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.
When I've Learned
Bobby Bare Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I've seen the God of heaven paint the fields and the country side
I've been the husband of one wife heard my newborn baby cry
But when I've learned enough to really live I'll be old enough to die old enough to die
I'm just a plain hard working man no stopping place have I found
Although I'm tired I'm still inspired at night when I lie down
I've learned to like it on God's earth but I sometimes I wonder why
When I've learned enough to really live I'll be old enough to die old enough to die
The lyrics to Bobby Bare's song "When I've Learned" speak to the idea of gaining wisdom and experience through life's trials and tribulations. The verses speak of meeting the Master (presumably Jesus) and being tested and tried, perhaps referencing the challenges and struggles that the singer has faced throughout their life. They have also seen the beauty of God's creation in the fields and countryside.
The second verse speaks to the singer's role as a husband and father, having experienced the joy and challenge of hearing a newborn baby cry. The chorus repeats the line "When I've learned enough to really live I'll be old enough to die" twice, emphasizing the importance of gaining knowledge and wisdom throughout one's life in preparation for death.
Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of humility and gratitude for the experiences that life has brought, while also acknowledging the importance of continuing to learn and grow as a person.
Line by Line Meaning
I have met the Master on my knees been tested and I've tried
I have found God in my life and faced many challenges and trials
And I've seen the God of heaven paint the fields and the country side
I have witnessed the beauty of God's creation all around me
I've been the husband of one wife heard my newborn baby cry
I have experienced the joys and challenges of marriage and parenthood
But when I've learned enough to really live I'll be old enough to die old enough to die
Only when I have truly gained wisdom and lived a fulfilling life will I be ready to face death
I'm just a plain hard working man no stopping place have I found
I am a simple man who has yet to discover his true purpose or calling in life
Although I'm tired I'm still inspired at night when I lie down
Despite my weariness, I still find inspiration and motivation to keep going
I've learned to like it on God's earth but I sometimes I wonder why
I have come to appreciate the world God has created, but still have unanswered questions
When I've learned enough to really live I'll be old enough to die old enough to die
Only when I have truly gained wisdom and lived a fulfilling life will I be ready to face death
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BAKER, KILLEN, WHITSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Benny Head
Bobby always had the prettiest melodies in his songs..
Frank Childs
Beautiful song by Bobby, also heard it by Johnny Cash...Impermanence is our reality regardless of creed,ethnicity and so on, Thanks Bianca for this stunning reminder ❤ 💖 💕 ♥ 💗
Ruth Boykin
Great song by Bobby Bare!
Cipry Yrpic
This..is from God, to man! And from me...to you. Be a headlight! 🕊💚🕯
Primrose Haran
fantastic love this from Bobby thank you so much for this fantastic post
BeMisty
You're welcome
betty stephenson
great song by bobby
CountryBoy Williams
BEAUTIFUL SONG FROM BOBBY...TKS. MISTY
BeMisty
My pleasure , CountryBoy!
Angelina Assunção
💓