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.
That's How I Wanted It To Be
Bobby Bare Lyrics
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Live alone and have some fun
So I told her to take the kids and go back to her mama
(That's how I wanted it to be) and I felt satisfied it was done
I wake up every morning make myself a cup of Jay
Down to the factory that's where I spend my day
Five o'clock the whistle blows and that leaves the evening free
That's how I wanted it to be
Well it didn't take me long to find out just how much I needed her
So I wrote and told her to take the kids
And come on back home cause I was ready to settle down now
Well you see I just got her letter today
And it seems she's found someone else someone she can depend on
(That's how I wanted it to be) and she ain't comin' home no more
I wake up every morning...
That's how I wanted it to be
In Bobby Bare's song "That's How I Wanted It To Be," the lyrics tell a story of a man who initially desired the freedom of bachelorhood. He wanted to live alone and have fun, so he told his wife to take their kids and go back to her mother. At first, he feels satisfied with his decision, believing this is how he wanted his life to be.
The man then realizes that he actually misses his wife and children more than he anticipated. He starts to feel the void left by their absence, and he recognizes that he needs them in his life. Realizing his mistake, he writes a letter to his wife, asking her to come back home because he is ready to settle down and be a family once again.
However, when he finally receives a letter from his wife, he discovers that she has already moved on and found someone else. She has found someone who can provide the support and companionship she needs, which was what the man ultimately wanted for her, even if it meant sacrificing his own desires. The man realizes that his wish for her to be independent and happy has come true, but it also means she won't be returning home.
Despite the heartbreak and longing, the man still follows his routine every day. He wakes up, makes a cup of Jay, and heads to work at the factory. The whistle blowing at five o'clock signals the end of his workday, leaving him free in the evenings, just as he initially intended. But now, instead of feeling satisfied, he is left with a bittersweet realization that he had wanted it that way, even though it has brought him sorrow.
In summary, this song portrays a man's realization that he had taken his wife and family for granted. Initially desiring the freedom of bachelorhood, he ultimately regrets his decision and longs for their return. However, he also comes to accept that his wife's happiness and well-being may lie elsewhere now, leaving him with mixed emotions and a sense of regret over how things turned out.
Line by Line Meaning
I thought I'd like to lead the bachelor life for a while
I wanted to experience the freedom and excitement of being single for some time.
Live alone and have some fun
I desired to live independently and enjoy myself.
So I told her to take the kids and go back to her mama
I instructed her to take our children and return to her mother's place.
(That's how I wanted it to be) and I felt satisfied it was done
I felt content and fulfilled with the decision because it aligned with what I desired.
I wake up every morning make myself a cup of Jay
Every morning, I start my day by preparing a cup of Jay, potentially a form of beverage or coffee.
Down to the factory that's where I spend my day
I spend my entire day working at the factory.
Five o'clock the whistle blows and that leaves the evening free
When the clock strikes five, a whistle signals the end of the workday, granting me free time in the evening.
That's how I wanted it to be
This is precisely how I envisioned my daily routine to be.
Well it didn't take me long to find out just how much I needed her
I quickly realized the extent of my reliance and emotional attachment to her.
So I wrote and told her to take the kids
Thus, I wrote a letter urging her to take our children.
And come on back home cause I was ready to settle down now
I pleaded for her return as I had realized my readiness to commit and establish a stable life.
Well you see I just got her letter today
Today, I received a letter from her.
And it seems she's found someone else someone she can depend on
The letter revealed that she has found another person who she can rely on.
(That's how I wanted it to be) and she ain't comin' home no more
Ironically, this is exactly what I initially desired, but now it brings me sorrow as she no longer intends to return home.
I wake up every morning...
Regardless of my previous intentions and desires, my daily routine remains the same.
That's how I wanted it to be
Although my desires have changed, my current reality remains as per my initial wishes.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BOBBY BARE, LANCE GUYNES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind