During the 1970s, he was the lead vocalist for Tower of Power. As a soloist, he made several hit recordings, including โCause I love Youโ (recorded on his solo album) and โSo Very Hard To Goโ
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 โLisaโs Goneโ and โFeelin Blueโ, 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 โ So Very Hard To Goโ,โDonโt Change Horses (In The Middle Of The Stream)โ 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 โShoo Doo FuFu Oohโ, โChoosing Youโ, โYou Got Me Runningโ, โLove Hurt Me Love Healed Meโ, and โMidnight Girlโ. Williams recorded four more albums from 1977 to 1980, Choosing You, his first gold LP, Spark Of Love, Love Current, and Letโs Do It Today.
After leaving MCA, Williams recorded for independent labels, Rockshire and Knobhill. In 1986, he was invited to sing vocals on โDonโt Make Me Wait For Loveโ 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.
Where Did Our Love Go
Lenny Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My, how time does fly
Now we're walking up the steps to the courthouse
To forever say goodbye
All that's left is for the judge to slam the gavel
And for us to sign on the dotted line, oh
Tell me baby where did our love go
And all I wanna know is
Where did our love go?
I've been looking for our love darlin'
Do you miss our love like I do?
Tell me, do you wanna try one more time?
Don't leave me baby, oh no
I don't wanna say goodbye
Don't leave, don't leave me darling
Or else you're gonna see a grown, grown man cry
I know I've been bad girl, oh
I've done wrong a time or two, oh
But please, please don't confuse my badness
With my, with my, with my love for you
Listen darling
I spent all last night talking to the pastor
He told me nothing beats a failure
Nothing beats a failure but I'll try
And girl, can you, can't you see
This is a real teardrop, oh
And it's falling, falling, falling, falling from my eye, oh
Where did our love go?
I, I, I've been looking for our love darlin'
Do, do, do, do you miss our love like I do?
Tell me, is there any love left in you?
Don't leave me baby
Girl, don't say goodbye, oh
Don't leave, don't leave me darling
Cause I, I don't want you to see a grown man cry
Oh, oh oh oh oh oh oh oh baby
Girl, where did our love go?
I've been looking, I've been searching
I've been looking everywhere for our love
Oh, oh oh oh oh oh oh oh baby, yeah
Yeah girl, I, I told you yesterday I was doing a lot of thinking
And I was just, I was dreadin' coming down here today to this courthouse
But one while, I got a little smile on my face cause
I was thinking about when we
When we first met, the first time I ever saw you
And you were walking past me and I said
Hey girl, you forgot something
Come here, let me comb your hair
And you, you looked at me, and we started laughing
And then we went, sit down and had lunch, and
And next thing I knew, we was getting married
And we was raising kids and buying a house
And just having a good old time and
And then somehow I, I started drinking
I started hanging out with my friends
Stayed out all night, girl
Gambling, not paying the bills
Oh, oh baby
And you told me, you said
Lenny, you better straighten up, cause
You gonna lose your good thing
And somehow I don't know what it was, I
Maybe I just wouldn't listen
Girl but I, I kept on doing wrong
Oh, oh baby
One day I came home
I came home and you was gone
Girl I I I I, I went in the kitchen
And all the pots and pans were gone
I looked in the closet
And all, all your clothes were gone
And then I went to the kid's room, and
And the computers and their books were gone girl
And I sat down on the couch with my head in my hands
And I cried baby
Oh oh oh oh oh oh baby
I cried baby
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh baby
And then I came to myself
I started going to church
I called the pastor
I started going to counsel
I started reading books about how to get myself together
And let me tell you girl
Don't leave, don't leave me baby
Girl I, I know, I know we can find our love
Don't leave, don't leave me darling, oh
I've been, I've been looking for our love
Let me ask you one question
Where, where, where, where did our love go oh oh oh oh oh oh oh baby
Lenny Williams's song "Where Did Our Love Go" is a reflective ballad about the end of a long-term relationship. In the first stanza, Williams acknowledges the time that's passed since they first fell in love and the life they built together โ 12 years, 4 kids, 3 houses, and 2 dogs. Despite all they've experienced, he finds himself walking up to the courthouse to finalize their divorce. The judge is soon to slam the gavel and for them to sign on the dotted line as they say goodbye forever. The chorus repeats the question that's been weighing on Williams's mind โ where did their love go? He wonders if it's simply lost in space or time, a nostalgic musing on what could have been.
In the second stanza, Williams pleads with his partner not to leave him, vowing to fix any issues that have led them to this point. He admits that he's been unfaithful in the past, but doesn't want that to impact their love for each other. He's talked to a pastor, who told him that "nothing beats a failure but I'll try." Despite his mistakes, Williams still loves his partner and can feel himself falling apart at the thought of losing them. The last verse is a spoken reflection on their time together, as Williams recalls the moment when they first met and the joy they felt before things went wrong. He recognizes that the loss of their love is his fault, but hopes that they can find a way to repair what's been broken.
Line by Line Meaning
12 years 4 kids 3 houses 2 dogs
Reflecting on the time spent together and milestones reached in the relationship.
My, how time does fly
Amazed at how quickly the time together has gone.
Now we're walking up the steps to the courthouse
Going to the courthouse to end the relationship.
To forever say goodbye
Acknowledging that the relationship is ending permanently.
All that's left is for the judge to slam the gavel
The legal proceedings will soon be finalized.
And for us to sign on the dotted line, oh
The finalization of the legal proceedings requires both parties to sign documents.
Tell me baby where did our love go
Questioning where the love in the relationship has gone.
Is it lost somewhere in space or time?
Wondering if the love that was present has been lost forever.
And all I wanna know is
Expressing a desire for answers about the relationship.
I've been looking for our love darlin'
Searching for the love that was once present in the relationship.
Do you miss our love like I do?
Inquiring if the other person misses the love that was once present.
Tell me, do you wanna try one more time?
Asking if there is a possibility of reconciliation.
Don't leave me baby, oh no
Begging the other person not to end the relationship.
I don't wanna say goodbye
Expressing a desire to stay together rather than ending the relationship.
Don't leave, don't leave me darling
Pleading for the other person to stay and not end the relationship.
Or else you're gonna see a grown, grown man cry
A warning that ending the relationship will cause emotional pain.
I know I've been bad girl, oh
Admitting fault for negative actions in the relationship.
I've done wrong a time or two, oh
Acknowledging past mistakes.
But please, please don't confuse my badness
Asking the other person not to mistake past actions as lack of love.
With my, with my, with my love for you
Reinforcing that love for the other person is still present despite past mistakes.
Listen darling
Asking for the other person's attention.
I spent all last night talking to the pastor
Seeking guidance and advice from a religious leader.
He told me nothing beats a failure
Learning that failure can be an opportunity to learn and grow.
Nothing beats a failure but I'll try
Determined to try and make the relationship work despite past failures.
And girl, can you, can't you see
Asking for the other person's perspective.
This is a real teardrop, oh
Showing genuine emotion about the relationship's current state.
And it's falling, falling, falling, falling from my eye, oh
Tears are falling due to the emotional weight of the situation.
Let me ask you one question
Requesting a response from the other person.
Where, where, where, where did our love go oh oh oh oh oh oh oh baby
Asking for clarification and understanding about where the love in the relationship has gone.
Writer(s): Derek Allen, Lenny Williams
Contributed by Declan G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
B Blakey Sr
This a AWESOME song, thank you Lenny real R&B is coming back , these young bucks need to listen to this coming from the soul thanks again Lenny...
Anthony Harris
PL
demoCRIPS & reBLOODlicans 1
This dude is still making beautiful music! His music was before my time but I have an old soul and oh how I love his songs
Riva Fussball
This mans voice as aged like fine wine!! Goddam he still has pipes!! King Lenny!!
Prince Edward
This man is amazing! I haven't heard him since his TOP days, and thought he retired. Well, his music is just as great as ever, which explains why it doesn't sell in today's garbage-filled music market.
Margaret g
Love to hear this man sing no matter what he sings it makes you think
Thaaa
I have been waiting for something like this for a long time. Why is it that they don't make music like this anymore. This is CLASSIC hands down. Show them how its done Lenny. 1<3
vincy layou
I canโt believe I missed this song all these years-damn Lenny I wish the older folks are listening to this and adjusting their priorities! Great story telling of wisdom and experience.
Medina Black
This man will put the singers today to shame! He is still smooth and hell, he hasn't lost anything!
its over people
Right