Nichols co-wrote many songs with lyricists Paul Williams, Tony Asher and Bill Lane.
Asher and Nichols co-wrote several songs on Nichols' debut album Roger Nichols & The Small Circle Of Friends (A&M Records, 1968) which was produced by Tommy LiPuma, engineered by Bruce Botnick and featured session contributions from Van Dyke Parks, Randy Newman and Lenny Waronker. Although the album was not a big seller, A&M co-owner Herb Alpert recommended that Nichols be hired by A&M publishing as a staff songwriter, and it was during this period that he was introduced to Paul Williams.
Nichols' collaborations with Paul Williams include "We've Only Just Begun"(performed by The Carpenters), which was originally written for a Crocker Bank commercial. They were commissioned to write a jingle after a bank executive heard Nichols' album, and it was composed in a matter of hours on the last day before the deadline.
The commercial (sung by Williams) was heard on TV by Richard Carpenter, who believed it had hit potential and his group The Carpenters subsequently recorded a version, which became a major hit for them in late 1970. It was nominated for a Grammy for Song of the Year, was included on BMI's million performances list and received an award for selling a million copies of sheet music. The song was also covered by Curtis Mayfield among many others.
"Times of Your Life", written with Lane and performed by Paul Anka, had reached number one on the Adult Contemporary chart (3–10 January 1976).
Another Nichols-Williams song, "Out in the Country" by Three Dog Night and later by R.E.M., landed in the Top Ten. Six months later, "Rainy Days and Mondays" was another gold record by The Carpenters and Nichols' third gold record in a single year.
Other hits were The Carpenters' "I Won't Last a Day Without You", Art Garfunkel'"Travelin' Boy" (covered by Rumer) and "I Never Had It So Good" (covered by Barbra Streisand). He also scored the theme song from Hart to Hart with a lyric by Lane.
Nichols released a Japan-only CD in 1995 called "Roger Nichols and a Circle of Friends -- Be Gentle With My Heart", featuring vocalist Sheila O'Connell-Roussell, on which he recorded some of his best-known tunes, including "We've Only Just Begun", "I Won't Last a Day Without You", and "Rainy Days and Mondays" (which features Paul Williams on guest vocal).
He also released a CD in 2007 with the original Small Circle of Friends called "Full Circle" which brought together the group to cover many of Nichols hits for other bands, including "Out in the Country" and "Let Me Be the One" as well as other tunes penned during Roger's late-1960s heyday. 2008 saw an upgraded release of "Full Circle" issued by Steve Stanley's Now Sounds label. This version also contains 5 previously-unreleased, 1960s-era demo recordings.
In addition to his extensive musical career, Nichols also is a successful jeweler.
Roger's brother, Ted Nichols, was also a noted composer who briefly served as musical director for the Hanna-Barbera cartoon studio.
Discography
Roger Nichols and the Small Circle of Friends (1968)
Roger Nichols and a Circle of Friends—Be Gentle With My Heart (1995)
Roger Nichols and the Small Circle of Friends—Full Circle (2007)
Roger Nichols and the Small Circle of Friends—Full Circle (2008; Now Sounds edition with 5 extra tracks)
Roger Nichols and the Small Circle of Friends - My Heart is Home (2012)
Out In The Country
Roger Nichols Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Or feel the need to get away-ay-ay
I find a quiet place, far from the human race
Out in the country
Before the breathin' air is gone
Before the sun is just a bright spot in the night-time
Out where the rivers like to run
Whenever I feel them closing in on me
Or need a bit of room to move
When life becomes too fast, I find relief at last
Out in the country
Before the breathin' air is gone
Before the sun is just a bright spot in the night-time
Out where the rivers like to run
I stand alone and take back somethin' worth rememberin'
Before the breathin' air is gone
Before the sun is just a bright spot in the night-time
Out where the rivers like to run
I stand alone and take back somethin' worth rememberin'
Before the breathin' air is gone
Before the sun is just a bright spot in the night-time
Out where the rivers like to run
I stand alone and take back somethin' worth rememberin'
Before the breathin' air is gone
Before the sun is just a bright spot in the night-time
"Out in the Country" by Roger Nichols is a song that speaks about finding solace and peace away from the hustle and bustle of the world. The lyrics express the need to escape from the fast-paced lifestyle and find a place where one can breathe easy without constant distraction. The singer of the song describes how they go to a quiet place where the rivers flow, and the sun is just a beautiful spot in the night-time. This is where they stand alone and take back something worth remembering. The lyrics show that the singer finds inspiration in the quietness of nature, which helps them escape from the constant buzz of the city.
The song's verses are repeated, emphasizing the importance of finding inner peace in the solitude of nature, where the air is still pure, and the sun is just a spot in the night that reminds you of the beautiful day that has passed. The song expresses how you can disconnect and focus on things that matter most by seeking the quietness of the countryside.
In conclusion, Roger Nichols's song "Out in the Country" is a song that encourages us to seek peace away from the noise of the world. It reminds us to find solace in nature and to surround ourselves with things that matter most in life. Only by taking a break from our busy lives can we appreciate the beauty of the natural world and remember what truly matters.
Line by Line Meaning
Whenever I need to leave it all behind
At times when I feel burdened, stressed, or overwhelmed, I seek to escape it all.
Or feel the need to get away-ay-ay
When I want to take a break, take time for myself, or experience something new.
I find a quiet place, far from the human race
I seek out a location that is serene, peaceful, and free from the bustle of city life.
Out in the country
In rural areas, farmland or grassy meadows far from cities.
Before the breathin' air is gone
Before pollution takes over the air and makes it difficult to breathe.
Before the sun is just a bright spot in the night-time
Before the sun is no longer visible in the daytime sky and only a small radiance is seen at night.
Out where the rivers like to run
In places where rivers are abundant, flowing freely and unencumbered by dams or other human-made obstacles.
I stand alone and take back somethin' worth rememberin'
While by myself, I reflect, think and ponder about meaningful experiences, which I can savor and cherish long into the future.
Whenever I feel them closing in on me
When I feel pressure, stress, or negativity from the people around me.
Or need a bit of room to move
When I feel confined or restricted, and want freedom or space to act.
When life becomes too fast, I find relief at last
When life becomes too overwhelming or chaotic, finding solace in the peace and stillness of nature.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PAUL H. WILLIAMS, ROGER S. NICHOLS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
lyrics
on Watching You
Somewhere in a dream
I wait for you
By a gate that has no key
Where my time goes
Hoping you will come through to me
Do you see me watching you
Close your eyes
No one understands where I have been
Deep within the things I see
Where my mind goes all alone
Touching you for me
Do you see me watching you
Close your eyes
Do you feel me close to you
Wanting you when you're alone
Close your eyes for me
Touch my mind with your own
Someday look for me
I'll come to you
When I do you'll know my name
Where my mind goes I'll go too
Touching you again
Then you'll see me watching you watching me
Do you see me watching You
Close your eyes