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.
Jesus Christ What a Man
Bobby Bare Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That's why you don't sing more songs about Jesus my hero
Yes Jesus Christ now there was a man
So sing me some songs about Jesus cause I am a big Jesus fan
Sing me more songs about Jesus my Saviour Jesus Christ oh what a man
I've heard all your songs about living and dying I admire you deep in every word
Oh but you haven't lived till you've heard Roy Acuff
So sing me some songs about Jesus cause I am a big Jesus fan
Sing me more songs about Jesus my Saviour Jesus Christ now there was a man
Jesus Christ oh what a man
The lyrics in Bobby Bare's song "Jesus Christ What a Man" express the singer's desire to hear more songs about Jesus being sung. The song begins with the singer acknowledging that they have heard all the songs that are being sung, but they do not understand why there are not more songs about Jesus, who is the singer's hero. The singer goes on to praise Jesus for being a great man, saying "Jesus Christ now there was a man," and expressing their admiration for him by declaring themselves to be a big Jesus fan.
The song then takes a turn towards the importance of singing about Jesus, as the singer references the song "The Great Speckled Bird" by Roy Acuff, which praises Jesus. The singer believes that one hasn't truly experienced life until they've heard such a song. In the end, the plea is for more songs to be sung about Jesus, as the singer declares: "Sing me more songs about Jesus my Saviour, Jesus Christ oh what a man."
Overall, the lyrics of "Jesus Christ What a Man" express a deep admiration for Jesus and a desire to hear songs that celebrate him. The song serves as a reminder of the importance of singing about Jesus and his impact on people's lives.
Line by Line Meaning
I've heard all the songs you're singing today there's one thing I don't understand
I have listened to all the songs that you are presenting today, but I am still uncertain about one thing.
That's why you don't sing more songs about Jesus my hero
I am requesting you to perform more songs about Jesus, who is my hero.
Yes Jesus Christ now there was a man
Jesus Christ was indeed an exceptional man.
So sing me some songs about Jesus cause I am a big Jesus fan
Since I am a great admirer of Jesus, I urge you to sing more songs about him.
Sing me more songs about Jesus my Saviour Jesus Christ oh what a man
I humbly request you to sing further songs about Jesus, who is my Savior, since he was an incredible human being.
I've heard all your songs about living and dying I admire you deep in every word
I have listened to all your songs about life and death, and I appreciate your profound lyrics.
Oh but you haven't lived till you've heard Roy Acuff
However, you have missed out on experiencing the great Roy Acuff.
Sing about Jesus and the Great Speckled Bird
Sing to us a song about Jesus, and mention the Great Speckled Bird.
Jesus Christ now there was a man
Jesus Christ was a truly remarkable individual.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BARE, SHAVER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind