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.
Medley: Happy Holidays/The Holiday Season
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
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 whoop 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
(Yeah)
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 whoop 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 holidays to you
(Happy holiday, happy holiday, happy holiday)
The lyrics of Andy Williams's song "Medley: Happy Holidays/The Holiday Season" celebrate the festive spirit of Christmas. The repetition of "Happy holiday" creates a joyful and upbeat mood that sets the tone for the song. The song hints at the arrival of Santa Claus on his sleigh, carrying toys for all the good boys and girls. The reference to the "chimney down" reinforces the image of Santa traditionally delivering presents by sliding down chimneys. The lyrics suggest leaving a peppermint stick for Santa as a gesture of kindness and gratitude.
The second half of the song is focused on preparing for Santa's visit by hanging stockings ("hang up your sock") and waiting for his arrival ("just exactly at twelve o'clock"). The lyrics create a playful atmosphere, encouraging listeners to enjoy the festive season and its traditions. The overall message of the song is to embrace the spirit of the holiday season and spread happiness and cheer.
Line by Line Meaning
Happy holiday (happy holiday)
Let’s celebrate and be cheerful.
Happy holiday (happy holiday)
Let’s continue celebrating and be even more joyful.
While the merry bells keep ringing
As the festive bells are chiming joyfully in the background.
Happy holiday to you
Wishing you a cheerful and memorable holiday season.
It's the holiday season
This is the season of joy and giving.
And Santa Claus is coming round
Santa Claus is on his way bringing gifts and spreading cheer.
The Christmas snow is white on the ground
The pure white snow of Christmas is visible on the ground.
When old Santa gets into town
When Santa arrives in your town, be prepared for joy and happiness.
He'll be coming down the chimney down
Santa will enter your home through the fireplace chimney.
And Santa Claus has got a toy
Santa Claus has a present for every good boy and girl.
For every good girl and good little boy
All children who have been good this year are in for a treat from Santa.
Santa's a great big bundle of joy
Joy and a great spirit of giving is embodied in Santa Claus.
He'll have a big fat pack upon his back
All the presents Santa has for the children are carried in a huge bag on his back.
And lots of goodies for you and for me
A variety of treats and presents from Santa are meant for everyone.
So leave a peppermint stick for old St. Nick
Don’t forget to leave a special treat for Santa on the Christmas tree.
Hanging on the Christmas tree
The special treat for Santa should be hung on the Christmas tree for him to enjoy.
So whoop de do and dickory dock
Let’s get excited and have some fun without any worries during the holiday season.
And don't forget to hang up your sock
Don't forget to hang your stocking for Santa to fill with presents.
'Cause just exactly at twelve o'clock
At midnight, something magical will happen.
He'll be coming down the chimney down
Santa Claus will make his grand entrance into your home via the chimney.
Coming down the chimney
He will enter your home via the chimney in a magical way.
Happy holidays to you
Wishing you a cheerful and memorable holiday season.
(Happy holiday, happy holiday, happy holiday)
Once again, wishing you an abundance of happiness and celebration this holiday season.
Lyrics © IMAGEM U.S. LLC
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. @nicoleopenshaw6334…Prayers for God to touch Your 3 Year Old, and You…It’s 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 ☺
@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. 😊