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 Hell of It
Paul Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nothing matters anyway and that's the hell of it
Winter comes and the winds blow colder well some grew wiser you just grew older
And you never listened anyway and that's the hell of it
Good for nothin' bad in bed nobody likes you and you're better off dead goodbye
We've all come to say goodbye goodbye
Born defeated died in vain
All of us are glad you're gone
If I could live my life half as worthlessly as you
I'm convinced that I'd wind up burning too
Love yourself as you love no other be no man's fool be no man's brother
We're all born to die alone y'know that's the hell of it
Life's a game where they're bound to beat you and time's a trick they can turn to cheat you
And we only waste it anyway and that's the hell of it
Good for nothin' bad in bed nobody likes you and you're better off dead goodbye
We've all come to say goodbye
Born defeated died in vain
Super destruction you were hooked on pain and tho' your music lingers on
All of us are glad you're gone
"The Hell of It" is a song by Paul Williams that was released as part of the soundtrack of the movie "Phantom of the Paradise" in 1974. The song speaks of the futility of life and the inevitability of death. The opening lyrics describe the passage of time as if it were a storm, with thunder and lightning being used as metaphors for the days and nights passing by. The line "nothing matters anyway and that's the hell of it" suggests that the singer is resigned to the inevitability of life's struggles and ultimately, death.
The second verse of the song describes the passing of time as winter arrives, and some have grown wiser while others like the singer have just grown older without learning anything. This suggests a sense of regret and missed opportunities. The chorus is a scathing and harsh commentary on the life of a person who is "good for nothing, bad in bed" and "hooked on pain." This suggests a life of nihilism and self-destructive behavior, ultimately leading to the person's demise. The song ends on a somber note as it acknowledges that everything in life is fleeting and we will all die alone.
Line by Line Meaning
Roll on thunder shine on lightnin' the days are long and the nights are frightnin'
The passage of time seems never-ending; the days drag on and the nights are filled with fear and anxiety.
Nothing matters anyway and that's the hell of it
Life has lost its meaning; everything seems pointless and that is the worst part of it all.
Winter comes and the winds blow colder well some grew wiser you just grew older
While some people mature and become wiser as they age, the singer feels like they have only grown older without gaining any wisdom.
And you never listened anyway and that's the hell of it
Despite the artist's attempts to impart wisdom, their words always fell on deaf ears, and they are left feeling helpless.
Good for nothin' bad in bed nobody likes you and you're better off dead goodbye
The artist is addressing someone who is essentially worthless and unlikable, and suggests that death may be preferable to living such a life.
We've all come to say goodbye goodbye
The focus of the song has shifted to a funeral or some other form of goodbye gathering.
Born defeated died in vain
The person being eulogized had a life that lacked significant accomplishments or meaning, leading to a feeling of defeat or insignificance.
Super destruction you were hooked on pain
Despite their lack of success or recognition, the person being honored may have found some kind of perverse pleasure in their own internal turmoil or torment.
and tho' your music lingers on all of us are glad you're gone
Although the person had some kind of impact on others, perhaps through their music or art, their absence is still viewed as a positive thing by those who knew them in life.
If I could live my life half as worthlessly as you I'm convinced that I'd wind up burning too
The artist is contemplating the idea that leading a worthless life could lead to a fiery demise or punishment in the afterlife.
Love yourself as you love no other be no man's fool be no man's brother
The singer is urging listeners to prioritize self-love and self-preservation over the opinions or demands of others.
We're all born to die alone y'know that's the hell of it
Death is an inevitable part of life, and it is a scary and isolating prospect that we all have to face.
Life's a game where they're bound to beat you and time's a trick they can turn to cheat you
Life is unfair and difficult, and time can seem to work against us and sabotage our efforts.
And we only waste it anyway and that's the hell of it
Despite the struggles of life, the singer feels like time is still being wasted and opportunities are being squandered.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PAUL H. WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind