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
Teach Me Tonight
Joe Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well, don't think I'm trying not to learn
Since this is the perfect spot to learn
Teach me tonight
Starting with the A-B-C of it
Getting right down to the X-Y-Z of it
Help me solve the mystery of it
The sky's a blackboard high above you
And if a shooting star goes by
I'll use that star to write "I love you"
A thousand times across the sky
One thing isn't very clear, my love
Teachers shouldn't stand so near, my love
Graduation's almost here, my love
You'd better teach me tonight
I've played loves scenes in a flick or two
And I've also met a chick or two
But I still can learn a trick or two
Hey, teach me tonight
I who thought I knew the score of it
Kind of think I should know much more of it
Off the wall, the bed, the floor of it
Hey, teach me tonight
The midnight hours come slowly creeping
When there's no one there but you
There must be more to life than sleeping
Single in a bed for two
What I need most is post graduate
What I feel is hard to articulate
If you want me to matriculate
You'd better teach me tonight
What do you get for lessons?
Teach me
Come on and teach me
Teach me tonight
In the song "Teach Me Tonight," Joe Williams expresses a willingness to learn from a lover. Williams acknowledges that he may have a lot to learn, but he’s eager to learn. The setting is the perfect spot for a lesson, and Williams asks his partner to guide him through the basics of love, starting with the A-B-C of it and getting right down to the X-Y-Z. He wants help to solve the mystery of love. Williams also acknowledges that he’s played love scenes in a movie and met a few chicks, but he needs to learn new tricks.
The song is about a man seeking to learn everything he can about love from his partner. He wants to learn more about the physical and emotional aspects, and he is open to being taught any and everything. The song was written in a time when societal roles were more set in stone. There was an expectation that men should know what they are doing in terms of love and romance. Joe Williams subverts this expectation by showing that it's okay for men to need help.
Line by Line Meaning
Did you say that I've got a lot to learn?
Do you think I lack knowledge?
Well, don't think I'm trying not to learn
I'm eager to learn and improve.
Since this is the perfect spot to learn
This is the right place and time to learn.
Teach me tonight
Please teach me now.
Starting with the A-B-C of it
Begin with the basics.
Getting right down to the X-Y-Z of it
Proceed to the advanced level.
Help me solve the mystery of it
Assist me to understand the unknown.
Teach me tonight
Please teach me now.
The sky's a blackboard high above you
The sky is a canvas for learning opportunities.
And if a shooting star goes by
If we see a shooting star in the sky.
I'll use that star to write "I love you"
I'll use the star to express my love to you.
A thousand times across the sky
Repeatedly show my love for you.
One thing isn't very clear, my love
One thing still confuses me, dear.
Teachers shouldn't stand so near, my love
Teachers shouldn't be too intimate with their students.
Graduation's almost here, my love
We need to learn quickly before graduation.
You'd better teach me tonight
Please teach me now if you want me to learn.
I've played loves scenes in a flick or two
I've acted in romantic movies before.
And I've also met a chick or two
I've dated a few women before.
But I still can learn a trick or two
I'm still willing to learn new things.
Hey, teach me tonight
Please teach me now.
I who thought I knew the score of it
I thought I had it all figured out.
Kind of think I should know much more of it
I realize I need to know more about it.
Off the wall, the bed, the floor of it
Every aspect of it, regardless of its peculiarity.
Hey, teach me tonight
Please teach me now.
The midnight hours come slowly creeping
The late hours of the night arrive slowly.
When there's no one there but you
When you're the only one with me.
There must be more to life than sleeping
Life must have more to offer beyond sleeping.
Single in a bed for two
Being alone in a bed meant for two people.
What I need most is post-graduate
I need an advanced level of learning.
What I feel is hard to articulate
It's difficult for me to express or explain my feelings.
If you want me to matriculate
If you want me to continue my education.
You'd better teach me tonight
Please teach me now if you want me to learn.
What do you get for lessons?
What will I gain from this lesson?
Teach me
Please teach me.
Come on and teach me
Please teach me now.
Teach me tonight
Please teach me now.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Sammy Cahn, Gene De Paul
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind