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.
Do It Right
Bobby Womack Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I believe if he was here today
you all know him
he would sing this song something like this
I don't care how you do it girl
long as you do it right
and if you don't love me baby
and if you doing it right
it shouldn't take all night
cause there's nobody here
but me and you
let me see you do all the things
you say you don't ever do
how to do
how to do
Tell me how can a tiger be a lamb
and if you want to take me baby
for what I am
you know what I am
if you're going to love me baby
you gotta love me right
and if you're gonna hold me baby
hold me tight
hold me tight
I don't care how you do it
long as you do it right
If it feels good to me baby
good god almighty
shake it all night
The lyrics of Bobby Womack's song Do It Right talks about a friend and how he would sing the song if he were present. Womack emphasizes on the importance of doing things right, regardless of how they are done. He highlights that if love is not present, it is essential to tell him, and if it right, it should take less time. The singer adds that the two of them are the only ones present and he wants to see his partner doing things she said she never did before.
Womack's message emphasizes the importance of honesty in a relationship. He speaks about how you should be truthful and upfront about love, and never shy away from speaking the truth. He emphasizes that love should be done in the right way, with honesty and passion. Finally, the artist explains that he wants to see his partner doing things she has never done before, depicting a sense of adventure in the song.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a friend of mine
The singer invokes a friend who would sing the song he's about to perform.
I believe if he was here today
The friend's absence makes the singer feel reflective and wishful.
you all know him
The singer implies that his friend is popular or well-known to the audience he performs for.
he would sing this song something like this
The singer indicates that he's inspired by his friend's artistry and would perform the song in his friend's style, probably to pay homage to him.
I don't care how you do it girl
The singer isn't particular about how the girl behaves, as long as she behaves well.
long as you do it right
The singer's only demand from the girl is that she does things appropriately and responsibly.
and if you don't love me baby
The song talks about a romantic relationship where the girl's love is important to the singer.
tell me right
The singer wants the girl to be truthful and open about her feelings towards him, even if they're negative.
and if you doing it right
The song implies that the girl is probably engaging in romantic activities with the singer.
it shouldn't take all night
The singer doesn't want the romantic engagement to be too prolonged or wasteful of time.
cause there's nobody here
The singer emphasizes the intimacy of his relation with the girl, that they're alone together.
but me and you
The song stresses the romantic privacy of the couple involved.
let me see you do all the things
The singer expresses his desire to see the girl demonstrate her romantic skills.
you say you don't ever do
The song implies that the girl probably has hidden skills that the singer wants to see.
how to do
The singer encourages the girl to teach him the skills she has demonstrated.
Tell me how can a tiger be a lamb
The song uses a metaphor of a wild animal being gentle to ask how someone can pretend to be something they aren't.
and if you want to take me baby
The song hints that the girl probably wants a relationship with the singer.
for what I am
The song implies that the girl wants a relationship with the singer without trying to change him or his personality.
you know what I am
The singer asserts his identity and wants the girl to accept him for who he is.
if you're going to love me baby
The song reiterates the importance of the girl's love in the singer's life.
you gotta love me right
The singer implies that he wants the girl to express her love appropriately and intimately.
and if you're gonna hold me baby
The song talks about physical connection between the couple also.
hold me tight
The singer wants the girl to hold him firmly, suggestively, and with intimacy.
I don't care how you do it
The song repeats the idea that the girl's behavior is less important than her ability to do things appropriately.
long as you do it right
The song re-emphasizes the significance of the girl doing things right to the singer.
If it feels good to me baby
The singer alludes to the sexual nature of their relationship, meaning that sexual pleasure is important.
good god almighty
The singer expresses his excitement and amazement about perceived pleasure.
shake it all night
The song implies that they're both having sexual pleasure all night long.
Contributed by Liam A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@wilsonsanchez7213
Brother reminded me always of Wilson Pickett.
@geoffparis4337
FUKIN LOVE THIS A REALLY POWERFUL ALL ROUND TUNE I LOVE THIS ITS MAGIC
@jewellmendes1496
Bobby was a great Guitar player and star💥
@jewellmendes1496
How can a tiger be a lamb ?