1) Paul Hamilton Wil… Read Full Bio ↴There are multiple artists named Paul Williams;
1) Paul Hamilton Williams Jr. (born September 19, 1940) is an American composer, singer, songwriter and actor. He is known for writing popular songs performed by a number of acts in the 1970s, including Three Dog Night's "An Old Fashioned Love Song" and "Out in the Country," Helen Reddy's "You and Me Against the World," David Bowie's "Fill Your Heart" and the Carpenters' "We've Only Just Begun" and "Rainy Days and Mondays."
Williams is also known for his musical contributions to films, including the Academy Award-nominated song "Rainbow Connection" from The Muppet Movie, and penning the lyrics to the #1 chart-topping song "Evergreen," the love theme from the Barbra Streisand vehicle A Star Is Born, for which he won a Grammy for Song of the Year and an Academy Award for Best Original Song. He wrote the lyrics to the opening theme for the television show The Love Boat, with music previously composed by Charles Fox, which was originally sung by Jack Jones and, later, by Dionne Warwick.
Williams had a variety of high-profile acting roles, such as "Little Enos Burdette" in the action-comedy Smokey and the Bandit (1977) and the villainous Swan in Brian De Palma's Phantom of the Paradise (1974), which Williams also co-scored, receiving an Oscar nomination in the process.
Williams was born in Omaha, Nebraska, the son of Paul Hamilton Williams, an architectural engineer, and his wife, Bertha Mae (née Burnside), a homemaker.
His father died in a car accident in 1953, when Williams was 13 years old, after which Williams grew up living with his aunt. As a result, Williams moved to Long Beach, California with his family and attended Woodrow Wilson Classical High School.
One of his brothers was John J. Williams, a NASA rocket scientist, who participated in the Mercury and Apollo programs and was awarded the NASA Distinguished Service Medal, their highest honor, in 1969. His other brother was Mentor Williams, a songwriter as well who penned Dobie Gray's 1973 hit "Drift Away".
2) Paul Williams (born August 7, 1992 in Nelson, New Zealand) is a musician, singer, rapper and comedian. He has released three albums - Songs About Girls, Jungle River Adventures, and Surf Music. His music videos often feature other members of the New Zealand comedy scene, include Chris Parker, Rose Matafeo and Brynley Stent. Outside of his music, Paul is best known for being the Taskmaster's Assistant in Taskmaster NZ. His musical influences include Kanye West, The Strokes, Drake, Animal Collective, Jay-Z, Lupe Fiasco, Kid Cudi, and MGMT.
3) Paul "Hucklebuck" Williams (July 13, 1915 – September 14, 2002) was an American rhythm and blues bandleader, songwriter and saxophonist. He composed "The Hucklebuck", a twelve-bar blues that also spawned the dance craze of the same name.
4) Paul Williams is a British guitarist and Gospel artist.
5) Paul Williams is a Canadian electronic artist.
A Little More Like You
Paul Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
By now you should know
I'm warmed by your smile
And your own special glow
Given just one wish
I thought might come true
I'd like to be a little more like you
The time and the thought
Traditions and lessons
So lovingly taught
I never told you
'Cause I thought you knew
I'd like to be a little more like you
Yours is a magic
That touches my soul
Yours is a laugh
That makes old jokes sound new
Yours is the patience
The whole world has tried
I'd like to be a little more like you
If some sad morning
You find we must part
Carry this one thought
Alive in your heart
I never told you
But I swear it's true
I'd like to be a little more like you
I never told you
But I swear it's true
I'd like to be a little more like you
The song “A Little More Like You” by Paul Williams portrays the singer’s admiration for someone they look up to. The first verse acknowledges that they haven’t explicitly told this person how much they mean to them but believes that they must know based on the singer’s reaction to their smile and unique personality. The second verse asks if the person has forgotten the lessons they taught and traditions they shared as the singer never expressed how much they appreciated it. The chorus states that the person’s magic touches the singer’s soul and they wish to possess some of their qualities like their patience, laugh, and positive outlook. The last verse is a somber one, admitting that they never told this person how much they wanted to emulate them, but they hope this person carries this thought with them if they ever must part.
This song has a lasting message that a lot of people can relate to. We all have someone we look up to, whether it’s a family member or friend. Sometimes, we may not express how much they mean to us, and this song encourages us to reach out to them. Additionally, the song expresses gratitude for the lessons and traditions that were passed down, influencing and shaping us into the person we are today.
Line by Line Meaning
Though I've not told you
Despite not expressing it to you verbally
By now you should know
Suggesting that the person should be aware based on their interactions
I'm warmed by your smile
Your smile brings warmth to my heart
And your own special glow
You have a unique radiance that sets you apart
Given just one wish
Assuming the hypothetical scenario of being granted a singular wish
I thought might come true
Believing that this wish could potentially be granted
I'd like to be a little more like you
Desiring to possess some of the admirable qualities of the person
Have you forgotten
Asking the person if they have not remembered
The time and the thought
Reflecting on the effort and consideration given in the past
Traditions and lessons
Referencing the customs and teachings that were imparted
So lovingly taught
Delivered with warmth and affection
I never told you
Admitting that this was not explicitly stated before
'Cause I thought you knew
Assuming that the person was already aware through their actions
Yours is a magic
Describing an enchanting quality that the person possesses
That touches my soul
Eliciting a profound emotional response
Yours is a laugh
Referring to a unique style of humor that only the person has
That makes old jokes sound new
Transforming humor that would otherwise be stale into something fresh
Yours is the patience
Noting that the person possesses an exceptional level of composure
The whole world has tried
Implying that this is a quality that many strive for but few possess
If some sad morning
Presenting a hypothetical, negative scenario
You find we must part
Describing a possible event of separation
Carry this one thought
Providing a piece of advice for a tough situation
Alive in your heart
Encouraging the person to keep this thought close to them
I never told you
Acknowledging once more that this was not explicitly stated before
But I swear it's true
Emphasizing the sincerity of the desire to emulate the person
I'd like to be a little more like you
Repeating the central theme and sentiment of the song
Contributed by Christian W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.