Released back in 1956, “Wonderful! Wonderful!” was a pivotal recording for the young Johnny Mathis. Written by Sherman Edwards and Ben Raleigh, it wasn’t an instant chart-topper right out of the gate, but it steadily gained traction and became his breakthrough hit, ultimately reaching the Top 20 and paving the way for the string of massive successes that would follow. This was one of his early collaborations with arranger and conductor Ray Conniff, a partnership that yielded several iconic recordings.
Listening to “Wonderful! Wonderful!” is like capturing a moment of pure, unadulterated joy. The lyrics are simple and direct, expressing the delightful feeling when love makes the world around you seem utterly, well, wonderful. It’s the sensation of seeing everything through a new, brighter lens, all because of that special person. Phrases like “My love is here for all to see” and “Your eyes, your lips, your touch” paint a clear picture of the focus of this newfound happiness.
Mathis’s vocal performance on this track is key to its charm. His tenor voice, still relatively youthful here, is remarkably clear and pure. He delivers the melody with an innocent sincerity and a bright, optimistic tone that perfectly matches the song’s theme. There’s a sense of genuine delight in his voice, making the listener truly believe in the “wonderful, wonderful” feeling he’s singing about.
The arrangement by Ray Conniff plays a significant role too. It’s classic mid-50s pop – lush strings and a gentle rhythm section provide a warm, inviting backdrop. Conniff’s signature use of vocal chorus (often subtle on these early tracks, focusing more on instrumentation to support Mathis) creates a soft, almost ethereal quality that enhances the dreamy aspect of falling in love. The production is clean and focused, placing Mathis’s voice front and center, allowing its inherent beauty to shine through.
The achievement of “Wonderful! Wonderful!” extends far beyond its initial chart peak. It was the song that introduced Johnny Mathis to a wide national audience and established his signature style – romantic ballads delivered with smooth, emotive vocals and elegant arrangements. Its success directly led to his next major hits like “It’s Not For Me To Say” and “Chances Are,” and it became a cornerstone of his phenomenally successful Johnny’s Greatest Hits album, which set unprecedented chart records.
Today, “Wonderful! Wonderful!” remains a beloved classic, a standard often used in films and television to evoke a sense of pure, optimistic romance. It’s a timeless reminder of that exhilarating feeling when love makes the world feel, quite literally, wonderful. It’s a beautiful start to a legendary career.