In this episode of pplpod, we explore the incredible, multi-faceted career of Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee Paul Williams. You may know him as the diminutive actor who played Little Enos in Smokey and the Bandit or the villainous Swan in the cult classic Phantom of the Paradise, but his musical legacy defines the sound of the 1970s. We discuss how Williams penned massive hits for the Carpenters, including "We've Only Just Begun" and "Rainy Days and Mondays," as well as Three Dog Night’s "An Old Fashioned Love Song".

We also dive into his legendary collaboration with Jim Henson, co-writing the soundtrack for The Muppet Movie and creating the Oscar-nominated "Rainbow Connection". Listen in as we cover his Academy Award win for "Evergreen" from A Star Is Born, his tenure as president of ASCAP, a ...