Paul Williams Regret: Singer's Music Career Lost 10 Years Due to THIS

Paul Williams, a singer and composer, claims that he "lost" the 1980s due to his drinking during the time.

Alcoholism almost ruined his career, he said.

"I drank, I used, as most people do for about seven minutes, and then by the time I got sober I had misplaced a decade," he exclusively told Page Six, during the Songwriters Hall of Fame Annual Induction and Awards Gala.

"The '80s were gone for me," the 81-year-old added. "I was incredibly productive and fortunate and lucky, lucky, lucky in the '70s. In the '80s I stayed home and alphabetized my canned goods."

He certainly painted a dark and sorrowful picture there.

Williams, who received the renowned Johnny Mercer Award at the dinner, was "very busy" in the 1970s, co-writing "Evergreen" from "A Star Is Born" with Barbra Streisand in 1991 (earning an Emmy and a Grammy in the process) and "Rainbow Connection" for Kermit the Frog in 1979.

Other written credits include "We've Only Just Begun" by The Carpenters, "An Old Fashioned Love Song" by Three Dog Night, and the lyrics of "The Love Boat" theme.

He appeared in all three "Smokey and the Bandit" films and as a guest on "The Odd Couple" and "Fantasy Island," among others. Additionally, the composer was a frequent guest on "The Tonight Show."

Williams did not recognize that he already needed help until he was 49 years old.

Good thing the recognition that he's already at a bad shape came with the willingness to change. He sought help and the community helped him. He said he loved how he was able to recover through them. He did not immediately went back to his music career. Instead, he gave back by going to UCLA and getting his certification as a drug and alcohol counselor. He said he found his tribe.

He eventually went back to his music and he was able to make a major comeback.

The Grammy winner contributed two songs to Daft Punk's 2013 album "Random Access Memories."

Williams added sheepishly that he had never experienced a "moment of enlightenment" regarding his alcoholism. Fortunately, things turned out well for him.