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.
An Old Fashioned Love Song
Andy Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Playin' on the radio
And wrapped around the music
Is the sound of someone
Promising they'll never go
You'll swear you've heard it before
As it slowly rambles on and on
No need in bringing 'em back
Just an old fashioned love song
Comin' down in three part harmony
Just an old fashioned love song
One I'm sure they wrote for you and me
To weave our dreams upon
And listen to each evening
When the lights are low
To underscore our love affair
With tenderness and feelings
That we've come to know
You'll swear you've heard it before
As it slowly rambles on and on
No need in bringin' 'em back
'Cause they've never really gone
Just an old fashioned love song
Comin' down in three part harmony
Just an old fashioned love song
One I'm sure they wrote for you and me
Hit it!
Wooh! Just an old fashioned love song
Comin' down in three part harmony
Just an old fashioned love song
One I'm sure they wrote for you and me
Just an old fashioned love song
Comin' down in three part harmony
Just an old fashioned love song
One I'm sure they wrote for you and me (fade)
The song "An Old Fashioned Love Song" by Andy Williams is a tribute to the timeless appeal of classic love songs that have been a part of music history for years. The singer invites the listener to join in a timeless expression of affection that has the ability to bring two people together. He describes this as an "old-fashioned love song" that has been played on the radio for years.
He goes on to describe the effect of the song on the listener's soul, who will swear that they have heard it before as it slowly rambles on and on. As the song progresses, it is clear that it is a celebration of love and the way that it can take hold of two people, creating a bond that is unbreakable. The three-part harmony brings a sense of nostalgia and longing to the listener, inviting them to weave their dreams upon the music and experience the tenderness and feelings that are born of love.
Line by Line Meaning
Just an old fashioned love song
This is a simple, traditional song about love.
Playin' on the radio
This song is being broadcast to listeners.
And wrapped around the music
The message of this song is an integral part of the music.
Is the sound of someone
An unseen person is making a heartfelt promise in the song.
Promising they'll never go
They are pledging to stay in a relationship forever.
You'll swear you've heard it before
The song has a familiar, nostalgic quality.
As it slowly rambles on and on
The song has a deliberately slow pace that emphasizes its soothing quality.
No need in bringing 'em back
There is no reason to revive old memories or feelings.
'Cause they've never really gone
Memories of love persist even if a relationship has ended.
Comin' down in three part harmony
The song features three vocal parts that blend together nicely.
One I'm sure they wrote for you and me
The song was written specifically for people in love.
To weave our dreams upon
The song provides a romantic backdrop for imagining a happy future together.
And listen to each evening
The song is meant to be played and enjoyed repeatedly.
When the lights are low
The song is suitable for a romantic, intimate atmosphere.
To underscore our love affair
The song emphasizes the depth and importance of the couple's relationship.
With tenderness and feelings
The song conveys gentle emotions and romantic sentiments.
That we've come to know
The song reflects the shared experiences and feelings of the couple.
Hit it!
This is an exhortation to start playing the music.
Wooh! Just an old fashioned love song
This is an expression of enthusiasm for the sweet, simple song.
(fade)
The song gradually fades away, leaving a lingering memory of love.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Paul H. Williams
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jymster46
Wonderful song by Mr. Williams and great video by you, Heather! A Three Dog Night favorite of mine as well. Thank you so much for posting it :))
Jim
TheSorrowfulFlower
@Jymster46 I'm so glad you liked it, Jim! A great song, for sure, and one that'll be stuck in my head for days to come (not that that's a bad thing!). Thanks so much for watching and for your kind comments :))
Picker Stonefingers
I haven't got the best hearing in the world, but I think I hear Paul Williams in the background in the last 12 baes or so.