Bill Withers

(album: Good Problems - 2022)

Long live King William! Ladies and gentleman
A living legend has just left the building
Born with a stutter, the youngest of six children
But to me Bill was more like one in billion
He joined the navy at the tender age of seventeen
Repairing planes while he was sailing on the seven seas
Then headed west on an adventure for a change of scene
Bought a guitar and started playing words and melodies

Then at the same age that I am today, made his way to LA
To the land where the legends get made
Plenty execs said he'd never get played...
Then Ain't No Sunshine hit the radio waves

Topping charts from the start with his songs from the heart
But in his heart of hearts, Bill ain't wanna be no star
Left the music biz for life with his wife and two kids
If Mr. Withers ain't a hero, well tell me then, who is?

Now party people in the house, what's the deal with it?
Yeah, it's been a long time, are you still with us?
Bump this shit like you're driving out the dealership
Listening to the greatest hits of Mr. Bill Withers

Now party people in the house, what's the deal with it?
Yeah, it's been a long time, are you still with us?
One more time, raise ya glass, lift ya spirits
For the greatest of all time, Mr. Bill Withers

Sometimes in our lives
We all have pain
We all have sorrow
But if we are wise
We know that
Tomorrow ain't never promised, to listen has been an honour
Now you're gone, but you're never forgotten

So one more time I'm saying thank you for the memories
All of the pieces of your untouchable legacy
You make me wish I was alive in the 70's
I know I'll be bumping your shit up in my seventies
And it's fitting that you chose this moment to make your exit
When we were home alone and feeling so disconnected
And then your songs came out and hearing the chord progressions
United us for a second, I swear I'll never forget it

See today was the day I received the transmission
On the transistor that Mr. Withers has transitioned
And though my heart broke knowing he's no longer with us
I know that he lives on in spirit...

So I'ma carry on tradition as long as they wanna listen
Describe the human condition keep rhyming it with the rhythm
Aspiring to Bill's wisdom, this one's for Mr Withers
Never met him but I know damn well, I'm gonna miss him

Now party people in the house, what's the deal with it?
Yeah, it's been a long time, are you still with us?
Bump this shit like you're driving out the dealership
Listening to the greatest hits of Mr. Bill Withers

Now party people in the house, what's the deal with it?
Yeah, it's been a long time, are you still with us?
One more time, raise ya glass, lift ya spirits
For the greatest of all time, Mr. Bill Withers

Ain't no sunshine when he's gone
It's not warm when he's away
Ain't no sunshine when he's gone
And this house just ain't no home
Anytime he goes away...