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.
How About You
Bobby Bare Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cause I just got mine all together how about you girl how about you
Those loose ends have really been a draggin'
Since the day you said that we were through
But I managed to get mine all together how about you babe how about you
How about your life back home with mama
Do you miss those things you've grown and accustomed to
Well I just thought I'd call to let you know I'm doing fine
Well sometimes as I sit here a thinking about those silly things we used to do
And it stirs up some old familiar feelings now how about you girl how about you
Yeah how about your life back home...
How about you girl how about you how about you girl how about you
In Bobby Bare's song "How About You," the character in the song is expressing contentment with his present life after a breakup. The first line suggests that some people worry about tomorrow, but he no longer does because he has his life together. He then asks the person he is addressing about her own life, indicating that she may have been struggling in some way. The loose ends mentioned in the second verse likely refer to unfinished business or unresolved feelings that have been weighing him down since the breakup. However, he has managed to put his life back together, and he wonders if the other person has been able to do the same.
The bridge of the song suggests that the character may still have feelings for the other person, as he reminisces about the silly things they used to do. He then asks the same question that he asked in the beginning, "how about you girl?" as if hoping that she has also been able to move on and find happiness. Overall, the song expresses a hopeful and reflective tone, acknowledging the past but finding contentment in the present.
Line by Line Meaning
Some people worry bout tomorrow well all my worried days are through
While many people worry about the future, I'm not concerned anymore.
Cause I just got mine all together how about you girl how about you
I have my life sorted out, what about you, my love?
Those loose ends have really been a draggin'
The unfinished things in my life have really weighed me down.
Since the day you said that we were through
Ever since you broke up with me.
But I managed to get mine all together how about you babe how about you
Despite the breakup, I've managed to get my life back on track. What about you, my dear?
How about your life back home with mama
How's your life back with your mother?
Do you miss those things you've grown and accustomed to
Do you miss the things you've become used to?
Well I just thought I'd call to let you know I'm doing fine
I'm calling you just to inform you that I'm doing well.
And findin' lots of different things to do
I'm keeping myself busy with many activities.
How about you girl how about you
How are you doing, my love?
Well sometimes as I sit here a thinking about those silly things we used to do
Sometimes, as I sit and reminisce, I remember the silly things we used to do together.
And it stirs up some old familiar feelings now how about you girl how about you
It brings back some old emotions. What about you, my love?
Yeah how about your life back home...
How's your life back in your hometown?
How about you girl how about you how about you girl how about you
How are you doing, my love?
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
john sandiford
I can never hear too much Bobby Bare,he is up there with the best.Thanks for sharing Jack
J.W. Gauntt
@john sandiford you're very welcome Rock, i agree
Muzikgirl67
Happy 80th birthday to the man who was born in Ironton, Ohio as Robert Joseph Bare...Bobby has done very well on the country charts, having a total of 59 Top 40 singles, and 1 of those hits, "Marie Laveau" topped the charts back in 1974...He was richly rewarded in 2013 as he was elected into the Country Music Hall of Fame...Thanks a bunch Jack, for uploading this peppy lil' tune as a memento for remembering Bobby on his special day! Take Care! Elizabeth :)
J.W. Gauntt
hi! Lizziebelle , You're very welcome and thank You for the information, an illustrious career Mr. Bare had, Happy Birthday B. Bare may he have many more, be good Lizziebelle , great comments every time
JennysCountryMusicChannel
Great song Jack! Thanks for sharing :-) have a nice day, Jenny
J.W. Gauntt
you're very welcome Jenny, enjoy your day also
Károlyné Szépvölgyi
Kedves Jack!
Nagyon tetszett ez a videó film.
Csodálatos a művész, gyönyörű volt a dal.
Köszönettel, Klára Szépvölgyi
J.W. Gauntt
you're very welcome Clare, thank you for listening