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.
Emily
Andy Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Has the murmuring sound of may
All silver bells, coral shells, carousels
And the laughter of children at play
Say Emily, Emily, Emily
And we fade to a marvelous view
Two lovers alone and out of sight
As my eyes visualize a family
They see Emily, Emily
(and we fade to a marvelous view)
Two lovers alone and out of sight
Seeing images in the firelight
As my eyes visualize a family
They see Emily, Emily
Too
The song "Emily" by Andy Williams is a beautiful, romantic ballad that describes the beauty and charm of a woman named Emily. The lyrics begin by detailing the sound of Emily's name, comparing it to the murmuring sound of May which is associated with springtime and new beginnings. The next few lines paint a picture of the delightful things that Emily brings to mind, such as silver bells, coral shells, carousels, and the happy laughter of children at play.
The chorus of the song repeats Emily's name, and as it does so, the listener is transported to a magical scene where two lovers are alone and out of sight. They gaze into the firelight and see images of a future life together, including a family that includes Emily. The final line of the song "Too" suggests that the singer is overwhelmed with emotion and cannot find the words to adequately express his love and admiration for Emily.
Overall, the song "Emily" is a touching tribute to the beauty and enchantment of a woman who captivates the heart and inspires love and romance. The imagery used in the lyrics, particularly the references to springtime and childhood innocence, help to create a sense of nostalgia and wonder, making it a beloved classic within the genre of romantic ballads.
Line by Line Meaning
Emily, Emily, Emily
Repetition of Emily's name denotes the significance of the person being addressed.
Has the murmuring sound of may
Emily's name sounds like the sweet murmur of the month of May, symbolizing her charm and beauty.
All silver bells, coral shells, carousels
Emily is associated with symbols of wonder, beauty and delight, evoking a sense of magic and imagination.
And the laughter of children at play
Emily is also associated with joy and innocence, as she brings forth memories of the laughter of children playing.
Say Emily, Emily, Emily
Repetition of her name highlights the magnetic charm and allure of the person being addressed.
And we fade to a marvelous view
Mention of fading to a marvelous view hints at a world more beautiful than the current reality, symbolizing the power Emily has to transport people to this reality.
Two lovers alone and out of sight
Imagery of two lovers alone and out of sight signifies a world full of privacy and intimacy, conjuring thoughts of love and affection.
Seeing images in the firelight
Seeing images in the firelight implies the imaginative and dreamy world of fantasy, invoking emotions of comfort and warmth.
As my eyes visualize a family
Mention of a family indicates a vision of a future with Emily, symbolizing the desire for companionship and emotional security.
They see Emily, Emily
Reiteration of Emily's name emphasizes her significance in the eyes of the other party being referenced.
Too
The short and simple conclusion of 'too' hints at the presence of Emily in all aspects of the person's future, highlighting the magnitude of her impact.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ricky Ross, Scott Fraser, Pete Webb
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind