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.
If There's Not A Hell
Bobby Bare Lyrics
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The fall brought Jones a flourishin' crop while his neighbor's all burned brown
Sam had a wife and thirteen kids he worked to feed each day
With hungry pride he begged for help and he was turned away
He was forced to sell his farm for half its worth
To this man he thought a friend to be if there's not a hell there ought to be
Mary Ann was sweet sixteen never had been around
A child as pure as a mountain stream that ran through her hometown
She got caught and faced the shame and he laughed and went his way
Now no one knows where she's at her folks sent her away
If there's not a hell there ought to be
Widow Brown worked since Joe died and tried to save her pay
To give nine children beans and bread and pretty ties on Sunday
She got sick and slipped behind the rent she had to meet
They told her they were sorry and they kicked her out in the street
And that same day they came and took her kids away
If there's not a hell there ought to be
Young Billy Brown he took a trip to keep his country free
We're all proud of what he done for the good old USA
But somewhere there's a mighty big man who kept this a goin' on
The personal game wealth and fame they did their league all wrong
All wrapped up in the stars and stripes Bill came home one day
If there's not a hell there ought to be if there's not a hell there ought to be
The song "If There's Not A Hell" by Bobby Bare is a poignant commentary on the injustices and hardships that people face in their lives. The lyrics are a series of interconnected stories about different individuals who have experienced betrayal, poverty, shame, and loss. The central message of the song appears to be a call for accountability and justice, grounded in a belief that there must be consequences for cruel and selfish actions.
The first story in the song is about a farmer who borrows seeds from his neighbor, but then refuses to help him when he is struggling. The neighbor is forced to sell his farm and loses everything he has worked for. The second story is about a young girl who is deceived and abandoned by a man who takes advantage of her innocence. The third story is about a widow with nine children who falls behind on her rent and is evicted, losing her home and her children in one fell swoop. The final story is about a soldier who returns from war to find that those in power have exploited and corrupted the very values he fought for.
These stories are all told in a straightforward and understated style, but the emotions they evoke are powerful and affecting. The repeated refrain of "if there's not a hell there ought to be" reinforces the idea that there is a moral order to the universe that should hold people accountable for their actions. The song ends with a repetition of this refrain, suggesting that the listener should take this message to heart and work to create a more just and compassionate society.
Overall, "If There's Not A Hell" is a compelling and memorable song that speaks to the struggles and hopes of ordinary people. It is a reminder that we all have a responsibility to stand up for what is right and to fight against injustice in all its forms.
Line by Line Meaning
Farmer Jones ran short on seeds so he borrowed from his neighbor Sam
Jones borrowed seeds from Sam and had a great crop while Sam's failed, forcing him to seek help.
Sam had a wife and thirteen kids he worked to feed each day
Sam had a large family to feed each day and struggled to make ends meet.
With hungry pride he begged for help and he was turned away
Sam asked for help out of desperation, but was refused even though he needed it.
He was forced to sell his farm for half its worth
Sam had to sell his farm at a greatly reduced price due to his financial troubles.
To this man he thought a friend to be if there's not a hell there ought to be
Sam thought Jones was his friend, but was betrayed by him. If there is no punishment for such actions, it is unjust.
Mary Ann was sweet sixteen never had been around
Mary Ann was innocent and inexperienced in the ways of the world.
A child as pure as a mountain stream that ran through her hometown
Mary Ann was pure and untainted, like a clear mountain stream.
Then happened by the slick Tom Shark in his hand she was clay
Mary Ann was taken advantage of by a man named Tom Shark, who used her for his own pleasure.
She got caught and faced the shame and he laughed and went his way
Mary Ann was shamed by her actions and Tom Shark did not care about her or the consequences.
Now no one knows where she's at her folks sent her away
Mary Ann was sent away by her family, possibly due to shame or to protect her from further harm.
Widow Brown worked since Joe died and tried to save her pay
Widow Brown worked hard to support her nine children after her husband's death and tried to save money when she could.
To give nine children beans and bread and pretty ties on Sunday
Widow Brown struggled to provide basic necessities for her family and tried to do something special for them on Sundays.
She got sick and slipped behind the rent she had to meet
Widow Brown fell behind on her rent due to illness, making her vulnerable.
They told her they were sorry and they kicked her out in the street
Despite her situation, Widow Brown was given no mercy and was kicked out of her home.
And that same day they came and took her kids away
To add insult to injury, Widow Brown was also separated from her children, taken from her by the government.
Young Billy Brown he took a trip to keep his country free
Billy Brown served in the military to protect his country and its freedoms.
We're all proud of what he done for the good old USA
Billy's service was appreciated and he was praised for his efforts by his fellow Americans.
But somewhere there's a mighty big man who kept this a goin' on
Behind Billy's military service was someone with power who made the decisions to send young men like him into battle.
The personal game wealth and fame they did their league all wrong
The powerful individuals behind the military decisions were motivated by personal gain, prioritizing their own interests over the lives of those who served.
All wrapped up in the stars and stripes Bill came home one day
Billy returned home after serving his country, still wrapped in the patriotic symbols of the US flag and anthem.
If there's not a hell there ought to be if there's not a hell there ought to be
The injustices faced by the various characters in the song are so great that if there is no punishment in the afterlife for such actions, then it is truly wrong and unjust.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Billy Deaton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind