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Sep 18

We’ve Only Just Begun

We’ve Only Just Begun

This is a double tribute to the composers of ‘We’ve Only Just Begun’. Paul Williams was born on September 19, 1940 (age 80) and Roger Nichols was born on September 17, 1940 (also age 80)! I don’t know why I started humming this song in particular in the shower last month except to say that it is definitely part of the soundtrack of my life.  It is also peaceful and optimistic, something that we all need right about now.

This song has an interesting story behind it. It debuted within a wedding-themed television commercial for Crocker National Bank in California in the winter of 1970, with Paul Williams on vocals. The song played over footage of a couple getting married and just starting out. Richard Carpenter (of the Carpenter’s) recognized Williams as the vocalist and after running into him in a back lot, asked if he had another version of the song to record. And the rest is history, contributing to the Carpenter’s selling more than 90 million records worldwide, making them one of the best-selling music artists of all time. Could this be the best song for a first dance at a wedding?

This rendition is dedicated to Marcy W, a naturally talented pianist and dear friend.

Enjoy,

Dr. Weiss

Related Weiss video: Evergreen   Williams is also known for writing the lyrics to the #1 song “Evergreen”, the love theme from the Barbra Streisand film A Star Is Born, for which he won a Grammy for Song of the Year and an Academy Award for Best Original Song.