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.
Nice to Be Around
Paul Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Should I jump right in and say how much I care?
Would you take me for the madness of a simple-hearted clown?
Hello, with affection from a sentimental fool
From a little girl who's broken every rule
One who brings me up when all the others seem to let me down
One who's nice to be around
Should I say that it's a blue world without you
Nice words I remember from an old love song
But all wrong 'cause I've never called it love before
This feeling's new, it came with you
Oh, and I know that the nicest things have never seemed to last
That we're both a bit embarrassed by our past
But I think there's something special in the feelings that we've found
And you're nice to be around, and you're nice to be around
The song "Nice to Be Around" by Paul Williams is a romantic ballad that expresses the singer's feelings of love and admiration for someone special. The song's opening lines suggest that the singer is contemplating whether to confess their affection and jump into a love affair. However, they are hesitant for fear of being perceived as a "simple-hearted clown." This hesitation is understandable, as expressing one's love can be a vulnerable and daunting experience.
The singer then goes on to express their admiration for the person they are addressing, referring to them as a sentimental fool and someone who brings them up when others let them down. They also acknowledge that the feeling of love is new to them, and they have never called it love before. This suggests that the person addressed has made a significant impact on the singer's life and emotions.
The song also touches on the vulnerability that comes with love, acknowledging that the nicest things often do not last, and both parties may be embarrassed by their past. Despite this vulnerability, the singer believes there is something special in the feelings they have found, and the person they are addressing is "nice to be around."
The song's lyrics beautifully express the emotions that often come with falling in love, from the vulnerability and hesitation to the admiration and joy of finding someone special. It is a timeless love ballad that continues to resonate with audiences.
Line by Line Meaning
Hello, such a simple way to start a love affair
Greeting you is the beginning of something special between us.
Should I jump right in and say how much I care?
Is it too soon to express how strongly I feel about you?
Would you take me for the madness of a simple-hearted clown?
Am I coming off as foolish for being so honest about my emotions?
Hello, with affection from a sentimental fool
I'm foolishly and deeply in love with you.
From a little girl who's broken every rule
I've had my share of heartbreaks and mistakes, but I still believe in love.
One who brings me up when all the others seem to let me down
You uplift me in ways that no one else has ever been able to do.
Should I say that it's a blue world without you
I feel incomplete without you by my side.
Nice words I remember from an old love song
I've heard romantic expressions before, but they didn't compare to what I feel now.
But all wrong 'cause I've never called it love before
I've never experienced love like this, so I didn't know what to call it.
This feeling's new, it came with you
My love for you is a new and transformative experience.
Oh, and I know that the nicest things have never seemed to last
I'm aware that beautiful things and moments don't always stay that way.
That we're both a bit embarrassed by our past
We've both had experiences that make us feel ashamed or uncomfortable.
But I think there's something special in the feelings that we've found
Despite our pasts, our love feels unique and special.
And you're nice to be around, and you're nice to be around
You're not just the love of my life, but also someone who makes everyday life amazing.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN T. WILLIAMS, PAUL H. WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Skye Ryder
LYRICS:
Hello, such a simple way to start a love affair
Should I jump right in and say how much I care?
Would you take me for a madman or a simple-hearted clown?
Hello, with affection from a sentimental fool
To a little girl who's broken every rule
One who brings me up when all the others seem to let me down
One who's nice to be around
Should I say that it's a blue world without you
Nice words I remember from an old love song
But all wrong 'cause I never called it love before
This feeling's new, this came with you
And I know that the nicest things have never seemed to last
That we're both a bit embarrassed by our past
But I think there's something special in the feelings that we've found
And you're nice to be around, and you're nice to be around
Simo Sakari Aaltonen
Many years ago, I read through all the online posts that J. Michael Straczynski (JMS or Joe, the latter being his preference) made. There were fans of his works who collected these posts in the late 90s and early 2000s into digests, collections.
In one of them, he mentioned how awestruck he’d been when he met composer, singer, songwriter, actor Paul Williams.
How many credits someone has doesn’t matter in the least to me. But if a person creates even one beautiful song or poem or sentence, he or she means something to me.
In about the year 2000, I wrote to JMS to ask for his permission to quote him on several different things for a 3-page article in the magazine of the English Department I was editing at that time (also writing most of it, as was the custom) at the University of Jyväskylä.
He kindly gave me his permission, and that article was published in my first issue. (I also sent JMS a physical copy, after asking for his permission.)
Many years passed, I saw all the original Planet of the Apes films, one of which featured Paul Williams, and later I heard this song written and performed by him. Then I knew how meaningful it must have been for Joe to have met Paul.
Tessa VN
The year was 1973. This track was nominated for Best Song at the Oscars and OST from the movie Cinderella Liberty. Haunting and Timeless. ❤
Susan Harris
That movie!
brih Mendiola
One of my favorite songs. Memorized and sang with my heart at 16. A song that tears me up. Thanks Paul Williams.
Laurie B.
Haunting melody, words that flow so perfectly together. The man's a genius. This song is in my top 5 of his and one I've always wished I'd written......
Thank you for sharing. Great quality!
Aidan Downey
Had this on an 8 Track about a hundred years ago!! What a song!! Ripping your heart out!!
Skye Ryder
LYRICS:
Hello, such a simple way to start a love affair
Should I jump right in and say how much I care?
Would you take me for a madman or a simple-hearted clown?
Hello, with affection from a sentimental fool
To a little girl who's broken every rule
One who brings me up when all the others seem to let me down
One who's nice to be around
Should I say that it's a blue world without you
Nice words I remember from an old love song
But all wrong 'cause I never called it love before
This feeling's new, this came with you
And I know that the nicest things have never seemed to last
That we're both a bit embarrassed by our past
But I think there's something special in the feelings that we've found
And you're nice to be around, and you're nice to be around
saturnino devera
Skye Ryder
Ricardo Zuniga
Skye Ryd
ZZZZ ZZZZ
Paul Williams music & songs makes me want to live, love, laugh, dream again...
Anna Marie Sopoco
I love Paul Williams and his songs. Simply romantic with lots of elegance