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.
Broadway Walk
Bobby Womack Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Head up high
Shakin' off the people, yeah
As they pass by y'all
The lights so bright
You know, they burn my eyes
But I don't mind, I don't mind
'Cause I'm on the Broadway, yeah
Doin' the Broadway walk
I'm on the Broadway, yeah
I'm doin' the Broadway walk
Walking down Broadway
You know I'm just a face in the crowd
But I got bruised
And I'm walkin' proud
'Cause I'm on the Broadway, yeah
And I'm doin' the Broadway walk
I'm on the Broadway, yeah
Doin' the Broadway walk
(Hey man, what you're doin' up here on Broadway?)
Doin' the Broadway walk, man
Lord have mercy, doin' the Broadway
Ah, I feel good (doin' the Broadway walk)
(I'm on the Broadway)
I'm doin' the Broadway walk, listen good y'all
(I'm on the Broadway, yeah) Ahh
(Doin' the Broadway walk)
(I'm on the Broadway, yeah) Ahh
(Doin' the Broadway walk) I'm doin', woah
(I'm on the Broadway, yeah) Yeah
The lyrics of Bobby Womack's song "Broadway Walk" describe a state of confidence and pride while walking down the famous street, Broadway. From the first line, "Walking down Broadway, huh, Head up high," it is clear that the singer is in a confident state of mind. He is shaking off the people as they pass him by, and the bright lights that burn his eyes are not affecting him because he is hypnotized. The Broadway walk is almost like a ritual, with the singer repeating that he is "doing the Broadway walk" throughout the song.
The second verse reveals that the singer is just another face in the crowd, but he has been bruised and is walking proud. This suggests that he has been through struggles in life but is resilient and determined to succeed. The music has a triumphant feel to it, with driving guitars and a catchy melody. The song gives the feeling of being in a city at night, with the lights and the noise of people and traffic. Ultimately, the Broadway walk is a symbol of strength and perseverance in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Walking down Broadway, huh
Starting off the song, the singer describes walking down Broadway street.
Head up high
The singer is proud and confident while walking down Broadway.
Shakin' off the people, yeah
As they pass by y'all
The singer ignores the people who pass by him while walking down Broadway.
The lights so bright
You know, they burn my eyes
But I don't mind, I don't mind
'Cause I'm hyptnotized
Despite the bright lights of Broadway causing discomfort, the singer is mesmerized by the experience and doesn't mind the pain.
'Cause I'm on the Broadway, yeah
Doin' the Broadway walk
I'm on the Broadway, yeah
I'm doin' the Broadway walk
The singer is excited to be on Broadway and doing the 'Broadway walk', possibly a dance or strut associated with the street.
Walking down Broadway
You know I'm just a face in the crowd
But I got bruised
And I'm walkin' proud
The singer acknowledges that he is just one among many on Broadway, but he takes pride in his experiences on the street.
'Cause I'm on the Broadway, yeah
And I'm doin' the Broadway walk
I'm on the Broadway, yeah
Doin' the Broadway walk
The chorus repeats, emphasizing the excitement and pleasure the singer feels while on Broadway.
(Hey man, what you're doin' up here on Broadway?)
Doin' the Broadway walk, man
A passerby asks the singer what he's doing on Broadway, and the response is that he's doing the 'Broadway walk'.
Lord have mercy, doin' the Broadway
Ah, I feel good (doin' the Broadway walk)
The singer exclaims his pleasure in doing the 'Broadway walk' on Broadway.
(I'm on the Broadway)
I'm doin' the Broadway walk, listen good y'all
(I'm on the Broadway, yeah) Ahh
(Doin' the Broadway walk)
(I'm on the Broadway, yeah) Ahh
(Doin' the Broadway walk) I'm doin', woah
(I'm on the Broadway, yeah) Yeah
The song ends with a repetition of the chorus, reiterating the excitement and joy the singer feels while on Broadway.
Writer(s): Dan Penn, Bobby Womack, Spooner Oldham, Darryl Carter
Contributed by Charlie R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ling Yi
I love it