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.
Long Way to Tennessee
Bobby Bare Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And until they set me free oh oh me it's a long long way from here to Tennessee
Oh my mouth is dry with dust my throat is raw
How I miss those big green trees in Arkansas
On the way to where I'll be when they set me free
But it's a long long way from here to Tennessee
A long long way from me to the girl that I love so
Will she wait for me oh Lord I don't know
Back in Tennessee I left sweet paradise
But until they set me free oh oh me it's a long long way from here to Tennessee
It's a long long way from here to Tennessee
It's a long long way from here to Tennessee
The lyrics of Bobby Bare's song "Long Way to Tennessee" tell the story of a man who is currently incarcerated in an Arizona prison, far from where he wants to be, which is back in his home state of Tennessee. The lyrics convey his feelings of loneliness, desperation, and longing as he reflects on how far he is from the things he loves and the people he cares for. The opening line sets the tone for the rest of the song, emphasizing the distance between where he is and where he wants to be. His current situation is bleak, and the lyrics "my mouth is dry with dust, my throat is raw" underscore his physical and emotional challenges.
As the song continues, we learn that the man is not only longing for his home state, but also for the girl he loves. He expresses his uncertainty about whether she will wait for him while he serves his sentence, knowing that he has done wrong and paid the price. The song's refrain reinforces the idea that it's a long way from where he is now to where he wants to be - both physically and emotionally. Despite his struggles, the man remains hopeful that one day he will be set free and reunited with his loved ones in Tennessee.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm a long long way from where I want to be in the Arizona Prison they've got me
The singer is imprisoned in Arizona and wishes to be elsewhere.
And until they set me free oh oh me it's a long long way from here to Tennessee
The singer's eventual destination is Tennessee.
Oh my mouth is dry with dust my throat is raw
The conditions of the prison are harsh and uncomfortable.
How I miss those big green trees in Arkansas
The singer longs for the natural beauty of Arkansas.
On the way to where I'll be when they set me free
Despite being imprisoned, the singer has hope for the future.
But it's a long long way from here to Tennessee
The distance between Arizona and Tennessee is significant.
A long long way from me to the girl that I love so
The singer's significant other is far away, adding to his hardship.
Will she wait for me oh Lord I don't know
The singer is uncertain about the fate of his relationship.
I know that I've done wrong but friends I've paid the price
The singer acknowledges his mistakes and has suffered the consequences.
Back in Tennessee I left sweet paradise
The singer implies that his life in Tennessee prior to imprisonment was satisfying and enjoyable.
But until they set me free oh oh me it's a long long way from here to Tennessee
The singer reiterates that his release from prison and reunion with his loved ones will take significant time.
It's a long long way from here to Tennessee
The song's central message is reinforced one final time.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind