Classic Don post masks on TV

[Gillfan]

I was wandering on you tube and found this:

Paul Williams performs "The Hell of It," from the 1974 Brian DePalma film "Phantom of the Paradise," on the last episode of The Brady Bunch Variety Hour, and the second season premiere of the Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries (in which they "Meet Dracula.")

Here's the link:

Paul Williams "The Hell of It" (Phantom of the Paradise)

It has some nice shots of DP masks.

[Toy Ranch]

That was great.  Thanks!

[Kenneth]

Enjoyed that! Thanks.

[The Creeper]

That was cool!  Thanks for posting that!

[Sean]

    Generally speaking, it's quite unbelievable that Paul Williams was a 'star' of ANY magnitude.  It makes one think they really just weren't looking all that hard for talent back then.

[packy120353]

Paul Williams was quite a prominent composer/producer and admittedly was much more known for his songwriting than his performing. "Back then" pop artists could still recognized in the biz for being integral, not just formula. I propose he has more pure musical talent in his little toe than many pop successes these days. You say "generally speaking" - do you base your disbelief on more than a Brady Bunch Variety show? Not trying to challenge you or start anything but having been in the commercial music business through the 70s it seems like an unreasonable statement. I know opinions differ, just wonder what yours is based on.

[Toy Ranch]

Paul Williams is no matinee idol, but amazingly talented and that was some bizarre greatness. 

[Toy Ranch]

The lyrics are wonderful/hilarious.

The Hell Of It
Paul Williams

Roll on thunder, shine on lightning
The days are long and the nights are frightenin'
Nothing matters anyway,
And that's the hell of it.
Winter comes and the winds blew colder
While some grew wiser, you just grew older
And you never listened anyway,
And that's the hell of it.
Good for nothing, bad in bed
Nobody likes you and you're better off dead
Goodbye, we've all come to say goodbye (goodbye)
Goodbye (goodbye)
Born defeated, died in vain
Super-destructive, you were hooked on pain
Though your music lingers on
All of us are glad you're gone
If I could live my life half as worthlessly as you
I'm convinced that I'd wind up burning too.
Love yourself as you loved no other
Be no man's fool and be no man's brother
We're all born to die alone, you know, that's the hell of it.
Life's a game where they're bound to beat you
And time's a trick it can turn to cheat you
And we only waste it anyway,
And that's the hell of it.
Good for nothing, bad in bed
Nobody liked you and you're better off dead
Goodbye, we've all come to say goodbye (goodbye)
Goodbye (goodbye)
Born defeated, died in vain
Super-destructive, you were hooked on pain
And though your music lingers on
All of us are glad you're gone

[Sean]

Paul Williams was quite a prominent composer/producer and admittedly was much more known for his songwriting than his performing. "Back then" pop artists could still recognized in the biz for being integral, not just formula. I propose he has more pure musical talent in his little toe than many pop successes these days. You say "generally speaking" - do you base your disbelief on more than a Brady Bunch Variety show? Not trying to challenge you or start anything but having been in the commercial music business through the 70s it seems like an unreasonable statement. I know opinions differ, just wonder what yours is based on. >>>>

     The short version?  He stinks.  <G>  C'mon.  We can't possibly be taking PAUL WILLIAMS that seriously, can we?  Look, I LOVED the cheesy variety shows of the 70's.  But they were CHEESY.  Paul Williams was CHEESY.  And you're right-----he was BIG back then (in some respects).... which kinda is the point I'm getting at.  It wasn't exactly a HOTBED time for musical genius----though opinions may vary.  Btw... no offense meant nor taken. 

[packy120353]

 I'm just wondering what you know about Paul Williams that makes you think he has so little talent. If you don't like his music just say that instead of "He stinks". That's still not a reflection of how much talent he may or may not have. Wiki him once - if you see the list of songs he has written and still insist he has no talent then I guess it's just a matter of semantics. You're right though it's hardly worth arguing with someone I don't even know over. I guess I like to talk about 70s pop music in general and resonated with your post.



He did not stink. I'll tell you who stinks - Bob Seger

[packy120353]

Ok I just went and watched that video again - it's really quite ridiculous! But don't make the mistake of thinking it's very representative of 70s music.

[mike c]

If all he had ever done was compose 'We've Only Just Begun', 'Just An Old Fashioned Love Song' and 'The Rainbow Connection', he'd be a giant in my book. But he did so, so much more. Like Packy said, Wiki the guy. Your disdain, while entirely within your rights, is also entirely ignorant of the facts.

He remains one of the most awarded, respected and admired figures in the music industry, and for good reason.

[BlackLagoon]

Who knew "Little Enis Burdette" could pull off such a cool song! I dug that, and thanks Bobby for posting the lyrics...which  I also thought we're pretty cool.

As far as his talent goes? I'm a "half-assed" musician myself, and I'm mainly a metal guy but for whatever reason I'm addicited to 70's "singers and songwriters" type things lately...and this seems pretty par for the course.

If I told people I had a CD in my console with the likes of Anne Muarry, Christopher Cross, Jim Croce and Chris Rhea on it..and I had it next to my Slayer: Hell Awaits CD..they probably wouldnt believe me..but its true, and I liked this song plus masks rocked.

Especially the skull that looks like the one from Halloween III

[Sean]

I'm just wondering what you know about Paul Williams that makes you think he has so little talent. If you don't like his music just say that instead of "He stinks". That's still not a reflection of how much talent he may or may not have. Wiki him once - if you see the list of songs he has written and still insist he has no talent then I guess it's just a matter of semantics. You're right though it's hardly worth arguing with someone I don't even know over. I guess I like to talk about 70s pop music in general and resonated with your post.



He did not stink. I'll tell you who stinks - Bob Seger>>>

   Let me apologize...  I may have struck a nerve---and I didn't mean to.  I'm saying much of this 'tongue in cheek' and your commentary is far more eloquent, mature and complete than mine here.  Paul Williams didn't 'stink' (I said that as a reference to a Bugs Bunny episode where either Elmer or Porky is crafting a wonderful painting of a landscape----and all Bugs had to say after much feigned due consideration was 'it stinks'. <G>... but I digress). 
As a matter of fact he was VERY talented.  He was such a big thing back then when music people wore many hats and the product was more than just smoke and mirrors with studio equipment to be massed produced, cookie cutter style.  I get it.  And I LOVED those 'cheesy' 70's acts.  I loved Sonny & Cher's show... I loved Paul Williams' contributions------anybody that was cool enough to do Halloween or monster 'acts' was automatically cool to me.  I remember some Halloween special with KISS battling classic monsters from some wax museum. I ate that stuff up.

     BTW... you cracked me up the the 'Bob Segar stinks' comment.  I had tears in my eyes.

[Sean]

Ok I just went and watched that video again - it's really quite ridiculous! But don't make the mistake of thinking it's very representative of 70s music. >>>

Nope.  And for the record, I never went there.