Who wrote 'Misty'... Johnny Mathis, Erroll Garner or Clint Eastwood?

Q. My wife is a big Johnny Mathis fan with “Misty” being her favorite song. For years she has insisted that it’s the original version and that Mathis wrote it. I think not, but don’t know the facts. — Martin Z.

A. Johnny Mathis’ version certainly was a gigantic hit in 1959, but it was not the original, and Johnny did not write it.
It was released in 1954 as an instrumental by its composer, pianist Erroll Garner, with lyrics added by Johnny Burke in 1955 (This is the same Johnny Burke who wrote with composer Jimmy Van Heusen, e.g. 'Moonlight Becomes You'.
Both Mathis’ and Garner’s versions are in the Grammy Hall of Fame, and it has been recorded by many other artists, including Sarah Vaughan, Julie London and more. It is a big favorite of Clint Eastwood.
Here are the lyrics;
Look at me,
I'm as helpless as a kitten up a tree
And I feel like I'm clinging to a cloud
I can't understand,
I get misty, holding your hand.

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Walk my way,
And a thousand violins begin to play
Or it might be the sound of your hello
That music I hear,
I get misty the moment you're near
You can say that you're leading me on
But it's just what I want you to do
Don't you realize how hopelessly I'm lost
That's why I'm following you.
On my own,
Would I wander through this wonderland alone
Never knowing my right foot from my left,
My hat from my glove,
I get misty, and too much in love.
I'm too misty, and too much in love

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All lyrics provided for educational purposes only.