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.

Somebody else
Lenny Williams Lyrics

Two years ago, you broke my heart.
Said you was leaving me.
Said you want to make a brand new start.
Said you found a new man.
He made you laugh, he made you smile
Made your life so worth while.
But lately, you′ve been calling me,
paging me, texting me, emailing me...
Said it didn't work out
Said you found out what it was all about

Now you say you wanna come back, you wanna get on the right track
But ohhhhhhh...
Im not tryna hurt you girl but

Somebody else is holding me,
Somebody else is squeezing me,
Somebody else is pleasing me,
Somebody else is teasing me,
Somebody else is holfing my hand,
Somebody else is calling me their man,
Somebody else is driving me to work,
Somebody else is taking me to church,
Somebody else is driving my car,
Somebody else is my shining star,
Somebody else supplying my needs,
Somebody else got their name on my D,
Somebody else is drawing my bath,
Somebody else is making me laugh,
Somebody else is massaging my neck,
Somebody else is cashing my cheque
Somebody else baby

Yoh girl i remember the day when you told me that you were leaving
Its the day that i will never forget as long as i live
And i remember after you told me that you were leaving and you
turned around and you walked away... And you never looked back

And i went into the house and i closed
the door and i shut out the blinds and i...
And then I... I got on the telephone and i I called my boss at
work and i told him that i need to take an emergency vacation.
He said i had about 2 weeks, and i said i needed all of it...
Then i unplugged the phone and i just sat down on the couch and i
And i thought about you and i thought about
me and all the time we had put in together.
And i know i must admit it but when i sat there you know
I cried
I cried baby
I cried big tears over you
Oh oh oh oh oh baby
And as i was sitting there, for i don′t how long
There seem like a voice that just came to me and sounded like it was
my grandmother's voice and she said,
boy get on up and wash your face and go outside.
And i just sat there, and after a while that voice came back to me
And said boy i told you to get up
and i knew it was my grandmother's voice
And i got up
And i wash my face
And i went outside
And the sun was shining
And the birds were singing
And ever since that day
Somebody else been loving me
Ohhhh oh baby
Let me tell you

Somebody else been fixing my plate
Somebody else been getting their C8
Somebody else is sharing my bed
Somebody else is getting me ohhhh
Somebody else baby
Somebody else is making my life worth while
Somebody else is making me smile
Somebody else is droping it like its hot
Somebody else is giving me all they got
Somebody else is backing it up
Somebody else is giving it to me like i can′t get enough
Somebody else baby, ohhhh
Oh oh baby
Somebody else baby

Writer(s): Leonard Williams, Charles Leonard, Lionel Holman

Contributed by Katherine H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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