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.
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Roger Williams Lyrics
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Each time you're near me the thrill is new
And there is nothing that I wouldn't do for
The rare delight of the sight of you for
The more I see you, the more I want you
Somehow this feeling just grows and grows
With every sigh I become more mad about you
Can you imagine how much I love you?
The more I see you as years go by
I know the only one for me can only be you
My arms won't free you, my heart won't try
I know the only one for me can only be you
My arms won't free you, my heart won't try
Roger Williams His Piano And Orchestra's song The More I See You is a classic love song that revolves around the theme of the joy of being with that special someone. The song is about seeing the person you love and how every time you see them, it's like the first time. The singer explains that the thrill of being near their lover is always new, and they would do anything to experience that rare delight of seeing them.
The repeated lines of "The more I see you, the more I want you, somehow this feeling just grows and grows", emphasize how the singer's love is growing stronger and stronger every time they see their lover. Each sigh seems to deepen their love and they become more and more lost without them. The song portrays how the love that the singer has for their lover is so deep that they cannot imagine living without them.
The repetition of "I know the only one for me can only be you, my arms won't free you, my heart won't try" emphasizes how deep and true the singer's love is for their partner. There is only one person who fits the bill, and the singer will not let them go. The repetition of this line further amplifies the idea of how the singer's love is unbreakable and steadfast.
Line by Line Meaning
Each time I look at you is like the first time
Every time I see you it feels just as magical and incredible as the first moment we met
Each time you're near me the thrill is new
Each moment in your presence feels like a brand new experience, full of excitement and wonder
And there is nothing that I wouldn't do for
I am willing to do absolutely anything for
The rare delight of the sight of you for
The incredible pleasure of simply seeing you and being in your presence is priceless
The more I see you, the more I want you
Every time I see you, my desire for you grows stronger and deeper
Somehow this feeling just grows and grows
It's amazing to me that my feelings for you only intensify over time
With every sigh I become more mad about you
Every time I take a breath, I become even more crazy and obsessed with you
More lost without you and so it goes
I truly feel that I am incomplete and lost without you, and that's just the way it is
Can you imagine how much I love you?
My love for you is so deep and intense that imaginable words cannot describe it.
The more I see you as years go by
As time goes on, my love for you only continues to grow and deepen
I know the only one for me can only be you
I am positive and certain that you are the only person for me, the one and only love of my life
My arms won't free you, my heart won't try
I will never let you go, I will always hold on to you and my heart will never stop loving you
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Mack Gordon, Harry Warren
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind