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 World Outside
Roger Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Belongs to me
Since you are mine
I rule the night
I own the moon
I tell the stars
When to shine
Each time we touch
The dreams that start
The world outside
Will never know
How much you mean
To my heart
Each time we touch
I can't control
The dreams that start
The world outside
Will never know
How much you mean
To my heart
"The World Outside" is a love ballad that speaks of the power of a relationship. The first stanza declares that the world belongs to the singer since he has found love. The use of possessive pronoun, "you are mine," reflects the fact that the singer has found what he has always been looking for, and being in love has given him a sense of ownership of the external world. The use of imagery, such as "I rule the night" and "I own the moon," further emphasizes the power of love, and how it has brought the singer to the forefront of the world.
The chorus of the song repeats the notion of the uncontrollable nature of love. Each time the couple touches, it starts a new dream that the singer cannot control. The world outside will never know how much the singer's significant other means to him. These lyrics are painted with emotional depth, evoking a sense of yearning to keep the relationship and love very private, and intensely personal.
Some interpret the song as being about the relationship between the singer and the woman he loves. It appears that his significant other means the world to him, and everything seems to revolve around her. The song is a declaration of his love for the woman, and how the relationship has changed everything around him.
Line by Line Meaning
The world outside
The external world
Belongs to me
Is under my authority
Since you are mine
As you belong to me
I rule the night
I have control over the night
I own the moon
The moon is under my possession
I tell the stars
I command the stars
When to shine
As to when to give light
Each time we touch
Whenever we make physical contact
I can't control
I am unable to manage
The dreams that start
The aspirations that arise
The world outside
The external world
Will never know
It cannot ascertain
How much you mean
The extent of importance you have
To my heart
To my feelings and emotions
Contributed by Liliana B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
alice querino
Linda essa música ,parabéns para quem postou ,tem um excelente bom gosto!
tom stratton
A great talent and brought much appreciation to us years ago. A true classic played by a very talented man; R.I.P. Roger
EndlessIbis
I've been on a search for music relating to the sun and stumbled on this from another song of his... listening to it as if it were the sun singing to us was surprisingly interesting. It can make you feel loved on a different level.
Odilon da Silva Rocha
MATT MONRO also recorded this.....this was the music I played when I graduated in piano many years ago...I mean...the complete edition, 10-11 pages, very demanding... Great music by Richard Addensell..
lateforbreakfast
Until now I had only heard Ronnie HIlton singing this great song, this version is well worth a listen.
Martin Garcia
HERMOSO COMO TODO LO Q, INTERPRETAVA GRACIAS POR COMPARTIRLO
MarcusTomatos
Russ Conway recorded this composition as a single in 1959 and on an LP in 1960. Both versions are excellent and well worth a listen. MT
CatsPjamas1
@azw596 Yes, I only found out about this sad news when I posted this record last night.