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 Waste Basket
Bobby Bare Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I just found out lately
How she throws them all away
She don't even bother to read the things I say
So I'm gonna write just one last time
And I'll begin this way
I'll say oh dear wastebasket care of Mary Lou
If you see her say I need her
She won't read my letters
Now I write to you dear wastebasket care of Mary Lou
No she don't even bother.
The lyrics of Bobby Bare's song "Dear Waste Basket" tell a story of a man who has been writing letters to Mary Lou every day, only to find out that she has been throwing them away without reading them. This revelation prompts him to write one final letter, but instead of addressing it to Mary Lou, he addresses it to her wastebasket. In the letter, he asks the wastebasket to deliver a message to Mary Lou, letting her know that he still needs her, even though she hasn't been reading his letters.
The lyrics are both humorous and melancholic, conveying a sense of desperation and resignation at the same time. The man's decision to write to the wastebasket rather than to Mary Lou shows a certain level of irony and self-awareness, as if he knows that his words won't be heard no matter who he addresses them to.
Overall, the lyrics of "Dear Waste Basket" paint a vivid picture of unrequited love and the futility of trying to communicate with someone who doesn't want to listen.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been writin' Mary Lou letters every day
I have been writing daily letters to Mary Lou.
But I just found out lately
However, I recently discovered that
How she throws them all away
she throws them all away.
She don't even bother to read the things I say
She doesn't even bother to read what I have to say.
So I'm gonna write just one last time
Therefore, I am going to write one last time.
And I'll begin this way
And I will begin this letter as follows:
I'll say oh dear wastebasket care of Mary Lou
I will address it to the waste basket she uses and send it to her address, as follows:
If you see her say I need her
If you come across her, please tell her that I am in need of her.
Like I'll always do
Just like I always do.
She won't read my letters
Mary Lou does not read my letters.
Now I write to you dear wastebasket care of Mary Lou
Therefore, I will write to you, dear wastebasket that belongs to Mary Lou,
No she don't even bother.
Since she doesn't even bother.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BOBBY BARE, CURTIS ALVAN LEACH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
JOE OHHBOY
I am 45 and grew up with Bobby Bare music, courtesy of my dad. I love all his stuff. I got the honor of seeing him live in Green Bay WI last year. He sounded great. Thank You BB for the music. Joe.
Lili Doucet
Finally! Someone posted one of my favourite Bobby Bare song. Thank you LincolnCadillac! I just love Bbbby Bare! Keep them coming!
Maj-Brith H
Great lyrics!
bob livingston
My older brother had this 45 record, I was about 8yrs old , I used to slip in his room when he was gone and play it I loved it then and love it still Bob 57yrs old now
john sandiford
Great song,thanks for sharing
Jim Hilliker
My radio DJ friend Marie played this record Thursday night on her "Platter Party Show" on KKUP in San Jose, 91.5 FM...She played a long set of songs about letters or letters in the title or song, etc., and she played this Bobby Bare song. I love it and it was the first time I had ever heard it. Jim, class of 1973, 55 years young. LOL
Sophie Duvall
Sad song; but so funny ... lol