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.
The Family of Man
Paul Williams Lyrics
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Billboard horizons as black as they seem
Four level highways across the land
We're building a home for the family of Man
One man to lead us with so much to say
Moving the mountains that got in our way
Prayer books and meetings to find a plan
Deciding the fate of the family of Man
And it's so hard
Whatever are we coming to?
Yes, it's so, so damn hard
With so little time and so much to do
Memories replacing the loves that we've lost
Burning our bridges as soon as they're crossed
Factories built where the rivers ran
Time's running out for the family of Man
And it's so, so damn hard
Whatever are we coming to?
Yes, it's so, it's so hard
With so little time and so much to do
(So hard, the family of Man)
(So hard, the family of Man)
(So hard, the family of Man)
(So hard, the family of Man)
(So hard, the family of Man)
(So hard, the family of Man)
(So hard, the family of Man)
(So hard, the family of Man)
The lyrics of Paul Williams's song "The Family of Man" paint a poignant picture of the struggles and complexities faced by humanity within the context of a modern world. The opening lines describe a weary and bustling city that was once someone's hopeful vision, now overshadowed by dark horizons and highways crisscrossing the landscape. The imagery of building a home for the "family of Man" evokes a sense of unity and shared experience among all individuals, despite the challenges and obstacles that lie ahead.
The song speaks of a singular leader who carries a heavy burden, tasked with moving mountains and navigating the complexities that obstruct progress. Through prayer books and meetings, decisions are made that shape the destiny of humanity as a collective whole. This reflects the theme of collective responsibility and the weight of choices that impact not just individuals, but the entire human family. The repeated chorus underscores the difficulty of the journey, questioning the direction in which humanity is headed and the overwhelming tasks that lie ahead.
The lyrics delve into the theme of loss and change, with memories replacing lost loves and bridges burned once crossed, symbolizing a loss of connection and a disregard for the past. Factories replace once pristine rivers, signaling an impending environmental crisis and the encroaching threat of industrialization. Time is portrayed as a dwindling resource, highlighting the urgency for action and the diminishing opportunities to secure a better future for the "family of Man."
The repetitive refrain of "It's so hard" emphasizes the immense challenges faced by humanity, the overwhelming nature of the tasks at hand, and the pressing need for collective action. The sense of urgency and frustration permeates the lyrics, underscoring the gravity of the situation and the necessity for unity and determination in confronting the obstacles that loom ahead. Overall, "The Family of Man" serves as a poignant reflection on the state of humanity, urging listeners to contemplate the impact of their actions and the importance of coming together to shape a brighter future for all.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Jack Conrad, Paul Williams
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Waterbird 4222
What a phenomenal songwriter, Paul Williams.
columnated ruins domino
the sound quality is awesome, as is the songwriting and performance!
trfesok
Both versions are in my TDN playlist. Thanks for the upload!
Coral Roper
I didn’t know he wrote/sang this. I just knew the Three Dog Night version.
FryingPanHead
He's the poor man's Jim Steinman.
JoeyMitchell76
I like his version better than three dog night,he allso sung this one BJ and the Bear.
Roy Sydiaha
Three Dog Night released it first, in 1971, and, imho, did a far better job of it.
trfesok
Well, TDN had the VOICES!
Captain Jack
Maybe, but Paul Williams WROTE it.