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.
Fellow Travelers
Bobby Bare Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sailing across the universe
Living aboard the good ship earth
We all are fellow travelers
My heart keeps hoping that someday
Some way we'll rise above
Look from the moon at the world below
And somehow know, with love
That we are fellow travelers
Sailing across the universe
Living aboard the good ship earth
We are all fellow travelers
And if we must journey together
Forever it's plain to see
How we'll depend on each other
Through all eternity
We are all fellow travelers
Sailing across the universe
Living aboard the good ship earth
We all are fellow travelers
Children singing:
We are all fellow travelers
Sailing across the universe
Living aboard the good ship earth
We are all fellow travelers
The lyrics of Bobby Bare's "Fellow Travelers" emphasize on the concept of unity and companionship among all humans. The song refers to all of us, irrespective of race, religion, culture, or social standing, as "fellow travelers" sailing across the universe, living together on Earth. The phrase "good ship earth" refers to the planet and how we all share it as our natural habitat. The lyrics emphasize that we all have the same journey, the same struggles, and that we are interconnected with each other.
Bobby Bare's "Fellow Travelers" also highlights the importance of hope and love. The lyrics stress the desire to rise above all the differences and conflicts, and to look at the world with the eyes of love. The idea of "looking from the moon at the world below" gives a different perspective, which allows individuals to see the world without any societal labels and stereotypes. The children's choir at the end of the song creates an atmosphere of innocence and optimism, reinforcing the idea of fellowship and unity.
Line by Line Meaning
We all are fellow travelers
All human beings, regardless of race, creed, or nationality, are inhabitants of Earth and traverse through the vast universe, sharing the same fate and pursuing the same goal: survival and happiness.
Sailing across the universe
Traveling through the vast expanses of the universe, facing various challenges, discoveries, and wonders.
Living aboard the good ship earth
Living on our beautiful planet Earth, which is our common home and the source of all our sustenance and resources.
My heart keeps hoping that someday
Despite the imperfections and hardships of life, the artist remains optimistic and yearns for a better future for all humanity.
Some way we'll rise above
The artist believes that humanity has the potential to overcome its limitations, conflicts, and shortcomings and transcend to a higher level of consciousness, harmony, and peace.
Look from the moon at the world below
Imagining a future where humanity has advanced enough to explore and observe the Earth from other celestial bodies, gaining a new perspective and appreciation for their home planet.
And somehow know, with love
The singer envisions a future where humans have cultivated a sense of empathy, compassion, and interconnectedness, realizing that they are all part of a larger cosmic family.
And if we must journey together
Acknowledging the interdependence and necessity of cooperation among all humans to face the common challenges and threats of global significance.
Forever it's plain to see
The artist emphasizes the enduring nature of this human journey and the importance of recognizing our shared destiny.
How we'll depend on each other
Highlighting the mutual support and reliance among human beings in achieving their goals, realizing their potential, and overcoming obstacles.
Through all eternity
Emphasizing the idea that this human journey traverses beyond the boundaries of time and space and extends to infinite possibilities and potentials.
Children singing:
The inclusion of children's voices highlights the importance of passing on these values and ideas to future generations, instilling in them a sense of responsibility, hope, and unity.
We are all fellow travelers
Reiterating the central message of the song that we are all on this journey together and have a shared responsibility to make it a fulfilling, meaningful, and joyful one.
Sailing across the universe
Reiterating the idea that human beings are exploring the vast and mysterious universe together, encountering new possibilities and challenges, and expanding their horizons.
Living aboard the good ship earth
Reiterating the central theme of the song that humans share this planet as their home and have a duty to protect, preserve, and sustain it for future generations and all other life forms.
We are all fellow travelers
Repeating the title and the refrain of the song to emphasize its universal appeal and its call for unity, empathy, and love among all human beings.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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