The Great Years cover

The Great Years

Johnny Mathis · 1964

79 min · 24 tracks · easy listening

A lush collection of romantic standards delivered with Mathis's smooth, emotive vocal style and orchestral arrangements.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • steady pacing for relaxed evenings
  • lush soundtracks for romantic moments
  • melodic journey through nostalgia
  • warm background for intimate gatherings
  • emotive vocals for reflective moods

Maybe skip if you want

  • prefer fast-paced, energetic tracks
  • seek experimental or avant-garde sounds

Where this album fits

Career context
Released in 1964, 'The Great Years' is a compilation that showcases Johnny Mathis at the peak of his popularity, following his breakthrough decade. By this time, he had already established himself as a leading voice in easy listening and pop music, with several hit albums and singles under his belt, including classics like 'Chances Are' and 'It's Not for Me to Say'.
Stylistic neighbors
Perry Como· Frank Sinatra· Nat King Cole

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

Disc 1

  • 1 Fly Me to the Moon 3:54
  • 2 Street of Dreams 2:17
  • 3 Wonderful!, Wonderful! 2:51
  • 4 It's Not for Me to Say (from Lizzie) 3:06
  • 5 Chances Are 3:04
  • 6 Twelfth of Never 2:30
  • 7 Certain Smile (from a Certain Smile) 2:48
  • 8 Deep River 2:51
  • 9 Can't Get Out of This Mood 3:08
  • 10 Misty 3:35
  • 11 Small World (from Gypsy) 3:20
  • 12 When I Fall in Love 4:29

Disc 2

  • 1 Maria (from West Side Story) 3:48
  • 2 Tonight (From West Side Story) 3:12
  • 3 How to Handle a Woman (from Camelot) 3:04
  • 4 Stairway to the Stars 4:54
  • 5 Love Look Away 3:30
  • 6 Sweet Thursday 2:31
  • 7 Stella by Starlight 3:36
  • 8 Unaccustomed as I Am 2:57
  • 9 Gina 2:48
  • 10 What Will My Mary Say 3:11
  • 11 Every Step of the Way 3:25
  • 12 September Song 4:11

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata