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.
Love Hurt Me Love Healed Me
Lenny Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Waiting for your call
So unclear, I'm hanging on a notion
We could have it all
Time and time again you tell me to be patient
But we can't let love slip away
Baby, don't make me wait for love this time, oh
Oh, oh, darlin', a love like this is hard to find
Don't make me wait for love
I close the blinds and try to hide the darkness
Fall asleep alone
Give me a sign, a man ain't supposed to face life
Standing on his own
When you're near me I can't help but see forever
Come and rescue me tonight
Baby, don't make me wait for love this time, oh
Oh, oh, darlin', a love like this is hard to find
Can't you see I need your love, I need you
[Chorus]
Oh, oh, oh, baby, don't make me wait for love this time, oh
Oh, oh, darlin', a love like this is hard to find
Can't you see I need your love, I need you
Baby, don't make me wait for love this time
Oh, oh, darlin', a love like this is hard to find, ooh, baby
Baby, don't make me wait for love this time,
I need you, baby
I love you, I need you, I want you, baby
Lenny Williams's song "Don" is an emotional ballad about a man's longing for a lover who seems to be stringing him along. The first verse finds him alone, staring at a picture of the person in question, waiting for a call that has yet to come. He is uncertain about where he stands with this person, but he is holding onto the idea that they could have something special together. He has already been told to be patient, but he wants to make sure that their love does not slip away.
As the chorus begins, he begs his lover not to make him wait for love this time. He believes that the kind of love they could have is rare and special and does not want to let it go to waste. In the second verse, he shuts out the world by closing the blinds and falling asleep alone, hoping for a sign that this person will come back to him. He acknowledges that a man should not have to face life alone and asks for rescue.
The emotional power of the song is heightened by Williams's soulful vocals and the lush instrumentation. The lyrics speak to anyone who has been in a situation where they long for someone who is just out of reach, and Williams's delivery is so heartfelt that it is impossible not to be moved by his plight.
Line by Line Meaning
Sitting here just staring at your picture
I am sitting still, looking at a photograph of you
Waiting for your call
I'm waiting for you to contact me
So unclear, I'm hanging on a notion
I'm feeling unsure and hanging on to a belief
We could have it all
I believe we have the potential for greatness
Time and time again you tell me to be patient
You have frequently advised me to be patient
But we can't let love slip away
We must not permit our love to fade
Baby, don't make me wait for love this time, oh
Please, do not keep me in suspense with regards to our love
Oh, oh, darlin', a love like this is hard to find
A love such as ours is rare and difficult to come across
Don't make me wait for love
Do not delay in expressing your love for me
I close the blinds and try to hide the darkness
I am enclosing myself in my room and concealing my sorrows
Fall asleep alone
I go to sleep by myself
Give me a sign, a man ain't supposed to face life
Please give me a signal or hint; a man is not meant to overcome life's difficulties alone
Standing on his own
Fending for himself
When you're near me I can't help but see forever
Whenever you're close to me, the future appears bright
Come and rescue me tonight
Rescue me from loneliness tonight
Can't you see I need your love, I need you
Don't you realize that I crave your love and company?
Oh, oh, oh, baby, don't make me wait for love this time, oh
Oh, don't keep me waiting for your love this time, baby
I need you, baby
I want you, my love
I love you, I need you, I want you, baby
My feelings for you are strong; I love you, need you, want you
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: NARADA MICHAEL WALDEN, PRESTON W. GLASS, WALTER AFANASIEFF
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind