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.
This Guitar Is For Sale
Bobby Bare Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She's pretty to look at but she don't earn her keep
She can roar like the west wind, she can weep, she can wail
But the tunes that she plays just ain't sellin' today
She lay close beside me on cold winter nights
She's got me in trouble and she won me some fights
We both come out all right
She knows all the sad songs that Hank ever wrote
Just touch her once gently and she'll take you on home
She'll tell you some stories 'bout junk yards and jails
And a fool with a song and a dream that went wrong
This guitar is for sale.
She's rode cross this country on freight trains and trucks
On 'round pawnshop windows when we're down on our luck
We been down on our luck
So please treat her kind, keep her out of the rain
It's funny you're askin', I never gave her a name
But if you say she looks weary, you been readin' our mail
So if you got the dough buddy take her and go
This guitar is for sale.
She's won me some ladies with her sweet lovin' songs
And she's stuck right here with me when the ladies were gone
And the ladies are gone
But hard times and trouble been doggin' our tail
So if you got the dough buddy take her and go
This guitar is for sale...
The song "This Guitar is For Sale" by Bobby Bare is a melancholic piece about a guitar and its owner, who is forced to part with it for financial reasons. The song is a moving tribute to the memories associated with the guitar, the many places it has traveled, and the various emotions it has elicited over the years.
The lyrics portray a deep emotional bond between the guitar and its owner, who has shared many experiences with it. The song talks about how the guitar has been a reliable companion in both good times and bad. The guitar has won the owner some fights and ladies, but now it is time to part with it as it is no longer bringing in any money. The owner is hoping that someone who appreciates the guitar's history and value will take it away and give it a good home.
The lyrics also evoke a deep sense of nostalgia, revealing how the guitar has a unique story that stretches beyond its current owner. It has been on freight trains and trucks, and has also crossed the country on many adventures. The guitar has witnessed the hopes and dreams of many, including a person who had a dream that went wrong, a fool with a song. The guitar has also played many songs, including some of the sad songs written by Hank.
Overall, the song is a beautiful tribute to the power of music and the memories and stories attached to an instrument with a unique history.
Line by Line Meaning
This guitar is for sale, I'll let her go cheap
I am selling this guitar, and I am willing to let it go for a low price.
She's pretty to look at but she don't earn her keep
This guitar is aesthetically pleasing, but it is not as valuable or profitable as it should be.
She can roar like the west wind, she can weep, she can wail
This guitar is capable of producing a wide range of sounds, from loud and intense to soft and mournful.
But the tunes that she plays just ain't sellin' today
The type of music this guitar is capable of playing is not currently popular or in demand.
She lay close beside me on cold winter nights
This guitar has been a constant companion to me during difficult times, providing comfort and solace.
She's got me in trouble and she won me some fights
This guitar has caused problems for me in the past, but it has also helped me to overcome obstacles and achieve victory.
We both come out all right
Despite the challenges we have faced together, both myself and this guitar have persevered and are still standing.
She knows all the sad songs that Hank ever wrote
This guitar is capable of playing a variety of melancholy tunes, particularly those written by Hank (presumably Hank Williams, a well-known country musician).
Just touch her once gently and she'll take you on home
Playing this guitar can be a deeply emotional and evocative experience, one that can transport the player to a different time or place.
She'll tell you some stories 'bout junk yards and jails
This guitar's music is rooted in real-life experiences, some of which involve difficult or unpleasant situations such as junkyards and jails.
And a fool with a song and a dream that went wrong
This guitar has been a part of someone's journey that involved foolish decisions, unfulfilled aspirations, and disappointment.
She's rode cross this country on freight trains and trucks
This guitar has traveled extensively across the United States, often via unconventional or low-budget means such as hitching rides on freight trains or trucks.
On 'round pawnshop windows when we're down on our luck
In times of financial struggle, this guitar has been a valuable asset that could be sold or pawned in order to make ends meet.
We been down on our luck
The singer has experienced significant hardship and misfortune in the past, which impacted their ability to take care of this guitar.
So please treat her kind, keep her out of the rain
If you purchase this guitar, please take care of it and protect it from damage.
It's funny you're askin', I never gave her a name
Although the artist has a deep attachment to this guitar, they have never given it a specific name or identity.
But if you say she looks weary, you been readin' our mail
If you can tell that this guitar has been through a lot and is showing signs of wear and tear, it is likely because the artist and the guitar have been through many difficult experiences together.
She's won me some ladies with her sweet lovin' songs
This guitar has been a romantic asset for the singer, as they have used its music to woo potential partners.
And she's stuck right here with me when the ladies were gone
Even when the singer was single or did not have romantic prospects, this guitar remained a constant presence in their life.
But hard times and trouble been doggin' our tail
Despite the good times that this guitar and the artist have shared, they have both been persistently plagued by difficulties and struggles.
So if you got the dough buddy take her and go
If you are able and willing to pay for this guitar, I am ready to part with it and let it go.
This guitar is for sale...
This lyric repeats the refrain from the beginning of the song, reiterating that the guitar is indeed up for sale.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, T.R.O. INC.
Written by: FRED KOLLER, SHEL SILVERSTEIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind