“It’s Not for Me to Say” (Single, 1957)

Anyone remember the 1957 film Lizzie? Nobody? Well, the film might not have made much of an impact, but it wisely gave a small role to Mathis as a singer (big stretch). And two of the songs he’s been singing for about seven decades or so came from that movie: “Warm and Tender” and “It’s Not for Me to Say.” The latter, written by Robert Allen and Al Stillman, features Mathis sinking his teeth into one of the first great ballads of his career. His control and slow-build into the big finish are both masterful, and even more amazing considering how young he was at the time.

“It’s Not for Me to Say” (Single, 1957)

Anyone remember the 1957 film Lizzie? Nobody? Well, the film might not have made much of an impact, but it wisely gave a small role to Mathis as a singer (big stretch). And two of the songs he’s been singing for about seven decades or so came from that movie: “Warm and Tender” and “It’s Not for Me to Say.” The latter, written by Robert Allen and Al Stillman, features Mathis sinking his teeth into one of the first great ballads of his career. His control and slow-build into the big finish are both masterful, and even more amazing considering how young he was at the time.