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.
Woman You Have Been A Friend To Me
Bobby Bare Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll pay you back someday for all the kindness and all the other liberties I took
Although I cannot say that I have loved you I won't forget how good it was to be
Among the people you call little darling hey woman you have been a friend to me
Woman you have been a friend to me and somewhere down the line I'll drink a toast
To the lady who encouraged me to try and took me in when I was down and broke
I hope that life holds many thrills for you and there are great big apples on your tree
I'm sorry that I could't give you more than thanks
In Bobby Bare's song "Woman You Have Been a Friend to Me," the singer expresses his gratitude towards a woman who has been a friend to him. He appreciates her for the coffee she made and the shelter of her roof. He acknowledges that he has taken liberties with her, but promises to pay her back someday for all her kindness. Although he cannot say that he has loved her, he won't forget how good it was to be among the people she calls "little darling." The singer then toasts to the lady who encouraged him to try and took him in when he was down and broke. He hopes that life holds many thrills for her and apologizes that he couldn't give her more than thanks.
The song showcases the importance of friendship and the impact it can have on one's life. It also acknowledges the sacrifices that friends make for each other and how grateful we should be for them.
Line by Line Meaning
I appreciate the coffee that you made
I am grateful for the coffee you brewed for me.
I appreciate the shelter of your roof
I am also grateful for the roof you provided for me.
I'll pay you back someday for all the kindness and all the other liberties I took
I promise to repay you someday for everything you have done for me and for all the times I have taken advantage of your kindness.
Although I cannot say that I have loved you
Even though I may not have romantic feelings for you,
I won't forget how good it was to be among the people you call little darling
I will never forget how nice it was to be welcomed into your social circle.
Hey woman you have been a friend to me
Thank you for being such a good friend to me.
Woman you have been a friend to me and somewhere down the line I'll drink a toast
You truly have been a great friend to me, and someday in the future, I will raise my glass and toast to you.
To the lady who encouraged me to try and took me in when I was down and broke
This toast is for the woman who inspired me to keep trying, and who took care of me when I had nothing.
I hope that life holds many thrills for you and there are great big apples on your tree
I wish for you to experience many exciting things in life, and to have an abundant harvest of success and happiness.
I'm sorry that I could't give you more than thanks
I apologize that I cannot give you more than just my gratitude.
But woman you have been a friend to me woman you have been a friend to me
You truly have been an exceptional friend to me, and I am grateful for you.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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