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.
It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year
Andy Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With the kids jingle belling
And everyone telling you be of good cheer
It's the most wonderful time of the year
It's the hap-happiest season of all
With those holiday greetings and gay happy meetings
When friends come to call
There'll be parties for hosting
Marshmallows for toasting
And caroling out in the snow
There'll be scary ghost stories
And tales of the glories
Of Christmases long, long ago
It's the most wonderful time of the year
There'll be much mistletoeing
And hearts will be glowing
When loved ones are near
It's the most wonderful time of the year
There'll be parties for hosting
Marshmallows for toasting
And caroling out in the snow
There'll be scary ghost stories
And tales of the glories
Of Christmases long, long ago
It's the most wonderful time of the year
There'll be much mistletoeing
And hearts will be glowing
When loved ones are near
It's the most wonderful time
Yes, the most wonderful time
Oh, the most wonderful time
Of the year
The lyrics of Andy Williams's song It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year convey the joy and happiness associated with the Christmas season. The song talks about the various activities that take place during this time, from the kids jingle belling to friends coming over for holiday greetings and gay meetings. The chorus of the song emphasizes that this is indeed the most wonderful time of the year, and that hearts will be glowing when loved ones are near.
The lyrics also highlight some of the specific activities that people look forward to during the holiday season, such as the parties for hosting, the marshmallows for toasting, and the caroling out in the snow. Additionally, the song acknowledges the tradition of telling scary ghost stories and tales of the glories of Christmases long ago, which adds to the excitement and nostalgia of the season.
Overall, the song captures the essence of the Christmas season and the emotions associated with it.
Line by Line Meaning
It's the most wonderful time of the year
This is a special time of the year that everyone loves and looks forward to.
With the kids jingle belling
Children are excitedly ringing bells, creating a merry and cheerful atmosphere.
And everyone telling you be of good cheer
People are encouraging each other to be happy and in good spirits, adding to the festive mood.
It's the hap-happiest season of all
The emotions of joy and happiness are at their peak during this holiday season.
With those holiday greetings and gay happy meetings
People are warmly greeting each other with holiday wishes and enjoying happy, sociable gatherings.
When friends come to call
Friends make special efforts to visit each other during the holidays, enhancing the festive feeling.
There'll be parties for hosting
There will be a lot of social events and parties to attend and enjoy.
Marshmallows for toasting
People enjoy the simple pleasure of roasting marshmallows over an open fire, adding to the cozy ambiance.
And caroling out in the snow
Groups of people sing traditional carols together outside, even in cold weather, contributing to the holiday spirit.
There'll be scary ghost stories
People share spooky tales, often associated with Christmas, adding some unique and fun excitement to the festivities.
And tales of the glories
People also share stories of past Christmases, reminiscing about the positive memories and experiences associated with the holiday season.
Of Christmases long, long ago
People remember and share stories about Christmases from years gone by, adding to the sense of nostalgia and tradition.
There'll be much mistletoeing
People will enjoy the fun and romance of kissing under the mistletoe, adding a touch of romance to the festivities.
And hearts will be glowing
People's hearts will be filled with love and excitement, making the season even more special.
When loved ones are near
Having loved ones nearby during the holidays is one of the most special and cherished aspects of the season.
Yes, the most wonderful time
The holiday season is truly the most amazing time of the year.
Oh, the most wonderful time
The artist is emphasizing how truly wonderful and special the holiday season is.
Of the year
The holiday season is the most special and amazing time of the entire year, and everyone should savor and enjoy it to the fullest.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Eddie Pola, George Wyle
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@willramz7808
Listening in March 2024
@pabloa98
It is the most wonderful time 🎶
@jamjr5132
April 2024
@pereiraekociassociados7128
April 2024
@ajitpauldodray1677
😂 listening in April 2024
@heythatsjames14
April
@unbeatenlake790
Midnight. November 1st. It’s Christmas time again.
@bmendez3782
Well thanksgiving first then Christmas but still the holidays though.
@jcfreak4ever1
I don't care what date it is; Nov 1st and after is Christmas season for me! 🤩
@goji3190
I KRIMAAAAAAA