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.
Baby! You Oughta Think It Over
Bobby Womack Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You oughta think it over (yeah)
Oh baby
Baby, I know you hear me calling you, darling
You oughta think it over, yeah
We've been together for so long
Breaking it now baby, it would be wrong
That's why I say girl, before you walk out that door
Baby, I've got tears all in my eyes (think it over)
And I want love
Whoa, oh, how can you stand to see me cry?
How can you stand to see me cry? (baby, you oughta think it over)
Walk away with your head held up high, oh
They say you got another, got another man
Promising baby, to treat you grand
But oh, listen good to what he say
But before you throw our love away
Baby, baby, baby, baby
Whoa whoa, yeah, yeah
You were alone and in despair
Lord knows I came from out of nowhere
I brought the sun, yes I did, to stop the rain, Lord knows
Guess I'm the one that could ease your pain
Baby, baby, baby, baby (oh baby)
Oh, I know you hear me calling you lately
I don't understand (no, baby)
No, I don't understand (no, baby)
How can you do the things you do to me
In the song "Baby! You Oughta Think It Over" by Bobby Womack, the lyrics convey a plea from the singer to his lover to reconsider their decision to end their relationship. The repetition of the phrase "Baby, you oughta think it over" emphasizes the urgency and importance of this request. The singer acknowledges that they have been together for a significant amount of time and emphasizes that breaking up now would be a mistake. He expresses his need for love and begs his lover not to walk out on him.
The second paragraph speaks to the emotional state of the singer. He reveals that he is crying because he wants the love of his partner. The line "How can you stand to see me cry?" emphasizes the emotional pain he is experiencing. Despite this, he encourages his lover to leave with their head held high, perhaps suggesting that he wants them to be happy even if it means letting go.
The third paragraph introduces the idea that his lover may have found someone else. The lyrics suggest that another man is promising to treat her well, but the singer urges her to listen carefully to what he says. He implores her not to throw their love away without considering his perspective, highlighting that he still believes in their relationship.
The final paragraph reflects on how the singer was there for his lover when she was in a state of despair. He claims to have brought sunshine into her life and eased her pain. The repetition of "baby" in this section adds an emotional emphasis to his plea. He expresses confusion and hurt over her actions, suggesting that he conveys his genuine emotions in his attempt to understand why she would mistreat him.
Overall, the lyrics of "Baby! You Oughta Think It Over" convey a heartfelt plea for his lover to consider the consequences of their decision to break up. The song explores themes of love, loyalty, and the emotional turmoil experienced when facing potential loss. The emotional depth and vulnerability conveyed by Bobby Womack's passionate vocals enhance the impact of these lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby, yeah
Hey, darling
You oughta think it over (yeah)
Take some time to really consider your actions
Oh baby
Oh darling
Baby, I know you hear me calling you, darling
I know you can hear my pleas for you, my love
You oughta think it over, yeah
You really need to reflect on our relationship
We've been together for so long
We have shared many moments and experiences over a long period
Breaking it now baby, it would be wrong
Ending our relationship now would be a mistake
I need your love and this I know
I am aware that I rely on your love
That's why I say girl, before you walk out that door
That is why I am pleading with you before you leave
Baby, I've got tears all in my eyes (think it over)
My eyes are filled with tears, begging you to reconsider
And I want love
I desire your love
Whoa, oh, how can you stand to see me cry?
How can you bear witness to my pain and not be moved?
How can you stand to see me cry? (baby, you oughta think it over)
You need to seriously reflect on the impact of your actions
Walk away with your head held up high, oh
You seem unaffected as you leave confidently
They say you got another, got another man
Rumors suggest you have found someone new
Promising baby, to treat you grand
Promising to treat you exceptionally well, my love
But oh, listen good to what he say
But please pay attention to what he tells you
But before you throw our love away
But before you discard our love completely
Baby, baby, baby, baby
Darling, my love
Whoa whoa, yeah, yeah
Expressing excitement and agreement
You were alone and in despair
You were feeling lonely and hopeless
Lord knows I came from out of nowhere
The divine knows I appeared unexpectedly
I brought the sun, yes I did, to stop the rain, Lord knows
I brought happiness and positivity to your life, as if I could control the weather
Guess I'm the one that could ease your pain
I believe I am the person who can alleviate your suffering
Oh, I know you hear me calling you lately
I am aware that you have been hearing my recent pleas for you
I don't understand (no, baby)
I cannot comprehend your actions
No, I don't understand (no, baby)
No, I truly cannot understand
How can you do the things you do to me
How can you treat me in such a hurtful manner
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Abkco Music Inc.
Written by: Jimmy Holiday, Bobby Womack
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
mgwgo
Great track a preview of what was to come from Bobby. I have this 45.
Elijah Buscho
I found this song looking for a completely different song, and I'm glad
carolyn gordin
IT BELONGS TO ME AN ATTENDANCE AWARD ON THE BACK
Jojo Giles
Best torch song ever.
Rhythm and Blues Conspiracy Official
It doesn't get any better than a little Womack in your day
A S
This is definitely up there with his best. Possibly one of my all time favourites.
Dan G
hard to believe that someone came here, pushed play, and then gave a thumbs down? Mind blown.
carolyn gordin
MY SHIT DOES NOT PAY FOR VENGE AGAINST ME AND MY FAMILY AND PEOPLE'S WARS
carolyn gordin
GET IT OUT OF THE TREASURY THEY ARE NOT OWED EVEN THAT
thomas gordin
awww poor womack getting 5