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.
Second Time Around
Andy Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just as wonderful with both feet on the ground
It's that second time you hear your love song sung
Makes you think, perhaps, that love like you
Love's more comfortable the second time you fall
Like a friendly home the second time you call
Who can say what led us to this miracle we've found?
There are those who'll bet love comes but once and yet
I'm oh so glad we met the second time around
Who can say what led us to this miracle we've found?
There are those who'll bet love comes but once and yet
I'm oh so glad we met the second time around
The lyrics of "Second Time Around" by Andy Williams reflects on the idea of love, particularly the importance of second chances in a relationship. The song talks about how love becomes more comfortable and wonderful when experienced for the second time. It highlights the fact that hearing your love song sung for the second time can change your perspective about love, making you think that it is not wasted on the young.
The second verse of the song highlights the comfort and familiarity that comes with falling in love for the second time. It compares it to finding a friendly home that you can call your own. It then goes on to question what led two people to find each other and experience this miracle of love. The song suggests that while some believe that love comes only once, the singer is glad that they met for the second time around.
The song has a nostalgic tone and is perfect for couples who have found love after initially failing or for people who have grown older and are experiencing love again. It is an ode to second chances and a reminder that love can always be better the second time around.
Line by Line Meaning
Love is lovelier the second time around
Experiencing love again can be even more beautiful and enjoyable than the first time.
Just as wonderful with both feet on the ground
Being grounded and level-headed can make love just as wonderful the second time around.
It's that second time you hear your love song sung
Hearing a love song for the second time with a new love can make one realize that love can be just as amazing with a different partner.
Makes you think, perhaps, that love like you
Is wasted on the young
Experiencing love for a second time can make one realize that the feeling should be reserved for more mature individuals and not wasted on those who may not fully appreciate it.
Love's more comfortable the second time you fall
Falling in love for the second time can be more comfortable since past experiences have taught valuable lessons.
Like a friendly home the second time you call
Returning to a loving relationship can feel like coming home to a comfortable and familiar environment.
Who can say what led us to this miracle we've found?
It's unknown what events or circumstances led to finding such a wonderful love again.
There are those who'll bet love comes but once and yet
Some people believe that true love can only be found once in a lifetime.
I'm oh so glad we met the second time around
The singer is grateful and happy to have found love for a second time, despite doubters who believe it only comes once.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jimmy Van Heusen, Sammy Cahn
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Gary Twitchett
Andy Williams was one of the most Gifted Vocalists ever. I've loved his music since I was a young lad in the 60s.
Imani M
I agree he is one of the best singers of all time.
DoNNa M
Me too..
His collection was the first album I ever bought with my own money! 😊
Marcel Audubon
then why did he need all the artificial reverb? it was the '60s version of autotune
byron harkey
Its spectacular lyrics from a gifted song writer and best composer EVER and perfect singing from Andy.......a triple home run if there ever was for the lovliest of songs!
byron harkey
Andy had an incredibly gifted voice!
Jeffrey Lipinski
Andy is a huge true legend !! SUPERB VOICE AND A SUPERB SINGER.. HIS SONGS WERE SUPERB.. HUGE FAN OF ANDY I ALWAYS WILL BE.. HE WAS SIMPLY SENSATIONAL !!! GOD BLESS YOU ANDY R.I. P. MY FRIEND.. SUPERBLY DONE !! WHAT A LIFE HE HAD !!
Ann Marwick
I love Andy Williams, always have, always will. He does a great job on this song esp with the timing. Almost as good as Tony Bennett's version
•.Kitsie
My all-time favorite Andy Williams’ The Second Time Around!
Tim Kezar
Andy William's is the greatest singer I've heard