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.
The Hawaian Wedding Song
Andy Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've waited for
I can hear my heart singing
Soon bells will be ringing
This is the moment
Of sweet aloha
I will love you longer than forever
Here and now dear
All my love
I vow dear
Promise me that you will leave me never
I will love you longer than forever
Now that we are one
Clouds won't hide the sun
Blue skies of Hawaii smile
On this, our wedding day
I do (I do) love you (love you) with all my heart
The Hawaiian Wedding Song by Andy Williams is a romantic ballad that captures the essence of a love-filled wedding ceremony. The lyrics describe the beauty and joy of the momentous day when two people join together in holy matrimony. The first stanza states that the singer has been waiting for this moment and can feel their heart singing. As the bells start ringing, it marks the beginning of a new journey.
The second stanza speaks of sweet aloha, where the singer promises to love their partner longer than forever. The vow is requested to be reciprocated with a promise from the partner to never leave. The third and final stanza marks the joyous occasion when the two become one, and nothing can hide the sun as the blue skies of Hawaii shine upon them. The singer takes the vow to love their partner with all their heart, forever.
This song is not only filled with love and passion but also teaches the importance of long-lasting commitment and vows of togetherness. The lyrics express the true essence of a Hawaiian wedding ceremony, where love and friendship are celebrated in the presence of nature's beauty.
Line by Line Meaning
This is the moment
The long-awaited moment has finally arrived
I've waited for
It has been a long time since this moment was first anticipated
I can hear my heart singing
I am filled with joy and emotion
Soon bells will be ringing
The sound of wedding bells will soon be heard
This is the moment
The present moment is one of great significance
Of sweet aloha
Filled with the spirit of Hawaii and love
I will love you longer than forever
My love for you is infinite
Promise me that you will leave me never
Make a vow to always stay by my side
Here and now dear
In this present moment, my love for you is strong
All my love
I give you all of my love
I vow dear
I make a solemn promise to you
Now that we are one
Since we have become united in love
Clouds won't hide the sun
No obstacle can diminish our happiness
Blue skies of Hawaii smile
The beauty of Hawaii reflects the happiness we share
On this, our wedding day
This is the day that we become joined in marriage
I do (I do) love you (love you) with all my heart
I declare my love for you, wholeheartedly
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, MUSIC SALES CORPORATION
Written by: KEN LORIN DARBY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Putri Anaya
This is the moment
I've waited for
I can hear my heart singing
Soon bells will be ringing
This is the moment
Of sweet aloha
I will love you longer than forever
Promise me that you will leave me never
Here and now dear
All my love
I vow dear
Promise me that you will leave me never
I will love you longer than forever
Now that we are one
Clouds won't hide the sun
Blue skies of Hawaii smile
On this, our wedding day
I do (I do) love you (love you) with all my heart
V R
My Mom is 95. This song is her favorite for weddings. I get the chills because he sang it with so much soul and beauty...makes me tear up every time I hear it. You can feel the love.
Jane Flanigan
This was my mom and dad's song. They were married in 1959. We just lost my mom in April. It hurts to hear it but, it's a celebration of 64 years of marriage. Their marriage is an example of true love. Miss you mom. ❤❤🙏🙏
Fernando Pereira
It's amazing the soothing in his voice in this song, love it too much.
Linda Smith
My mother (now 89) used to melt when she heard Andy Williams sing this. Next month
we are singing it at a wedding. It's one of the most dreamy love songs ever.
Philips Wilson
Simple music can make you sing simple hug can make you feel better simple things can make you happy, i hope my simple Hello brings smile to your face,,,,
Stephen Burn
First heard it in the sixties and it's lost none of it's charm. Beautiful
Rosangela Moraes de Jesus
Linda! Viajo quando a ouço. Obrigada.
Andy McKane
Beautifully done, Andy Williams! This song has makes me feel wonderfully happy every time I hear it! Thank you & Aloha!
AMANI ROSE
I was looking up hawaiian themes. I came across this I can't stop crying. My dad was a crooner and sang when he shaved in the morning. Andy Williams was one of his favorites. Thank you so much for retrieving those memories. Dad I miss you so does your little Rose.
Bruce Hedrick
Andy, and John Gary?