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.
Lonely Street
Bobby Bare Lyrics
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I need a place to go and weep where's this place called Lonely Street
A place where there's just loneliness where dim lights bring forgetfulness
Where broken dreams and mem'ries meet where's this place called Lonely Street
Perhaps upon that Lonely Street there's someone such as I
Who came to bury broken dreams and watch an old love die
A place where there's just loneliness where dim lights bring forgetfulness
Where's this place called Lonely Street
Bobby Bare's song Lonely Street is a heartbreaking ballad that captures the feeling of utter loneliness and despair. The lyrics describe the singer's search for a place where he can go to be alone with his thoughts and his sorrow. He is looking for Lonely Street, a place where there is just loneliness, where dreams are broken, and memories come to die. The dim lights of Lonely Street offer forgetfulness, a place where he can bury his broken dreams and watch his old love die. Despite the sadness and pain, the singer finds solace in the fact that there may be someone else on Lonely Street who is going through the same struggles that he is.
The lyrics of Lonely Street paint a vivid picture of the singer's emotional state. He is lost, hurt, and searching for a refuge from the world. The metaphor of Lonely Street represents a place of isolation and desolation, a place where the pain of lost love can be confronted and processed. The song is a poignant reminder that even in our moments of deepest pain and sorrow, we are not alone. Others are going through the same struggles, and there is always hope for healing and renewal.
Overall, Bobby Bare's Lonely Street is a moving portrayal of the human experience of grief and loss. The raw emotion of the lyrics, combined with Bare's soulful delivery, make this song a timeless classic that continues to resonate with audiences today.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm looking for that Lonely Street I've got a sad sad tale to tell
I am searching for a street named Lonely Street where I can share my sorrowful story.
I need a place to go and weep where's this place called Lonely Street
I require a location to cry and grieve. Where can I find the legendary Lonely Street?
A place where there's just loneliness where dim lights bring forgetfulness
Lonely Street is a desolate place. Dim lights bring forgetfulness, as the depressing atmosphere fades out painful memories.
Where broken dreams and mem'ries meet where's this place called Lonely Street
Lonely Street represents a junction of shattered dreams and poignant memories. Please can you tell me where to locate Lonely Street?
Perhaps upon that Lonely Street there's someone such as I
There may be someone else on Lonely Street with a heart laden with grief, just like my own.
Who came to bury broken dreams and watch an old love die
Maybe someone on Lonely Street has arrived to bid adieu to their lost love and bury their shattered dreams.
I need a place to go and weep where's this place called Lonely Street
I still seek a location where I can cry in peace. Can you please tell me where I can find Lonely Street?
Where's this place called Lonely Street
Once again, I am asking for directions to the elusive Lonely Street.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Carl Belew, W Stevenson, Kenny Sowder
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind