "Cooking for You Alone" - published in 1981 by TEC Publishers in Fullerton CA. It's almost impossible to find, and allegedly one sold on e-Bay for over $100, but if you hear of one for sale at a reasonable price, please let me know!
false. Sorry girls, but he has finally come out and admitted he swings the other way, so to speak. However, there were two paternity suits in the 1960s. Records were sealed, so it is not publicly known whether he fathered any children. Then too, in those days it would have been professional suicide to admit to homosexuality, and many gay men did marry and father children in order to fit in with 'normal' life.
490. This record stood until 1973, when broken by Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon", and was listed in the Guinness Book of Records.
| Johnny Mathis has been with Columbia records for most of his career, except for a 3-year period in the 1960s. With which label was he associated at that time? | Wonderful Wonderful Johnny Mathis
|
Mercury. Johnny's time with Mercury began with the 1963 album "Sounds of Christmas" (followed by two more albums for Columbia). His other Mercury albums were 1964's "Tender is the Night", "This is Love" and "Wonderful World of Make Believe", 1965's "Love is Everything", "Ole" and "Sweetheart Tree", 1966's "Shadow of Your Smile" and "So Nice", and 1967's "Johnny Mathis Sings". He returned to Columbia in 1967 and recorded the rest of his over 100 albums.
| Johnny Mathis has lived in the same home in Los Angeles for over 40 years. Who was the original owner of the house in which Johnny now lives? | Wonderful Wonderful Johnny Mathis
|
Howard Hughes. The hilltop house in Hollywood Hills was built by Howard Hughes. In Johnny's own words, "I love the house that I've been living in for over 40 years. I really am a homebody and I still love to play golf." (http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1355/is_25_107/ai_n15686637)
| When Johnny Mathis sings these lines, what song is he singing?
"The morning found me miles away
With still a million things to say"
| The Songs of Johnny Mathis
|
Brazil. The song "Brazil" is also known as "Aquarela do Brasil", or "Watercolour of Brazil". It was written in 1939 by Ary Barroso, and is considered to be one of the earliest examples of samba.
The lyrics are:
"Where hearts were entertaining June,
We stood beneath an amber moon
And softly murmured 'someday soon.'
We kissed and clung together,
Then, tomorrow was another day
The morning found me miles away
With still a million things to say;
Now, when twilight dims the sky above
Recalling thrills of our love,
There's one thing I'm certain of
Return I will to old Brazil.
Brazil... the Brazil that I knew
where I wandered with you
Lives in my imagination
Where the songs are passionate
And a smile has flash in it
And a kiss has art in it
For you put your heart in it
And so I dream of old... Brazil"
| When Johnny sings,
"As far as I can see this is heaven
And speaking just for me, it's ours to share",
what is the title of the song? | The Songs of Johnny Mathis
|
It's Not for Me to Say. Written in 1957 for the film "Lizzie" by Robert Allen and Al Stillman, the song was also used in the 1990 film "Goodfellas". It went to #5 on Billboard for Johnny in 1957.
"It's not for me to say you love me
It's not for me to say you'll always care
Oh, but here for the moment I can hold you fast
And press your lips to mine
And dream that love will last
As far as I can see this is heaven
And speaking just for me, it's ours to share
Perhaps the glow of love will grow with every passing day
Or we may never meet again
But then, it's not for me to say
And speaking just for me, it's ours to share
Perhaps the glow of love will grow with every passing day
Or we may never meet again
But then, it's not for me to say"
| Every fan of Johnny Mathis should sigh when hearing these words:
"In the magic of moonlight when I sigh, 'Hold me close, dear'".
But from which song do they come?
| The Songs of Johnny Mathis
|
Chances Are. Another song by Robert Allen and Al Stillman, "Chances Are" was published in 1957 and was a #1 hit for Johnny Mathis.
"Chances are 'cause I wear a silly grin
The moment you come into view
Chances are you think that I'm in love with you
Just because my composure sort of slips
The moment that your lips meet mine
Chances are you think my heart's your Valentine
In the magic of moonlight when I sigh, 'Hold me close, dear'
Chances are you believe the stars that fill the skies are in my eyes
Guess you feel you'll always be the one and only one for me
And if you think you could
Well, chances are your chances are awfully good
Chances are you believe the stars that fill the skies are in my eyes
Guess you feel you'll always be the one and only one for me
And if you think you could
Well, chances are your chances are awfully good
The chances are your chances are . . . awfully good"
| About whom is Johnny Mathis singing, when he sings these words:
"Look at me, oh, look at me
I can't believe that I'm such a lucky guy"? | The Songs of Johnny Mathis
|
Gina. Paul Vance and Leon Carr wrote this lovely song, which reached #6 for Johnny on Billboard in 1962.
"Gina, Gina, I kissed you once and then
I felt so wonderful, so very wonderful
Let's do it over again
Gina (Gina), Gina (Gina), I can't remember when
I've ever felt a kiss that made me feel like this
Let's do it over again
Look at you, oh, look at you
So warm, so sweet, so shy
Look at me, oh, look at me
I can't believe that I'm such a lucky guy
To have Gina, Gina all for my very own
It's much too wonderful, so very wonderful
To know that Gina is mine alone
Oh, look at you, oh, look at you
So warm, so sweet, so shy
Look at me, oh, look at me
I can't believe that I'm such a lucky guy
To have Gina (Gina), Gina (Gina) all for my very own
It's much too wonderful, so very wonderful
To know that Gina is mine (Gina is mine)
Gina is mine alone"
| From which Johnny Mathis song are these lyrics?
"What would I do if she should need me
And find me kissing you?" | The Songs of Johnny Mathis
|
What Would Mary Say. Written by Paul Vance and Eddie Snyder, Johnny took this song to #9 on Billboard in 1963.
"I must be going (don't go)
My heart is showing (don't go)
I better hurry away
If I don't leave I'll be sorry
What will my Mary say?
Your lips are thrilling
My arms are willing
I know that I shouldn't stay
If I don't leave I'll be sorry
What will my Mary say?
What would I do if she should need me
And find me kissing you?
She's always trusted me completely
Her poor heart would break in two
I must be going (don't go)
My heart is showing (don't go)
I better hurry away
If I don't leave I'll be sorry
What will my Mary say?
If I don't leave I'll be sorry
What will my Mary say?
(Don't go)
(Don't go)"
| Mathis is famous for several songs. Which one of them produced these words?
"Hold me close, melt my heart like April snow" | The Songs of Johnny Mathis
|
The Twelfth of Never. Paul Francis Webster and Jerry Livingston wrote this classic song for Johnny. Although today it is one of the songs his fans virtually demand to hear every time he performs, it only reached #9 on Billboard in 1957. The tune is a traditional English folk tune, from the 16th century "Riddle Song" (also known as "I Gave My Love a Cherry").
"You ask me how much I need you, must I explain?
I need you, oh my darling, like roses need rain
You ask how long I'll love you, I'll tell you true
Until the Twelfth of Never, I'll still be loving you
Hold me close, never let me go
Hold me close, melt my heart like April snow
I'll love you 'til the bluebells forget to bloom
I'll love you 'til the clover has lost its perfume
I'll love you 'til the poets run out of rhyme
Until the Twelfth of Never and that's a long, long time
Until the Twelfth of Never and that's a long, long time"
| "You try to hide the tears inside with a cheerful pose" - Johnny sings this song beautifully, but what is it called? | The Songs of Johnny Mathis
|
A Certain Smile. Another classic Johnny song, "A Certain Smile" was the title song from a 1958 film about a student at the Sorbonne who has an affair with her fiance's uncle. The film was based on a the book "Un Certain Sourire" by Francois Sagan. The song itself, written by Paul Francis Webster and Sammy Fain, went to #14 on Billboard.
"A certain smile, a certain face
Can lead an unsuspecting heart on a merry chase
A fleeting glance can say so many lovely things
Suddenly you know why my heart sings
You love awhile and when love goes
You try to hide the tears inside with a cheerful pose
But in the hush of night exactly like a bittersweet refrain
Comes that certain smile to haunt your heart again
But in the hush of night exactly like a bittersweet refrain
Comes that certain smile to haunt your heart again"
| Anyone who misses this one and claims to be a Johnny Mathis fan should hang their head in shame! And the title to the song is what?
"Walk my way, And a thousand violins begin to play" | The Songs of Johnny Mathis
|
Misty. Written originally in 1954 as an instrumental by pianist Erroll Garner, words were later added by Johnny Burke. It is also considered to be Sarah Vaughan's signature tune, but IMHO nobody does it better than Mathis.
"Look at me,
I'm as helpless as a kitten up a tree
And I feel like I'm clinging to a cloud
I can't understand,
I get misty just holding your hand
Walk my way,
And a thousand violins begin to play
Or it might be the sound of your hello
That music I hear,
I get misty the moment you're near
You can say that you're leading me on
But it's just what I want you to do
Don't you notice how hopelessly I'm lost
That's why I'm following you
On my own,
Would I wander through this wonderland alone
Never knowing my right foot from my left
My hat from my glove
I'm too misty, and too much in love"
| In which Mathis song do we hear these words?
"I feel the glow of your unspoken love, I'm aware of the treasure that I own" | The Songs of Johnny Mathis
|
Wonderful Wonderful. "Wonderful Wonderful" was an early hit by Johnny, hitting #14 on Billboard in 1957. It remains one of his most loved songs.
"Sometimes we walk hand in hand by the sea
And we breathe in the cool salty air
You turn to me with a kiss in your eyes
And my heart feels a thrill beyond compare
Then your lips cling to mine
It's wonderful, wonderful
Oh, so wonderful, my love
Sometimes we stand on the top of a hill
And we gaze at the earth and the sky
I turn to you and you melt in my arms
There we are, darling, only you and I
What a moment to share
It's wonderful, wonderful
Oh, so wonderful, my love
The world is full of wonderous things it's true
But they wouldn't have much meaning without you
Some quiet evening I sit by your side
And we're lost in a world of our own
I feel the glow of your unspoken love
I'm aware of the treasure that I own
And I say to myself
'It's wonderful, wonderful
Oh, so wonderful, my love'
And I say to myself
'It's wonderful, wonderful
Oh, so wonderful, my love'"
| When Johnny Mathis sings these words, what song is he singing?
"But memories will fade and pretty dreams will rise up
Where her other dreams fell through"
| The Songs of Johnny Mathis
|
When Sunny Gets Blue. This song was written by Jack Segal and Marvin Fisher in 1946, and was the "B" side for the single "Wonderful, Wonderful".
"When Sunny gets blue, her eyes get gray and cloudy
Then the rain begins to fall
Pitter-patter, pitter-patter, love is gone so what can matter?
No sweet loving man comes to call
When Sunny gets blue, she breathes a sigh of sadness
Like the wind that stirs the trees
Wind that sets the leaves to swaying like some violins are playing
Weird and haunting melodies
People used to love to hear her laugh, see her smile
That's how she got her name
Since that sad affair she's lost her smile, changed her style
Somehow she's not the same
But memories will fade and pretty dreams will rise up
Where her other dreams fell through
Hurry, new love, hurry here to kiss away each lonely tear
And hold her near when Sunny gets blue
Hurry, new love, hurry here to kiss away each lonely tear
And hold her near when Sunny gets blue"
Johnny Mathis: A New Sound in Popular Music. Only in those 1950s would a record company have come out with such a boring name for an album! But at the age of 19, just breaking into an industry where the record corporations notoriously called all the shots, one doubts that Mathis had much input into the title.
1956. Mathis had been largely a jazz singer until this time. Although the songs were largely drawn from the popular music side, they were given a jazzy sound on the album.
cream-coloured circle. Johnny stood, hands outstretched, in front of a cream-coloured circle which presumably was supposed to be the circle formed by the beams of spotlights, but which in fact more closely resembled a big, creamy, cardboard cutout. The curtains were a sort of light muddy brown.
Yes. Yes, it's now out on a CD. The album was released in that format in March 2007 by the label Fresh Sounds Spain.
New York City, 1956. It was recorded in 1956 in New York City. It did not sell very well, but he stayed in the city and worked the club circuit to build a following.
| Johnny Mathis' second US album was titled "Wonderful Wonderful". How many times did the word "Wonderful" appear on the cover of the US release? | Johnny Mathis: the First Two Albums
|
8. The word "Wonderful" is repeated, one below another, from right under Johnny's name down to the bottom of the cover. Incidentally, this was Johnny's first gold album.
No. Johnny's hit song, "Wonderful Wonderful" appeared on his first album - but not on this one. That song was written by Sherman Edwards and Ben Raleigh.
arranger. Gil Evans (1912-1988) was a Canadian-born jazz composer, pianist, arranger and bandleader. Some of the musicians with whom he worked were Miles Davis, Charlie Parker and Count Basie.
|
Fun Trivia | 
Quizzes | 
Games
| 
People | 
Services | 
Help | 
Me
