Paul Williams: As timeless as ever

We’ve only just begun

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.