He is known as the Gentle Giant.I grew up listening to Don Williams.Amazing artist.Thanks for taking me back.

@adamhonestyanddecency5054

3 жыл бұрын

Yep-Gentle Giant. And in interviews with him, you can tell that he was deeply sensitive.

@cclapew

Жыл бұрын

He sure was the Gentle Giant.... at a time where performers where adding big light shows and everyone was making there shows louder and flashier he would perform on stage with just a bar stool and still he captivated his audience

This song is so deep. From the opening line it is about the contradictory and confusing messages that shaped kids, particularly in the south,at that time. Uncle Remus,a fictional former slave, and Stonewall Jackson a defender of the confederacy, both were held in high esteem. And then he gave other examples of the upbringing that made him who he was . The dilemma he faced was that there was so much that he loved about his childhood that even though he rejected parts of it, the good parts still pulled at him. But, as the Thomas Wolfe reference implies, "you can't go home again ". So where does that leave a good old boy like him?

@evilgenius4213

3 жыл бұрын

You nailed it.

@sharona7309

3 жыл бұрын

I couldn’t have said it better. As he talked about the influences throughout his life and he realized that he wanted to learn so much more about the world, but he still loved those that were never able to grow beyond their set ways. I still remember hearing Wolfman Jack on the radio. Sadly, not many remember that gravelly voiced DJ.

@Rocker1983

3 жыл бұрын

Well put.

@sherylstone8804

3 жыл бұрын

Your reply is amazing.

@SingleMalt77005

2 жыл бұрын

@@evilgenius4213 He did indeed.

Everytime I hear this song it takes me right back to my childhood. We didn't have the smell of jasmine coming through the window screen, it was the smell of honeysuckle, the smells of spring and summer and fall. I can still remember all the elder men and my father laughing and talking out on the sleeping porch with the fragrance of jasmine and hummingbirds flying all around. I would sit silently just so I could hear the stories and not be sent away. I can't get those memories from my head, and all of those people, father included, are gone now. I used to have a little transistor radio and I would sneak it into bed with me and I could just tune in Wolfman Jack's radio show as it crackled beneath the sheets and I would have to keep one ear alert to the sounds of my mom and dad coming to check on us girls. I would have gotten in so much trouble if they had known I was still up. I had to share a bedroom with my three sisters. I lived out in the country. And this song simply takes me back there. The wind through the oaks and woods was such an amazing sound. I can still hear it all, smell it all, and feel it all. The song makes me miss my father so much. I cry when I hear this song because it takes me back to a beautiful place and time. And it's gone but still a part of me. What do you do with good ole boys, in my case girls, like me?

@ericthomas5500

3 жыл бұрын

Hello beautiful Don fan hope you are OK and enjoying his tracks??

@ialone7487

2 жыл бұрын

Love them. Good ol' boys and girls are a dying breed. So love them and take in their history.

@smyers6211

Жыл бұрын

I can absolutely relate to your story right down to the smell of the honeysuckle that still grows along the fence line of my childhood home. Mom has passed but I still have dad and a houseful of memories that are all very much alive.

@gunnerblankenship4132

10 ай бұрын

It makes me cry too

Don Williams You're My Best Friend is another great song of his. His nickname given by Country fans is the 'Gentle Giant'

@ericthomas5500

3 жыл бұрын

Hello beautiful Don fan hope you are OK and enjoying his tracks??

Don Williams I believe in you you will enjoy this one

Im 53 and Don Williams has been calming my soul for 50 of those years =)

I saw him in concert. He was nothing flashy. He came out with his guitar, sat on a stool, and sang all his songs. Calm, soothing voice. At the end of his set he said, “I thank y’all for coming.” And that was it. All his songs are calming like this.

This is my favorite Don Williams song.

Don Williams' "Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good" is one of my favorites, Mac Davis' "Hard to Be Humble", and Bobby Bear's " The Winner" are also great tunes.

@stevefriery9086

2 жыл бұрын

Gotta throw Jerry Jeff Walker "London Homesick Blues," BJ Thomas "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" in for good measure.

I’ve listened to Don Williams since the early 70’s, something about his laid back regular guy style just suits me. Sad we lost him. RIP Don

Probably my favorite Country song ever.

You are such a wonderful couple. I wish only the best for your relationship and your family.

Don Williams was loved by many in India. He would go over and perform. They loved his voice.... they loved his deep rich tranquil vocals that have an immediate calming affect. Great reaction!

Thoughtful discussion regarding where the Gentle Giant, Don Williams, was coming from. Thanks for sharing!

Don Williams had so many hits, great voice

I remember laying in the backseat of the car late one night when I was about 7, listening to the words of this song. I started listening because I liked his voice. Momma was partying a lot, and it wasn't a good time for me. She had picked me up from the babysitters, and I was miserable. Him talking about choice made a huge impact on me. I started looking at adults I wanted to follow. 40 years later, it's amazing to me how many of the phrases take me back to childhood, & things I heard Grampa say. Boys were called "Little Man", often in connection with teaching them responsibility for family. He listened to Tennessee Williams & Hank Williams Senior records. My sister loved the Wolfman Jack radio show. Every Sunday at church we sang of being washed in the blood. My life took a very different path than it could have. I'm thousands of miles away in a very different culture from where I was raised. I relate to to her comments about visiting home & seeing folks that took a hard path. Like her comments, it was never about judgement for me, but it was sad to see some brilliant and wonderful people struggle due to poor choices. I listen to this to remind me of the good that there was, and things that were so common to me then, that I haven't heard in decades. Things like "winda (window) screen"

@usaf379

Жыл бұрын

love your story and insights Candace...I too was soothed as a young man by my Don Williams records. I got odd looks from siblings and neighborhood friends for my taste...they were all into hard rock or r and B...I didn't argue...just said someday maybe you'll get it and went up to my room. Just curious,,,what place and culture did you seek out? I went from bad Detroit neighborhood to town of 3000 people by a Great Lake after some Air Force time...take care...Johnny

This song resonates with a lot of folks that were born and raised in a rural setting, myself included, and not just those from the South.

@atgdcommish608

Жыл бұрын

I loved this song as a kid (still do). It speaks to anyone who grew up in a small town and went out in the world to (try to) make something of themselves.

Your interpretation of the lyrics is so spot on. That songs the story of my life and you absolutely nailed the true meaning and feelings of the lyrics.

And he allowed room for even his father to be who he was. Imperfections and all!! I LOVE Don Williams!!!!

Hello from Ireland. Don came here often. one of his last concerts was here in Ireland. we loved him so much. he was loved around the world. he was big even in south Africa.

Glad that another set of good folks are enjoying Don Williams.

Smooth describes his voice perfectly.

Don Williams has been one of my all time favorite country singers since I was a little girl. One of the most underrated County singers of the seventies and eighties.

So many of Don Williams' songs I have on my iPhone under a playlist for listening to when I go to bed, because they're so softly sung. You ought to listen to "Lord I Hope This Day Is Good" by him as well.

@jeffreytroublefield4265

3 жыл бұрын

Was his best teacher feel bit so hard to choose. Have memories of my mom dancing around the house when I was kid and this was on the radio. Miss her.

@NLBrown-gz2qe

3 жыл бұрын

Same. A lot of his stuff strikes a lot of emotions.

You like Don, you two would enjoy Keith Whitley and Vern Gosdin, too. Keith: "Don't Close Your Eyes" or the sweetly happy "Miami, My Amy"; Vern: "Chiseled In Stone"...

@BC25citizen

3 жыл бұрын

Keith Whitley's 'It Ain't Nothin' is a good one too.

One can get out of the situation they were in as a kid, but it will still leave it's mark in the form of both warm and painful memories.

This song always reminds me of when I was aboutv9 years old, living in and old house with my mom and two of my brothers. The wind at night would whistle through the big elm tree right outside my bedroom window. And when the moon was full in the winter you'd have shadows dancing across the floor. Entire house was heated with a wood stove.... truly do miss those days.

Ahhhh Don Williams Called the gentle giant. Smooth voice.

Didn’t even listen yet and already liked this. Love don Williams

@ericthomas5500

3 жыл бұрын

Hello beautiful Don fan hope you are OK and enjoying his tracks??

Love don Williams, great video thanks 💖😁

@ericthomas5500

3 жыл бұрын

Hello beautiful Don fan hope you are OK and enjoying his tracks??

This song never fails to bring some tears. Maybe it's so relatable, being a Southerner through and through!

I love that people still remember Don Williams, my mom played his songs all the time and they're on my playlists to this day, thank you for requesting it and thank you so much for you two for reacting to him.

Don Williams music is so great, we grew up listening to him.

Don's voice is smooth as silk. "Washed in the blood" is a poignant line for this Good Friday. The day the blood of the Lamb was shed for us all.

@bettyvan1213

2 жыл бұрын

Washed in the blood is a "born again" Christian.

@unnecessaryapostrophe4047

2 жыл бұрын

@@bettyvan1213 It's an expression that's familiar to most Christians, including Catholics.

@kosiroley1375

2 жыл бұрын

He was an elder in the Churches of Christ ... so he was immersed in baptism ... washed in the blood...

I’ve never heard that song. It was wonderful. I love your after talks. So revealing showing what nice folks you are. 😄

MAN YOU ARE BLESSED,SHE IS RIGHT ON TARGET.GREAT SHOW.

Everything this guy did was legendary. He went for a concert in Harare, Zimbabwe and how they adored him and knew all his songs. He was passing through a street and a blind man was singing his song....

@onewxrldmusic7303

2 жыл бұрын

Excerpt of the blind singer in Zimbabwe then Don Williams and the Zimbabwean audience kzread.info/dash/bejne/jKaasK6OcpjHn8o.html

Ralph 6/16/23 I’m 71 years old. Totally enjoyed your content. You are both very sweet and insightful. This song came over my KZread quite by accident. I am born and raised in Detroit, so I’m pretty into the Motown sound, but very much enjoyed your insights and hope to catch more of them.

His Love song called Amanda is a haunting ballad that Shot to number 1 and is still popular today.

@blakewestwood8096

3 жыл бұрын

Yes, his is my favorite version. Just ahead of Chris Stapleton's version

@bobbyscott5162

3 жыл бұрын

@@blakewestwood8096 I don't care for his version at all. Sorry.

@garyevans3421

3 жыл бұрын

Several have covered it, including Waylon Jennings, but Don was first and my favorite!

I love Don Williams' voice.

Pure heaven to the ears

To honor my father i have a "Gentle Giant" tattoo on my leg. He was a huge Don Williams fan. Nice to see you react to him.

Don Williams voice never changed as he got older. I highly recommend his song Infinity. It was on his next to last album & one of his best.

She has such a tender heart

Oh boy. Just Don Williams voice will make you emotional.

One of the best voices ever in country music. You should really listen to his song, why me lord. I think it’s one of the best songs of his.

you can spend a day reacting to him and enjoy every song he did

I recently discovered this song and it is absolutely wonderful...Don Williams' rendition of it is sublime. And I loved your analysis of it and of Don's voice. Thank you for this!

This song has always had meaning for me, born in Indiana but transplanted to Texas at age 6. I'm a Texan through and through. . Small town background. I've always felt he was saying that no matter how long or how far away he goes, that small town, mayberry, country tradition is who he is and it's less and less compatible with our changing world. People arent as friendly or trusting as we perceive they used to be. Its more dangerous and less accepting of people from our older generations . I feel as he does. What do you do as just a good old boy who still lives by those wholesome values while the world slowly rejects them

@deannasisson5751

3 жыл бұрын

To use a word made famous by 'the Fonz', "Exactamundo!" I grew up hanging out with relatives a generation older than I, because my parents had and she went home to her family. You can't go home again as Thomas Wolfe may have said, but only while we live. Those you loved will be waiting for you, 'Upstairs'. God bless you all!

@jamesaritchie1

2 жыл бұрын

I was born in Indiana, but spent many, most, of my young life in Kentucy and Tennessee, and then South Carolina. I hit the road when I was only fourteen, but despite all the traveling I did, I never stopped being what my childhood made me. I still remember the smells, and the sound of the wind in the live oak trees. I had a big, stand-up radio in my rook as a kid. Ironically, Stonewall Jackson was one of my favorite country singers when I was a kid. Anyway, yeah, who do you do with good ol' boys like us?

A lot of folks suggestion many different Don Williams songs. He had so many hits in the 80s. This is a rabbit hole ya'll would definitely enjoy. We all would be happy to tag along!

Don Williams is in my top 10 all time favorites. And I´m just a country boy Money have I none But I´ve got silver in the stars Gold in the mornin´ sun I grew up in a rual cotton town in Az during the 70's and 80's

Ya'll are amazing, love ya'll so much and your reactions and the way you feel about the song's ...your favorite fan from South Carolina ...

@ericthomas5500

3 жыл бұрын

Hello beautiful Don fan hope you are OK and enjoying his tracks??

One of my favorite songs when raising our kids in East Texas ... We had Live Oak trees all over our place & "daddy'd come in & kiss his little man. Gin (sometimes) on (my) breath (but always) a bible in my hand .... " Love y'all's reaction to this.

Thank you so much. This song always reminds me of my dad. I miss him. You guys are great.

One of my all time favorite singers. He has many songs I love, but I relate to this song on a personal level that very, very few songs have reached. This song could easily have been written about my life growing up. It's deep, it's meaningful, and it's incredibly well performed by Don Williams.

Don was a great singer. Many hits.

The gentle giant. He was fantastic

Don Williams concerts were so different. Back in the 80's he came out on stage with a bar stool and a guitar and played like you were the only 2 in the room.

One of my favorite songs from one of my favorite artists

Don was such a great story teller. Has such a great voice, still miss him a lot

The very best mellow voice that I have ever heard in music… So what do you do, with good old boys like me? RIP Don!

Being a girl growing up when this song first came out. In 1980 i was 18, and hearing this song and being a country girl at heart, even being raised in SoCal, I got so much from this song back then, and still do every time i hear it still. Like you Tasha. My roots come from the deep south. My dads family comes from Speedwell Tenn. I can remember clearly the trips we took to grandma and grandpa's home, and seeing people like you recall, sitting on their porches with water, tea or lemonaid and their radios playing while they relaxed after working all day, and how they would wave and say hello when you passed...life was so simple then, and most everyone was just so laid back....Its so sad that most kids today, dont get to experience this like we did....And T. you are so right, his voice is so soothing and relaxing to hear, It is so very wonderful that these songs survived all these years, and that they can still get the reaction from other people who hear them. Thank you fo sharing this song and for the memories it brought back.....HUGGS to you both, keep up the great old songs.....Marcy

I used to sing this to my son the put him to sleep when he was a baby. Don has a lot of good songs.

Smoothest voice in country music.

Really enjoy listening to Don. Side note: Jasper County Ga has some lovely countryside with rolling hills and lots of cows…

Don Williams never sang a bad song. I’ve loved him since the early 70’s.

One of this old man's favorites. TY guys 🙏👍

“The Gentle Giant” definitely has a calm voice. I didn’t really like Country as a kid, but always loved him. I’m about 60 miles north of Atlanta, and we still speak to everyone.

@ericthomas5500

3 жыл бұрын

Hello beautiful Don fan hope you are OK and enjoying his tracks??

I am a southern boy who grew up in the 50’s and 60’s. But I have a picture of him living in a small shotgun house with trees in the yard. The windows are up and you can hear the night sounds that I seldom hear now because I live in a city. However, many of us my age know people who grew up poor. His dad drank too much but he still loved his family. Basically he still thinks a lot about his childhood and in ways would like to go back. But he got out of there for his own good but the impact of his upbringing will never leave him. I think that’s true with all of us.

This song was written to be so specific to the singer's formative years but it is relatable to a lot of people.

Best voice in country or just about anything to me. Can listen to him all day. Very humble man also.

So glad I had a family who instilled this type of music in me

He was called the gentle giant. He was pure and simple.

Aww .. A shout out to Tennessee Williams in a country song. Gotta love it!

I love Tasha’s reaction. She is spot on. Nostalgia is a great word. You two are also a beautiful couple! Continued Blessings!

Don Williams has a winner with "Some Broken hearts never mend" and " Love me Tonight" as well as " Say it again" and 'tulsa Time"

This was one of my mom and Uncles songs they used to sing together. I am impressed you guys did this one. Don Williams is not popular these days. Thanks for the Memory.

Smooth beautiful voice and a deep message.

Love Don Williams.

Love this song. Had his greatest hits years ago. What a voice.

As a " Good Ole Boy ", I have requested my daughters play this at my funeral.

The gentle giant. Such a smooth voice. I'm so happy I had the opportunity to see him live. One of the greatest shows I ever saw. Another great song by Don would be rake and ramble man

Don Williams is the greatest country singer of all time

Thank you for playing this. Grew up listening to Don. Takes me back.

Went to his concert several years ago. He sat on a stool the entire show and sang. One of the best shows I've ever been to.

My favorite Don Williams song is, then it's love. It's got a swing feel and horns.

I was going right along with your view. Her's was valid but I always listened to this song feeling exactly the way you did.

I have always loved this song. Don Williams is always Orth a listen.

One of my all time fave country singers. He a singer not a performer he sits on a stool with his guitar and just sings at his concerts

@ericthomas5500

3 жыл бұрын

Hello beautiful Don fan hope you are OK and enjoying his tracks??

I love how he puts his two brothers names in the song Hank and Tennessee

I am so glad that people can see that southern culture is not founded in hate.

He has a smooth voice

I remember listening to the country radio stations back in the day, when it was good, and I think he was also called everyone's next door neighbor.

Love Is On A Roll is another great tune from the late, great Mr. Williams.

Ooooohhhhh man I love don Williams

Don Williams is awesome

When I'm on my two hour drive to my mom's I throw on Don George or Hank Sr. Unbelievable voices. This is truly classic country.

This must be love by Don Williams was a fav by me back in the day...short and sweet.

Don Williams, one of my two favorite male country artists of all time. This song was poetry, just like his reference to Thomas Wolfe.

I saw Don in concert. I totally expected to sleep through it, but he was captivating. He had that "it" that drew you in.