Don Williams – Infinity (2012): The Enduring Circle of Love, Not His Final Recording
There’s a beautiful misconception that can sometimes surround the later works of our musical heroes, a desire for a neat, perfectly symbolic ending. While it’s certainly true that Don Williams gave us a few graceful final albums, the track “Infinity” carries a meaning that is eternal and cyclical, fitting its name perfectly, even if it wasn’t the very last song he recorded.
“Infinity” is actually drawn from Williams’s 2012 album, And So It Goes, which marked his return to studio recording after an eight-year hiatus. His true final studio album was indeed Reflections in 2014, and while the spirit of “Infinity” perfectly captures the gentle, philosophical tone of his retirement era, it predates that last work. The very last song on his final album, Reflections, was actually a track called “The Answer.” However, the sentiment of “Infinity” is so deep, so full of the kind of enduring love he spent his career singing about, that it feels like a definitive, timeless statement from the “Gentle Giant.”
This beautiful song, penned by Anthony Smith, did not aim to be a major chart-topper upon its release on the 2012 album. By this point, Don Williams had amassed a legendary catalog of seventeen Number One hits, and his focus, as he stated at the time, was simply on recording quality songs that spoke to the mature heart. The album And So It Goes performed well with his devoted fanbase, peaking on the Country Albums chart and proving that his voice and his message were still deeply relevant to listeners looking for authenticity and calm in a constantly shifting musical world.
The brilliance of “Infinity” lies in its powerful yet understated articulation of a love that transcends time and space. The lyrics use cosmic imagery—a circle, the ocean, the sky—to describe a relationship that has no beginning and no end. It’s the ultimate expression of permanence.
“I can’t tell you where this thing began / And I can’t tell you where it’s gonna end / It’s just forever / It’s just always / It’s infinity.”
For those of us who have enjoyed decades of shared life, who know that true partnership is about an endless loop of understanding, forgiveness, and quiet devotion, this song acts as a beautiful affirmation. It moves past the fleeting, urgent passion of youth and speaks to the deep, settled truth of mature love—the kind that simply is. Don Williams’s rich, warm baritone delivers this message with a calm, assured power. There are no vocal acrobatics here, just pure, heartfelt delivery that makes the profound concept of infinity feel as simple and natural as breathing.
His return to recording with And So It Goes and the subsequent “Infinity” track was a blessing to his fans. It was a clear signal that even as he slowed down, his commitment to honest music remained infinite. While he went on to record Reflections two years later, it’s songs like “Infinity” that truly capture the mood of his final era: a philosophical man looking back on his journey, realizing that the greatest successes aren’t the fleeting hits, but the enduring bonds that last forever. This song is a comforting circle in his vast discography, reminding us that some things—some loves, some songs—have no expiration date
Oldies Songs