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.
Back To Back
Paul Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
----------------------
VERSE 1: I feel bad for the youth today
They missed out on all the yesterdays
Crazy days, crazy times
Music rocked, the world was fine
Everybody lived by code
We had the wind blowing in our hair
In the days when we don't care
cll our heroes come and gone
Bring me back to where I belong
cll in all, what can I say?
Life was good back in the day
CHORUS 1: Nothing seemed to matter then (back in the day)
Rockin' and a-rollin' (back in the day)
Everything was different (back in the day)
There was so much innocence (back in the day)
On and on, what can I say?
Life was good back in the day
There was so much innocence (back in the day)
Everything was different then (back in the day)
VERSE 2: Good times didn't seem to last
They went away way too fast
No computers or internet
c piece of mind with no regret
Thoughts are blind, but we could see
Before rap ruined MTV
Leather skirts, fishnets
Those are things I'll never forget
So let's toast to back in the day
I think about it every day
Let's toast to the change
In these days when life's so strange
CHORUS 2: Nothing seemed to matter then (back in the day)
Rockin' and a-rollin' (back in the day)
Everything was different (back in the day)
There was so much innocence (back in the day)
On and on, what can I say?
On and on, back in the day
Everything was different then (back in the day)
Rockin' and a-rollin' (back in the day)
BREcKDOWN: Timebomb in the making
Watching, waiting
Can't go back now
I miss those days
CHORUS 3: Nothing seemed to matter then (back in the day)
Rockin' and a-rollin' (back in the day)
Everything was different (back in the day)
There was so much innocence (back in the day)
On and on, what can I say?
Life was good back in the day
Everything was different then (back in the day)
Rockin' and a-rollin' (back in the day)
OUTRO: Back in the day!
The lyrics of Paul Williams's song "Back to Back" reminisce about a bygone era where the youth enjoyed a sense of freedom and carefreeness. In the first verse, the singer expresses sympathy for today's youth who missed out on the vibrant past. The song pays homage to the "crazy days" and "crazy times" when music was powerful and the world seemed fine. The mention of the code of "sex, drugs, and rock & roll" reflects the rebellious spirit and non-conformity that defined the era.
The chorus emphasizes the difference and innocence of that time, where nothing seemed to matter. It explores the longing for a return to the past when everything felt different and life was good. The second verse reflects on how the good times of that era seemed fleeting, but still manage to resonate in the singer's thoughts. The mention of leather skirts and fishnets adds a touch of nostalgia, symbolizing the iconic fashion of the time.
The breakdown section highlights the singer's realization that they cannot go back to those days but still miss them deeply. The final chorus reiterates the sentiment of the earlier verses, emphasizing the difference and innocence of that time. The outro section concludes with a passionate cry of "Back in the day!" as the singer yearns for those cherished memories to return.
Overall, "Back to Back" is a reflective song that yearns for the past and celebrates the uniqueness and significance of a particular era in history.
Line by Line Meaning
I feel bad for the youth today
I sympathize with the current generation because they have missed out on the experiences of the past
They missed out on all the yesterdays
The young generation didn't have the opportunity to experience the past
Crazy days, crazy times
The past was filled with exciting and unpredictable moments
Music rocked, the world was fine
The music from that era was influential and brought joy to the world
Everybody lived by code
There was a shared set of principles that people followed
Sex, drugs and rock & roll
The lifestyle involved indulging in hedonistic pleasures and enjoying music
We had the wind blowing in our hair
We experienced the exhilaration of freedom and adventure
In the days when we don't care
During that time, we were carefree and didn't worry much
All our heroes come and gone
The idols from our youth have passed away or disappeared
Bring me back to where I belong
I desire to return to that time and place where I felt a sense of belonging
All in all, what can I say?
Overall, there isn't much more I can express
Life was good back in the day
Life was enjoyable during that period
Nothing seemed to matter then (back in the day)
In the past, trivial things didn't hold much importance
Rockin' and a-rollin' (back in the day)
We were full of energy and excitement at that time
Everything was different (back in the day)
The entire environment and circumstances were unique compared to now
There was so much innocence (back in the day)
Back then, there was a sense of purity and naivety
On and on, what can I say?
Continuously, I can't find any more words to describe it
Good times didn't seem to last
The enjoyable moments didn't endure
They went away way too fast
Those moments disappeared much quicker than desired
No computers or internet
During that era, technology like computers and the internet didn't exist
A piece of mind with no regret
We had a sense of tranquility and contentment without any remorse
Thoughts are blind, but we could see
Although our way of thinking may have been flawed, we had clarity
Before rap ruined MTV
Rap music changed the dynamic of MTV, causing it to lose its original appeal
Leather skirts, fishnets
These fashion items were memorable symbols of that time
Those are things I'll never forget
I will always cherish and remember those specific aspects
So let's toast to back in the day
Let's raise a glass and celebrate the past
I think about it every day
I reminisce about those times on a daily basis
Let's toast to the change
Let's raise a glass and acknowledge the differences that have occurred
In these days when life's so strange
In the current unfamiliar times, life feels bizarre
Timebomb in the making
There is a dangerous situation developing
Watching, waiting
Observing and anticipating
Can't go back now
It is not possible to return to the past
I miss those days
I long for the experiences and memories of that time
On and on, what can I say?
Continuously, there isn't much more I can express
Back in the day!
Referring to the past, emphasizing its significance
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@williamwallace5533
Lyrics
If I knew the way I'd go back home
But the countryside has changed so much
I'd surely end up lost
Half remembering names and faces
So far in the past
On the other side of bridges that were burned once they were crossed
Tell me where
Where does a fool go
When there's none left to listen
To a story without meaning
That nobody wants to hear
Tell me where
Where does a fool go
When he knows there's something missing
Tell me where
Where do I go from here
Where do I go from here
To get back home
Where my childhood dreams and wishes still out number my regrets
Get back to a place where I can figure on the odds
Have a fighting chance to lose the blues
And win my share of bets
Tell me where
Where does a fool go
When there's none left to listen
To a story without meaning
That nobody wants to hear
Tell me where
Where does a fool go
When he knows there's something missing
Tell me where
Where do I go from here
Where do I go from here
@DucatiGTS
I believe a lot of us can relate to this song, that's the genius of Paul, he wrote what we all have felt or feel at some point in our life. Hits hard.
@Theasworld1984
I agree this song is very relatable since my grandmother passed away five years and I'm still asking where do I go from here.
@ganimed1976
Clint Eastwood breaks its cigar in half, puts his sunglasses on, the music begins to play and he drives down the endless highway with his brand new Caddilac and his dead friend Lightfoot on the passenger seat. What an awesome ending for an awesome movie ;)
@gregorye.tyrone9145
Such a sad ending :'(
@annacottage4536
I could not agree with you more.
@bobbydazzler9465
Crying right now.
@yardbird7360
@@bobbydazzler9465 Wow... A few beers in... Well. I'll be honest 26 and I'm crying and dying inside, I couldn't be in a better place.
@salvagemonster3612
As you get older this song gains more meaning. How this song has not ended up I a movie again is amazing. Leave to Clint to use such a great song
@carolinawestern3875
It's a shame that a lot of people don't realize the heavy significance Paul had on lots of other artists and their careers. Some of which, might not have otherwise existed. Had it not been for him.
@johnsmith-ug5tp
The Carpenters.