OMG!!!! I was a Paul Williams fan in the seventies. I heard this version ONCE in 1976 when I was 17....I loved it. I have looked for it ever since...during the years I even began to wonder whether I had dreamed that there was this upbeat version, but today, at the age of 59 I have found it!!! THANK YOU?..it is as wonderful as I remembered!
Terri Pero ....that's wonderful to hear, Terri. Good luck to you. I could tell he was a wonderful man by the words in his songs! All best wishes to you xx
There was two pressings o the Greatest hits album called Classics, one of those pressings had this extra cut on it - Sadly it is hard to find and I know because I lost my copy in a fire and been looking for another ever since! My band I used to play this version in a more like an 80's version!
We were in 1977 and I was 6 years old. My mother had been in the UK and brought this amongst other Vinyl records to Portugal. I remember waking up countless mornings to go to school with this song playing, at home. I still have this LP. The time of real emotions in pop/folk music. I also remember waking up at the sound of Simon and Garfunkel.
Yes You are down with it , I had his album of his greatest hits in the 1980's lol I prefer the version on that album. A wonderful singer as well as a movie actor. At the age of 54 it is so nice to go back and listen to his music, it makes me feel less Lonely and bumps up my spirits. Young people who have never heard of this great man would not understand his music let alone the context . No rap or some other b/s in it. Rant over guess it's time for bed lmfao or maybe I will have another beer first and search for other great songs etc that make me feel good.
Great version of this song. For a long time it was impossible to find on the internet. It's great that it's here now. Thanks for the upload! Some things are worth waiting for.
I saw Paul at the long-gone Valley Forge Music Circus in 1975. Believe it or not, Freddie Prinze was his opener! Paul sang this as his first encore. GREAT memories made that night!
I have been looking for this recording for YEARS! Thanks so much for posting. The original is great, but I really prefer the up-tempo take on this one.
My band and I used to perform this version often. Thank you for posting it because when I now talk about this version - people think I am nuts. Feel like I am the only one that knows this one exists. I lost the album in the fire and I have yet to find a copy of it now!
Oh My God!! Thank you, Thank you so much for putting this up. I have been waiting for YEARS for someone to put this song on CD or post for download and for whatever reason it was never available. The slower version of this song is good (very good, in fact) but this is the version I fell in love with many many moon ago.
How I found it as well, it was on the 'Classics' album, but the version that had this was limited release! So I have yet to find it again, I too have no idea how the hell I lost it!
I wish i still had either of my two copies of the Paul Williams Classics cassettes or that i have bought the album on vinyl or even CD; this album is without a doubt one of the best collections of heartfelt music -
I had this version on a cassette I bought, probably in the 80s. I thought this was the one and only version of the song and was unaware of the slower version till I went searching online and found the more downbeat arrangement. Both good but glad to have found this, the original and best for me.
This was an amazing song in the 70's. Now, you'd be hard pressed to find this original version after his remake of it years ago. That is sad. I think they BOTH have a place in music history & offer different people different things & memories. Thanks SO MUCH for posting the original version. :)
C. Buck Hyres; Thank you for following up on my comment! Paul Williams was/is a man of great talent; writing being in the forefront; and following closely in 2nd Place were the tunes he wrote; and the innocent; good clean lyrics which in turn did great success for him and even more for the Carpenters. Thank you
Like many others I've been looking for this specific one for ages. So big thanks. It is in my top five... though where Paul Williams is concerned my top five easily contains dozens of titles!
I had a reverse story to some others here. I fell in love with Paul's original soft version of the song. Along the way I acquired a promo copy of CLASSICS and a promo copy of this uptempo version, not noticing that it was indeed different. One day I went to play the song and pulled out CLASSICS and - ACK! - what the heck was this? "They ruined the song", I thought. Dug out my 45, and it was this same version. So I had to buy the Japanese CD of JUST AN OLD FASHIONED LOVE SONG to get my favored slow version. Flash forward and this uptempo version began to haunt me. Now I think I prefer it!
Like many others here, I heard this version of the song many years ago and fell in love with it, and was shocked to finally find it existed here on the web. Paul Williams wrote many, many great songs, but this may be the best. If not, it's right up there with "We've Only Just Begun" and Traveling Boy".
holy...can't say I was expecting that, wow. They really went with different approach the second time around, didn't they? Its like an entirely different song
This is a great recording of this song! Thanks for sharing! I am in search of Born To Fly by Paul. It was on Here Comes Inspiration, my fave album by him. Can you help me?
I think I may have Born to fly on my channel..granted you may not like the video...(it's a fan made cats video..please don't judge me...I was young bored and stupid!)
When those of us who wake-up-alone? Wake-up-alone? We'll roll over... ... think, yep, no one here (yet)... "Alone..." Not Paul Williams. When Paul Williams wakes up alone? He goes, hmm, this might actually BE AN ACADEMY AWARD WINNING SONG. Which "Waking up Alone" is. A smash with "only" 45,000 views - i.e. BENEATH one Paul Williams. Once actually got Paul on the phone - New York City - early 80's. Called the Hotel Paul was reportedly staying-at via the NY Post. "May I have Paul William's room, please, it's important." I'm connected. Paul William's HIMSELF answers the phone - i.e. a big groggy. But NOT grumpy - he didn't curse me out - didn't yell at me etc. - just said, "Heck if you need music ye gotta contact my manager Denny Bond - Denny arranges everything." He was just the most decent person about the whole thing. -and despite my waking him. Prolly the 10,000th fan and to do so. Thanks for that, Paul. And for the greatest songs ...that are your Compositions. It's just another fine mess. ...
I prefer the original arrangement of the song particularly the sax at the end. One advantage this version has is the fact that you can hear the lyrics clearly. In other words, I wish he had re-recorded the original arrangement but added the audio clarity. This version is just way too over-produced.
Ouch! Can't say as I care for this version, and it's one of my favorite songs. Have to listen to something else to get this taste out of my mouth. Love your other offerings, however.
This version totally loses the whimsical, nostalgic tone of the original version. Trying to make a dance song out of a ballad. The original arrangement is a classic.
Sorry but I don't care for this dance version of a great song. I can only think he did this in 1976 to fit in with the disco era at the time. This is still one of the greatest songs ever written.
I knew of this version first, so for me this is the best, although both are great. I guess your preference may depend on how you first came to know the song.
@@johnscot1 You're right. I first heard this in high school in the spring of '72. It was a slow and kind of a sad ballad how he comes home to see his old love. Still a great song!
Soooory, I’m not happy with this version. The original arrangement had a nostalgic feeling to it, solemn in fact. The lyrics and the music on this version conflict. Just saying!
Can’t stop listening Paul Williams’ songs. They have the touch.
OMG!!!! I was a Paul Williams fan in the seventies. I heard this version ONCE in 1976 when I was 17....I loved it. I have looked for it ever since...during the years I even began to wonder whether I had dreamed that there was this upbeat version, but today, at the age of 59 I have found it!!! THANK YOU?..it is as wonderful as I remembered!
Janice Hobbs he is helping me get sober. I've been a fan since 1968. He is a wonderful man!
Terri Pero ....that's wonderful to hear, Terri. Good luck to you. I could tell he was a wonderful man by the words in his songs! All best wishes to you xx
same here
There was two pressings o the Greatest hits album called Classics, one of those pressings had this extra cut on it - Sadly it is hard to find and I know because I lost my copy in a fire and been looking for another ever since! My band I used to play this version in a more like an 80's version!
Yes i hunted around for the upbeat version for years too but only ever found the “slow” version. So glad you (and I!) both found it ! 😁👍
We were in 1977 and I was 6 years old. My mother had been in the UK and brought this amongst other Vinyl records to Portugal. I remember waking up countless mornings to go to school with this song playing, at home. I still have this LP.
The time of real emotions in pop/folk music. I also remember waking up at the sound of Simon and Garfunkel.
The original version was haunting and beautiful, this one just sounds like a pop song
Yes You are down with it , I had his album of his greatest hits in the 1980's lol I prefer the version on that album. A wonderful singer as well as a movie actor. At the age of 54 it is so nice to go back and listen to his music, it makes me feel less Lonely and bumps up my spirits. Young people who have never heard of this great man would not understand his music let alone the context . No rap or some other b/s in it. Rant over guess it's time for bed lmfao or maybe I will have another beer first and search for other great songs etc that make me feel good.
I like the original better. I have it on a old album.
Interesting arrangement of one of the best songs ever written.
Yes. I agree completely.
I have always loved this song since the 1970s this is my favourite version it’s absolutely fantastic
Great version of this song. For a long time it was impossible to find on the internet. It's great that it's here now. Thanks for the upload! Some things are worth waiting for.
Thank you for sharing this beautiful music with us
I saw Paul at the long-gone Valley Forge Music Circus in 1975. Believe it or not, Freddie Prinze was his opener! Paul sang this as his first encore. GREAT memories made that night!
a genius at music!
The best of the Best!
I have been looking for this recording for YEARS! Thanks so much for posting. The original is great, but I really prefer the up-tempo take on this one.
My band and I used to perform this version often. Thank you for posting it because when I now talk about this version - people think I am nuts. Feel like I am the only one that knows this one exists. I lost the album in the fire and I have yet to find a copy of it now!
This is awesome, never heard this version before. Thank you for posting!.
Yay been trying to find this version! Always see the original version.
Oh My God!! Thank you, Thank you so much for putting this up. I have been waiting for YEARS for someone to put this song on CD or post for download and for whatever reason it was never available. The slower version of this song is good (very good, in fact) but this is the version I fell in love with many many moon ago.
YES!!! Ditto. I was given this LP and somehow it disappeared. I've waited for years to be able to hear this again. Hallelu!
This was the version my band would do in the early 90's! Thank you for posting this!
How I found it as well, it was on the 'Classics' album, but the version that had this was limited release! So I have yet to find it again, I too have no idea how the hell I lost it!
I wish i still had either of my two copies of the Paul Williams Classics cassettes or that i have bought the album on vinyl or even CD; this album is without a doubt one of the best collections of heartfelt music -
Amazing even now , grew up to this , still love it
Uno de los mas grande de le musica de los 70.un abrazo a uds..
I had this version on a cassette I bought, probably in the 80s. I thought this was the one and only version of the song and was unaware of the slower version till I went searching online and found the more downbeat arrangement. Both good but glad to have found this, the original and best for me.
OMG I couldn't find this to show a mate of mine! THANK YOU!
This was an amazing song in the 70's. Now, you'd be hard pressed to find this original version after his remake of it years ago. That is sad. I think they BOTH have a place in music history & offer different people different things & memories. Thanks SO MUCH for posting the original version. :)
Genius
Thanks for uploading this terrific version of one of my favorite songs of the early 70's
C. Buck Hyres; Thank you for following up on my comment! Paul Williams was/is a man of great talent; writing being in the forefront; and following closely in 2nd Place were the tunes he wrote; and the innocent; good clean lyrics which in turn did great success for him and even more for the Carpenters. Thank you
Like many others I've been looking for this specific one for ages. So big thanks. It is in my top five... though where Paul Williams is concerned my top five easily contains dozens of titles!
Love this and have been looking for this version...thanks
This is the version I was most familiar with now if I can just figure out how to download it to my laptop. Thanks for posting this.
Awsome! Punchy, good music. Supertramp meets phantom of the opera
I have looked for this for so long. Thanks for posting.
Along with Jimmy Webb, they are the 2 greatest American songwriters of our times.
+Nigel Bradley OK. Cmon. I agree- they're two monsters. Brian Wilson?
I go to see Jimmy Webb and Him.
Top 6 living American songwriters: Jimmy Webb, Paul Williams, Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Brian Wilson, Burt Bacharach (in no particular order)
Sadly Burt has passed but agree. Also Cynthia Weil with Barry Mann
Now Cynthia has passed away sadly.
@Wario Williams - Have been waiting for someone to post this for the longest time: simply fantastic - Thanks for the upload!
Always much preferred this upbeat version to the other one
I had a reverse story to some others here. I fell in love with Paul's original soft version of the song. Along the way I acquired a promo copy of CLASSICS and a promo copy of this uptempo version, not noticing that it was indeed different. One day I went to play the song and pulled out CLASSICS and - ACK! - what the heck was this? "They ruined the song", I thought. Dug out my 45, and it was this same version. So I had to buy the Japanese CD of JUST AN OLD FASHIONED LOVE SONG to get my favored slow version.
Flash forward and this uptempo version began to haunt me. Now I think I prefer it!
luv this upbeat version.
Like many others here, I heard this version of the song many years ago and fell in love with it, and was shocked to finally find it existed here on the web. Paul Williams wrote many, many great songs, but this may be the best. If not, it's right up there with "We've Only Just Begun" and Traveling Boy".
As a young 27 year old I want to revive this song soon enough people will know who mischievous muffins really is.
same!
never a fan of the earlier version but this as a 64 year old does it for me!
holy...can't say I was expecting that, wow. They really went with different approach the second time around, didn't they? Its like an entirely different song
I saw Paul acting in Goliath and I couldnt avoid starting singing ...
best album ever. best song on the best record ever. i had two copies of the cassette. alas, destroyed by time. was this album ever on CD?
Hermosa versión
this song is my Cell phone ring
This is a great recording of this song! Thanks for sharing!
I am in search of Born To Fly by Paul. It was on Here Comes Inspiration, my fave album by him. Can you help me?
Oh-- Also Driftwood and In the Beginning from that album, too.
Trying to find that song too! which is how I saw this on on the suggested list LOL!
I think I may have Born to fly on my channel..granted you may not like the video...(it's a fan made cats video..please don't judge me...I was young bored and stupid!)
When those of us who wake-up-alone?
Wake-up-alone?
We'll roll over...
... think, yep, no one here (yet)...
"Alone..."
Not Paul Williams.
When Paul Williams wakes up alone?
He goes, hmm, this might actually BE AN ACADEMY AWARD WINNING SONG.
Which "Waking up Alone" is.
A smash with "only" 45,000 views - i.e. BENEATH one Paul Williams.
Once actually got Paul on the phone - New York City - early 80's.
Called the Hotel Paul was reportedly staying-at via the NY Post.
"May I have Paul William's room, please, it's important."
I'm connected.
Paul William's HIMSELF answers the phone - i.e. a big groggy.
But NOT grumpy - he didn't curse me out - didn't yell at me etc. - just said,
"Heck if you need music ye gotta contact my manager Denny Bond - Denny arranges everything."
He was just the most decent person about the whole thing.
-and despite my waking him.
Prolly the 10,000th fan and to do so.
Thanks for that, Paul.
And for the greatest songs ...that are your Compositions.
It's just another fine mess.
...
I prefer the original arrangement of the song particularly the sax at the end. One advantage this version has is the fact that you can hear the lyrics clearly. In other words, I wish he had re-recorded the original arrangement but added the audio clarity. This version is just way too over-produced.
sorry for blorbo-ing the song but im hyperfixating lmao. lestat song
残念ながらオリジナルの方が・・・、カーペンターズにゆったりと歌って欲しかった。FROM jAPAN
Ouch! Can't say as I care for this version, and it's one of my favorite songs. Have to listen to something else to get this taste out of my mouth. Love your other offerings, however.
This version totally loses the whimsical, nostalgic tone of the original version. Trying to make a dance song out of a ballad. The original arrangement is a classic.
Nah he just nailed it a different way😎
Sorry but I don't care for this dance version of a great song. I can only think he did this in 1976 to fit in with the disco era at the time. This is still one of the greatest songs ever written.
I knew of this version first, so for me this is the best, although both are great. I guess your preference may depend on how you first came to know the song.
@@johnscot1 You're right. I first heard this in high school in the spring of '72. It was a slow and kind of a sad ballad how he comes home to see his old love. Still a great song!
is this really rare? i have the album
I have it too - it is fabulous
Soooory, I’m not happy with this version. The original arrangement had a nostalgic feeling to it, solemn in fact. The lyrics and the music on this version conflict. Just saying!