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.
Waitress At the Main Street Cafe
Bobby Bare Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The people who live here on Main Street know and respect me too well
Each morning she brings me my coffee thank you good looking I'd say
Everyone knows I'm in love with the waitress at Main Street Cafe
I watch as she walks by my table I'm longing to hold her so tight
I know once again I will meet her when she gets through working tonight
Someday when my ship comes to anchor I'll come and I'll take her away
My schemes and my dreams are including the waitress at Main Street Cafe
I eat and I drink all my orange juice yet I never leave her a tip
She says she will take off that apron when we can afford it some day
Yes the girl that I married is working she's the waitress at Main Street Cafe
In Bobby Bare's song "Waitress at the Main Street Cafe," the singer expresses his love for the titular waitress while also acknowledging that their relationship must remain secret. He knows that the townspeople are aware of his feelings but don't openly acknowledge it out of respect for him. The waitress brings him coffee every morning, and he looks forward to seeing her at the end of her shift. Despite his affection for her, he realizes that their future together may be uncertain, as he must first achieve financial stability before he can take her away.
The singer's longing for the waitress is palpable as he watches her walk by his table and dreams of holding her close. He envisions a future in which he can finally have her all to himself. However, for now, they must content themselves with stolen kisses and secret glances. The singer is aware that their relationship is unconventional, as evidenced by his admission that he never leaves her a tip. Nevertheless, he is committed to her, even if it means she must continue to work as a waitress.
Overall, "Waitress at the Main Street Cafe" is a poignant reflection on love and the sacrifices one must make to pursue it. The singer's affection for the waitress is heartfelt, and the casual tone of the song underscores the sense of familiarity and intimacy between the two characters.
Line by Line Meaning
I know they all know that I love her they don't say a word I can tell
The people around know that I am in love with the waitress but do not say anything about it openly.
Each morning she brings me my coffee thank you good looking I'd say
The waitress serves me every day and I appreciate her efforts.
Everyone knows I'm in love with the waitress at Main Street Cafe
Locals of the town are aware of my affection towards the waitress at the cafe.
I watch as she walks by my table I'm longing to hold her so tight
I have an affection for the waitress and crave to embrace her tightly, in parting.
I know once again I will meet her when she gets through working tonight
I am grooving with the excitement of meeting the waitress, once again at the end of her shift.
Someday when my ship comes to anchor I'll come and I'll take her away
Someday, when I have settled financially, I wish to ask the waitress for marriage and take her along with me.
My schemes and my dreams are including the waitress at Main Street Cafe
I am dreamy and lost in the schemes of starting a life with the waitress of the cafe.
I know that some stranger would wonder why we steal a quick little kiss
Although a stranger or two might indulge in wonderment at our quick, little kiss, yet we are comfortable with each other.
I eat and I drink all my orange juice yet I never leave her a tip
I never tip the waitress but love her deeply and am considerte of her position at the cafe.
She says she will take off that apron when we can afford it some day
The waitress tells that she wishes to start a life with me, eventually, only when we could afford it.
Yes the girl that I married is working she's the waitress at Main Street Cafe
I am married to the waitress of Main Street Cafe, the girl of my dreams that I deeply cherish.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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