About a thousand years ago (actually it was the 1990's) when I was still managing a store for Camelot Music, we got a free sampler of a four CD set featuring classic vocals from the 30's, 40's, and 50's called Sentimental Journey. I must have been channeling my father (because I'm sure he would have loved it) and I came to really appreciate the artistry of big bands and those blessed with a wondrous singing ability. I was introduced to this week's tune by the sampler, and next week's as well.
Johnny Mathis was born the same year as my mother (1935) in Gilmer, Texas, and a few years later his family relocated to my hometown of San Francisco. Mathis began singing at a young age, and got his first recording contract at the ripe old age of twenty-one. From the mid-50's through the mid 60's Mathis was a hit making machine, and had numerous top ten hits before settling into a fine career of recording and touring with his velvety vocals. For his career Mathis has released 73 studio albums (with one #1), three live albums, and thirty compilations (also with one #1). He also has released 113 singles, with (you guessed it) one #1. Mathis came out as gay in 1982 but backed off from his admission after receiving death threats--eventually he would embrace his sexuality. Amazingly, even at the age of eighty-five, Mathis still performs 50 to 60 concerts per year.
Fun Fact: At one time, Mathis was considered the best all around athlete to come out of San Francisco. He was a starter in basketball in both high school and college (San Francisco State), and was also a world class high jumper in track and field (he competed against NBA legend Bill Russell in the high jump at the collegiate level). In 1956 Mathis was invited to the tryouts for the Summer Olympics in Melbourne the same week he was asked to audition for a recording contract in New York--Mathis chose the vocal audition and the rest, as they say, is history.
"Chances Are" was released as a single in 1957, and was put on a compilation album, Johnny's Greatest Hits in 1958 (mini fun fact: often considered the original greatest hits package). Both the song and the LP hit #1 (with a bullet!) on the Billboard charts.
All you really need to know about "Chances Are" is that when angels sing they sound just like Johnny Mathis when he delivered the performance of a millennium on the song. It's a syrupy sweet ballad, likely one of the ten best romantic songs ever, and one of those songs that no matter how many times I hear it never ceases to amaze me with the majesty it creates with such simplicity. I've been singing it since I did my half-assed research in the run up to this post...and I'll be treating my wife and youngest son to my version of it for days to come. How lucky they are! "Chances Are" is heavenly proof that on occasion all can be right with this crazy world....
Lyric Sheet: "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..."
Enjoy:
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Peace,
emaycee
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