The Wizard of Words

Paul Williams has a secret.the movie A Star Is Born), You And Me Against The
I had the pleasure of reconnecting with the famedWorld, I Won't Last A Day Without You, and one of
songwriter recently at the ASCAP (American Societymy personal favorites, "Waking Up Alone," are but a
of Composers, Authors, and Publishers) Latin Musicsampling of how his pen has touched the listeners of
Awards in San Juan, Puerto Rico. We first met in Losthe world.
Angeles when he appeared on my KMPC RadioAs Paul Williams once said, "There are those who
show.listen and those who wait to talk."
While his name may not jump out at you at first, hisSo, what is Paul's secret? It can be found in the lyrics
timeless words can have you singing for hours and it'sto what is surely his greatest work to date, Rainbow
not unusual for anyone to associate a memory orConnection. You see anyone who could give birth to
emotion with his precious lyrics.the thought, "Who said that ev'ry wish would be heard
As I write this I look out on an unusually cold and rainyand answered when wished on the morning star?
morning in San Antonio and remember, "What I feelSomebody thought of that, and someone believed it.
has come and gone before. No need to talk it out. WeLook what it's done so far" will surely be forever
know what it's all about. Hangin' around, nothing to doyoung.
but frown. Rainy Days and Mondays always get mePaul Williams has not only discovered the Fountain of
down."Youth, he's given us a musical map.
There is no telling how many couples have enjoyedWhether you love to dream or dream to love, I have
their first wedding dance to the words of another Paulno doubt, that, someday we'll find it, the Rainbow
Williams treasure, We've Only Just Begun.Connection, the lovers, the dreamers, and Paul.
Just An Old Fashioned Love Song, Evergreen (from