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.
Drop Kick Me Jesus
Bobby Bare Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Chorus)
Drop kick me, Jesus through the goal posts of life
End over end, neither left nor to right
Straight through the heart of them righteous uprights
Drop kick me, Jesus through the goal posts of life
Make me, oh make me, Lord more than I am
Make me a piece in your master game plan
I’ve got the will, Lord if you’ve got the toe
(Chorus)
Bring on the brothers who’ve gone on before
And all of the sisters who’ve knocked on your door
All the departed dear loved ones of mine
Stick them up front in the offensive line
(Chorus 2x)
Oh, drop kick me, Jesus through the goal posts of life
The lyrics to Bobby Bare’s “Drop Kick Me, Jesus” are a whimsical and yet thought-provoking examination of the human experience and the desire to find a deeper purpose in life. The song’s primary metaphor compares life to a football game, with Jesus as the kicker who can help the singer achieve the ultimate goal of spiritual fulfillment. The chorus repeats the phrase “Drop kick me, Jesus through the goal posts of life” as a plea for divine assistance.
The lyrics of the first verse suggest a sense of dissatisfaction with the singer’s current state, as they ask for Jesus to make them “more than I am” and free from earthly temptations. The second verse takes a more lighthearted approach, calling on deceased loved ones to join the team and play on the offensive line. While the song’s chorus can be interpreted in a religious context, it can also be seen as a broader message about the importance of striving for personal growth and connection to a higher power.
Some interesting facts about “Drop Kick Me, Jesus” include that it was written by songwriter and record producer Paul Craft, a frequent collaborator with Bare, and was released in 1976 as a single from Bare’s album “Bare”. The song reached number 17 on the US country chart and has since become a well-known and beloved classic. The song’s memorable chorus has been cited in a variety of other contexts, from football games to political rallies, and has been referenced in numerous works of popular culture. Additionally, the song’s upbeat and catchy melody and tongue-in-cheek lyrics have made it a popular choice for karaoke and campfire sing-alongs.
Unfortunately, the chords for this song is not available at this moment.
Line by Line Meaning
Drop Kick Me, Jesus
Asking Jesus to propel him through the difficulties of life
(Chorus)
End over end, neither left nor to right
Wishing to be directed by Jesus in a straight path in a metaphorical manner
Straight through the heart of them righteous uprights
A reference to making a successful kick through the goal posts of American football and asking Jesus to help him overcome his obstacles
Drop kick me, Jesus through the goal posts of life
A metaphorical plea for Jesus to guide and assist him through life's obstacles
Make me, oh make me, Lord more than I am
Requesting Jesus to make him a better person and lead him towards greatness
Make me a piece in your master game plan
Asking Jesus to include him in his plans for the world
Free from the earthly temptations below
Wanting to escape worldly desires and strive towards spiritual growth
I've got the will, Lord if you've got the toe
Suggesting that he has the desire to succeed and asking Jesus to help him in his journey
(Chorus)
Bring on the brothers who've gone on before
Calling out to those who have passed away to join him in his spiritual journey
And all of the sisters who've knocked on your door
Inviting all other followers of Jesus to join him
All the departed dear loved ones of mine
Addressing his personal loss and requesting the deceased members of his family to be with him
Stick them up front in the offensive line
Asking Jesus to place his loved ones in a position of prominence
(Chorus 2x)
Oh, drop kick me, Jesus through the goal posts of life
A repeated request for Jesus to guide him through the trials of life
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: PAUL CHARLES CRAFT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Candas Hall
My son would go through the house singing this, never had heard it. We played it at his funeral today.
Cotton Top
Hey it’s hard to read that. Prayers to you and your family
KatyBeth Morgan
I am so sorry for your loss.
Chuwee
Am sorry for your loss. That was sad to read. He’s in a better place now
M N
I'm here because my Dad told me how my grandmother used to waitresses were Bobby Bare woul play... I heard here say you gods even if Jesus has to drop kick you to heaven...I thought what?? Your son is in heaven waiting to welcome you when its your time... along with my grandmother 👵
Michael Sinclair
Wow...
Very Sorry to Hear That.
May GOD BLESS You and Your Family.
Asdf Qwerty
"Dropkick me jesus through the goalposts of life" is the best lyric I've ever heard
Jappy Happy
"I've got the will lord, if you've got the toe." best line
Gaynor Cote
I always thought it was "dough"!
George Pope
Tha's Billy Graham, not Jesus. . . :D