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.
Sailor Man
Bobby Bare Lyrics
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I can vaguely recall a pretty girl was standin' there
Ran her hand through my hair took me off for some air
I hope we had a good time for I woke without even a dime
I'm a sailor that's all that I am I've been in many a land
Had a million girls but never have the urge to stay
I was born to be on the rollin' sea
That's where I'll be a livin' and I'll be a dyin' someday
Well I copped me a ship once more that was bound for Singapore
I got in a card game that lasted for thirty some days
I made my shipmates sad I took all they had
I taught those rosy cheek lads they don't be underratin' ol' Dad
I'm a sailor that's all that I am...
Three more days and we'll be in port we'll have twenty four hours of sport
We'll spend our hard earned money as fast as we can
Lift the glasses high and tell the pretty girls lies
And then we'll run for the harbor that's the life of a sailor man
I'm a sailor that's all that I am...
The song "Sailor Man" by Bobby Bare narrates the story of a sailor who has traveled across different lands and has had several experiences with women. He opens up about his memories of meeting a woman in a pub in Brittany, France, whom he cannot fully remember but vaguely remembers having a good time with. He admits to having no intention of settling down with any woman as his love and loyalty lie with the sea. He further emphasizes his status as a sailor and his commitment to his lifestyle, saying that he was "born to be on the rolling sea" and will continue living and dying that way.
The second stanza of the song reveals the sailor's gambling habits, which resulted in him taking all his shipmate's money in a card game that lasted for over thirty days while en route to Singapore. He is proud of his victory and the lesson he taught his opponents. The song ends on a light note with the sailor anticipating the end of their voyage in three days, where they will spend all their hard-earned money on entertainment and women before returning to the sea.
Overall, the song reinforces the idea of the sailor's identity, highlighting his adventure, love for the sea, and reluctance to settle down.
Line by Line Meaning
In a pub Britanny I had me a drink or three
I drank alcohol in a pub named Brittany. I consumed three drinks.
I can vaguely recall a pretty girl was standin' there
I have a slight recollection that an attractive girl was present.
Ran her hand through my hair took me off for some air
She ran her hand through my hair and escorted me outside to breathe some fresh air.
I hope we had a good time for I woke without even a dime
I hope we had a pleasurable experience because I woke up without any money.
I'm a sailor that's all that I am I've been in many a land
I am a professional sailor and have traveled to numerous countries.
Had a million girls but never have the urge to stay
I have been with countless women, but never had a desire to settle down.
I was born to be on the rollin' sea
My destiny is to spend my life on the sea.
That's where I'll be a livin' and I'll be a dyin' someday
I will live and die on the ocean.
Well I copped me a ship once more that was bound for Singapore
I acquired another ship headed to Singapore.
I got in a card game that lasted for thirty some days
I participated in a card game that persisted for more than thirty days.
I made my shipmates sad I took all they had
I caused my crew members to be unhappy by winning all of their possessions in the card game.
I taught those rosy cheek lads they don't be underratin' ol' Dad
I taught those youthful and inexperienced sailors not to underestimate me.
Three more days and we'll be in port we'll have twenty four hours of sport
We will arrive at port in three days and have a full day of leisure activities.
We'll spend our hard earned money as fast as we can
We will quickly and impulsively spend the money we worked hard to earn.
Lift the glasses high and tell the pretty girls lies
Raise your drinks and flatter the beautiful women with insincere compliments.
And then we'll run for the harbor that's the life of a sailor man
We will enthusiastically hurry towards the harbor, as that is the lifestyle of a sailor.
I'm a sailor that's all that I am...
I am purely a sailor and nothing else defines me.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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