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.
What Is Hip?
Lenny Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And ease on into a hip bag
But you ain't just exactly sure what's hip
So you start to let your hair grow
Spend big bucks to cop you a wardrobe
But somehow you know there's much more to the trip
[Chorus]What is hip?
Tell me, tell me if you think you know
What is hip?
If you was really hip
The passing years would show
You into a hip trip
Maybe hipper than hip
But what is hip?
So you became part of the new breed
Been smokin' only the best weed
Been hangin' out on the so-called hippest set
Being seen at all the right places
Being seen with just the right faces
You should be satisfied
Still it ain't quite right
[Chorus]
Hipness, what it is!
Hipness, what it is!
Hipness, what it is!
And sometimes hipness is
What it ain't!
You done even went and found you a guru
And maybe even managed
To raise your conscious level
As you striving to find the right road
There's one thing you should know
What's hip today
Might become passe
Lenny Williams's song What Is Hip? speaks to the idea of conformity and trying to fit in with what society deems as "hip." The lyrics suggest that people will go to great lengths to try to be cool, including changing their appearance, socializing in certain circles, and even seeking out a guru to guide them. However, even after all of these efforts, the song suggests that people will still feel as though something is missing.
The chorus of the song repeatedly asks the question "What is hip?" suggesting that there is no clear answer to this question. It seems to suggest that being "hip" is a subjective concept, and what is considered cool or trendy at one point in time might be seen as outdated in the future. Essentially, the song is suggesting that people should focus less on trying to fit in with what is trendy and more on being true to themselves.
Overall, the song critiques the idea of conformity and challenges listeners to embrace their individuality rather than simply following what society deems as "hip."
Line by Line Meaning
So you want to jump out your trick bag
You're trying to break away from your current style/identity
And ease on into a hip bag
You want to transition into a cooler, more trendy persona
But you ain't just exactly sure what's hip
You're not certain what exactly makes one cool or fashionable
So you start to let your hair grow
You begin to make physical changes in order to become more stylish
Spend big bucks to cop you a wardrobe
You are investing a lot of money in order to dress the part
But somehow you know there's much more to the trip
You have a sense that there is more to being trendy than just your appearance
What is hip? Tell me, tell me if you think you know
The singer is questioning the listener's understanding of what being hip really means
If you was really hip, the passing years would show
Being genuinely stylish means it will still show as time goes by
You into a hip trip, maybe hipper than hip, but what is hip?
You may have embraced a fashionable life, but you still don't know what true hipness is
So you became part of the new breed
You've joined a new and trendy group of people
Been smokin' only the best weed
You've even upgraded the quality of your recreational habits
Been hangin' out on the so-called hippest set
You're spending time with the people who are considered the most fashionable
Being seen at all the right places
You're attending all of the most popular events
Being seen with just the right faces
You're associating yourself with the people who are the most trendy
You should be satisfied, still it ain't quite right
Despite all your efforts, you're still not completely happy with your style
Hipness, what it is! Hipness, what it is! Hipness, what it is!
The singer is emphasizing the importance of understanding what true hipness means
And sometimes hipness is what it ain't!
Sometimes true style isn't about what it is, but rather what it is not
You done even went and found you a guru
You've even looked for spiritual guidance in your quest for style
In your effort to find you a new you
You are trying to redefine your identity
And maybe even managed to raise your conscious level
Through this journey, you've become more self-aware
As you striving to find the right road
You are trying your best to discover what is the correct path to hipness
There's one thing you should know
The singer wants you to understand something important
What's hip today might become passe
What is fashionable today may not be in the near future
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: EMILIO CASTILLO, JOHN DAVID GARIBALDI, STEPHEN M KUPKA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
YinYang1st
No hate to Lenny, but I really enjoyed this concert a lot more than last year's.
mastermooky
excellent! who is gerardo? what school is this? lenny, you are still blazin!!!
Raymond Rivera
I WISH GERARDO SINGS NEXT TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HarryBalsak
San Leandro High School in California