In the fifties after many failed attempts to sell his songs, he finally was signed up with Capitol Records and recorded a few rock and roll songs without much chart success. Just before he was drafted into the Army, he wrote a song called 'The All American Boy' and did a demo for his friend, Bill Parsons, to learn and record it. Instead of using the version Bill Parsons did later, the record company, Fraternity Records, decided to use the original demo done by Bobby Bare. The record reached number 2 on the Billboard Top 100, but it was wrongly credited to Bill Parsons.
His real big break came when RCA boss and guitarist Chet Atkins signed him to the RCA label. The first song he released on this label, 'Shame On Me', sold nearly a million copies and pushed Bobby Bare to fame overnight. His second RCA release, 'Detroit City' won him a Grammy for the best song of the year. Then a surge of hits followed, including '500 Miles Away From Home', 'Four Strong Winds' and others. He has also recorded two very successful albums with Skeeter Davis and has also dueted with Lacy J. Dalton and Rosanne Cash and additionally had a major hit as part of a trio with Norma Jean (singer) and Liz Anderson in 1967 titled 'The Game of Triangles'.
He moved to Mercury label in 1970 and had two big hits from early Kris Kristofferson compositions, 'Come Sundown' and 'Please Don't Tell Me How The Story Ends' before returning to RCA label where he produced his own records. Later Bare moved to CBS label and in 1979, he helped establish Rosanne Cash's career by singing with her on "No Memories Hangin' Round". Bare's singles for Columbia Records included 'The Jogger', 'Tequila Sheila', 'Gotta Get Rid Of This Band', 'When Hippies Get Older' and 'Numbers'. He later recorded for EMI with little success.
Bobby Bare is a versatile singer, and in the 70s started to release novelty songs recorded live with selected audiences. One of such songs, 'Marie Laveau' about a witch, reached the number one position on the country chart. This song was written by his friend, a very talented song writer, poet, author and cartoonist Shel Silverstein. He also penned many other songs for Bobby Bare including a Grammy nominated hit called 'Daddy What If' which he recorded with his five year old son, Bobby Bare Jr, who later became a star on his own. Bobby Bare later recorded a very successful album with his family and penned mainly by Shel called 'Singing in The Kitchen'. It was nominated for best group category in Grammy Awards but was declined by Bobby himself.
He later took chances recording strange, controversial material as 'Dropkick Me Jesus (Through The Goalposts Of Life)' (a 1976 Grammy nominee) and the expletive-driven 'Redneck Hippie Romance' with much success.
Bobby Bare is also the first to come up with a concept album called 'Bird Named Yesterday' which was very successful. His most successful concept album is 'Lullaby Legends and Lies'.
Bobby Bare was also given an opportunity to star in the movies. He did a Western with Troy Donahue called A Distant Trumpet, and a few episodes of a TV series called No Time for Sergeants. He turned his back on Hollywood to pursue his career in Country Music.
In 1998 he formed the band Old Dogs together with his friends Jerry Reed, Mel Tillis and Waylon Jennings.
In addition to the above, Bobby Bare is credited for introducing Waylon Jennings to RCA. He is also one of the first to record from many well known song writers such as Jack Clement, Harlan Howard, Billy Joe Shaver, Mickey Newberry, Tom T. Hall, Kris Kristofferson, and many others. He later had a TV series called 'Bobby Bare & Friends, A Song Writer Showcase'. Recently, he has recorded a new album after over 20 years called 'The Moon Was Blue' produced by his son. His son, Bobby Bare, Jr., is also a musician.
Countin' the Hours
Bobby Bare Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I left Lake Charleston on 72 and I drove the Highway 10
Took a ride at a second light and I turn back right again
Drove till I came to the junction 6 went to the transit 5-0-1
Stopped for gas at the Cumberland pass and dinned in Burlington
Coutin' the hours countin' the days till I'll be back in your arms to stay
[ guitar ]
Now out of Burlington I took old 70 headed west
I drove on across Montana dam till I came to Lake Awhoo
Took the prairie to the other side I was a coming home to you
Coutin' the hours countin' the days till I'll be back in your arms to stay
Coutin' the hours countin' the days till I'll be back in your arms to stay
The lyrics of "Countin' the Hours – Countin' the Days" by Bobby Bare express the anticipation and longing that the singer feels as he is traveling to reunite with his loved one. The song is structured around the various locations that he passes through on his journey, with each verse describing a different part of his route. He starts by leaving Lake Charleston and driving along Highway 10, then turns onto Junction 6 and Transit 5-0-1. He stops for gas at Cumberland Pass and has dinner in Burlington. Continuing his journey, he drives along Old 70, rests at a picnic table, and crosses Montana Dam before reaching Lake Awhoo and finally making his way home.
The repetition of the phrase "countin' the hours, countin' the days" emphasizes the singer's sense of time dragging as he longs for the moment when he will be back in the arms of his beloved. At the same time, the specificity of the locations on his journey gives a sense of movement and progress. The lyrics suggest that the journey itself is a necessary part of the reunion, as well as a means of building anticipation.
Overall, "Countin' the Hours – Countin' the Days" is a classic country love song, expressing the bittersweet longing and joy of long-distance relationships. The details of the journey and the repetition of the chorus make it a memorable and relatable tune for anyone who has ever missed someone they love.
Line by Line Meaning
Coutin' the hours countin' the days till I'll be back in your arms to stay
The singer is eagerly awaiting their return to their loved one and is keeping track of the time until that happens.
I left Lake Charleston on 72 and I drove the Highway 10
The singer left Lake Charleston and traveled on Highway 10.
Took a ride at a second light and I turn back right again
The singer made a right turn after reaching a second traffic light.
Drove till I came to the junction 6 went to the transit 5-0-1
The artist continued driving until they reached Junction 6 and then took the Transit 5-0-1.
Stopped for gas at the Cumberland pass and dinned in Burlington
The artist stopped to get gas at the Cumberland Pass and had dinner in Burlington.
[ guitar ]
This line indicates a musical break.
Now out of Burlington I took old 70 headed west
After leaving Burlington, the singer continued on Old Route 70 in a westerly direction.
I found me a picnic table and stratched out and I took a rest
The artist found a picnic table, stretched out and took a rest.
I drove on across Montana dam till I came to Lake Awhoo
The artist continued driving across Montana Dam until they reached Lake Awhoo.
Took the prairie to the other side I was a coming home to you
The artist continued on the prairie on the other side of the lake as they were heading home to their loved one.
Coutin' the hours countin' the days till I'll be back in your arms to stay
Repeating the first line to emphasize the anticipation of being back in their loved one's arms.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ron Moderie
I had this record when I young....good to hear it again. thanks
Orbie Olsson
Thanks for the post. Love Bobby Bare!
jeff werner
never heard this one...good pick ...ty tpage