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.
Rest Awhile
Bobby Bare Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who just pulled in today from the Florida Glades
And just got to stop and rest awhile and rest awhile
Does anyone know of someone who can use
A hard working fool who don't ever touch booze
Who's only vice is a roll of a dice
And he's just got to stop and rest awhile and rest awhile
Easy there lady I don't want no trouble I'll pay for my chili and leave
Does anyone know of a place I can sleep
Where I won't hear the cry of the wind as she weeps
For a poor wandering soul who got no place to go
And just got to stop and rest awhile and rest awhile
No fellers you can't have a ride cause my bike and my girls I don't share
Hey sheriff thank you for stoppin' and being concerned bout the length of my hair
Can anyone lend me a half tank of gas
And I guess that a smile would be too much to ask
Cause your warm friendly town don't want my kind around
And I guess I can't stop and rest awhile and rest awhile
Hello mama your boys comin' home cause my bike and my dreams all got wrecked
No mama don't hung up the phone I'm sorry that I had to call you collect
Can anyone lend me a half tank...
Bobby Bare's song "Rest Awhile" is a poignant tale of a man searching for respite and acceptance. The singer is a "tired old boy on a rusty old bike" who has just arrived from the Florida Glades and is in search of someone or somewhere to rest for a while. The lyrics paint a picture of a lonely, weary traveler who has had a hard life, but still hopes to find connection and community.
The opening lines of the song reveal the central theme: the search for connection. The singer is looking for someone who might appreciate him for who he is, despite his flaws and shortcomings. He's tired and in need of a break, and he's hoping to find someone who will give him that much-needed respite.
As the song unfolds, we see the singer encounter a variety of characters who react to him in different ways. Some are friendly and kind, while others are hostile and judgmental. The song is a reminder of how difficult it can be to find acceptance and a sense of belonging, particularly when we feel different or out of step with the people around us.
The chorus of the song underscores the singer's desire to "stop and rest awhile" -- to find a place of peace and comfort, if only for a little while. It's a universal impulse that speaks to our need for rest and rejuvenation, as well as our desire for connection and community.
Interestingly, the song was written by Billy Joe Shaver, but was originally recorded by Waylon Jennings. Bobby Bare's version was released in 1973 and became a modest hit on the country charts. The song has since been covered by a number of artists, including Johnny Cash and The Highwaymen.
Line by Line Meaning
Does anyone know of a girl who might like a tired old boy on a rusty old bike
Is there anyone who knows of a girl who would be interested in a guy who is exhausted and riding an old, rusty bike?
Who just pulled in today from the Florida Glades
He arrived in town today from the Florida swamps.
And just got to stop and rest awhile and rest awhile
He needs a break and wants to rest for a while.
Does anyone know of someone who can use
Is there anyone who needs the help of a dedicated worker?
A hard working fool who don't ever touch booze
He is a hardworking but foolish man who never drinks alcohol.
Who's only vice is a roll of a dice
His only weakness is taking chances by rolling the dice.
And he's just got to stop and rest awhile and rest awhile
He needs a break and wants to rest for a while.
Easy there lady I don't want no trouble I'll pay for my chili and leave
He assures the lady that he doesn't want any trouble and will pay for his meal and leave.
Easy there mister I got the money and if I was you I'd let go of my sleeve
The lady informs the man that she has the money and advises him to let go of her sleeve.
Does anyone know of a place I can sleep
Is there anyone who knows of a place where he can sleep?
Where I won't hear the cry of the wind as she weeps
A place where he won't hear the wind's mournful cry.
For a poor wandering soul who got no place to go
He is a vagabond with no destination in mind.
And just got to stop and rest awhile and rest awhile
He needs a break and wants to rest for a while.
No fellers you can't have a ride cause my bike and my girls I don't share
He refuses to share his bike or his women with anyone.
Hey sheriff thank you for stoppin' and being concerned bout the length of my hair
He thanks the sheriff for stopping and showing concern over the length of his hair.
Can anyone lend me a half tank of gas
He asks if anyone can lend him half a tank of gas.
And I guess that a smile would be too much to ask
He doubts that anyone would be willing to offer him a smile.
Cause your warm friendly town don't want my kind around
The town's inhabitants don't welcome his kind.
And I guess I can't stop and rest awhile and rest awhile
He realizes that he can't rest in this town.
Hello mama your boys comin' home cause my bike and my dreams all got wrecked
He informs his mother that he's coming home because his bike and dreams have been shattered.
No mama don't hung up the phone I'm sorry that I had to call you collect
He tells his mother not to hang up the phone and apologizes for making a collect call.
Can anyone lend me a half tank...
He repeats his request for half a tank of gas.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dorian Laetari
One of the VERY best albums EVER and this song gives me chills. Love Shel Silverstein ALWAYS give me chills. A genius I dearly miss
Glen
love Bobby's speaking voice too...
Rebecca D
Great album great song .enjoying this .
Thank you Tom Page God Bless You nd Your Family
Lena Andersson
Bobby Bare 🎤🎸so Great
RestAwhile Y'all
Thanks for the song.
Brenda Fretwell
I'm that girl! Love that Bare!
Edward Peterson
So great... Bare
Parker McCollum🔹
Thank you so much
Scott Liegel
A good shot out to us Floridians,, I love people that look down on bikers, because there missing out on what could be a great friend, one day all these cagers are gonna need a hand or lil gas and well just laugh,,never judge a book..