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 Just Called to Say I Love You
Roger Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No chocolate covered candy hearts to give away
No first of spring
No song to sing
In fact here's just another ordinary day
No April rain
No flowers bloom
No wedding Saturday within the month of June
Made up of these three words that I must say to you
I just called to say I love you
I just called to say how much I care
I just called to say I love you
And I mean it from the bottom of my heart
No summer's high
No warm July
No harvest moon to light one tender August night
No autumn breeze
No falling leaves
Not even time for birds to fly to southern skies
No Libra sun
No Halloween
No giving thanks to all the Christmas joy you bring
But what it is, though old so new
To fill your heart like no three words could ever do
I just called to say I love you
I just called to say how much I care, I do
I just called to say I love you
And I mean it from the bottom of my heart
I just called to say I love you
I just called to say how much I care, I do
I just called to say I love you
And I mean it from the bottom of my heart, of my heart, of my heart
I just called to say I love you
I just called to say how much I care, I do
I just called to say I love you
And I mean it from the bottom of my heart, of my heart, baby of my heart
The lyrics to Roger Williams's song "I Just Called to Say I Love You" speak of the absence of traditional significant events and celebrations throughout the year, but stress the importance of expressing love and care to someone despite the mundanity of an ordinary day. The song starts by stating that there is no special event like New Year's Day, no Valentine's Day with chocolate covered candy hearts to give away, and no first day of spring or a song to sing, highlighting the idea that there is no reason to express love except for the fact that love exists. The verses continue in the same vein, stating that there is no beautiful weather or harvest moon, no falling leaves or winter festivals, but that these things do not matter because what the singer wants to convey can be encapsulated in three simple words: "I love you."
The song’s lyrics are a tribute to love, kindness, and the importance of expressing your love to your loved ones. The song is a beautiful reminder that you don’t need special occasions to tell someone you love them. It’s a reminder that love is not about things or events but about expressions of affection, care, and kindness that you give and show to others. The lyrics of the song express a deep sense of longing and affection, and the upbeat melody makes the song feel joyful and uplifting.
Line by Line Meaning
No New Year's Day to celebrate
There's no special occasion like New Year's Day to celebrate our love
No chocolate covered candy hearts to give away
There's no need for gifts like candy hearts to express our love for each other
No first of spring, no song to sing
We don't need the start of a new season or a specific reason to express our love
In fact here's just another ordinary day
Even if it's an ordinary day, my love for you is not ordinary
No April rain, no flowers bloom, no wedding Saturday within the month of June
We don't need any external factors like rain or flowers blooming or even a specific wedding date to validate our love for each other
But what it is, is something true, made up of these three words that I must say to you
Love is something true and the only thing we need to express it is the simple phrase 'I love you'
No summer's high, no warm July
We don't need a specific time of year or temperature to feel our love for each other
No harvest moon to light one tender August night
Even without a full moon to set the mood, my love for you is still strong
No autumn breeze, no falling leaves, not even time for birds to fly to southern skies
We don't need the changing of seasons or the migration of birds to feel our love for each other
No Libra sun, no Halloween, no giving thanks to all the Christmas joy you bring
We don't need any specific astrological sign, holiday or feast to express our love
But what it is, though old so new, to fill your heart like no three words could ever do
The phrase 'I love you' may be old, but it still has the power to fill your heart like nothing else
And I mean it from the bottom of my heart
My love for you is genuine and comes from the deepest part of my heart
Of my heart, of my heart, baby of my heart
My love for you is not only from the bottom of my heart, but from all parts of it
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Stevie Wonder
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind