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 Perfect Love
Paul Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yes and fool enough to think I still might change
I've been out of place
But right on time
And still I′ve let you down
We've been lovers
And we've fought
It would help me if I thought you might remember me
But for the other things I′d always meant to do
'Cause like a child who′s learned the ways of life
You've opened up my eyes
With a love that′s always new
Yes I owe it all to you
'Cause when the world outside was sure that I was only chasing rainbows
You could find the words to make me strong
Holding on to me and whispering
"There′s nothing wrong with rainbows"
You heard my song
And so remember me as one who came to love
And found a perfect love to help along the way
And if tomorrow you should find
That I'm no longer by your side
Then it was time for me to go
And it would help me just to know that you'd remember me
As one who came to love
And found a perfect love to help along the way
In the first few lines of the song, Paul Williams acknowledges his flaws and shortcomings, admitting that he has often been wrong and yet still foolish enough to believe he could change. He expresses regret for letting down his lover with whom he has had both passionate and tumultuous times. He hopes to be remembered for the good things he meant to do, even though he has made mistakes. The chorus is a tribute to his lover and how they helped him navigate through life's ups and downs by believing in the beauty of rainbows, even when the world told him otherwise. He concludes by asking to be remembered as someone who loved and was loved in return, and even in death, his memory will live on through the love that he found and shared.
Line by Line Meaning
Old enough to know when I’ve been wrong
Despite my age, I understand my mistakes.
Yes and fool enough to think I still might change
Despite my awareness of my flaws, I remain optimistic about improving.
I've been out of place
I have felt disconnected and isolated from people around me.
But right on time
Despite feeling out of place, I have consistently arrived at the right moment.
And still I’ve let you down
Despite my efforts, I have disappointed you in the past.
We’ve been lovers
We’ve been in a romantic relationship.
And we’ve fought
Our relationship has had its share of conflicts and disagreements.
It would help me if I thought you might remember me
Remembrance after I’m gone would be a source of comfort.
Not for what I’ve done
I hope to be remembered for more than just my accomplishments or mistakes.
But for the other things I’d always meant to do
I hope to be remembered for my intentions and ambitions.
'Cause like a child who’s learned the ways of life
Like a young person learning and growing, I have discovered new ideas and perspectives.
You've opened up my eyes
You have helped me to see things from a different and enlightened perspective.
With a love that's always new
Your love is constantly evolving and growing with time.
Yes I owe it all to you
I am grateful for the positive changes you have brought to my life.
'Cause when the world outside was sure that I was only chasing rainbows
While most people thought my ambitions were unrealistic, you had faith in me.
You could find the words to make me strong
Your encouragement and support gave me the strength to persevere.
Holding on to me and whispering
You provided comfort and assurance during difficult times.
"There’s nothing wrong with rainbows"
You encouraged me to hold onto my dreams and aspirations, no matter how improbable they might seem.
You heard my song
You understood my innermost thoughts and emotions, and valued my ideas and dreams.
And so remember me as one who came to love
I hope to be remembered as someone who loved deeply and genuinely.
And found a perfect love to help along the way
I was fortunate to have found a love that supported and nourished me.
And if tomorrow you should find
In the event that I am no longer here.
That I'm no longer by your side
In the event that I am no longer here.
Then it was time for me to go
It will be a natural process for me to leave this world.
And it would help me just to know that you'd remember me
Knowing that you would remember me would bring me comfort in death.
As one who came to love
I hope to be remembered for my capacity to love.
And found a perfect love to help along the way
I was fortunate to have found a love that supported and nourished me through all the ups and downs of life.
Writer(s): Williams Paul H
Contributed by Mason F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.