by Here’s a great video memory from 1976 to cool things off and chill down a melting world: Mel Torme singing a Paul Williams classic, “I Won’t Last a Day Without You” — and the last held note will make you cry if you have an ounce of human left in you.
Paul Williams is a Good Nebraska Boy who hails from Bennington and he wrote songs — when melody meant something — like “Evergreen” and “Out in the Country” and “Close to You” and “Rainy Days and Mondays” and “Rainbow Connection” and “An Old Fashioned Love Song” and “You’re Gone” and many others as well as the theme from “The Love Boat.”
SuperGenius in action.
As an added Weekend Bonus, here’s Jazon Mraz singing Paul Williams’ “Rainbow Connection.”
Good performance on youtube comments say he is introduced by Anita O’Day but I don’t think that’s her. Looks like Shirley Bassey.
That’s an interesting question, Karvain. She looks more like Shirley than Anita to my eye.
Thanks maybe someone else will know.
Someone’s gotta know! 😀
What do you think of Paul Williams’ songs?
Had to look him up but Carpenters, Diamond Rio, 3 Dog Night, Streisand made them great songs
That’s it, Karvain! You covered the major hits. Diamond Rio was a surprise. “You’re Gone” is haunting and well-recorded by both Paul and Diamond Rio. Paul also wrote the music for the “Happy Days” musical with Gary Marshall.
David,
Thanks for the experience – you are right, “I won’t last a day without you” is just brilliant.
Hi Katha!
It is a beautiful song in every way. The melody beautifully blends with the lyric. Timeless.