To live
White lace and promises
A kiss for luck and we’re on our way
Before the rising sun
We fly
So many roads to choose
We start out walking and learn to run
And yes we’ve just begun
Sharing horizons that are new to us
Watching the signs along the way
Talking it over just the two of us
Working together day to day
Together
These are lyrics from a song written by Paul Williams which became one of the biggest hits of the Carpenters. Paul Williams is recognized as one of America’s most prolific and gifted songwriters and composers who is responsible for a number of enduring pop hits from the ’70s. How about You And Me Against The World? Remember its lyrics? The song which was sung by Helen Reddy reached No. 1 in the charts.
You and me against the world
Sometimes it feels like you and me against the world
When all the others turn their back and walk away
You can count on me to stay
Remember when the circus came to town
And you were frightened by the clown
Wasn’t it nice to be around
Someone that you knew
Someone who was big and strong
An lookin’ out for
You and me against the world
Sometimes it feels like you and me against the world
And for all the times we’ve cried
I always felt the odds were on our side
And when one of us is gone
And one is left alone to carry on
Then remembering will have to do
Our memories alone will get us through
Think about the days of me and you
Of you and me against the world
Paul Williams’ songs have been performed by both pop and country music artists. His standards have been recorded by such diverse music icons as Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles, David Bowie, Tony Bennett, Sarah Vaughn, Johnny Mathis, Bing Crosby, The Carpenters, Luther Vandross, Mel Thorme and Diana Ross. Among the country legends who have favored his music were Chet Atkins, Kris Kristofferson, Charlie Pride, The Dixie Chicks, Crystal Gayle, Anne Murray, Lynn Anderson, The Oak Ridge Boys, Diamond Trio and Neil McCoy.
Williams also penned the song scores Phantom Of The Paradise, Ishtar, as well as The Muppet Christmas Carol and Bugsy Malone. Williams also wrote the lyrics for the blockbuster hit, The Sum Of All Fears. For the season finale of Ally McBeal, he offered the touching I Know Him By Heart, recorded by Vonda Shepard. Paul Williams recently teamed with legendary songwriter Carole King to write the song, Stand Back, sung by Joan Osborne for Raising Helen, and wrote the music and lyrics for the Gary Marshall musical, Happy Days. An Oscar, Grammy and Golden Globe Awards winner, he is a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame and a recipient of the 2004 National Music Publishers President’s Award.
Another prolific songwriter who will join Williams at a Valentine concert at the Araneta Coliseum on Feb. 14 is Dennis Lambert, a renowned songwriter and producer. He gained recognition for his consistent hit-making and songwriting in every style of music throughout a successful musical career that spans four decades. He has written almost 600 songs to-date and produced close to 100 full-length albums, which have generated sales in excess of 100 million and earned multiple Grammy Awards, American Music Awards and BMI Awards. Dennis Lambert is popular in the Philippines for the songs, Ashes To Ashes and Of All The Things, both of which he wrote and sang.
His credits also include the songs Dream On (The Righteous Brothers), It Only Takes A Minute (Tavares), Baby Come Back (Player), She’s Gone (Tavares), Stormy (Santana), The Moment of Truth (Survivor), Sara (Starship), I Live For Your Love (Natalie Cole), Love Music (Sergio Mendes and Brazil 77).
Tickets are available at Ticketnet outlets at SM Department Stores and at the Araneta Coliseum box-office. For details, call 911-5555.