“Scroll down to the end of the article to listen to music.”
Introduction
“Gina” was originally penned by Leon Carr and Paul Vance and first appeared on CBS’s Diagnosis: Unknown before Johnny Janis recorded it in 1960—though that version didn’t chart. When Mathis took it on in 1962, producer Ernie Altschuler and arranger Don Costa shaped the lush orchestration that perfectly framed his velvet voice, and Columbia released it as a single on September 7, 1962.
Johnny Mathis had already built a reputation for romantic ballads, but in “Gina,” each note feels like a confession whispered in the dark. His gentle phrasing on the titular name makes you lean in, as if you’re sharing an intimate secret with a close friend. The swelling strings and soft piano chords never overpower him; instead, they lift every syllable, turning simple lyrics about unrequited love into a deeply personal experience .
At its heart, “Gina” captures the universal ache of longing for someone who may never feel the same. Mathis’s delivery embodies vulnerability—his voice trembles ever so slightly on key lines, reminding us of our own secret yearnings. Fans have even speculated that the song was a tribute to the actress Gina Lollobrigida, lending an extra layer of real-world romance to the lyrics.
“Gina” peaked at #6 on the U.S. pop chart and #2 on the adult contemporary chart, cementing Mathis’s place among the era’s top vocalists. But chart success is only part of its legacy—the song lives on in cover versions, film soundtracks, and countless nostalgic playlists, proof that a simple, sincere performance can outlast musical trends.
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Lyrics
Gina, Gina, I kissed you once and then
I felt so wonderful, so very wonderful
Let’s do it over again
Gina (Gina), Gina (Gina), I can’t remember when
I’ve ever felt a kiss that made me feel like this
Let’s do it over again
Look at you, oh, look at you
So warm, so sweet, so shy
Look at me, oh, look at me
I can’t believe that I’m such a lucky guy
To have Gina, Gina all for my very own
It’s much too wonderful, so very wonderful
To know that Gina is mine alone
Oh, look at you, oh, look at you
So warm, so sweet, so shy
Look at me, oh, look at me
I can’t believe that I’m such a lucky guy
To have Gina (Gina), Gina (Gina) all for my very own
It’s much too wonderful, so very wonderful
To know that Gina is mine (Gina is mine)
Gina is mine alone