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.
I'm in the Mood for Love
Roger Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Simply because you're near me.
Funny, but when you're near me
I'm in the mood for love.
Heaven is in your eyes
Bright as the stars we're under
Oh! Is it any wonder
Why stop to think of whether
This little dream might fade?
We've put our hearts together
Now we are one, I'm not afraid!
If there's a cloud above
If it should rain we'll let it
But for tonight, forget it!
I'm in the mood for love
The lyrics of Roger Williams's song "I'm in the Mood for Love" are a quintessential ode to love and its intoxicating effects. The singer sings that he is feeling romantic and amorous, but not without a reason. He attributes his mood to the fact that his love interest is near him. The presence of his beloved stirs up these emotional feelings and arouses his desire to be in love. The singer marvels at how his lover's eyes seem to reflect heaven, and likens it to being under the stars. It's this awe-inspiring sense of beauty that can bring forth an overwhelming emotion of love.
The lyrics suggest that there is no harm in letting yourself fall in love, and to not question if it will last or not. The singer mentions that they have put their hearts together, and it is this fact that they are now one, which gives him the courage to not be afraid. Finally, the song concludes with the singer's negation to let anything bring down his mood, even if it were to rain that night. He wants to bask in the glory of his mood for love and the enchanting effect it has on him.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm in the mood for love
I am feeling romantically inclined.
Simply because you're near me.
I feel this way because of your presence.
Funny, but when you're near me
It's amusing how easily you make me feel this way
Heaven is in your eyes
I find great joy and beauty in your eyes.
Bright as the stars we're under
Your eyes are as bright as the stars that shine above us at night.
Oh! Is it any wonder
It's not surprising that I feel this way given how beautiful you are.
Why stop to think of whether
I don't want to waste time overthinking this
This little dream might fade?
There's no point in considering the possibility that this feeling might end.
We've put our hearts together
We've formed a strong emotional connection.
Now we are one, I'm not afraid!
I feel secure in our one-ness and lack any fear or worry.
If there's a cloud above
Even if there are obstacles or difficulties.
If it should rain we'll let it
we'll accept any hardships we might face.
But for tonight, forget it!
But tonight we won't worry about those things! I feel too happy to think of potential issues!
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DOROTHY FIELDS, JIMMY MCHUGH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind