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.
Dear John Letter
Bobby Bare Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That my love for you has died away like grass upon the lawn
And tonight I wed another dear John
I was overseas in battle when the postman came to me
He handed me a letter and I was just as happy as I could be
Cause the fighting was all over and the battles have all been won
But then I opened up the letter and that started dear John
When I tell you who I'm wedding you won't care dear anyhow
And it hurts me so to tell you that my love for you has gone
But tonight I wed your brother dear John
And tonight I wed another dear John
The song "Dear John Letter A" by Bobby Bare is a heart-wrenching ballad depicting a woman's decision to end her relationship with John through a letter. The song starts with her informing John how much she hates to write this letter, but she is compelled to let him know that her love for him has withered away, much like the grass on the lawn. Adding insult to injury, the woman informs John that she is getting married to another man the same night.
The second verse takes an even more gut-wrenching turn as the woman admits that she had received the letter while she was fighting overseas. Her initial excitement turned to heartbreak upon reading that her love was no more, and that was the beginning of the "dear John" letter. She concludes by telling him to send back her picture, as the man she is marrying now wants it. She hesitates to mention that she is marrying John's brother and that her love for him has vanished.
Overall, the song portrays the theme of heartbreak and betrayal. The woman is unable to continue her relationship with John and has found someone else to love. The use of the letter format adds an emotional depth to the song, painting a picture of the woman's regret and sadness.
Line by Line Meaning
Dear John oh how I hate to write
I feel sad to write this letter to you, John
dear John I must let you know tonight
I must inform you tonight, John
That my love for you has died away like grass upon the lawn
My love for you has vanished, John
And tonight I wed another dear John
I am getting married to someone else tonight, John
I was overseas in battle when the postman came to me
I was away in war when I received the letter
He handed me a letter and I was just as happy as I could be
I was thrilled to receive a letter from you
Cause the fighting was all over and the battles have all been won
I thought I could finally enjoy some peace after the war
But then I opened up the letter and that started dear John
I read the letter and realized that it was a 'Dear John' letter
Won't you please send back my picture my husband wants it now
Can you please return my picture? My husband wants it now
When I tell you who I'm wedding you won't care dear anyhow
I know you won't care when you find out who I am marrying
And it hurts me so to tell you that my love for you has gone
It pains me to admit that I no longer love you
But tonight I wed your brother dear John
Tonight, I am marrying your brother, John
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BILLY BARTON, CHARLES FUZZY OWENS, LEWIS A. TALLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
rockymontana1951
Skeeter
Dear John, oh how I hate to write
Dear John, I must let you know tonight
That my love for you has died away like grass upon the lawn
And tonight I wed another, dear John.
Bobby
I was overseas in battle when the postman came to me
He handed me a letter and I was just as happy as I could be
Cause the fighting was all over and the battles have all been won
But then I opened up the letter and that started, dear John
Won't you please send back my picture my husband wants it now
When I tell you who I'm wedding you won't care dear anyhow
And it hurts me so to tell you that my love for you has gone
But tonight I wed your brother, dear John.
Skeeter
And tonight I wed another, dear John.
Samuel A Turay
These two people are indeed fantastic,this album "Tunes for Two" is indeed worthy hearing as it reminds of two wonderful people singing togather binding other lovers together
Daddy Tjeuw
I still listen to this on 2020..i listened this on my childhood from my Mom's cassette
Benjamin Amanze
This music is inspiring,I play it over and over everyday and never get tired to listening to it. Benjamin Amanze
Arcs n Sparks
One of the best that isn't heard very often these days. I bought the 45 rpm record back then.
Donald Carr
Beautiful duet.
Felicity George george
Very very beautiful song.. my fav in the year 1970.. keep listenin 2 it endless times.. very touchy.. all the best 👍🙌❤💪
Juliet Egbule
Oh dear, my late dad always play this song back in early 90s. I just have to listen to it today and damn it was a sad song 😢 I didn’t even know the lyrics as a kid
DSF
I heard this so much as a child because my parents loved country music. Childhood memories. I love it.
Rose Kyriacoudes
What a sad song But she sings it so beautifull..... Rose
rjsmth
What a great song. Good harmony.....Sad song though, but love it just the same. Thanks for posting...