About The Song
Conway Twitty. The name itself evokes a rich baritone and a storytelling prowess that dominated the country music scene for decades. But Twitty’s musical journey wasn’t confined to the traditional. He possessed a keen ear for trends, and his 1959 rendition of “Mona Lisa” is a fascinating example of this.
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This wasn’t your typical country ballad. The original “Mona Lisa”, penned by Jerry Livingston and Raymond B. Evans, had been a hit for Nat King Cole a few years prior. It was a smooth, sophisticated pop tune, a love song directed at the enigmatic muse of Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece.
Twitty, however, took the song in a completely different direction. He injected a rockabilly swagger, a genre that was just beginning to take root in the late 50s. The prominent rhythm section, complete with a driving backbeat and a touch of slap bass, gives the song a youthful energy. Twitty’s own vocals, while still retaining their signature smoothness, take on a touch of urgency as he wrestles with the mystery of the Mona Lisa’s enigmatic smile.
The lyrics themselves become a fascinating conversation with the painting. Twitty ponders the emotions behind that faint smile. Is it a sign of loneliness? A hidden heartbreak? “Is it only ’cause you’re lonely they have named you / For that Mona Lisa strangeness in your smile?” he sings, his voice laced with a touch of empathy.
“Mona Lisa” stands as a testament to Twitty’s artistic versatility. He wasn’t afraid to take a pop song and infuse it with his own brand of country cool. The result is a genre-bending track that’s both playful and thought-provoking. It’s a song that keeps you tapping your foot while inviting you to contemplate the mysteries hidden within a timeless work of art. So, sit back, put on your metaphorical blue suede shoes, and prepare to be transported to a world where country twang meets rock and roll rebellion, all under the watchful gaze of the Mona Lisa.