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
Honeysuckle Rose
Joe Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When they see you out with me
Goodness knows
You're my honeysuckle rose
When you're passin' by, flowers droop and sigh
And I know the reason why
Goodness knows
You're my honeysuckle rose
Don't buy sugar
You just have to touch my cup
You're my sugar
It's sweeter when you stir it up
When I'm taking sips from your tasty lips
Seems the honey fairly drips
Goodness knows
You're my honeysuckle rose
Goodness knows
You're my honeysuckle rose
Don't buy sugar
You just have to touch my cup
You're my sugar
It's sweeter when you stir it up
When I'm taking sips from your tasty lips
Seems the honey fairly drips
Goodness knows
You're my honeysuckle rose
The first two lines of Joe Williams's Honeysuckle Rose convey the singer's belief that every honey bee becomes envious upon seeing them together. The singer then addresses their lover, calling them "my honeysuckle rose" and expressing that the sight of their lover causes flowers to droop and sigh. The singer also mentions that they do not need to add sugar to their drinks because their lover is sweet enough.
The third stanza of the song is slightly more explicit about the nature of the singer's relationship with their lover. The singer describes taking sips from their lover's "tasty lips" and claims that the sweetness of the moment feels like honey pouring down. The repetition of "goodness knows" emphasizes the singer's intense feelings of admiration and appreciation towards their lover.
Overall, the lyrics of Honeysuckle Rose reflect a deep appreciation for a romantic partner, using the metaphor of a honeysuckle rose to convey sweetness and attraction. The lyrics highlight the physical and emotional connection between the singer and their lover, using metaphors such as the honey imagery in the third verse to express their feelings.
Line by Line Meaning
Every honey bee fills with jealousy
Other people envy me when they see us together
When they see you out with me
When others see us going around as a pair
Goodness knows
It's a fact that
You're my honeysuckle rose
You are something I cherish dearly
When you're passin' by, flowers droop and sigh
Plants and fauna are so mesmerized by you that they wilt
And I know the reason why
I am the only one who knows the secret behind this
Don't buy sugar
You don't need to bribe me
You just have to touch my cup
A tiny bit of your affection is enough
You're my sugar
Your love is the sweetest thing to me
It's sweeter when you stir it up
My love for you is greater when we're together
When I'm taking sips from your tasty lips
Kissing you is delightful
Seems the honey fairly drips
It's as if we're consuming the nectar of life itself
Goodness knows
It's a fact that
You're my honeysuckle rose
You are something I cherish dearly
Goodness knows
It's a fact that
You're my honeysuckle rose
You are something I cherish dearly
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Andy Razaf, Thomas Waller
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind