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.
Hey Jude
Roger Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Take a sad song and make it better
Remember to let her into your heart
Then you can start to make it better
Hey Jude, don't be afraid
You were made to go out and get her
The minute you let her under your skin
And anytime you feel the pain, hey Jude, refrain
Don't carry the world upon your shoulders
For well you know that it's a fool who plays it cool
By making his world a little colder
Hey Jude, don't let me down
You have found her, now go and get her
Remember to let her into your heart
Then you can start to make it better
So let it out and let it in, hey Jude, begin
You're waiting for someone to perform with
And don't you know that it's just you, hey Jude, you'll do
The movement you need is on your shoulder
Hey Jude, don't make it bad
Take a sad song and make it better
Remember to let her under your skin
Then you'll begin to make it
Better better better better better better, oh
Na na na nananana, nannana, hey Jude
The song "Hey Jude" by Beatles member Paul McCartney was written to comfort John Lennon's son Julian during his parents' divorce. The opening line "Hey Jude, don't make it bad" sets the tone for the rest of the song, as McCartney urges Jude to turn around his negative emotions and make things better. He encourages Jude to not be afraid and to go after the person he wants, and not to keep his pain bottled up inside.
McCartney advises Jude to let go of the weight of the world and not to cool himself off with an emotionless exterior. In the chorus, McCartney repeats the message to not make things bad, to take a sad song and make it better. The song ends with an infectious "na na na na" sing-along, further emphasizing the power of memory, positivity, and support.
"Hey Jude" became the Beatles' longest single at the time of its release and has since become one of the most recognizable and beloved songs in music history. McCartney has said that the song's longevity and universal appeal is due to its message of hope and support in tough times.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey Jude, don't make it bad
Hey Jude, don't turn this situation into a negative one
Take a sad song and make it better
Try to turn something that is upsetting you into something positive
Remember to let her into your heart
Don't close yourself off from someone you care about
Then you can start to make it better
Once you open up, you can begin to solve the problem
Hey Jude, don't be afraid
Hey Jude, don't be scared to take action
You were made to go out and get her
You were meant to pursue the person you love
The minute you let her under your skin
As soon as you let them into your life
Then you begin to make it better
You will start to make things better
And anytime you feel the pain, hey Jude, refrain
Hey Jude, try not to dwell on the negative feelings when they arise
Don't carry the world upon your shoulders
Don't take on more than you can handle
For well you know that it's a fool who plays it cool
It's unwise to pretend that everything is okay when it's not
By making his world a little colder
By acting distant, you're making the situation worse
Hey Jude, don't let me down
Hey Jude, don't disappoint me
You have found her, now go and get her
You've located the person you love, so seize the opportunity
Remember to let her into your heart
Make sure to open yourself up emotionally to this person
Then you can start to make it better
This is the key to making things better
So let it out and let it in, hey Jude, begin
Be vulnerable and let people in, and then start to take action
You're waiting for someone to perform with
You're looking for someone to help you solve this problem
And don't you know that it's just you, hey Jude, you'll do
Realize that you have the ability to solve the problem yourself
The movement you need is on your shoulder
You have the power and strength to make things happen
Hey Jude, don't make it bad
Reiteration of opening line to emphasize importance
Take a sad song and make it better
As a reminder to stay positive during difficult times
Remember to let her under your skin
A repetition to make sure you don't forget the importance of vulnerability
Then you'll begin to make it better better better better better better, oh
Things will keep getting better and better, so don't give up
Na na na nananana, nannana, hey Jude
A happy, cheerful tune to lift your spirits
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Lennon, Paul McCartney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind