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.
It ain't me babe
Bobby Bare Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm not the one you want babe I'm not the one that you need
You say you're looking for someone never weak but always strong
To protect you and defend you whether you are right or wrong
Someone to open each and every door but it ain't me babe no no no
It ain't me babe it ain't me you're looking for babe
[ harmonica ]
Go lightly from the ledge babe go lightly on the ground
You say you're looking for someone who'll promise never to part
Someone to close his eyes for you someone to close his heart
Someone to die for you and even more but it ain't me babe no no no
It ain't me babe it ain't me you're looking for babe
The lyrics of Bobby Bare's song "It Ain't Me Babe" describe a man telling a woman to leave him and move on with her life because he is not the one she should be looking for. He admits that he is not strong enough to act as her protector and defend her, nor is he willing to promise to never leave her. He tells her to find someone else that can fulfill these needs, as he realizes that he is not the right fit for her.
The repeated phrase "it ain't me babe" suggests that the man is not the type of partner that the woman desires or requires. He acknowledges her desire for a strong and protective partner, but he is not capable of providing her with what she needs. He also mentions that he is not willing to close his eyes or heart for her, which suggests that he is not fully invested in the relationship.
Overall, the song is a bittersweet reflection on an unsuccessful relationship. The man understands that he is not the right fit for his partner, but he is still sad to see her go.
Line by Line Meaning
Go away from my window leave at your own chosen speed
Please leave my sight and go away at the pace you want.
I'm not the one you want babe I'm not the one that you need
I am not the person you are trying to find, the one you require in your life.
You say you're looking for someone never weak but always strong
You want someone who is consistently powerful and never vulnerable.
To protect you and defend you whether you are right or wrong
Someone who will support and shield you regardless of the situation, even if you are mistaken.
Someone to open each and every door but it ain't me babe no no no
You're searching for someone who can open every door for you, but I am not capable of that.
It ain't me babe it ain't me you're looking for babe
I'm sorry, but I'm not the person you want or need in your life.
[ harmonica ]
Instrumental interlude.
Go lightly from the ledge babe go lightly on the ground
Please tread carefully and lightly on both high and low places.
I'm not the one you want babe I'll only let you down
I am not the individual you're looking for because I will only disappoint you.
You say you're looking for someone who'll promise never to part
You want someone who will vow to never leave you.
Someone to close his eyes for you someone to close his heart
A person who will sacrifice their own desires and emotions for you.
Someone to die for you and even more but it ain't me babe no no no
You may be searching for someone to give their life for you, but that person is not me.
It ain't me babe it ain't me you're looking for babe
Once again, I am not the person you desire or require.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bob Dylan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind