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.
California Dreaming
Bobby Womack Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the sky is grey
I went for a walk
On a winters day
I'd be safe and warm
If I was in LA
California dreamin
On such a winters day
I stopped along the way
When I got down on my bended knee
And I began to pray
You know the preacher digs a call
'Cause he knows I'm gunna stay
He knows I'm gunna stay, I told him so
California dreamin
Oh, somebody hit me know
I wanna go so bad, yeah
Cos all the leaves are brown
And the skies are grey, yeah
I went for a walk
On a winter's day, oooohhhhhhh
Id be safe and warm
If I was in LA
California dreamin
On such a winter's day
Such a winter's day
On such a winter's day, yeah, yeah, woahhh
California dreamin
California dreamin
Gotta, gotta, gotta get some sunshine
Cant believe I blew my mind
Gotta get some sunshine
California dreaming
California dreaming
Ohhh, gotta get some
California dreamin, ohhhhhh
California dreamin
Gotta get to LA
Get some sunshine every day
California dreamin
Ohh
The lyrics to Bobby Womack's song California Dreaming tell the story of someone who is feeling stuck and trapped in their current situation, and yearns for the escape and freedom that they believe awaits them in California. The opening lines set the stage for this longing, describing the dreary winter weather and the sense of unease that it brings: "All the leaves are brown / And the sky is grey / I went for a walk / On a winter's day." The singer then imagines how life would be different if they were in California, where they would be "safe and warm" and able to live out their dreams: "If I was in LA / California dreamin' / On such a winter's day."
As the song progresses, the singer visits a church and prays for guidance and direction, hoping to find the courage to make a change and pursue their California dream. But even as they pray, they are confronted with the reality of their situation: "The preacher digs a call / 'Cause he knows I'm gonna stay / He knows I'm gonna stay, I told him so." Despite this, the singer remains steadfast in their desire for a better life, repeating the refrain "California dreamin'" and expressing their longing for sunshine and freedom: "Gotta, gotta, gotta get some sunshine / Can't believe I blew my mind / Gotta get some sunshine / California dreamin'."
Overall, the lyrics to California Dreaming capture the restlessness and yearning that many people experience at one time or another, as they grapple with the contradictions and limitations of their current existence. The song speaks to the power of dreams and aspirations, and the importance of believing in the possibility of a better life, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
Line by Line Meaning
All the leaves are brown
The season has changed to autumn and the leaves of the trees are turning brown
And the sky is grey
The sky is overcast with clouds and it appears to be gloomy outside
I went for a walk
The writer goes out for a walk to cope with his melancholic state of mind
On a winters day
It is the season of winter and the weather is cold
I'd be safe and warm
The writer suggests that staying in Los Angeles would provide them with a sense of security and comfort
If I was in LA
The writer suggests that Los Angeles is an ideal place to be in at this moment for them
California dreamin
The writer has an ambition to live and experience the Californian lifestyle
On such a winters day
This line suggests that the season of winter is particularly melancholic for the writer and increases their desire to live in California
Went through the church, just me
The writer visits a church alone to find solace
I stopped along the way
On their way to the church, the writer stops to contemplate their worries and fears
When I got down on my bended knee
The writer humbles themselves and kneels to pray
And I began to pray
The writer seeks help from a higher power during their distress
You know the preacher digs a call
The preacher understands the writer's concerns and attempts to help them through it
'Cause he knows I'm gunna stay
The preacher believes that the writer will devote themselves to their faith and not give up hope
He knows I'm gunna stay, I told him so
The writer confirms to the preacher that they will not give up their faith despite their current state of distress
Oh, somebody hit me know
The writer feels overwhelmed with their emotions and desires someone to understand their situation
I wanna go so bad, yeah
The writer desires to go to California and yearns for change
Cos all the leaves are brown
The writer's surroundings remind them of how much they want to live in a place where there is sunshine year-round
And the skies are grey, yeah
The gloomy weather outside intensifies the writer's desire to live in California
Id be safe and warm
The writer believes that living in Los Angeles will provide them with happiness, safety, and a sense of warmth
Such a winter's day
The season of winter has left the writer feeling melancholic and longing for a brighter place
Gotta, gotta, gotta get some sunshine
This line suggests that sunshine (in Los Angeles) will provide the writer with the happiness they have been seeking
Cant believe I blew my mind
The writer may regret not having moved to Los Angeles sooner
Gotta get some sunshine
This line reaffirms the writer's belief that sunshine (in Los Angeles) will improve their state of being
Gotta get to LA
The writer decides that Los Angeles is where they need to live to find happiness and inspiration
Get some sunshine every day
The writer believes that sunlight is vital to their well-being and that living in Los Angeles will provide them with abundant sunshine
California dreamin
This line indicates that the writer is still dreaming of living in California and their desire to start a new life in a place of endless opportunities and happiness
Ohh
The writer's excitement and anticipation of moving to California
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOHN EDMUND ANDREW PHILLIPS, MICHELLE GILLIAM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lowquality49
dont mind me putting the lyrics for me
All the leaves are brown
And the sky is grey
I went for a walk
On a winters day
I'd be safe and warm
If I was in LA
California dreamin
On such a winters day
Went through the church, just me
I stopped along the way
When I got down on my bended knee
And I began to pray
You know the preacher digs a call
'Cause he knows I'm gunna stay
He knows I'm gunna stay, I told him so
California dreamin
Oh, somebody hit me know
I wanna go so bad, yeah
Cos all the leaves are brown
And the skies are grey, yeah
I went for a walk
On a winter's day, oooohhhhhhh
Id be safe and warm
If I was in LA
California dreamin
On such a winter's day
Such a winter's day
On such a winter's day, yeah, yeah, woahhh
California dreamin
California dreamin
Gotta, gotta, gotta get some sunshine
Cant believe I blew my mind
Gotta get some sunshine
California dreaming
California dreaming
Ohhh, gotta get some
California dreamin, ohhhhhh
California dreamin
Gotta get to LA
Get some sunshine every day
California dreamin
Ohh
@G.A_molope
Ambulance movie brought me here😎 Great song...🎬
@saneledlamini4188
Lol me two 😄
@stevenallen3727
me too 😂
@MRPRINGL1
Same
@j.garcia6206
yes same!
such a beautiful mix
@ehsanmousavi5604
Same as me😁
@antwanjones6048
Damn Bobby put that stank on this one. WOW!! Never heard this version before. Truly a masterpiece.
@tobemiller6091
Damn Bobby put that stank on this one wow never heard this version before truly a massive pieces
@tjpowers88
Ambulance, Winning Time, San Andreas, a recent TV show playing it, etc. almost every version of this song rocks no matter what. Truly a timeless song.
@AA-yo6yg
Fargo Season 2