Lenny Williams (born Leonard Charles Williams on February 6, 1945, in Littl… Read Full Bio ↴Lenny Williams (born Leonard Charles Williams on February 6, 1945, in Little Rock, Arkansas) is an American singer known for his work in the R&B and soul music genres.

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.

Half Past Love
Lenny Williams Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

kenangan bersama mu
takkan kulupa disampingmu
terbayang senyuman manis di bibirmu
canda tawamu
bersamaku
mumgkin ini terlalu lama
tuk ungkapkan rasa kepadamu
hanyalah dirimu

satu yang kucinta
tak pernah terlintas di fikirku
melupakanmu aku tak sanggup
aku ingin kamu
hanyalah kamu
mungkinkah
kau hanya mimpi bagiku
kuharap kau
kan bisa lagi bersamaku
...
telah lama kupendam rasa
karena ku takut kehilanganmu
bersamamu saja
tlah cukup
bahagia
masalalu yang sangat berarti
kenangan yang kan ku simpan slalu
aku ingin kamu

selalu
for you, ci :)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Lenny Williams's "Half Past Love" speak of the longing for a past romantic love. The Indonesian phrase "kenangan bersama mu takkan kulupa disampingmu" translates to "memories with you that I will never forget beside you." The memories of the sweet smile and laughter of the person being sung to still remain vivid in the singer's mind. The singer acknowledges that this feeling has been harbored for too long and it is only this person that they love. They have never thought of forgetting in the past, and they cannot do it now. The singer is not sure if this person is real or just a dream, and They hope that they could be together again.

The next few lines express how the singer has hidden this feeling for so long due to the fear of losing the person. Being with them is enough to be happy, and the memories that they have shared together are ones that the singer will always treasure. The song concludes with the singer's desire to have this person back in their life.

The song's meaning is one that many can relate to, as it encapsulates the feelings of nostalgia and longing for a romantic past. The lyrics are emotive, and the melody only adds to the song's emotional punch.

Line by Line Meaning

kenangan bersama mu
Memories with you

takkan kulupa disampingmu
I will never forget being with you

terbayang senyuman manis di bibirmu
Sweet smile on your lips comes to mind

canda tawamu
Your laughter and jokes

bersamaku
Being together with me

mumgkin ini terlalu lama
Maybe it's been too long

tuk ungkapkan rasa kepadamu
To express my feelings to you

hanyalah dirimu
Only you

satu yang kucinta
The one I love

tak pernah terlintas di fikirku
I never thought

melupakanmu aku tak sanggup
I can't forget you