He was born to a Lutheran minister, the Rev. Frederick J. Weertz (1891–1980) and a music teacher, Dorothea Bang Weertz (1895–1985), in Omaha, Nebraska. The family moved to Des Moines, Iowa, before his first birthday. He first played the piano at age three. In high school he became interested in boxing, mainly at his father's insistence, and only returned to music after breaking his nose several times and sustaining several other injuries.
He majored in piano at Drake University in Des Moines, but claimed he was expelled for playing "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" in the practice room. Weertz entered the United States Navy and served in World War II. While still in the Navy, he earned a bachelor's degree from Idaho State College (now Idaho State University) in 1950. Afterwards, Weertz re-enrolled at Drake, where he earned his master's degree. He then moved to New York City to attend Juilliard, where he studied jazz piano under Lennie Tristano and Teddy Wilson.
Williams won a talent contest on Dennis James' television program, Chance of a Lifetime. He was heard by David Kapp, founder of Kapp Records. Kapp was so impressed that he signed the pianist, changing his name to "Roger Williams" after the founder of Rhode Island.
In 1955 Williams recorded "Autumn Leaves", the only piano instrumental to reach #1 on Billboard's popular music chart. It sold over two million copies, and was awarded a gold disc. It was the fourth #1 song of the "rock era," which unofficially began with the ascension of "(We're Gonna) Rock Around The Clock" by Bill Haley & His Comets into the top spot. In 1966 he had another Top Ten hit with the song "Born Free" from the motion picture soundtrack. His other hits include "Near You", "Till", "The Impossible Dream", "Yellow Bird", "Maria", and "The Theme from Somewhere in Time". Billboard magazine ranks him as the top selling piano recording artist in history with 18 gold and platinum albums to his credit. Williams was known as the "Pianist to the Presidents" having played for nine administrations beginning with Harry S. Truman. His last White House performance was in November 2008 for a luncheon hosted by First Lady Laura Bush.
His interest in the public stems from a boyhood experience in Des Moines, Iowa. After a piano concert by the Polish genius Ignacy Jan Paderewski, young Roger waited for 45 minutes outside in the freezing cold to meet his idol. When the pianist finally appeared it was to rush to a waiting automobile. "I didn't even get near enough to touch him or get an autograph," says Williams. "It was then and there I resolved that if ever I became famous I would never disappoint anyone who wanted to talk to me."
On his 75th birthday, Williams performed his first 12-hour piano marathon. He performed the marathon at Steinway Hall in New York City and the Nixon, Carter and Reagan Presidential Libraries. His Steinway & Sons "Gold Steinway" grand piano was on tour for public display and entertainment during 2007–2008.
In 2010 Roger Williams was inducted into the Hit Parade Hall of Fame. At that time, "Autumn Leaves" was the best-selling piano solo record of all time and the only one ever to top the Billboard charts.
In March 2011 Williams posted on his website that he had pancreatic cancer and that his doctors had told him they could not remove the tumor until chemotherapy shrunk it to an operable size. Williams said that he did not plan on canceling any upcoming concerts. He wrote: "What does it all mean? It means I'm in just one more fight — the fight for my life.. And this much I know, this old Navy boxing champion is going for broke. Just watch me!"
Williams died on October 8, 2011, one week after his 87th birthday.
Beauty and the Beast
Roger Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
True as it can be
Barely even friends
Then somebody bends
Unexpectedly
Just a little change
Small to say the least
Both a little scared
Beauty and the Beast
Ever just the same
Ever a surprise
Ever as before
Ever just as sure
As the sun will rise
Ever just the same
Ever a surprise
Ever as before
Ever just as sure
As the sun will rise
Tale as old as time
Tune as old as song
Bitter-sweet and strange
Finding you can change
Learning you were wrong
Certain as the sun
(Certain as the sun)
Rising in the east
Tale as old as time
Song as old as rhyme
Beauty and the Beast
Tale as old as time
Song as old as rhyme
Beauty and the Beast
Beauty and the Beast
The lyrics of "Beauty and the Beast" sing an age-old tale of two contrasting personalities brought together unexpectedly, both unsure and scared of how to navigate the road ahead. The nature of their relationship is "barely even friends," until one of them takes the leap and bends, resulting in a small but significant change. The lyrics reinforce the notion that while the story may be old as time, the surprise factor remains ever-present, and there is much to learn and change simultaneously.
The song serves as an ode to the classic fairy tale and fits in seamlessly with the movie's narrative. It reinforces the dominant theme of the story- the transformative power of love, and how it can bridge gaps and create meaningful relationships in the most unlikely of circumstances. The words "certain as the sun rising in the east" serve as an affirmation of the eternal nature of this love, and how it is ever as sure and dependable as the sun rising every day.
Line by Line Meaning
Tale as old as time
The story goes way back in history, as old as time itself.
True as it can be
The story is undeniably true and accurate.
Barely even friends
The two main characters were not even close enough to be considered friends.
Then somebody bends
One of the two main characters suddenly undergoes a big personal change.
Unexpectedly
The change was sudden and surprising for everyone around them.
Just a little change
The personal change that occurred was a small one.
Small to say the least
Although the change was small, it was still significant enough to make a difference in the story.
Both a little scared
Both characters were afraid of what was to come after the change.
Neither one prepared
Neither of them expected the change to happen, and therefore were not prepared for it.
Ever just the same
Although some things changed, some others remained constant.
Ever a surprise
The characters were constantly surprised by the events that occurred as the story progressed.
Ever as before
Despite the changes, some things still remained the same as they had been before.
Ever just as sure
There were some things that everyone knew, with absolute certainty, would never change.
As the sun will rise
Things that were certain and unchangeable were as sure as the rising sun.
Tune as old as song
The melody or tune of the story is as old as song, and has been sung countless times before.
Bitter-sweet and strange
The emotions that were felt were both sweet and bitter, and the situation was a strange one.
Finding you can change
The story shows us that people can change, and sometimes unexpectedly.
Learning you were wrong
One or both of the main characters had previously been wrong about something, but learned from their mistake.
Certain as the sun
Just as the sun rises every day, there are some things that are absolutely certain and unchangeable.
(Certain as the sun)
Rising in the east
The sun always rises in the east, and this is one thing that is certain.
Beauty and the Beast
This is the title of the story that is being sung about, focusing on the relationship between the two main characters.
Beauty and the Beast
This is the title of the story that is being sung about, focusing on the relationship between the two main characters.
Contributed by Isabelle B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.