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
When I Fall in Love
Joe Williams Lyrics
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Or I'll never fall in love
In a restless world like this is
Love is ended before it's begun
And too many moonlight kisses
Seem to cool in the warmth of the sun
When I give my heart, it will be completely
And the moment I can feel that you feel that way too
Is when I fall in love with you
And the moment I can feel that you feel that way too
Is when I fall in love with you
In Joe Williams's song "When I Fall In Love," the lyrics express a deeply introspective and cautious approach to love. The singer sets high standards, acknowledging that when they fall in love, it will be a lifelong commitment. They emphasize that love cannot be taken lightly, as it has the potential to end even before it truly begins in our restless and unpredictable world.
The lyrics also touch upon the fragile nature of love. In a world where everything seems transient, the singer states that too many moonlight kisses seem to lose their meaning and fade away under the warmth of the sun. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for how love can be fleeting and easily diminished by the realities and challenges of life. The line suggests a desire for a love that is more enduring and substantial.
The next verse delves deeper into the singer's perspective on love. They declare that when they open themselves up to love, they will do so completely. There is no room for half-heartedness or lukewarm feelings. The singer has set a high bar, insisting that they will only give their heart fully or not at all. This highlights the author's reluctance to embrace love without true reciprocation and demonstrates a preference for emotional vulnerability and commitment.
The final lines of the song reveal the moment when the singer knows that they have fallen in love with someone. It is when they can sense that the other person feels the same way. This mutual recognition is portrayed as a crucial turning point, emphasizing the importance of having their feelings reciprocated before fully embracing and surrendering to love. This suggests a need for reassurance and security before fully investing emotionally.
Overall, the lyrics of "When I Fall In Love" shed light on the singer's cautious and reflective approach to love. They establish a desire for a deep, lasting connection rather than fleeting affection and emphasize the importance of mutual feelings and vulnerability when falling in love.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Edward Heyman, Victor Young
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind