He was born Joseph Goreed in Cordele, Georgia and moved to Chicago as a child. He was raised by his mother and grandmother. He grew on the south side of Chicago, surrounded by jazz, blues, and gospel music. In the 1930s, as a teenager, he was a member of "The Jubilee Boys" and performed in Chicago churches.
He worked as a singer and bouncer in Chicago in the late 1930s and early 1940s. In 1943, he was hired by the Lionel Hampton Orchestra. He toured with Hampton for several years but never achieved breakthrough success.
He rose to national prominence as the singer for Count Basie's Orchestra in 1954. He remained with Basie for several years. "Everyday I have the Blues" is his biggest hit.
After leaving the Basie band, Williams continued to have a successful career working with his own jazz combo. He and Basie remained on good terms and he would regularly appear with the band.
Bill Cosby cast Williams as his father-in-law "Grandpa Al" Hanks in a recurring role on the 1980s sit-com The Cosby Show.
Williams enjoyed a successful career and worked regularly until his death. He died at age 80, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Joe Williams shares a birthday with Frank Sinatra who was also born Dec. 12, three years before Williams
Detour Ahead
Joe Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But why am I the only one travelin' this way?
How strange--the road to love should be so easy
Can't you see the detour ahead?
Wake up, slow down
Before you crash and break your heart, gullible clown
You fool, you're headed in the wrong direction
The further you travel, the harder to unravel the web
She spins around you
Turn back while there's time
Don't you see the danger sign?
Soft shoulders surround you
Smooth road, clear night
Oh, lucky me that suddenly I saw the light
I'm turning back away from all that sorrow
Smooth road, clear day
No detour ahead
The further you travel, the harder to unravel the web
She spins around you
Turn back while there's time
Don't you see the danger sign?
Soft shoulders surround you
Smooth road, clear night
Oh, lucky me that suddenly I saw the light
I'm turning back away from all that sorrow
Smooth road, clear day
No detour ahead
Joe Williams's song Detour Ahead was written by Herb Ellis, Johnny Frigo, and Lou Carter in 1946. The song is a warning about love, advising the listener to be cautious and watchful of the distractions that can hinder a loving relationship. The song features a metaphorical journey on a smooth road, which suddenly takes a detour, representing the sudden shift in a romantic relationship.
Throughout the song, Joe Williams sings of the confusion and frustration that comes with a relationship gone wrong. He questions why he is the only one traveling on this road to love and why it isn't as easy as it seems. The chorus speaks of the looming danger and advises slowing down and turning back before it's too late. The web spoken of in the lyrics represents the emotional entanglement of a messy relationship that gets harder to untangle the further one ventures into it. The song advises recognizing the danger signs and preventing heartbreak by avoiding the detour.
Line by Line Meaning
Smooth road, clear day
The journey seems straight forward and the weather is perfect.
But why am I the only one travelin' this way?
The singer is questioning if he is the only one involved in the journey of love.
How strange--the road to love should be so easy
The singer is perplexed that the journey of love is this difficult rather than easy.
Can't you see the detour ahead?
The singer is warning of a deviation that will soon surface.
Wake up, slow down
The singer is urging the listener to be more conscious and less reckless.
Before you crash and break your heart, gullible clown
The singer calls out to the listener to avoid being naive and prepare for a heartbreak.
You fool, you're headed in the wrong direction
The singer labels the listener as foolish and traveling in an opposite direction.
The further you travel, the harder to unravel the web
As the journey goes further the confusion grows more profound.
She spins around you
The singer is implying that the distraction that leads to the detour is a woman.
Turn back while there's time
The singer is advising that it is still possible to turn back.
Don't you see the danger sign?
The singer implores you to take notice of the warning signals.
Soft shoulders surround you
The singer implies that the listener is being deceived and trapped into the detour.
Smooth road, clear night
The singer has had an epiphany, clarity and safety are prevalent.
Oh, lucky me that suddenly I saw the light
The singer is acknowledging that self-realization came timely.
I'm turning back away from all that sorrow
The singer is making a conscious decision to avoid emotional or physical hazards.
Smooth road, clear day
The journey is once more plain, clear, and enjoyable.
No detour ahead
The singer is warning that there will be no more deviations in the journey of love.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: HERB ELLIS, JOHN FRIGO, LOU CARTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind