Maria

"Maria" by Johnny Mathis

Picture 1960, when Johnny Mathis reigned as one of the most popular and beloved romantic vocalists in America, a singer whose smooth, lush voice made him a master of the romantic ballad. With his rendition of "Maria," Mathis brought his gorgeous voice to the beloved song from the celebrated musical West Side Story. The song captured his smooth, romantic style and his gift for interpreting great material, a lush rendition of a classic show tune delivered with his incomparable warmth.

A Master of Romance

By 1960 Johnny Mathis had established himself as one of the most popular romantic vocalists in America, beloved for his smooth, lush voice and his gift for the romantic ballad. He was famous for hits like "Chances Are" and "It's Not for Me to Say," records that showcased his gorgeous voice and made him a star. His rendition of "Maria," the beloved song from the musical West Side Story, reflected his gift for interpreting great material, bringing his smooth, romantic style to a celebrated show tune.

A Lush Romantic Rendition

The recording brings Mathis's gorgeous, smooth voice to the beloved show tune, a lush rendition full of romantic warmth. The mood is tender and romantic, capturing the song's expression of being smitten by a beloved named Maria, the wonder and joy of a name that suddenly means everything. The arrangement is lush and orchestral, giving Mathis's incomparable voice room to soar. There is a smooth, romantic quality throughout, the sound of a master romantic vocalist bringing his gorgeous voice to a celebrated classic. It captures Mathis's smooth, lush style and his gift for the romantic ballad.

Its Run on the Hot 100

The single carved out a presence on the chart in 1960. It debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 on May 30, 1960, at number 100, then climbed through 91, then 84, reaching its peak of number 78 during the week of July 11, 1960. The record spent seven weeks on the Hot 100, reflecting a modest but real showing for the lush romantic rendition. While not among Mathis's biggest hits, the song demonstrated his gift for interpreting great material and his smooth, romantic appeal during a successful period in his celebrated career.

Part of a Beloved Catalog

"Maria" belongs to the catalog of one of the most beloved romantic vocalists in American music, a lush rendition of a celebrated show tune. It captures Johnny Mathis's smooth, gorgeous voice and his gift for the romantic ballad. The song endures as an example of his interpretive skill and his incomparable romantic style, a lush reimagining of a classic. It reflects the smooth, lush sensibility that made Mathis one of the most popular and beloved romantic singers of his era, a master of the romantic ballad.

The Romantic Voice of Johnny Mathis

Johnny Mathis possessed one of the most gorgeous and romantic voices in popular music, a smooth, lush instrument that made him a master of the romantic ballad and one of the most beloved vocalists of his era. His incomparable voice could convey tenderness and romantic feeling with extraordinary warmth, making him a defining singer of romantic pop. A song like "Maria" demonstrates that gift, the smooth, lush voice bringing romantic warmth to a beloved show tune. There is a particular appeal to Mathis's romantic style, the way his gorgeous voice could make a love song feel intimate and warm, conveying genuine emotion with smooth sophistication. His gift for interpreting great material, whether original songs or beloved standards and show tunes, made him a master interpreter, bringing his distinctive romantic warmth to everything he sang. The choice of a celebrated song from West Side Story reflected his appreciation for great material and his confidence in his ability to make it his own. Mathis became one of the most popular and enduring romantic vocalists in American music, his smooth, lush voice beloved by generations of listeners. His romantic ballads remain cherished, a testament to the warmth and beauty of his incomparable voice. A lush rendition of a beloved classic captures the essence of his appeal, the gorgeous, smooth voice and romantic warmth that made Johnny Mathis one of the most beloved romantic singers in all of popular music, a master of the romantic ballad whose voice continues to charm listeners.

Press play and let Johnny Mathis's gorgeous, romantic voice bring lush warmth to a beloved show tune.

"Maria" — Johnny Mathis's singular moment on the 1960s charts.