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.
Lullabys Legends And Lies
Bobby Bare Lyrics
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And heroes and hells and bottomless wells and lullabys legends and lies
And gather round ladies come sit at my feet I'll sing about warm sunny skies
There's mermaids and beans and lovin' machines in my lullabys legends and lies
Lullabys legends and lies and lies lullabys legends and lies
I'll sing you a song then I'll shuffle along with my lullabys legends and lies
I may make you wonder I may make you smile I may bring the tears to your eyes
So open the bottle and pass a guitar and look in my warm lovin' eyes
I'll take you to places you ain't been before with my lullabys legends and lies
Lullabys legends and lies...
The lyrics of "Lullabys Legends And Lies" by Bobby Bare invite listeners to gather around and listen to some stories, both true and fanciful. The singer promises to tell tales of murder and blueberry pies, of heroes and hells, and of bottomless wells. He also promises to sing about warm sunny skies, mermaids and beans, and lovin' machines, all in a mix of lullabies, legends, and lies. The language is playful, with rhymes and repetitions, and a sense of whimsy that contrasts with some of the darker topics mentioned. The singer acknowledges that his stories might make his listeners wonder, smile, or bring tears to their eyes, but he concludes with a sense of mystery and longing, suggesting that when he disappears, he will be missed for his ability to transport listeners to imaginative places with his stories.
Despite the lighthearted tone of this song, it hints at deeper meanings about the power of storytelling and the human desire for escapism. By blending fact and fiction, the singer creates a world where anything is possible, where even murder and tragedy can coexist with mermaids, beans, and lovin' machines. The title of the song itself suggests a kind of triptych, with lullabies representing comfort, legends representing tradition, and lies representing invention. The song thus invites us to consider what stories we tell ourselves and why, and what role stories play in our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Gather round fellows I'll tell you some tales about murder and blueberry pies
Attention please, gentlemen. I am going to narrate some interesting stories about murder and blueberry pies.
And heroes and hells and bottomless wells and lullabys legends and lies
These stories will be regarding heroes, hells, bottomless wells, and also some lullabys legends and lies.
And gather round ladies come sit at my feet I'll sing about warm sunny skies
Ladies, please come and sit at my feet. I'll enchant you with my songs about warm and sunny skies.
There's mermaids and beans and lovin' machines in my lullabys legends and lies
My lullabys legends and lies involve mermaids, beans, and also the concept of machines capable of love.
Lullabys legends and lies and lies lullabys legends and lies
My songs will be a blend of lullabys, legends, and lies.
I'll sing you a song then I'll shuffle along with my lullabys legends and lies
After entertaining you with a song, I'll move on to narrate tales through my lullabys legends and lies.
I may make you wonder I may make you smile I may bring the tears to your eyes
My stories might make you think, or bring a smile on your face, or even make you cry.
But when I disappear Lord you'll wish I was here with more lullabys legends and lies
After I've gone, you'll long for more of my fascinating tales through my lullabys legends and lies.
So open the bottle and pass a guitar and look in my warm lovin' eyes
Now, let's open a bottle of wine and pass a guitar around as we prepare to delve deep into my tales while staring into my warm and affectionate eyes.
I'll take you to places you ain't been before with my lullabys legends and lies
Through my lullabys legends and lies, I'll transport you to new, exciting worlds you've never imagined before.
Lullabys legends and lies...
I'll continue to sing my lullabys legends and lies, which will keep fascinating you with their intriguing nature.
Contributed by Eva T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.