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.
I'll Be There
Andy Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We must bring salvation back
Where there is love, I'll be there (I'll be there)
I'll reach out my hand to you
I'll have faith in all you do
Just call my name and I'll be there (I'll be there)
Build my world of dreams around you
I'm so glad that I found you
I'll be there with a love that's strong
I'll be your strength
I'll keep holdin' on (Holdin' on)
Yes I will, yes I will
Let me fill your heart with joy and laughter
Togetherness, girl, is all I'm after
Whenever you need me, I'll be there (I'll be there)
I'll be there to protect you, (yeah baby)
With unselfish love that respects you
Just call my name, I'll be there (I'll be there)
I'll be there to comfort you
Build my world of dreams around you
I'm so glad that I found you
I'll be there with a love that's strong
I'll be your strength
I'll keep holdin' on
Ooh ooh ooh
Yes I will (Holdin' on, holdin' on)
Yes I will
If you should ever find someone new
I know he better be good to you
'Cause if he doesn't
I'll be there (I'll be there)
Don't you know baby I'll be there
I'll be there I'll be there
Just call my name, I'll be there (I'll be there)
Just look over your shoulders honey, ooh!
I'll be there, I'll be there
Whenever you need me, I'll be there (I'll be there)
Don't you know baby
I'll be there, I'll be there
Just call my name, I'll be there (I'll be there)
Oh oh oh oh I'll be there, I'll be there
"I'll Be There" is a love song by Andy Williams that delivers a hopeful message of commitment and assurance. The song begins with the lines "You and I must make a pact/We must bring salvation back/Where there is love, I'll be there," which suggests the singer's commitment to the relationship and willingness to work through difficulties. He goes on to promise to always be there for their partner whenever they are needed, offering comfort, protection, and support. The heartfelt lyrics express the joy and strength that comes from finding and building a life with someone they hold dear.
The chorus of the song is especially powerful, with the repetition of the phrase "I'll be there" conveying the singer's devotion and unwavering commitment to their loved one. The verses that follow continue to express the depth of the singer's love and their determination to fill their partner's life with joy and laughter. The final lines of the song, "Just call my name, I'll be there," echo the opening lines and serve as a reminder that the singer will always be there for their partner, no matter what.
This classic song has been featured in many movies, TV shows, and commercials over the years, and is often performed at weddings and other romantic events. It has become an enduring symbol of love and commitment, inspiring generations of couples to make their own pacts and promises of eternal love.
Line by Line Meaning
You and I must make a pact
We need to promise to work together
We must bring salvation back
We need to restore goodness and hope to the world
Where there is love, I'll be there (I'll be there)
I will always be around when love is present
I'll reach out my hand to you
I will offer you help and support
I'll have faith in all you do
I believe in your abilities and choices
Just call my name and I'll be there (I'll be there)
I am ready and willing to help you anytime you need me
I'll be there to comfort you
I will be there to provide emotional support
Build my world of dreams around you
I envision and desire a future together
I'm so glad that I found you
I am grateful to have you in my life
I'll be there with a love that's strong
My love and affection for you will be unwavering
I'll be your strength
I will provide you with the necessary support and energy
I'll keep holdin' on (Holdin' on)
I will never let go
Let me fill your heart with joy and laughter
I want to bring joy and laughter into your life
Togetherness, girl, is all I'm after
I want to be together with you and build a life together
Whenever you need me, I'll be there (I'll be there)
You can depend on me anytime you need me
I'll be there to protect you, (yeah baby)
I will safeguard and shelter you from harm
With unselfish love that respects you
My love is pure and selfless, and I value and honor you
I'll be there with a love that's strong
My love will be strong and enduring
Ooh ooh ooh
Vocalization expressing emotions
Yes I will (Holdin' on, holdin' on)
I will always hold on to you
If you should ever find someone new
In case you fall in love with someone else
I know he better be good to you
He should treat you with kindness and respect
'Cause if he doesn't
If he mistreats you or hurts you in any way
I'll be there (I'll be there)
Don't worry, I will still be there for you
Just call my name, I'll be there (I'll be there)
I am always available to you
Just look over your shoulders honey, ooh!
My presence and love will always be behind you
Don't you know baby I'll be there
I will always be there for you, my love
Whenever you need me, I'll be there (I'll be there)
Just let me know and I will come to your aid
Don't you know baby
Don't you realize, my love?
I'll be there, I'll be there
I will always be by your side
Oh oh oh oh I'll be there, I'll be there
Vocalization expressing love and devotion
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Tratore
Written by: Berry Gordy Jr, Bob West, Hal Davis, Willie Hutch
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind