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.
Don
Andy Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But when you need someone true to love
Don't go to strangers, darling
Come to me
Play with fire 'til your fingers burn
When there's no place for you to turn
Don't go to strangers, darling
For when you hear a call
To follow your heart
You'll follow your heart, I know
I've been through it all
For I'm an old hand
And I'll understand if you go
So make your mark for your friends to see
But when you need more than company
Don't go to strangers, darling
Come to me
So make your mark for your friends to see
But when you need more than company
Don't go to strangers, darling
Come to me
The lyrics of Andy Williams's song "Don't Go to Strangers" convey a message of love and support. The first stanza urges the listener to chase their dreams, but to turn to someone they can trust when they need love. The phrase "Build your dreams to the stars above" is a metaphor for setting ambitious goals, and the line "when you need someone true to love" implies that achieving these aspirations may lead to feelings of loneliness. The chorus repeatedly emphasizes the importance of seeking comfort from someone familiar, rather than a stranger. The second stanza presents a similar idea, suggesting that taking risks is important, but when facing adversity it is essential to turn to someone reliable. The bridge is a declaration of the singer's own life experience, implying that he is an expert in the realm of following one's heart and that he will understand if the listener needs to leave. Overall, the song encourages the listener to strive for greatness, but also reinforces the idea that human connection is essential for happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
Build your dreams to the stars above
Set ambitious goals for yourself and aim high.
But when you need someone true to love
However, when you are in search of true love, look for someone you can trust.
Don't go to strangers, darling
Do not trust anyone random because they may not have your best interests at heart.
Come to me
I am someone trustworthy who will be there for you when you need me.
Play with fire 'til your fingers burn
Take risks and explore new things, even if it means experiencing failure or pain.
When there's no place for you to turn
However, when you are in need of help or guidance and have nowhere else to turn, do not rely on strangers.
For when you hear a call
When your inner voice is pulling you towards something, listen to it closely.
To follow your heart
Follow your instincts and trust your emotions, especially when making important decisions.
You'll follow your heart, I know
I understand how important it is to follow your heart, even when it is difficult.
I've been through it all
I have gone through similar experiences in life and can relate to your struggles.
For I'm an old hand
Because of my life experiences, I am skilled at handling these types of situations.
And I'll understand if you go
I will respect your decisions, even if it means you must leave my side.
So make your mark for your friends to see
Make a lasting impact on your social circles and community by sharing your unique talents and perspectives.
But when you need more than company
However, when you need more than just companionship, seek out someone who truly understands you.
Don't go to strangers, darling
Avoid relying on strangers who may not have your best interests at heart.
Come to me
Turn to me for support and guidance when you need it most, as I am someone you can trust.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Redd Evans, Arthur Kent, Dave Mann
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dunhill An
It ain’t no use to sit and wonder why, babe
It don’t matter, anyhow
An’ it ain’t no use to sit and wonder why, babe
If you don’t know by now
When your rooster crows at the break of dawn
Look out your window and I’ll be gone
You’re the reason I’m trav’lin’ on
Don’t think twice, it’s all right
It ain’t no use in turnin’ on your light, babe
That light I never knowed
An’ it ain’t no use in turnin’ on your light, babe
I’m on the dark side of the road
Still I wish there was somethin’ you would do or say
To try and make me change my mind and stay
We never did too much talkin’ anyway
So don’t think twice, it’s all right
It ain’t no use in callin’ out my name, gal
Like you never did before
It ain’t no use in callin’ out my name, gal
I can’t hear you anymore
I’m a-thinkin’ and a-wond’rin’ all the way down the road
I once loved a woman, a child I’m told
I give her my heart but she wanted my soul
But don’t think twice, it’s all right
I’m walkin’ down that long, lonesome road, babe
Where I’m bound, I can’t tell
But goodbye’s too good a word, gal
So I’ll just say fare thee well
I ain’t sayin’ you treated me unkind
You could have done better but I don’t mind
You just kinda wasted my precious time
But don’t think twice, it’s all right
Bryn Gilwern
It's an absolutely fantastic performance. There's something about Andy's voice that you just don't hear anymore.
Steven FitzGerald
"genuine talent".... "perfect pitch"... "respect for fellow artists"... am i getting close?
FrankieAddams
I have always loved this song. I never heard it sung better than this rendition. Thanks so much for posting!
Pa Th
Anything Andy sings turns to gold❤️
Tim Rasico
I was in Denver and Peter Paul and Mary sang to my Mother! She cried she was so happy! Thank you so very much for your kindness and love! Dr.Tim Rasico
PureLync
Almost panicked when I noticed this upload was gone. Thanks for uploading, true masterpiece of a performance.
andrey wesley dos anjos
Just notice that i couldn't find this footage. Just now.
Lucas Basques da Silva
Me too man, i was looking all over for this
Martha Vines
Was heartbroken it was taken off...fabulous performance & so glad it's back!
David Anthony Stone
I was a young kid in 1960’s and a saw them
From concert halls to civil right marches and anti war rallies. They were magical
Right up to 2009 Mary’s passing