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
Hallelujah I Love Her So
Joe Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She is my baby and she lives next door
Every mornin' 'fore the sun comes up
She brings me coffee in my favorite cup
That's why I know, yes, I know
Hallelujah, I just love her so
When I'm in trouble and I have no friend
Everybody asks me how I know
I smile at them and say, "She told me so"
That's why I know, oh, I know
Hallelujah, I just love her so
Now, if I call her on the telephone
And tell her that I'm all alone
By the time I count from one to four
I hear her (knock, knock, knock, knock) on my door
In the evening when the sun goes down
When there is nobody else around
She kisses me and she holds me tight
And tells me, "Daddy, everything's all right"
That's why I know, yes, I know
Hallelujah, I just love her so
Now, if I call her on the telephone
And tell her that I'm all alone
By the time I count from one to four
I hear her (knock, knock, knock, knock) on my door
In the evening when the sun goes down
When there is nobody else around
She kisses me and she holds me tight
And tells me, "Daddy, everything's all right"
That's why I know, yes, I know
Hallelujah, I just love her so
Oh, hallelujah
Don't you know, I just love her so?
She's my little woman, waitin' all this time
Babe, I'm a little fool for you, little girl
In Joe Williams's song "Hallelujah I Love Her So," the singer praises his love for a woman who lives next door to him. He begins by describing her as his baby and highlights the simple gesture of her bringing him coffee every morning before the sun comes up. He claims to know she is the one for him because she is always there for him in times of trouble and that she loves him just as much as he loves her. When he calls her on the phone and tells her he is alone, she immediately comes over to him, and when they are together, everything just feels right.
The song speaks to the power of love and the positive effect it can have on one's life. The singer finds comfort in the fact that his love is always there for him, allowing him to face his troubles with ease. He portrays the love as a calming force that makes everything better, even in the darkest of times. The song's repetitive nature of the chorus emphasizes the intensity of the singer's love and how deeply he cares for this woman.
Overall, "Hallelujah I Love Her So" is a simple yet profound love song that encapsulates the power of love and how it can make everything seem better.
Line by Line Meaning
Let me tell you 'bout a girl I know
I'm about to tell you about this amazing girl I know
She is my baby and she lives next door
She's my girlfriend and she lives next door
Every mornin' 'fore the sun comes up
Every morning before the sun rises
She brings me coffee in my favorite cup
She brings me coffee in my favorite cup and it makes me feel loved
That's why I know, yes, I know
That's why I'm sure that I love her
Hallelujah, I just love her so
I'm so grateful and happy to love her
When I'm in trouble and I have no friend
When I'm having a rough time and don't have anyone to turn to
I know she'll go with me until the end
I know she'll stick by my side until everything gets better
Everybody asks me how I know
People always ask me how I'm so sure about her
I smile at them and say, "She told me so"
I just smile and tell them that she's told me how much she cares
Now, if I call her on the telephone
If I call her on the phone
And tell her that I'm all alone
And tell her I'm feeling lonely
By the time I count from one to four
By the time I count to four
I hear her (knock, knock, knock, knock) on my door
She's already at my door knocking
In the evening when the sun goes down
At night when the sun sets
When there is nobody else around
When no one else is there
She kisses me and she holds me tight
She kisses me and holds me close
And tells me, "Daddy, everything's all right"
And tells me everything's okay
Oh, hallelujah
Oh, I'm so grateful
Don't you know, I just love her so?
Don't you know that I absolutely love her?
She's my little woman, waitin' all this time
She's my girlfriend who's waited patiently for me
Babe, I'm a little fool for you, little girl
I know I might be foolish, but I'm totally in love with you.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ray Charles
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind