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.
Happy Holidays
Andy Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Happy holiday (happy holiday)
While the merry bells keep ringing
Happy holiday to you (happy holiday)
(Happy holiday)
It's the holiday season
And Santa Claus is coming 'round
When old Santa gets into town
He'll be coming down the chimney, down
(He'll be coming down the chimney, down)
It's the holiday season
And Santa Claus has got a toy
For every good girl and good little boy
Santa's a great big bundle of joy
When he's coming down the chimney, down
(When he's coming down the chimney, down)
He'll have a big fat pack upon his back
And lots of goodies for you and for me
So leave a peppermint stick for old St. Nick
Hanging on the Christmas tree
It's the holiday season (the holiday season)
So hoop-de-do and dickory dock
And don't forget to hang up your sock
'Cause just exactly at twelve o'clock
He'll be coming down the chimney, down
(He'll be coming down the chimney, down)
He'll have a big fat pack upon his back
And lots of goodies for you and for me
So leave a peppermint stick for old St. Nick
Hanging on the Christmas tree
It's the holiday season (the holiday season)
So hoop-de-do and dickory dock
And don't forget to hang up your sock
'Cause just exactly at twelve o'clock
He'll be coming down the chimney
Coming down the chimney
Coming down the chimney, down
(Happy holiday) Happy holiday
(Happy holiday) Happy holiday
While the merry bells keep ringing
Happy holiday to you
The song "Happy Holiday/The Holiday Season" by Andy Williams is a classic Christmas tune that invokes the joy and excitement of the holiday season. The song begins with the repetition of "happy holiday," which immediately sets a festive tone. The lyrics then describe Santa Claus coming to town, bringing joy and gifts to all the good boys and girls. The verse about Santa coming down the chimney is particularly iconic, and the song ends with a repetition of "happy holiday" and the image of merry bells ringing.
The lyrics of "Happy Holiday/The Holiday Season" are relatively straightforward, but they capture the essence of the Christmas season with a sense of wonder and anticipation. The song's use of repetition creates a sense of joy and celebration, and the descriptions of Santa Claus and his presents evoke a childlike sense of excitement. Overall, the song captures the magic of Christmas and the joy that it brings to people of all ages.
Line by Line Meaning
Happy holiday (happy holiday)
Let's celebrate this wonderful occasion with happiness and cheer
Happy holiday (happy holiday)
Let's celebrate this wonderful occasion with happiness and cheer
While the merry bells keep ringing
As we hear the merry bells ringing, we know that it is a time of joy and merriment
Happy holiday to you (happy holiday)
We wish you a happy and festive holiday season
(Happy holiday)
Let's continue to celebrate the joy of the holiday season
It's the holiday season
It's that special time of year when we celebrate the holiday season
And Santa Claus is coming 'round
Santa Claus is on his way to bring joy and gifts to everyone
The Christmas snow is white on the ground
The ground is covered in a beautiful white blanket of snow, just perfect for the holiday season
When old Santa gets into town
When Santa arrives in town, we know that the holiday season is in full swing
He'll be coming down the chimney, down
Santa will enter the house and deliver gifts through the chimney
(He'll be coming down the chimney, down)
Santa Claus will definitely be coming down the chimney
And Santa Claus has got a toy
Santa Claus has something special and delightful for you to enjoy
For every good girl and good little boy
If you've been good this year, then Santa has a special surprise for you
Santa's a great big bundle of joy
Santa Claus brings happiness and joy to everyone he meets
When he's coming down the chimney, down
When Santa Claus comes down the chimney, it's a magical moment that we all look forward to
(When he's coming down the chimney, down)
We can't wait for Santa to come down the chimney
He'll have a big fat pack upon his back
Santa carries a big bag of gifts on his back to deliver to everyone
And lots of goodies for you and for me
There are lots of wonderful presents and surprises for everyone to enjoy
So leave a peppermint stick for old St. Nick
Don't forget to leave a special treat for Santa Claus to enjoy when he comes to visit
Hanging on the Christmas tree
Hang the peppermint stick on the Christmas tree so Santa can easily find it
So hoop-de-do and dickory dock
Let's have a grand celebration full of excitement and fun
And don't forget to hang up your sock
Don't forget to hang up your stocking so that Santa can leave you a special surprise
'Cause just exactly at twelve o'clock
Make sure you are ready, because Santa will be arriving precisely at midnight
He'll be coming down the chimney, down
Santa will be arriving via the chimney to deliver presents to everyone
Coming down the chimney
Santa Claus is on his way down the chimney to bring lots of goodies to everyone
Coming down the chimney, down
Santa is definitely coming down the chimney - make sure you're ready!
(Happy holiday) Happy holiday
Let's keep the holiday spirit going strong with more happiness, joy and fun
(Happy holiday) Happy holiday
Let's keep the holiday spirit going strong with more happiness, joy and fun
While the merry bells keep ringing
As we hear the cheerful sound of the bells ringing, our happiness and merriment continues
Happy holiday to you
We wish you a very happy, memorable and joyful holiday season!
Lyrics Β© Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Irving Berlin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MrHermessi
Happy holiday (happy holiday)
Happy holiday (happy holiday)
While the merry bells keep ringing
Happy holiday to you (happy holiday)
(Happy holiday)
It's the holiday season
And Santa Claus is coming 'round
The Christmas snow is white on the ground
When old Santa gets into town
He'll be coming down the chimney, down
(He'll be coming down the chimney, down)
It's the holiday season
And Santa Claus has got a toy
For every good girl and good little boy
Santa's a great big bundle of joy
When he's coming down the chimney, down
(When he's coming down the chimney, down)
He'll have a big fat pack upon his back
And lots of goodies for you and for me
So leave a peppermint stick for old St. Nick
Hanging on the Christmas tree
It's the holiday season (the holiday season)
So hoop-de-do and dickory dock
And don't forget to hang up your sock
'Cause just exactly at twelve o'clock
He'll be coming down the chimney, down
(He'll be coming down the chimney, down)
He'll have a big fat pack upon his back
And lots of goodies for you and for me
So leave a peppermint stick for old St. Nick
Hanging on the Christmas tree
It's the holiday season (the holiday season)
So hoop-de-do and dickory dock
And don't forget to hang up your sock
'Cause just exactly at twelve o'clock
He'll be coming down the chimney
Coming down the chimney
Coming down the chimney, down
Happy holiday
(Happy holiday) Happy holiday
While the merry bells keep ringing
Happy holiday to you
@nicoleopenshaw6334
Our 3 year old is autistic, and absolutely LOVES this song because his dad sings it with him. It warms my heart to hear them sing it together.
@redcar396
My youngest son has Autism too. @nicoleopenshaw6334β¦Prayers for God to touch Your 3 Year Old, and Youβ¦Itβs not easy at times!! God Bless You!!
@frostedbubble
Im hoping to have the same memories with my little guy! God blesses us!
@manuelorozco7760
I have autism too
@ceeceetracey9839
awwwwww βΊ
@XRTVanish
Autism going crazy in this comment section
@nevdawg6259
Released in 1963 and was a huge hit. One of the best Christmas songs ever!
@chrisegwuatu5545
Wow! My late father wasn't married to my now late mother then! Nevertheless, I love this piece.
@ceeceetracey9839
the 1950s and 1960s knew how to make some good christmas music. They are all my favorites!!
@jcfreak4ever1
My dad was born in 1963, and my mom was a year old then. π