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.
Behind Closed Doors
Bobby Womack Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She never makes a scene by hanging all over me in a crowd
'Cause people like to talk, Lord, how they love to talk
But when they turn out the lights, I know she'll be leaving with me
[Chorus]
And when we get behind closed doors
Then she lets her hair hang down
Oh no one knows what goes on behind closed doors.
My, behind closed doors.
My baby makes me smile, Lord don't she make me smile
She's never too far away or too tired to say "I want you"
She's always a lady, just like a lady should be
But when they turn out the lights, she's still a baby to me.
[Chorus]
The lyrics of "Behind Closed Doors" by Bobby Womack celebrate the intimacy and connection between a man and a woman. The first verse conveys a sense of pride in the singer's partner who doesn't seek attention in public but loves him deeply in private. The chorus describes the pleasures of their private moments when she lets her hair down and he feels grateful to be a man. The second verse emphasizes the affection and respect they have for each other. Though she's poised and elegant in public, in private she's still a "baby" to him, which suggests both a sense of protectiveness and a recognition of her vulnerability.
The song's refrain, "Behind closed doors," is a powerful phrase that connotes secrecy, intimacy, and something forbidden or taboo. The singer suggests that what happens between him and his partner is something they want to keep private from others. The song suggests that their relationship is based on mutual respect, trust, and love. The intimacy they share is a precious thing that doesn't need to be flaunted in public or shared with others. This message is conveyed through Womack's smooth and soulful voice, which adds to the mood of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
My baby makes me proud, Lord don't she make me proud
My partner makes me feel proud and lucky to be with them, they bring me joy and happiness.
She never makes a scene by hanging all over me in a crowd
My partner is composed and calm in public and never seeks attention by clinging to me.
'Cause people like to talk, Lord, how they love to talk
People enjoy spreading rumors and gossip without really knowing the true story about others.
But when they turn out the lights, I know she'll be leaving with me
Despite what people may say or think, my partner loves me and chooses to be with me at the end of the night.
And when we get behind closed doors
When we have privacy and are out of the public eye,
Then she lets her hair hang down
My partner becomes relaxed and lets go of any inhibitions or worries she may have had while in public.
And she makes me glad I'm a man
My partner brings me immense pleasure and happiness that I associate with my masculinity.
Oh no one knows what goes on behind closed doors.
Others are not privy to the intimacy that my partner and I share when in the privacy of our own space.
My, behind closed doors.
This refrain is an indication of the level of excitement, passion and lust that occurs for Bobby Womack when the couple is alone and intimate.
My baby makes me smile, Lord don't she make me smile
My partner brings a smile to my face and makes me feel happy.
She's never too far away or too tired to say "I want you"
My partner never distances herself from our relationship or shows fatigue in her affection for me, expressing her love and interest for me always.
She's always a lady, just like a lady should be
My partner carries herself with grace and poise, behaving in a way that is customary of a woman of high character.
But when they turn out the lights, she's still a baby to me.
When in private my partner can be vulnerable and childlike, allowing me to protect her and show her my paternal instinct.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: KENNY O'DELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind