During the 1970s, he was the lead vocalist for Tower of Power. As a soloist, he made several hit recordings, including “Cause I love You” (recorded on his solo album) and “So Very Hard To Go’
Background
Williams moved to Oakland at a very young age. Learning to play the trumpet in elementary school fueled his interest in music; his skills as a vocalist were first nurtured by singing in gospel choirs and groups around the Bay Area. He worked with several notable artists, such as Sly Stone, Andre Crouch, Billy Preston and members of the Hawkins family, Edwin, Walter and Tremaine.
Professional recordings
After winning several local talent contests, Williams signed his first record deal with Fantasy Records. He cut two singles for the label including “Lisa’s Gone” and “Feelin Blue”, written by John Fogerty of Credence Clearwater Revival. In 1972, Williams' stint with Atlantic Records was placed on hold, when he joined the emerging funk band Tower of Power. A string of hits, including “ So Very Hard To Go’,“Don’t Change Horses (In The Middle Of The Stream)” and Eric Jackson's luvin You, written by Williams and Johnny "Guitar" Watson. During his two years with the group, Williams participated in three milestone albums, the gold LP Tower Of Power, Back To Oakland, and Urban Renewal, while touring throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia.
Solo works
At the end of 1975, Williams returned to his solo projects. Initially signing with Motown Records in 1972, he later moved to ABC Records in 1977 (which was then purchased by MCA Records in 1979). Over the next four years. He scored ten charted hits, including “Shoo Doo FuFu Ooh”, ‘Choosing You”, “You Got Me Running”, “Love Hurt Me Love Healed Me”, and “Midnight Girl”. Williams recorded four more albums from 1977 to 1980, Choosing You, his first gold LP, Spark Of Love, Love Current, and Let’s Do It Today.
After leaving MCA, Williams recorded for independent labels, Rockshire and Knobhill. In 1986, he was invited to sing vocals on “Don’t Make Me Wait For Love” a track from Duo Tones, a multi-platinum recording by Kenny G. The song became a top 20 pop and R&B hit the following year.
Anytime
Lenny Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
From something that was so meant to be, yeah
Forever was the promise in our hearts
Now, more and more I wonder where you are
[chorus]
Do I ever cross your mind, anytime
Do you ever wake up reaching out for me
Do I ever cross your mind anytime
Still have your picture in a frame
Hear your footsteps down the hall
I swear I hear your voice, driving me insane
How I wish that you would call
To say
Chorus
I miss you
I miss you
(no more) loneliness and heartache
(no more) crying myself to sleep
(don't want no more) wondering about tomorrow
Won't you come back to me
Come back to me, oh
Chorus
Chorus
I miss you
I miss you
I miss you
The lyrics of Lenny Williams's song "Anytime" depict a scenario of a love that has fallen apart. The singer can't seem to recall the reason behind the separation from the one who was "so meant to be." The promise of forever in their hearts has been broken, and the singer is left to wonder about their former lover. The chorus builds on the theme of wondering as the singer asks if they ever cross their former lover's mind or if they ever wake up reaching out for them. The singer still holds onto memories of their former lover, with a picture in a frame and hearing their footsteps down the hall; the longing for a phone call from their former lover is intense.
These lyrics showcase the pain of separation and the longing for love lost. The sorrowful tones of the song highlight the struggle of moving on and the desire to be reunited with the former lover. The lyrics also captivate the idea of how memories of someone can linger long after they are gone, causing one to feel the sting of missing them.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't remember why we fell apart
I cannot recollect the reason why we broke up.
From something that was so meant to be, yeah
Our relationship had a destiny, but it couldn't work out.
Forever was the promise in our hearts
The commitment we made was for a lifetime.
Now, more and more I wonder where you are
I keep thinking about your whereabouts each day more than ever.
Do I ever cross your mind, anytime
Do you think of me, at any point in time?
Do you ever wake up reaching out for me
Do you wake up wanting to be with me?
I miss you
I long for your presence.
Still have your picture in a frame
I still have a photograph of you that I have framed.
Hear your footsteps down the hall
I can hear the sound of your footsteps from the hallway.
I swear I hear your voice, driving me insane
I feel like I can hear your voice, and it's making me go crazy.
How I wish that you would call
I desperately want you to reach out and contact me.
I miss you
I long for your presence.
(no more) loneliness and heartache
I want to put an end to my pain and suffering.
(no more) crying myself to sleep
I don't want to cry myself to sleep anymore.
(don't want no more) wondering about tomorrow
I don't want to worry about what will happen tomorrow anymore.
Won't you come back to me
Please come back to me.
Chorus
Refrain from the song.
Chorus
Refrain from the song.
I miss you
I long for your presence.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Michael Brandon Barnes, Brian Kelly Mcknight
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
tasinallb
Lenny is the ultimate class act, so much talent, so much passion. . so beautiful and hopeful. . .Lenny covers in all in his song. . makes me think about my own personal life. . he may never come back to see what happened to me, but the thought of being able to say that one day . . feels good.
Reesey Lynn
Love this song...I saw him live in Nashville and I was not disappointed...awsome show
B Roq
Love this brother's singing style. Unique, and very underrated
middleofmars
You did it again Lenny! Good music.
Tracey Philpott
All right yall, this my joint here... All I can say is Damn Lenny you did this song. Have a great weekend to all my friends... :)
DEB Hampton
I feel this way myself. Love this song.
Ms. Parker
LOOOOOVE IT!!!!!
thejukejoint
Man.. this jammin! I would have never heard this song it wasn't for Youtube. I live in Califorina. There is no Southern Soul station where I am. I DJ in the Los Angeles, and I will make sure i continue to promote the hell out of southern soul!!! Thanks for youtube and you.
Curtis Evans
Ladies if you dont take care of your man "SOMEBODY ELSE" will. Lenny is the man.
Maga Lee
adoro essa música!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!