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.
Strangers In The Night
Roger Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Exchanging glances
Wandering the night,
What were the chances
We'd be sharing love
Before the night was through
Something in your eyes
Something in your smile
Was so exciting
Something in my heart
Told me I must have you
Strangers in the night
Two lonely people
We were strangers in the night
Up to the moment
When we said our first hello
Little did we know
Love was just a glance away
A warm embracing dance away
And ever since that night
We've been together
Lovers at first sight
In love forever
It turned out so right
Strangers in the night
Two lonely people
We were strangers in the night
Up to the moment
When we said our first hello
Little did we know
Love was just a glance away
A warm embracing dance away
For strangers in the night.
The lyrics to Roger Williams's song "Strangers in the Night" describe a chance encounter between two people. The first verse tells us that these strangers are exchanging glances and wandering the night. The second line asks the question "what were the chances?" that these two people would find themselves in each other's presence. However, the chorus reveals that they do ultimately find love and share it before the night is through. The lyrics describe the moment when the two strangers notice each other and decide to approach each other.
The second verse gives more detail about why the two strangers are drawn to each other. The singer describes something in the other person's eyes and smile that was inviting and exciting. The singer's heart tells them that they must have this person. The chorus repeats, emphasizing that these are two lonely people who found each other by chance.
The lyrics have a romantic and optimistic tone. They suggest that there is a kind of magic in the air that can bring two people together unexpectedly. The song was a big hit when it was released, and it has remained popular over the years.
Line by Line Meaning
Strangers in the night,
Two individuals who are unfamiliar with each other meet for the first time on a dark night.
Exchanging glances
Looking at each other briefly, exchanging momentary gazes.
Wandering the night,
Moving aimlessly or without a plan in the dark at night.
What were the chances
What were the odds or likelihood of such a chance encounter?
We'd be sharing love
That they would find and fall in love with each other on this unexpected night.
Before the night was through
Before the night came to an end.
Something in your eyes
There was a certain look or feeling conveyed by the person's eyes.
Was so inviting
That look was very alluring and welcoming, beckoning the other person to come closer.
Something in your smile
Their smile had a certain quality that caught the other's attention.
Was so exciting
It was thrilling and invigorating to see that smile and feel the effect it had.
Something in my heart
My heart felt something, an intuition or a strong emotive sensation.
Told me I must have you
It was as though my heart and feelings were guiding me towards you, telling me that I needed to be with you.
Two lonely people
They were both feeling alone and seeking some connection with another person.
Up to the moment
Until the exact point in time when they both spoke to each other.
When we said our first hello
When they introduced themselves to each other.
Little did we know
It wasn't anticipated or expected, but something they could only realize afterward.
Love was just a glance away
Their love for each other was only a brief meeting and exchange of glances away.
A warm embracing dance away
It would only take a warm embrace and a dance to bring them closer.
And ever since that night
From that moment on, they've been together.
We've been together
They embarked on their journey together as a couple.
Lovers at first sight
It was love from the moment they laid eyes on each other.
In love forever
They fell in love and planned on being together forever.
It turned out so right
Their relationship worked out perfectly, despite it being unexpected and unplanned.
For strangers in the night.
It all began with two strangers meeting each other on a dark night.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Bert Kaempfert, Charles Singleton, Eddie Snyder
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind