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
Have You Met Miss Jones
Joe Williams Lyrics
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I was awake--I wasn't blind
I didn't think; I felt it happened
Now I believe in matter over mind
And now you see we mustn't wait
The nearest moment that we marry is too late
Someone said as we shook hands
She was just Miss Jones to me
Then I said, "Miss Jones
You're a girl who understands
I'm a boy who must be free"
And all at once I lost my breath
And all at once was scared to death
And all at once I hold the earth and sky
Now I met Miss Jones
And well keep on meeting till we die
Miss Jones and I
The lyrics to Joe Williams's song 'Have You Met Miss Jones' are about a chance encounter between the singer and Miss Jones. The singer describes feeling a connection with Miss Jones as soon as they meet, and he quickly comes to the realization that he wants to be with her. The lyrics reflect the singer's belief in the power of physical attraction in matters of the heart, rather than intellectual or logical considerations.
The song conveys a sense of urgency, with the singer asserting that they can't wait too long to be together, as the opportunity may pass them by. He describes his fear and excitement at the thought of pursuing a romantic relationship with Miss Jones, and acknowledges that she is a woman who understands his need for freedom. Despite his initial nerves, the singer is confident that he and Miss Jones will continue to meet and be together for the rest of their lives.
Overall, the lyrics to 'Have You Met Miss Jones' capture the rush of attraction and the thrill of newfound love, while also acknowledging the importance of timing and decisive action in matters of the heart.
Line by Line Meaning
It happened; I felt it happened
Something inexplicable took place and I had an intense feeling that it was happening to me
I was awake--I wasn't blind
I was in a state of consciousness and aware of my surroundings, not blinded by ignorance or naivety
I didn't think; I felt it happened
I didn't use rational thought or reasoning to understand what was happening, but rather relied on my emotions to comprehend it
Now I believe in matter over mind
I have come to understand that our physical world is more important than intellectual and philosophical concepts
And now you see we mustn't wait
We cannot afford to delay or hesitate any longer
The nearest moment that we marry is too late
If we don't act soon, we will regret not having taken action earlier
"Have you met Miss Jones?"
Someone asked me whether I had met a woman named Miss Jones
Someone said as we shook hands
The person introduced Miss Jones to me while we were shaking hands
She was just Miss Jones to me
Initially, Miss Jones was just another woman with no significant meaning to me
Then I said, "Miss Jones
I addressed her by her name, Miss Jones
You're a girl who understands
I acknowledged that she has a good understanding of things
I'm a boy who must be free"
I informed Miss Jones that I value my independence and don't want to be tied down to anything or anyone
And all at once I lost my breath
Suddenly, my breath was taken away due to the shock, excitement or awe I experienced
And all at once was scared to death
I became extremely frightened and anxious all of a sudden
And all at once I hold the earth and sky
I felt like I was holding the entire universe in my hands in that moment
Now I met Miss Jones
As the conversation continued, I started to get to know Miss Jones better
And well keep on meeting till we die
We plan to keep seeing each other and spending time together until we pass away
Miss Jones and I
The last line simply states that Miss Jones and I are now acquaintances, maybe even more than that
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: LORENZ HART, RICHARD RODGERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind