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.
Home Lovin' Man
Andy Williams Lyrics
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The moon was in its high
The captain said, thank God we're home!
We've drunk the barrels dry
The mizzen mast was shaken
And the lanterns all burned low
I'd never thought we'd make it
But we've twenty leagues to go
And guide me safely to the shore
I'm never ever gonna sail
The seven seas no more
I know I'm gonna miss the sand in my hair
The roll of the tide and the salt in the air
Deep inside it's true
I'm a home lovin' man
Comin' on home to you
I know I'm gonna miss the wind in my eyes
The shimmer of light when the seagull flies
Although I've traveled far
I'm a home lovin' man
And home is where you are
The crowd upon the quayside
Their faces long and drawn
Are suddenly awakened
As we sail in on the dawn
The wives, the sons, the lovers
Who never gave up hope
All breathe a sigh together
As they reach to catch the rope
God bless you, southern trades
You got me safely back this time
Oh, you'll never have the need again
To save this soul of mine
I know I'm gonna miss the sand in my hair
The roll of the tide and the salt in the air
Deep inside it's true
I'm a home lovin' man
Comin' on home to you
I know I'm gonna miss the wind in my eyes
The shimmer of light when the seagull flies
Although I've traveled far
I'm a home lovin' man
And home is where you are
Yes, I know I'm gonna miss the sand in my hair
The roll of the tides and the salt in the air
Deep inside it's true
I'm a home lovin' man
Comin' on home to you
The lyrics to Andy Williams's song Home Lovin' Man tell the story of a sailor who is returning home after a long journey at sea. He is grateful to have made it safely back to land, with the harbor lights shining and the moon high in the sky. The sailor reflects on the experiences he had while at sea, including the feeling of the wind in his hair and the salt in the air. However, he knows that deep down he is a home-loving man and is looking forward to coming home to his loved ones.
The sailor describes the scene as the ship sails into port, with the faces of the crowd on the quayside suddenly awakening and coming to life. The wives, sons, and lovers of the sailors who have been waiting anxiously for their return are overjoyed and reach to catch the rope as the ship comes in. The sailor acknowledges the role that the southern trades played in guiding him safely back home, but says that he has no intention of sailing the seven seas again. For him, home is where he belongs and where he is most content.
Overall, the lyrics of Home Lovin' Man are a tribute to the love that a person feels for their home and the people they love. The sailor's journey at sea has given him a sense of adventure and excitement, but ultimately, he knows where his heart truly lies.
Line by Line Meaning
The harbor lights were shining
The bright lights of the harbor signaled the end of a long journey.
The moon was in its high
The full moon illuminated the night sky.
The captain said, thank God we're home!
The captain expressed relief at finally reaching their destination.
We've drunk the barrels dry
The crew had consumed all of their provisions during the voyage.
The mizzen mast was shaken
The mast at the rear of the ship was visibly affected by the voyage.
And the lanterns all burned low
The lamps on the ship were running out of fuel.
I'd never thought we'd make it
The voyage was so arduous that the singer doubted they would ever reach their destination.
But we've twenty leagues to go
Despite having completed most of the journey, there was still a significant distance left to travel.
So blow you southern trades
The artist was addressing the wind patterns in the southern hemisphere.
And guide me safely to the shore
The artist requested safe passage until they reached land.
I'm never ever gonna sail
The singer had resolved to never embark on such a difficult journey again.
The seven seas no more
The artist would not willingly subject themselves to such hardship by sailing across all seven seas.
I know I'm gonna miss the sand in my hair
Despite the difficulties of the journey, the singer could appreciate the pleasant elements of being at sea.
The roll of the tide and the salt in the air
The natural rhythms of the ocean and unique environment associated with it were appreciated by the singer.
Deep inside it's true
The singer believed in their personal attachment to their home and family.
I'm a home lovin' man
The artist was someone who found great value in being at home with their loved ones.
Comin' on home to you
The artist looked forward to returning to their home and family.
The crowd upon the quayside
The people waiting for the ship to return were gathered on the shore.
Their faces long and drawn
The onlookers were anxious and possibly fatigued after waiting so long for the ship to arrive.
Are suddenly awakened
The people on shore were suddenly energized and alert upon seeing the ship's approach.
As we sail in on the dawn
The ship arrived just as the sun was rising in the morning.
The wives, the sons, the lovers
The people waiting for the ship to return were family members and romantic partners of the crew.
Who never gave up hope
The people on shore had maintained optimism for the safe return of their loved ones despite the difficult and lengthy journey.
All breathe a sigh together
Upon the ship's return, everyone on shore released a collective breath of relief and happiness.
As they reach to catch the rope
The people on shore assisted in securing the ship to the dock as it arrived.
God bless you, southern trades
The singer expressed gratitude for the wind patterns that had safely brought them home from the southern hemisphere.
You got me safely back this time
The singer attributed the safe return to the favorable wind conditions.
Oh, you'll never have the need again
The artist believed they would never need to face such perilous conditions again thanks to having completed the voyage.
To save this soul of mine
The artist had faced danger and risk of injury or death during the voyage, but ultimately returned safely.
Although I've traveled far
Despite having been to distant lands and experienced much, the singer remained committed to their home life.
And the shimmer of light when the seagull flies
The singer found beauty in the natural sights they had seen while traveling by sea.
And home is where you are
To the artist, being with their loved ones was what made a place feel like home.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ROGER FREDERICK COOK, ROGER JOHN REGINALD GREENAWAY, TONY MACAULAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind