Don Williams – I Would Like To See You Again: An Unspoken Letter to the Memories That Refuse to Fade
In the quiet twilight of a life well-lived, there are moments when a name from the past drifts into the mind like a fallen leaf on still water. It is this exact, fragile sentiment that Don Williams captured so perfectly in “I Would Like To See You Again.” Released in 1978 as the opening track of his celebrated album Expressions, the song served as a gentle bridge between the decades. While the track was famously recorded by Johnny Cash (reaching Number 12 earlier that year), it was the version by the “Gentle Giant” that truly settled into the hearts of those who prefer their emotions served with a side of soft moonlight.
Though it shared its life on the airwaves as the B-side to his massive hit “Lay Down Beside Me,” this song carved out its own sanctuary in the late 70s country scene. It arrived during a golden era for Don Williams, a time when his stripped-back, honest production style on the ABC/Dot label offered a calm alternative to the rising “Urban Cowboy” glitz. For the listener today, the song doesn’t feel like a relic; it feels like a conversation with an old friend who understands that some bridges, though long since crossed, are never truly burned.
The “story” within the song is one of timeless, relatable simplicity. Written by Charlie Craig and Larry Atwood, the lyrics find the narrator in a moment of pure, unadorned reflection: “I was sittin’ here thinkin’ about some old times, some old times, some old friends.” There is no grand drama here, no bitter resentment—only the soft, persistent ache of a “what if.” It speaks to the older soul who knows that as we age, we don’t necessarily want to go back to the way things were; we simply wish to see a familiar face one more time, to ensure they are “doing fine.”
The brilliance of Don Williams lies in his restraint. Where another singer might have reached for a soaring, tear-filled climax, Williams remains steady. His baritone carries a world of experience, suggesting that while he would like to see this person again, he is also at peace with the silence if they don’t return. It’s a sophisticated take on nostalgia—one that recognizes the difference between longing and living.
As you listen to the steady, rhythmic acoustic guitar and the subtle, warm bassline of “I Would Like To See You Again,” you might find yourself transported back to a time of “walkin’ and talkin’, holdin’ hands.” It is a song for the evening hours, a soundtrack for those of us who have realized that our history is composed of the people who helped shape us, whether they are still by our side or just a ghost in a beautiful melody.