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
Just the Way You Are
Joe Williams Lyrics
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You never let me down before
Don't imagine you're too familiar
And I don't see you anymore
I wouldn't leave you in times of trouble
We never could have come this far
I took the good times; I'll take the bad times
Don't go trying some new fashion
Don't change the color of your hair
You always have my unspoken passion
Although I might not seem to care
I don't want clever conversation
I never want to work that hard
I just want someone that I can talk to
I want you just the way you are
I need to know that you will always be
The same old someone that I knew
What will it take till you believe in me
The way that I believe in you?
I said I love you and that's forever
And this I promise from the heart
I could not love you any better
I love you just the way you are
The lyrics to Joe Williams's song "Just the Way You Are" convey a message of unconditional love and acceptance. The singer tells his partner not to change themselves in order to please him, as they have never let him down before. He assures them that he still sees them even though they may feel unfamiliar at times. The singer acknowledges that every relationship has its ups and downs, but he wouldn't leave his partner in times of trouble. He loves them for who they are, taking them "just the way" they are, both during good and bad times.
The lyrics emphasize that the singer does not want his partner to conform to societal expectations or change their appearance. He values their true self, with all their imperfections. He cherishes their unspoken passions and desires, even though he may not always express them. The singer desires a deep connection with his partner and simply wants someone he can have meaningful conversations with.
The lyrics express the singer's need for consistency and stability in the relationship. He wants to be assured that his partner will always remain the same person he fell in love with. He wonders what it will take for his partner to believe in him as much as he believes in them. The singer displays his unwavering love and promises to love his partner forever, as he believes he couldn't possibly love them any better than he already does.
Overall, "Just the Way You Are" conveys a message of accepting and loving someone for who they truly are, with all their flaws and strengths, and having a deep connection that goes beyond appearances and societal expectations.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't go changing to try and please me
I don't want you to change who you are just to make me happy
You never let me down before
You have always been reliable and supportive
Don't imagine you're too familiar
Don't assume that you know me completely
And I don't see you anymore
I am not able to fully understand you anymore
I wouldn't leave you in times of trouble
I will stand by your side during difficult moments
We never could have come this far
Our relationship would not have reached this point
I took the good times; I'll take the bad times
I accept both the joyful and challenging moments
I'll take you just the way you are
I love and accept you for who you are
Don't go trying some new fashion
Don't feel the need to follow the latest trends
Don't change the color of your hair
I want you to stay true to yourself
You always have my unspoken passion
I have a deep, intense love for you even if I don't always express it
Although I might not seem to care
Sometimes, it may appear that I don't care, but in reality, I do
I don't want clever conversation
I don't need fancy or intellectual discussions
I never want to work that hard
I prefer effortless and genuine conversations
I just want someone that I can talk to
I simply desire a person with whom I can have meaningful conversations
I want you just the way you are
I want you exactly as you are, without any changes
I need to know that you will always be
It is important for me to have the assurance that you will forever remain
The same old someone that I knew
The person I fell in love with and have always known
What will it take till you believe in me
What do I need to do for you to trust and have faith in me
The way that I believe in you?
In the same way that I have complete trust and confidence in you
I said I love you and that's forever
I want you to know that my love for you is eternal
And this I promise from the heart
I sincerely promise this with all my heart
I could not love you any better
There is not a way for me to love you more deeply
I love you just the way you are
I love you exactly as you are, without any changes
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: Billy Joel
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind