He first performed in a children's choir at his local Presbyterian church. Williams and his three older brothers Bob, Dick, and Don, formed a quartet, the Williams Brothers, in the late 1930s. The brothers performed on radio in the Midwest, first at WHO in Des Moines, Iowa, and later at WLS in Chicago and WLW in Cincinnati. Williams graduated from Western Hills High School in Cincinnati. They appeared with Bing Crosby on the hit record "Swinging on a Star" (1944). This led to a nightclub act with entertainer Kay Thompson from 1947 to 1951.
Williams's solo career began in 1952 after his brothers left the act. He recorded six sides for RCA's label "X," but none of them were popular hits. After landing a spot as a regular on Steve Allen's Tonight Show in 1955, he was signed to a recording contract with Cadence Records, a small label in New York run by conductor Archie Bleyer. His third single, "Canadian Sunset" (1956) hit the Top Ten, and was soon followed his only Billboard #1 hit, "Butterfly" (a cover of a Charlie Gracie record on which Williams imitated Elvis Presley). More hits followed, including "The Hawaiian Wedding Song," "Are You Sincere," "The Village of St. Bernadette," and "Lonely Street," before Williams moved to Columbia Records in 1961, having moved from New York to Los Angeles. In terms of chart popularity, the Cadence era was Williams's peak although songs he introduced on Columbia became much bigger standards. Two top ten hits from the Cadence era, "Butterfly" and "I Like Your Kind of Love" were apparently believed to not suit Williams's later style; they were not included on a Columbia reissue of his Cadence greatest hits in the 1960s.
During the 1960s, Williams became one of the most popular vocalists in the country and signed what was to that time the biggest recording contract in history. He was primarily an album artist, and at one time he had earned more gold albums than any solo performer except Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley. By 1973 he had earned as many as 17 gold album awards. Among his hit albums from this period were Moon River, Days of Wine and Roses (number one for 16 weeks in mid-1963), The Andy Williams Christmas Album, Dear Heart, The Shadow of Your Smile, Love, Andy, Get Together with Andy Williams, and Love Story. In these recordings Williams displays an incredible vocal technique along with an uncanny ability to make each song his very own, often rivaling or surpassing the version by the original artist. These attributes, along with his natural affinity for the music of the 1960s and early 1970s, combined to make him one of the premier easy listening singers of that era.
Williams forged an indirect collaborative relationship with Henry Mancini, although they never recorded together. Williams was asked to sing Mancini and Johnny Mercer's song "Moon River" at the 1962 Oscar Awards (where it won), and it quickly became Williams's theme song. This was repeated the next year with the pair's "Days of Wine and Roses" (which also won), Mancini's "Dear Heart" at the 1965 awards and "The Sweetheart Tree" (also written with Mercer) at the 1966 awards.
Williams also competed in the teenage-oriented singles market as well and had several charting hits including "Can't Get Used to Losing You," "Happy Heart," and "Where Do I Begin", the theme song from the 1970 blockbuster film, Love Story. Building on his experience with Allen and some short-term variety shows in the 1950s, he became the star of his own weekly television variety show in 1962. This series, The Andy Williams Show, won three Emmy Awards for outstanding variety program. Among his series regulars were the Osmond Brothers. He gave up the variety show in 1971 while it was still popular and retrenched to three specials per year. His Christmas specials, which appeared regularly until 1974 and intermittently from 1982 into the 1990s, were among the most popular of the genre. Williams has recorded eight Christmas albums over the years. He hosted the Grammy Awards for three consecutive years in the 1970s. He returned to television to do a syndicated half-hour series in 1976-77.
In the early 1990s, Williams gave up most of his touring schedule in order to open his own theatre in Branson, Missouri, the Andy Williams Moon River Theater. He continues to do 8 to 12 shows a week from September to December and occasionally makes tours of Europe earlier in the year.
His 1967 recording of "Music to Watch Girls By" was a surprise UK hit in 1999, when it reached number 9 after featuring in an advert (beating the original peak of number 33 in 1967). In 2002 he took part in a new duet of "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" with British actress and singer Denise van Outen. Nearly everything Williams ever recorded has now been made available on CD through a series of compilations from 1997 to 2004.
Williams met Claudine Longet when he pulled over to aid her on a Las Vegas road. She was a dancer at the time at the Folies Bergere. They married on Christmas Day, 1961, and had three children, Noelle, Christian, and Robert. They separated in 1969 and finally divorced 6 years later. In 1976 Longet was charged with fatally shooting her boyfriend, skier Vladimir "Spider" Sabich and Williams supported her. He married a second time in May 1991 to the former Debbie Haas. They make their homes at Branson, Missouri and La Quinta, California. Williams' homes have been featured in Architectural Digest, and he is a noted collector of modern art. Williams is an avid golfer. He hosted a major golf tournament in San Diego for many years, which was known as the Andy Williams San Diego Open during that time.
Williams' birthplace is a tourist attraction open most of the year.
A Song And A Christmas Tree
Andy Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My good friends brought to me
A song and a Christmas tree
On the second day of Christmas
My good friends brought to me
(Two candy canes)
And a song for the Christmas tree
On the third day of Christmas
My good friends brought to me
(Three boughs of holly)
(Two candy canes)
And a song for the Christmas tree
On the fourth day of Christmas
My good friends brought to me
(Four colored lights)
(Three boughs of holly)
(Two candy canes)
And a song for the Christmas tree
On the fifth day of Christmas
My good friends brought to me
(A shining star)
(Four colored lights)
(Three boughs of holly)
(Two candy canes)
And a song for the Christmas tree
On the sixth day of Christmas
My good friends brought to me
(Little silver bells)
(A shining star)
(Four colored lights)
(Three boughs of holly)
(Two candy canes)
And a song for the Christmas tree
On the seventh day of Christmas
My good friends brought to me
(Candles a glowing)
(Little silver bells)
(A shining star)
(Four colored lights)
(Three boughs of holly)
(Two candy canes)
And a song for the Christmas tree
On the eighth day of Christmas
My good friends brought to me
(Gold and silver tinsel)
(Candles a glowing)
(Little silver bells)
(A shining star)
(Four colored lights)
(Three boughs of holly)
(Two candy canes)
And a song for the Christmas tree
On the ninth day of Christmas
My good friends brought to me
(A guardian angel)
(Gold and silver tinsel)
(Candles a glowing)
(Little silver bells)
(A shining star)
(Four colored lights)
(Three boughs of holly)
(Two candy canes)
And a song for the Christmas tree
On the tenth day of Christmas
My good friends brought to me
(Some mistletoe)
(A guardian angel)
(Gold and silver tinsel)
(Candles a glowing)
(Little silver bells)
(A shining star)
(Four colored lights)
(Three boughs of holly)
(Two candy canes)
And a song for the Christmas tree
On the eleventh day of Christmas
My good friends brought to me
(Gifts for one and all)
(Some mistletoe)
(A guardian angel)
(Gold and silver tinsel)
(Candles a glowing)
(Little silver bells)
(A shining star)
(Four colored lights)
(Three boughs of holly)
(Two candy canes)
And a song for the Christmas tree
On the twefth day of Christmas
My good friends brought to me
(All their good wishes)
(Gifts for one and all)
(Some mistletoe)
(A guardian angel)
(Gold and silver tinsel)
(Candles a glowing)
(Little silver bells)
(A shining star)
(Four colored lights)
(Three boughs of holly)
(Two candy canes)
And a song for the Christmas tree
The opening verse of the song “The Christmas Song” by Andy Williams, “On the first day of Christmas, My good friends brought to me, A song and a Christmas tree,” references the traditional twelve days of Christmas. The song then goes on to list the gifts received on each subsequent day until the twelfth day. The gifts range from candy canes and boughs of holly to shining stars, candles, and guardian angels. The song ends with the ultimate gift of all, “All their good wishes.”
The song is meant to evoke the festive and joyful spirit of the holiday season, with each gift symbolizing the love and care we share with our friends and family during this time of the year. Moreover, the repetition of the song for the Christmas tree in every stanza emphasizes the significance of music in spreading love and happiness. The songpaints a vivid and joyful image of Christmas that everyone can relate to, and it reminds us of how our friends and loved ones are an essential part of this season.
Line by Line Meaning
On the first day of Christmas
At the beginning of the holiday season
My good friends brought to me
My dear companions gifted me
A song and a Christmas tree
An ode to the festivities and a tree to decorate it
On the second day of Christmas
The second day after the holiday period began
Two candy canes
A couple of striped confectioneries
And a song for the Christmas tree
Along with a melody to play around the decorated tree
On the third day of Christmas
At every progression of a day in the holiday season
Three boughs of holly
A few branches of a Christmasy plant
Two candy canes
A duo of sweet treats
And a song for the Christmas tree
Together with a jingle to sing next to the adorned tree
On the fourth day of Christmas
On the fourth instance of a day in the season of merriment
Four colored lights
Four festive illuminations
Three boughs of holly
Three limbs of a holly plant
Two candy canes
A pair of delicious confectioneries
And a song for the Christmas tree
And another melody to play around the trimmed tree
On the fifth day of Christmas
Five days after the start of the Yuletide season
A shining star
A bright celestial body
Four colored lights
Four multicolored decorations
Three boughs of holly
Three branches of the iconic plant of Christmas
Two candy canes
Two pieces of candy in the shape of a cane
And a song for the Christmas tree
And another musical tune to play amidst the decorated tree
On the sixth day of Christmas
Six days since the advent of the holiday period
Little silver bells
Small jingling metallic bells
A shining star
A brilliant light in the heavens
Four colored lights
Four lights of distinct hues
Three boughs of holly
Three sections of the holly plant
Two candy canes
Couple of sweet treats moulded into a cane shape
And a song for the Christmas tree
And an additional carol to sing in unison with the embellished tree
On the seventh day of Christmas
As per the tradition on the seventh day since the start of the Yuletide season
Candles a glowing
Candles radiating light
Little silver bells
Tiny bells that produce a gentle jingle
A shining star
Astar of shimmering light
Four colored lights
Four electric lights of varied colors
Three boughs of holly
Three branches of the prominent Christmas plant
Two candy canes
Two candy sticks shaped like a cane
And a song for the Christmas tree
And a carol to accompany the decorated tree
On the eighth day of Christmas
Eight days after Christmas started
Gold and silver tinsel
Streamers of shiny gold and silver color
Candles a glowing
Luminous candles creating an ambiance of warmth and cheerfulness
Little silver bells
Humble yet delightful ringing bells made of silver
A shining star
A celestial illumination that twinkles and dazzles
Four colored lights
Four differently colored lights that provide a sense of joyousness
Three boughs of holly
Three portions of the holly plant, symbolizing hope, happiness and purity
Two candy canes
Two scrumptious treats in the form of a cane
And a song for the Christmas tree
And a melody to sing in front of the decorated tree
On the ninth day of Christmas
Nine days have passed since the beginning of the holiday season
A guardian angel
A divine being that protects and guides
Gold and silver tinsel
Golden and silver decorations that embellish the festive mood
Candles a glowing
Brilliant and resplendent candles burning steadily
Little silver bells
Small, sonorous bells made from silver, delighting the ears
A shining star
An astral body shining resplendently in the sky
Four colored lights
Four lights capturing the essence of Christmas with their vivid hues
Three boughs of holly
Three boughs of holly, emblematic of the joyous season
Two candy canes
Two candy sticks that are sweet and delightful
And a song for the Christmas tree
A carol associated with the illuminated and decorated tree
On the tenth day of Christmas
Ten days have passed as the festive spirit engulfs everyone around
Some mistletoe
A herb found in the continent of Europe associated with Christmas traditions
A guardian angel
An angel that provides protection and spiritual guidance
Gold and silver tinsel
Adornments of gold and silver colors that enhance the festive mood
Candles a glowing
Luminous and brightly shining candles that suggest hope and eternal life
Little silver bells
Small, tinkling bells made from silver alloy which adds a cheerful tone to the season
A shining star
A celestial body that sparkles and shines, bringing gladness to our hearts
Four colored lights
Four radiant lights with different hues that increase the festive fervor
Three boughs of holly
Sections of holly to signify the spiritual and mystical significance of the holiday season
Two candy canes
Two long sticks of candy that bring a smile to everyone’s faces
And a song for the Christmas tree
A melodious hymn sung in celebration of the brilliantly lit and splendidly decorated tree
On the eleventh day of Christmas
Eleven days have passed since the exuberant season of Christmas started
Gifts for one and all
Presents for everyone, given with the spirit of generosity and love
Some mistletoe
A herb found in the European continent often used in celebrating Christmas customs
A guardian angel
An ethereal being that protects and guides every individual
Gold and silver tinsel
Golden and silver decorations that embellish the festive mood
Candles a glowing
Candles radiating warmth and spreading positivity all around
Little silver bells
Small, harmonious bells that glimmer to the touch of the breeze
A shining star
A celestial body that shines brightly, filling the night sky with awe and beauty
Four colored lights
Four bright lights that evoke a joyful feeling and a sense of wonder
Three boughs of holly
Three sections of holly that symbolize strength, protection, and goodwill
Two candy canes
Two candy sticks that are sweet, smooth and enjoyable to eat
And a song for the Christmas tree
A joyous tune to sing and clap to, near the dazzling and dazzling tree
On the twefth day of Christmas
12 days since Christmas spread its message of love, peace and bright festivities
All their good wishes
Blessings of prosperity, good tidings and wellness sent by dear ones
Gifts for one and all
Presents shared with affection and kindness
Some mistletoe
An herb that when hung is a sign of goodwill and an invitation to a kiss
A guardian angel
A spiritual being that is a protector and guide for all
Gold and silver tinsel
Decorations adorning the surroundings with festive glitter
Candles a glowing
Candles radiating light and warmth that kindle the holiday spirit
Little silver bells
Bells tinkling merrily in the breeze, creating a lively atmosphere
A shining star
A radiant celestial object that adds to the beauty of the nighttime sky
Four colored lights
Brightly colored lights displaying the happiness of this joyous occasion
Three boughs of holly
Branches utilized as an emblem of the season, that signify rebirth, life and renewal
Two candy canes
Sweet and sugary candy sticks that evoke happy childhood memories
And a song for the Christmas tree
A delightful hymn sung by all near the spectacular and majestic Christmas tree
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Cixqo, Capitol CMG Publishing, Integrity Music, Downtown Music Publishing, Songtrust Ave, Anthem Entertainment, Reservoir Media Management, Inc., Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Rossio Music Publishing
Written by: Chuck Howard, Franz Gruber, John Berry, Joseph Mohr
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
ladiesman181002
This is a great song!