Taking after their father, who sang gospel music, Bobby Womack and his brothers formed their own group in 1952. In 1954, under the moniker Curtis Womack and the Womack Brothers, the group issued the Pennant single, "Buffalo Bill". Bobby Womack was only ten years old at the time. Sam Cooke took an interest in the Womack Brothers, and they recorded for Cooke's SAR record label in the early 1960s. Renamed the Valentinos, and encouraged by Cooke to go in a more secular and commercial direction, they scored a hit with Womack's "It's All Over Now" in 1964; the Rolling Stones' version of the song became a major hit, earning Womack generous royalty payments.
Sam Cooke died in late 1964; Womack married Cooke's widow, Barbara, a short time later, creating something of a scandal. Things became even more complicated when his younger brother, Cecil, married Cooke's daughter, Linda. As a session guitarist, Womack worked at producer Chips Moman's American Studios in Memphis, and played on recordings by Joe Tex and The Box Tops. Until this point, around 1967, he had had little success as a solo artist, but at American he began to record a string of classic soul-music singles including the 1968 "What Is This" (his first chart hit), "It's Gonna Rain" and "More Than I Can Stand," all of which featured his elegant, understated rhythm-guitar work and his impassioned vocals. During this period he became known as a songwriter, contributing many songs to the repertoire of Wilson Pickett; these include "I'm in Love" and "I'm a Midnight Mover."
After moving to the United Artists label in the early '70s, he released the album Communication, and on an album with guitarist Gabor Szabo introduced his song "Breezin'," which later became a hit for George Benson. He also became known for his interesting taste in cover versions, essaying Fred Neil's "Everybody's Talkin' " as well as "Fly Me to the Moon (In Other Words)" and James Taylor's "Fire and Rain'" and "California Dreamin'." Perhaps his most well-known work from this period is as guitarist on Sly & the Family Stone's 1971 There's a Riot Goin' On.
He continued to have hits into the '70s; these include "Lookin' for a Love" (a remake of his 1962 Valentinos single), "Across 110th Street," "Woman's Gotta Have It" (covered by James Taylor in 1976), "You're Welcome, Stop on By," and the masterful "Daylight." All are excellent examples of burnished yet gritty 1970s soul music, and reveal a pop-music sensibility akin to that of Marvin Gaye or Curtis Mayfield.
Bobby Womack's 1981 album The Poet was a surprise hit and contained the hit single "If You Think You're Lonely Now." K-Ci Hailey, a notable admirer of Womack's work, covered "If You Think You're Lonely Now" in 1994. The song is referenced in Mariah Carey's song "We Belong Together", a number-one hit in June 2005. Carey sings "I can't sleep at night /When you are on my mind / Bobby Womack's on the radio / Singing to me: 'If you think you're lonely now.'"
Film director Quentin Tarantino used "Across 110th Street" (which, in a different version, had been the title song of the 1972 movie) in the opening and closing sequences of his 1997 film Jackie Brown.
A 2003 Saab commercial shone a spotlight on Womack’s interpretation of "California Dreamin'".
In 2010, Womack contributed lyrics and sang on "Stylo" alongside Mos Def, the first single from the third Gorillaz album, Plastic Beach. Womack was told to sing whatever was on his mind during the recording of "Stylo". "I was in there for an hour going crazy about love and politics, getting it off my chest", said Womack.[4] He also provides vocals on the song "Cloud of Unknowing".
In 2010 Bobby Womack appeared on the main pyramid stage at Glastonbury with the Gorillaz.
The Bravest Man in the World Songfacts reports in 2012, Womack's first album of original material since 1994's Resurrection was released. The Bravest Man in the World was produced by Damon Albarn of Gorillaz and XL Recordings boss, Richard Russell.
Womack died on June 27, 2014 at age 70.
Across 110th Street
Bobby Womack Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Woo, ooh
I was the third brother of five
Doing whatever I had to do to survive
I'm not saying what I did was alright
Tryna break out of the ghetto was a day to day fight
But I knew there was a better way of life, and I was just trying to find
You don't know what you'll do until you're put under pressure
'Cross 110th Street is a hell of a tester
Across 110th Street
Pimps trying to catch a woman that's weak
Across 110th Street
Pushers won't let the junkie go free
Across 110th Street
Woman trying to catch a trick on the street, ooh baby
Across 110th Street
You can find it all in the street
Woo, ooh, oh
I got one more thing I'd like to talk to y'all about right now
Hey brother, there's a better way out
Snorting that coke, shooting that dope, man, you're copping out
Take my advice, it's either live or die
You've got to be strong if you wanna survive
The family on the other side of town
Would catch hell without a ghetto around
In every city you'll find the same thing going down
Harlem is the capital of every ghetto town
Help me sing it
Across 110th Street
Pimps trying to catch a woman that's weak
Across 110th Street
Pushers won't let the junkie go free, oh
Across 110th Street
A woman trying to catch a trick on the street, ooh baby
Across 110th Street, look
You can find it all in the street
Yes, you can
Oh, look around you, look around you, look around you
Look around you, uh, yeah
Woo, ooh
Bobby Womack's "Across 110th Street" is a song about survival amidst the dangers and challenges of inner city life. In the first verse, he acknowledges that he did what he needed to do to survive, but at the same time admits that it wasn't necessarily the right way to live. He speaks about the daily struggle to better oneself, and how difficult it can be to escape the cycle of poverty and violence. The line "Been down so long, getting up didn't cross my mind" conveys a sense of hopelessness and despair.
The chorus serves as a snapshot of the various dangers one might encounter on 110th Street in Harlem, including pimps, pushers, junkies, and prostitutes. It paints a vivid picture of a place where both desperation and exploitation are prevalent. In the second verse, Womack takes on a more paternal role, offering advice to those who might be caught up in the same cycle he once was. He encourages them to be strong and promises that there is a better way out. The final verse places the song's message within the larger context of American urban life, suggesting that Harlem is just one example of the problems that are present in every ghetto town.
"Across 110th Street" is a powerful and meaningful song that has resonated with audiences for decades. Its themes of survival, perseverance, and hope in the face of adversity are timeless and universal. The song has also been featured in a number of films and television shows, including the Quentin Tarantino movie, "Jackie Brown."
Line by Line Meaning
Woo, ooh
Musical interlude
I was the third brother of five
I was one of five siblings
Doing whatever I had to do to survive
I did what it took to survive
I'm not saying what I did was alright
I don't condone my past actions
Tryna break out of the ghetto was a day to day fight
Escaping the ghetto was a constant struggle
Been down so long, getting up didn't cross my mind
I was in a bad place for so long that I lost hope of improving my situation
But I knew there was a better way of life, and I was just trying to find
I had faith that a better life existed, and I was searching for it
You don't know what you'll do until you're put under pressure
Pressure tests your character
'Cross 110th Street is a hell of a tester
Living in Harlem is a challenging experience
Across 110th Street
Title of the song
Pimps trying to catch a woman that's weak
Pimps prey on vulnerable women
Pushers won't let the junkie go free
Drug dealers keep their customers hooked
Woman trying to catch a trick on the street, ooh baby
A prostitute solicits clients
You can find it all in the street
Harlem streets have all sorts of people and activities
I got one more thing I'd like to talk to y'all about right now
An introduction to a new topic
Hey brother, there's a better way out
You have options besides drugs and crime
Snorting that coke, shooting that dope, man, you're copping out
Abusing drugs is a cop-out
Take my advice, it's either live or die
Listen to me, your life is at stake
You've got to be strong if you wanna survive
You need to have strength to overcome hardships
The family on the other side of town
People in different neighborhoods face different challenges
Would catch hell without a ghetto around
Living in a ghetto makes life harder
In every city you'll find the same thing going down
Most cities have poverty and crime
Harlem is the capital of every ghetto town
Harlem exemplifies the hardships of ghetto life
Help me sing it
Call for audience participation
Oh, look around you, look around you, look around you
Observe your surroundings
Uh, yeah
Musical ad-lib
Woo, ooh
Musical interlude
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Abkco Music Inc.
Written by: Bobby Womack
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind