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.
Midnight Girl
Lenny Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And then you danced into my life
A lovely girl from a story book
I fell in love with just one look
Midnight girl
Your eyes were filled with such mystery
We held each other tenderly
The clock struck twelve and you ran away
Midnight girl, was it all a dream
Kissing and holding you next to me
Midnight girl, the story just can't end
'Til you're back in my arms again, come on in
I've got your silver shoes in my hand
A broken heart and shattered plans
But if it takes 'til the end of time
I'll find you girl and I'll make you mine
Midnight girl, was it all a dream
Kissing and holding you next to me
Midnight girl, the story just can't end
'Til you're back in my arms again, come on in
Come on in, come on in
Come on in, come on in
Midnight girl, was it all a dream
Kissing and holding you next to me
Midnight girl, the story just can't end
'Til you're back in my arms again, come on in
Midnight girl, kissing and holding you
Oh, midnight, midnight girl
Oh, midnight, midnight girl
Oh, midnight
It's a crowded place but where's your lovely face
All the flashing lights but it's a lonely night
The music plays and plays but you've gone away
Oh, midnight, midnight girl
Oh, midnight, midnight girl
It's a crowded place but where's your lovely face
All the flashing lights but it's a lonely night
The music plays and plays but you've gone away
Midnight, midnight girl
Midnight, midnight girl
Midnight, midnight girl
Lenny Williams's song "Midnight Girl" is a beautiful love song about a chance encounter with a girl that the singer falls in love with at first sight. The song begins with the singer talking about how he made a wish on a starry night, and then the girl he fell in love with danced into his life like she just walked out of a fairy tale. The singer sings about the girl's mystery and how they held each other tenderly. He never knew her name but she was his midnight girl. Unfortunately, the love affair was over before it began because the clock struck twelve, and the mysterious girl ran away, leaving the singer behind.
The rest of the song is about the singer's hope that he will find his midnight girl once again, even though he only has her silver shoes in his hand, and he's left with a broken heart and shattered plans. The song ends with the singer longing for his midnight girl, and how crowded places like clubs and discotheques remind him of the night he met her, and how he lost her as quickly as she came into his life.
In conclusion, "Midnight Girl" by Lenny Williams is a beautiful, romantic ballad about a brief, yet passionate love affair that ended as quickly as it began, leaving the singer longing for his lost love. The song speaks to the idea that life can be fleeting, and the moments we have with those we love are all the more precious because of it.
Line by Line Meaning
I made a wish on a starry night
I wished for something on a clear night sky.
And then you danced into my life
You entered my life in a flamboyant manner.
A lovely girl from a story book
You were so adorable that I saw you as a character straight out of a storybook.
I fell in love with just one look
I got mesmerized with your beauty at first sight.
Midnight girl
You reminded me of a mysterious girl who comes at midnight and leaves before dawn.
Your eyes were filled with such mystery
Your eyes looked like it had a compelling unsolved story.
We held each other tenderly
We hugged each other affectionately.
And just before you spoke your name
Before you could even tell me your name.
The clock struck twelve and you ran away
It was midnight, and you left quickly.
Midnight girl, was it all a dream
I'm unsure if it happened or not as it feels like a dream.
Kissing and holding you next to me
Being with you and feeling your touch.
The story just can't end
It feels like the story of 'us' can't just stop here.
'Til you're back in my arms again, come on in
Until you come back to my arms, I am waiting for you to return.
I've got your silver shoes in my hand
I still hold the souvenir that belongs to you.
A broken heart and shattered plans
My heart is in pieces and my plans are all a mess.
But if it takes 'til the end of time
Even if it takes forever.
I'll find you girl and I'll make you mine
I will leave no stone unturned to search for you and make you mine.
Come on in
Come back to me.
It's a crowded place but where's your lovely face
Even though it's jam-packed here, I can't seem to find your beautiful face.
All the flashing lights but it's a lonely night
The surroundings may look lively, but I feel lonely.
The music plays and plays but you've gone away
The music keeps playing, but you're no longer here.
Midnight, midnight girl
Girl who appears mysterious always, even in the middle of the night.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHN L FOOTMAN, THERESA G. MC FADDIN, FRANK EDWARD WILSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind