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 Womackβs 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.
Communication
Bobby Womack Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just another communication
It could help the situation
It's not the generation
That keep gettin' on this nation
What I say, what I say
What I say, what I say
We've made this world what it is today
For the way we live and what we do and say
The pitiable show in the eye of need
You close my eyes every time I don't see
What I'm sayin', what I'm sayin'
Well, look at here
Disgusting one another
But still callin' me your brother
And listen to me now
Now if you believe in what I am sayin'
I'll be back, take a slam
Like I say, like I say, like I say
Say, like I say, like I say
All we need is just a little communication
That could make this world a better nation
Just like the preachers congregation
They're all in to his conversation
What I say, what I say
Oh, Lord, good God
Don't put down your brother
On the way he dress
I am gettin' tired
And sick of your mess
Ooh, and if you believe
Oh Lord, I know you believe in what I am sayin'
And I want every man to take a stand
All you gotta to is help me
Help, help, help me
Why don't you help me?
Help me, help me, help me sing this song
Just a little communication
Just a little communication
If you see your brother fallin' down
Give him a chance to make him come around
Got to, got to
You've got to, I've got to
I've got to, you've got to, you've got to
Everybody, come on now
Know it's gonna take me back to [Incomprehensible]
Do it again
Need just a little communication
You can help this situation
It's got the, it's got the new generation
Just keep on tellin' down this nation
Communicate, it's a family affair
Communicate, it's a family affair
Communicate, baby
I know you hear me talkin' to you
I know you hear me talkin' to you
In Bobby Womack's song Communication, the singer is calling for more communication among people. He believes that proper communication can help solve problems and make the world a better place to live in. He acknowledges the fact that the current generation has contributed to the state of the world, and therefore, it is important to come together to make a positive change. He urges people to stop putting each other down and to start respecting one another, regardless of their differences.
The lyrics highlight the need for people to communicate and empathize with each other, even in challenging situations. Womack also calls out for the need for mutual respect and unity, as well as a desire to understand the difficulties and situations of others. He reminds listeners that they have the power to make a difference in the world and that a little communication can go a long way in improving relationships and the state of the world.
Line by Line Meaning
I've got somethin' I wanna talk about to you
I have something important to discuss with you
Just another communication
This is just a form of communication
It could help the situation
This discussion could improve things
It's not the generation
This issue is not specific to one generation
That keep gettin' on this nation
That affects the whole nation
What I say, what I say
Listen to what I'm saying
We've made this world what it is today
Our actions have shaped the world we live in
For the way we live and what we do and say
Our thoughts and actions are reflected in our world
The pitiable show in the eye of need
Our lack of compassion is revealed in times of crisis
You close my eyes every time I don't see
You blind me to the truth when I turn a blind eye
What I'm sayin', what I'm sayin'
Here's my message
Disgusting one another
Treating each other with disgust
But still callin' me your brother
Despite this, you still refer to me as your sibling
And listen to me now
Pay attention to my words
Now if you believe in what I am sayin'
If you agree with me
I'll be back, take a slam
I'll continue to speak out
Like I say, like I say, like I say
As I repeat
All we need is just a little communication
Effective communication could solve our problems
That could make this world a better nation
Improving communication could lead us to a better world
Just like the preachers congregation
Like a group of people who listen to a preacher
They're all in to his conversation
They're fully engaged in listening to him speak
What I say, what I say
This is important
Oh, Lord, good God
Expression of emotion
Don't put down your brother
Don't insult your fellow human being
On the way he dress
For his attire
I am gettin' tired
I'm growing weary
And sick of your mess
I'm fed up with your behavior
Ooh, and if you believe
If you share my beliefs
Oh Lord, I know you believe in what I am sayin'
I'm confident you share my views
And I want every man to take a stand
I want everyone to take a stance
All you gotta to is help me
All you need to do is assist me
Help, help, help me
Assist me
Why don't you help me?
Can you assist me please?
Just a little communication
All we need is some open communication
If you see your brother fallin' down
If you notice someone in need
Give him a chance to make him come around
Offer them an opportunity to recover
Got to, got to
We have to do it
You've got to, I've got to
We all need to do it
Everybody, come on now
Let's all do it together
Know it's gonna take me back to [Incomprehensible]
Reminiscing of old times
Do it again
Let's repeat it
It's got the, it's got the new generation
Affects the next generation
Just keep on tellin' down this nation
Continue to spread the message across the country
Communicate, it's a family affair
Effective communication is important for everyone
I know you hear me talkin' to you
I know you're listening to me
Lyrics Β© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Abkco Music Inc.
Written by: BOBBY WOMACK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Genaldo Aaujo
E aqui, que se encontra quem, gosta de mΓΊsica.ππππππππποΈποΈβ³β³β³β³β³β³ββββββ³ββ³β³π°οΈπππ
Shirley Stewart
Communication was the first album of Bobby Womack, I bought at the age of 14. I played it day in and day out. Then everyone that came after that I bought. Still have those albums. Now I have them on CD's. Rest In Paradise! Bobby, you will be missed, and I will miss you!
port2344chester
Vintage B.W. a true SOULFUL LEGEND!
Tonja McDonald
My Auntie and Uncle could really dance and clown on this record. I never realized my Uncle could dance like he did.
Kailani Kaluhiokalani
SSSSOOOOOO funky Bobby..........what an artist you are x.
Doug Duffey
thank you for posting the original - no b.s.- version! This rekkut is da bawm, y'all
Wayne Butfoy
Same as me , brilliant lp. Still my favourite
Clevon Powell
Wonderful song
Luther Stevens
Bobby was the man.
Chiefclinton
so it 's all over now bobby ? i can hear you !!! communication is on !!!
see you mr womack!!!