The Golden Age of Romance, Sung by “The Voice of Velvet”
There are certain songs that exist outside the frantic rush of pop culture, residing instead in the quiet, sophisticated corners of the human heart. They are the standards—the pillars of the Great American Songbook—and when they were released by an artist like Johnny Mathis, they became not just records, but moments in time. His rendition of “Moonlight Becomes You” is one such treasure, a track that speaks directly to the memory of a perfect evening, a time when a simple, elegant serenade was the most romantic gesture of all.
Johnny Mathis recorded this unforgettable standard for his seminal 1959 album, Heavenly. The title was no exaggeration: the album was a masterpiece of orchestral balladry, and its commercial success cemented Mathis’s legacy as a master interpreter of classic songs. Heavenly debuted on the Billboard album chart in September 1959 and spent an astonishing 295 weeks on the chart, including five weeks at Number 1. While “Moonlight Becomes You” itself was not released as a contemporary single, it was a crucial, shimmering jewel within an album that defined the sound of late 1950s romance, sharing space with his breakout hit, “Misty.” The enduring popularity of this album ensured that millions of listeners around the world were touched by the warm intimacy of this particular track.
To understand the meaning of “Moonlight Becomes You,” we must appreciate its lineage. The song was a product of the legendary Tin Pan Alley partnership of composer Jimmy Van Heusen and lyricist Johnny Burke. It was originally introduced in the 1942 Paramount film, Road to Morocco, where it was performed by the incomparable Bing Crosby. The song is a beautifully constructed compliment, suggesting that the natural elegance of the beloved is only perfected by the soft, silvery glow of the evening. The lyric is direct, tender, and deeply flattering: “Moonlight becomes you, it goes with your hair / You certainly know the right thing to wear / Moonlight becomes you, I’m thrilled at the sight / And I could get so romantic tonight.” It is a charming mix of sweet observation and hopeful suggestion.
Mathis’s version, recorded in April 1959, is a study in vocal elegance. His flawless tenor, often described as “The Voice of Velvet,” is perfectly suited to the song’s gentle, lilting melody. Where Crosby’s original was perhaps a little more wry and casual, Mathis delivered a pure, devoted sincerity. The production, guided by Mitch Miller and Al Ham, wraps his vocals in a lush blanket of strings, piano, and subtle jazz orchestration, creating the perfect atmosphere for a private, candlelit dance. This version isn’t just a song; it’s a mood, an invitation to a refined and timeless romance.
For those of us who remember those days—when you dressed up just to stay home, and an album like Heavenly was the soundtrack to every important slow moment—“Moonlight Becomes You” evokes the golden glow of a shared memory. It speaks to a time when courtship was an art form, and the highest compliment was to tell someone that they were the most beautiful thing in the room, especially when the moon hung full and low. It’s the sound of effortless charm and enduring love, perfectly preserved by a vocalist whose talent was truly divine.