Joe Williams (December 12, 1918 – March 29, 1999) was a well-known jazz sin… Read Full Bio ↴Joe Williams (December 12, 1918 – March 29, 1999) was a well-known jazz singer.

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

That's All
Joe Williams Lyrics

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I can only give you love that lasts forever
And a promise to be near each time you call
And the only heart I own
For you and you alone
That's all, that's all

I can only give you country walks in springtime
And a hand to hold when leaves begin to fall

And a love whose burning light
Will warm the winter night
That's all, that's all

There are those, I am sure, that have told you
They would give you the world for a toy
All I have are these arms to enfold you
And a love time can never destroy

If you're wondering what I'm asking in return, dear
You'll be glad to know that my demands are small
Say it's me that you'll adore
For now and ever more
That's all, that's all

If you're wondering what I'm asking in return, dear
You'll be glad to know that my demands are small
Say it's me that you'll adore

For now and ever more
That's all, that's all

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Joe Williams's song "That's All" are romantic and heartfelt, expressing the singer's desire to give his love to someone special. He starts by singing that he can only give his love to someone for eternity and promises to be there for them whenever they need him. He tells them that the only heart he has belongs to them and them alone. The chorus repeats the phrase "that's all, that's all," emphasizing the idea that all he has to offer is his love and devotion.

In the second verse, Williams goes on to describe the simple pleasures he can provide, like taking walks in the countryside and being there to hold someone's hand as the seasons change. He promises a love that will warm them on cold winter nights, expressing that his love is steady and constant. The bridge of the song acknowledges that others may have promised the world to his loved one, but he has only himself to give.

The final chorus repeats the same sentiment as the first, that all he wants is to be loved in return. He asks for nothing more than to be adored by the one he loves for now and forever.

Overall, "That's All" is a tender love song that emphasizes the importance of genuine affection and devotion over material possessions.

Line by Line Meaning

I can only give you love that lasts forever
I am limited in the things I can give you, but I offer you an eternal love that will endure through everything life throws our way.

And a promise to be near each time you call
I promise to always be there for you, to listen to you when you need me, and to support you in every way I can.

And the only heart I own
My love for you is genuine and real, and it comes from the deepest part of me.

For you and you alone
My love is exclusive to you, and you alone. You are everything to me.

That's all, that's all
These are the limits of what I can offer you, but I hope they show you how much I care.

I can only give you country walks in springtime
I can take you out into the beauty of nature and share those moments with you, enjoying the simple things in life together.

And a hand to hold when leaves begin to fall
As the world changes and things start to fade, I will always be here to support you and give you comfort.

And a love whose burning light
My love for you is like a flame that never goes out, always shining bright and steadfast.

Will warm the winter night
Even during the coldest, darkest times, my love for you will be a source of warmth and light.

There are those, I am sure, that have told you
You have likely encountered others who promised you the world just to win your affection.

They would give you the world for a toy
They made grand gestures and promises, but when it came down to it, their love was fleeting and insubstantial.

All I have are these arms to enfold you
I have nothing grand or flashy to offer you, just my embrace to hold you close and keep you safe.

And a love time can never destroy
My love for you is eternal and incorruptible, transcending any boundary that time may place on earthly love.

If you're wondering what I'm asking in return, dear
If you're curious about what I might want from you in exchange for my love, I'll tell you now.

You'll be glad to know that my demands are small
I don't want anything extravagant or unreasonable in return for my love. My needs are simple and easily met.

Say it's me that you'll adore
All I ask is that you love me in return, that you hold me dear in your heart as I hold you in mine.

For now and ever more
I want you to be mine, now and always, until the end of time.

That's all, that's all
These are my hopes and dreams for us, wrapped up in these simple words. All I want is you, and that's all that matters.

Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BOB HAYMES

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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