Johnny Mathis - What Will Mary Say (1963)

Born John Royce Mathis on September 30, 1935 in Gilmer, Texas, this American singer’s family moved to San Francisco, where Mathis was brought up singing and dancing from a young age. At the age of thirteen, he received professional singing lessons in exchange for doing chores around his instructor’s home. In high school, Mathis was a star athlete, performing as a high jumper, hurdler, and member of the basketball team. In 1954 he enrolled at the local San Francisco State University with the intention of becoming a physical education or English teacher. In 1955, Mathis was discovered by Helen Noga, a co-owner of the Black Hawk nightclub in San Francisco. Noga got Mathis a job singing at Ann Dee’s 440 Club, earning extra cash on the weekends. When she learned that famed jazz producer, George Avakian, was in town on vacation, she arranged for him to come listen to Mathis sing. Upon hearing the young Mathis, Avakian sent a telegram to Columbia Records stating, “Have found phenomenal 19-year-old boy who could go all the way. Send blank contracts.” Things weren’t that simple for Mathis, though. In 1956, Mathis was faced with a decision to make. At his University, he was asked to attend the Olympic trials for hurdling for the upcoming Summer Olympic Games being held in Melbourne, Australia. If he qualified, he would represent the US in for the 1956 Olympics. The trouble was, Mathis had a conflicting appointment in New York City around the same time as the trials. Consulting his father, Mathis eventually chose to pursue his singing career. His first album, Johnny Mathis, was published in late 1956 just mere months before he began his rise to international stardom.

Most popular just before rock began to dominate the 1960s, Johnny Mathis was known for his strong vocals. This adulterous song was Mathis’ first released single in 1963 and the second-highest charting release of his career. It reached number nine on the US pop charts and forty-nine in the UK. It was backed with the B-Side "Quiet Girl".



Johnny Mathis - What Will Mary Say (1963)

Loading the ABLYAM player...(Might not work on mobile devices)

Lyrics:

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 meet 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)