Roger Williams (October 1, 1924 – October 8, 2011), born Louis Jacob Weertz… Read Full Bio ↴Roger Williams (October 1, 1924 – October 8, 2011), born Louis Jacob Weertz, was an American popular music pianist. As of 2004, he had released 116 albums.

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.

The Girl from Ipanema
Roger Williams Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Tall and tan and young and lovely
The girl from Ipanema goes walking
And when she passes, each one she passes goes - ah

When she walks, she's like a samba
That swings so cool and sways so gentle
That when she passes, each one she passes goes - ah

(Ooh) But he watch her so sadly
How can he tell her he loves her
Yes I would give my heart gladly
But each day, that she walks to the sea
She looks straight ahead, not at he

Tall, (and) tan, (and) young, (and) lovely
The girl from Ipanema goes walking
And when she passes, he smile - but she doesn't see

(Doesn't see)
(She just doesn't see, she never sees him)

Overall Meaning

"The Girl from Ipanema" is a classic Brazilian bossa nova song about a young woman who catches the eye of the singer. The opening lines describe the girl's physical features: tall, tan, young, and lovely. She walks confidently along the streets of Ipanema, a coastal neighborhood in Rio de Janeiro, and turns heads wherever she goes. The singer notes that each person who sees her cannot help but let out an "ah" out of admiration for her beauty.

The next lines use a simile to describe how the girl moves when she walks. To the singer, she seems like a samba dance, both cool and gentle in her rhythm. This image of her movement implies that she is carefree and joyful, enjoying life in the moment. Meanwhile, the singer watches her with sadness because he loves her but cannot bring himself to tell her.

Line by Line Meaning

Tall and tan and young and lovely
The girl from Ipanema is a beautiful, youthful woman with a tall and tan figure that captures the attention of many admirers.

The girl from Ipanema goes walking
This woman enjoys taking walks on a regular basis and is often the center of attention.

And when she passes, each one she passes goes - ah
Her presence is so captivating that each person she passes lets out a sound of admiration or astonishment.

When she walks, she's like a samba
As she walks, her movements mimic those of the samba dance, with a cool and gentle sway.

That swings so cool and sways so gentle
The way she swings and sways is captivating and mesmerizing to onlookers.

That when she passes, each one she passes goes - ah
As she walks by, the sound of admiration and awe is released by each person.

(Ooh) But he watch her so sadly
One of her admirers watches her with great sadness, likely due to his unrequited feelings for her.

How can he tell her he loves her
He is struggling with finding the courage to confess his love for her.

Yes I would give my heart gladly
Despite his sadness, he is willing to give his whole heart to her if only she would accept him.

But each day, that she walks to the sea
She walks consistently each day towards the sea, and it is during these moments that he watches her.

She looks straight ahead, not at he
Despite his feelings for her, she is unaware of his presence as she walks towards the sea.

The girl from Ipanema goes walking
The woman continues to walk, capturing the heart of all those who admire her beauty and presence.

And when she passes, he smiles, but she doesn't see
Her admirer may muster a smile as she passes, but she is unaware of his unrequited feelings for her.

(Doesn't see)
She is oblivious to his love and admiration.

(She just doesn't see, she never sees him)
Despite his presence and feelings for her, she does not acknowledge him or his love for her.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Tratore, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Norman Gimbel, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Vinicius De Moraes

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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