Washington, in fact, was one of her earliest influences. Williams had been listening to soul and R&B religiously since childhood when Mr. Magic's cutting-edge blend of jazz and R&B ignited a teenage Williams' interest in jazz. "Grover's my idol," says Williams. "He laughs when I tell him that I learned to play the saxophone listening to his records, but it's true. I'd listen to Mr. Magic or Live at the Bijou and copy his solos. I think that when an artist finds his or her own style, it comes from having so many different influences. I loved everyone from The Crusaders to the Ohio Players."
Other saxmen who helped Williams develop her own sound range from David Sanborn and his mentor Hank Crawford to bebop revolutionary Charlie Parker to long-time James Brown employee Maceo Parker to the late Don Myrick -- an unofficial Earth, Wind & Fire member.
Playing with the Martin Luther King Jazz Ensemble at King High School in Philly's historic Germantown section, Williams was required to embrace both electric jazz-funk and hardcore bebop. Playing in the Ensemble's rhythm section were the improvisors who went on to become "Quiet Storm" favorites Pieces of a Dream.
By the time Williams left Philly's rowhouses and cheesesteaks for L.A.'s sun, surf and smog, she had toured extensively and internationally backing fellow Philadelphian Patti LaBelle. "My success truly stems from Patti's graciousness," says Williams. "She has wholeheartedly supported me and built me up as an artist. I have learned so much from Patti. She is an amazing woman."
While many Philly musicians have made New York their home, Williams chose L.A. primarily because of the opportunities it offers in television and film. Since moving west, Williams has been employed by Arsenio Hall on Arsenio, Jay Leno on The Tonight Show and Rick Dees on Into the Night. In addition to touring with Teena Marie and performing with Prince, Babyface and Chanté Moore, she has appeared in a wide variety of videos by artists ranging from soul veteran Barry White ("Come On") to rapper/actress Queen Latifah ("Hard Times").
Williams notes that she enjoys performing in a variety of contexts. One thing she won't embrace is the more hardcore, explicit gangster rap. "Music is so powerful, I think it should be used to uplift, not degenerate," she emphasizes. "Queen Latifah's music is very uplifting, but some of the gangster rap is too extreme. I don't want to be a part of a negative message -- especially when you consider that children may be listening. Earth, Wind & Fire were one of my all-time favorite bands because their message was so positive and uplifting. If you were feeling down, all you had to do was listen to them."
But whatever style of music she embraces, Williams is unlikely to be confined to any one genre. "Some people feel like if you aren't playing straight-ahead jazz or classical music, you aren't a serious musician," she explains. "I don't agree with that statement in its entirety. I enjoy performing in a multitude of musical styles from Latin music, jazz, R&B, hip-hop and house. Variety keeps me fresh."
Natural Woman
Pamela Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And when I knew I'd have face another day.
Lord, it made me feel so tired.
Before the day I met you
Life was so unkind.
Your love was the key to my peace of mind
'Cause you make me feel, you make me feel,
You make me feel like a natural woman.
You came along to claim it.
I didn't know just what was wrong with me
Till your kiss helped me name it.
Now I'm no longer doubtful of what I'm livin' for,
'Cause if I make you happy I don't need to do more.
You make me feel, you make me feel,
You make me feel like a natural woman.
Oh, baby, what you've done to me
(What you've done to me')
You make me feel so good inside
(Good inside.)
And I just want to be
(Want to be)
Close to you.
You make me feel so alive!
You make me feel, you make me feel,
You make me feel like a natural, natural woman.
You make me feel, you make me feel,
You make me feel like a natural natural woman
You make me feel, you make me feel,
You make me feel like a natural natural woman
The lyrics to Pamela Williams’s song Natural Woman is a powerful declaration of love to an individual who has transformed the singer’s life. The song begins with the singer reflecting on a time when she felt uninspired and weary of facing another day. However, this changed after she met the subject of the song, whose love became the key to her peace of mind. The singer acknowledges that before meeting the individual in question, life was unkind, and their love was the missing piece that made her feel like a natural woman, someone who was comfortable in her own skin.
As the song progresses, the singer’s adoration for her partner is evident as she states that they make her feel so good inside, and she wants to be close to them. The subject of the song has played a fundamental role in the singer’s transformation from feeling lost and doubtful about life to feeling alive and confident. The person has given her a sense of direction and a reason to wake up each day without any need for validation from others.
Overall, the song is a beautiful tribute to love and its transformative power. The singer’s lyrics demonstrate how love can give someone a sense of purpose and change their lives for the better. The upbeat yet soulful melody compliments the lyrics and makes it a powerful song that resonates with listeners.
Line by Line Meaning
Looking out on the morning rain I used to feel uninspired
I used to feel bored and lacking motivation, like the rain outside my window was a reminder of my unfulfilled life.
And when I knew I'd have face another day.
Knowing I had to face another day was daunting and draining.
Lord, it made me feel so tired.
Thinking about facing another day made me feel so exhausted.
Before the day I met you Life was so unkind.
Life was ungenerous and without meaning before I met you.
Your love was the key to my peace of mind
Your love brought me the peace of mind I had been longing for.
'Cause you make me feel, you make me feel, You make me feel like a natural woman.
You make me feel special, confident, and comfortable in my own skin, like a natural woman.
When my soul was in the lost and found You came along to claim it.
When my soul was lost and directionless, you found it and helped me reclaim it.
I didn't know just what was wrong with me Till your kiss helped me name it.
I wasn't sure what was bothering me until your kiss helped me realize what was lacking.
Now I'm no longer doubtful of what I'm livin' for, 'Cause if I make you happy I don't need to do more.
I have found my purpose and fulfillment in making you happy and no longer doubt what I am living for.
Oh, baby, what you've done to me (What you've done to me')
Oh, baby, the positive impact you've had on me is immeasurable.
You make me feel so good inside (Good inside.)
You make me feel so happy and fulfilled inside.
And I just want to be (Want to be) Close to you.
I just want to be near you and feel the joy and contentment you bring me.
You make me feel so alive!
You make me feel energized and alive.
You make me feel, you make me feel, You make me feel like a natural, natural woman.
You make me feel proud and confident in my identity as a woman, like it is the most natural thing in the world.
You make me feel, you make me feel, You make me feel like a natural natural woman
You make me feel like a strong, confident, and natural woman through your love and support.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Gerry Goffin, Carole King, Jerry Wexler
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind