Misty (1975) 6/7/20

Ray Stevens spent the '70s surprising people. After spending the '60s making novelty records like “Gitarzan,” he started the new decade with the inspirational “Everything is Beautiful,” which we highlighted back on February 29th.

In 1974, he was back to novelties with “The Streak,” a #1 song we may highlight at a later date.

Then, in 1975, he did something that shouldn't have worked...but did: He combined a jazz standard with a touch of bluegrass for today's “Great Song of the '70s!”

“Misty” was written in 1954 by jazz pianist Errol Garner, who had a minor hit with his instrumental version. In 1959, with newly-written lyrics by Johnny Burke, Johnny Mathis took the song to #12 on the chart. After that, several jazz vocalists recorded it, including Sarah Vaughn, Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, and Frank Sinatra.

In 1971, Clint Eastwood used the Garner version in his film, “Play Misty for Me.”

And then came Ray.

In 1975, he was experimenting in the studio and came up with a hybrid version that charted all over the place!

In fact, it was a Top 15 song in 8 countries, including multiple chart appearances in both the US and Canada. Here's how it broke down: Billboard (US): #14 on the Hot 100, #8 on the Adult Contemporary Chart and #3 on the Country Chart. Canada: #15 on the Top 40, #6 on the Adult Contemporary Chart., and #2 on the Country Chart.

'Misty”...a great jazz song of the 50s..and an odd, but “Great Hybrid of the '70s!”

Ray Stevens:

Johnny Mathis (1959):

Errol Garner (1954):