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.
Fire And Rain
Bobby Womack Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Suzanne the plans they made put an end to you
I walked out this morning and I wrote down this song
I just can't remember who to send it to
I've seen fire and I've seen rain
I've seen sunny days that I thought would never end
I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend
Won't you look down upon me, Jesus
You've got to help me make a stand
You've just got to see me through another day
My body's aching and my time is at hand
I won't make it any other way
I've seen fire and I've seen rain
I've seen sunny days that I thought would never end
I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend
But I always thought that I'd see you again
Been walking my mind to an easy time, my back turned towards the sun
Lord knows when the cold wind blows, it'll turn your head around
Well there's hours of time on the telephone line to talk about things to come
Sweet dreams and flying machines in pieces on the ground
I've seen fire and I've seen rain
I've seen sunny days that I thought would never end
I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend
But I always thought that I'd see you baby, one more time again, now
Thought I'd see you one more time again
There's just a few things coming my way this time around now
Thought I'd see you, thought I'd see you, fire and rain now
Na na na. Na na na na na na na na na na. Na na na na na na na na
I've seen fire and I've seen rain
I've seen sunny days that I thought would never end
I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend
But I always thought that I'd see you baby, one more time again, now
Thought I'd see you one more time again
There's just a few things coming my way this time around now
Thought I'd see you, thought I'd see you, fire and rain now
The lyrics to Bobby Womack's "Fire And Rain" speak to the deep emotions of loss, pain and hope. The song opens with Womack being informed of the passing of a friend, Suzanne. The plans that had been made for her have come to an unexpected and tragic end, leaving Womack to process his grief. As he walks out into the morning, he turns his emotions into song and struggles with who to send it to as he feels the weight of his loss alone.
The chorus then reveals the singer's personal history of experiencing both the highs and lows of life. The lyrics speak of "fire" and "rain," a metaphor for the good and bad times. The singer has seen "sunny days" that seemed like they would never end and "lonely times" where he felt lost without a friend. Despite his trials, he always thought he would see his friend Suzanne again, but now that hope is gone.
In the final verse, Womack calls out to Jesus, asking for help in standing in the face of this loss. He acknowledges the limitations of his own body and time, and knows that he needs divine assistance to make it through. As he reflects on his life, he recognizes that there is always a mix of good and bad, and that even the best-laid plans can end in ruin. The song ends with Womack reiterating his desire to see Suzanne one last time.
Line by Line Meaning
Just yesterday mornin', they let me know you were gone
Yesterday morning, I received news of your passing
Suzanne the plans they made put an end to you
Plans ended Suzanne's life
I walked out this morning and I wrote down this song
I wrote this song this morning when I went for a walk
I just can't remember who to send it to
I can't remember who to give this song to
I've seen fire and I've seen rain
I've experienced both destruction and beauty
I've seen sunny days that I thought would never end
I've experienced happiness that I wished would last forever
I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend
I've been in a state of loneliness where I had no one to turn to
But I always thought that I'd see you again
Despite everything, I always believed I'd see you once more
Won't you look down upon me, Jesus
Jesus, please watch over me
You've got to help me make a stand
Help me to stand up for myself
You've just got to see me through another day
Please help me make it through another day
My body's aching and my time is at hand
My body is in pain and my time may be running out
I won't make it any other way
I have no other choice but to make it through with your help
Been walking my mind to an easy time, my back turned towards the sun
I've tried to keep a positive attitude and not dwell on the negative
Lord knows when the cold wind blows, it'll turn your head around
Life's hardships can come unexpectedly and change your life completely
Well there's hours of time on the telephone line to talk about things to come
Plenty of time to discuss future plans over the phone
Sweet dreams and flying machines in pieces on the ground
Dreams and aspirations lie in ruins
Thought I'd see you one more time again
I wanted to see you again
There's just a few things coming my way this time around now
I have a few things going for me in my current situation
Thought I'd see you, thought I'd see you, fire and rain now
I hoped to see you, amidst all the chaos and beauty of life
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: James Taylor
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Eric Oliver
Great lyrics written by James Taylor.... Bobby took ownership with his version. Bobby u r being missed.
Brittany Bowie
2018💜 Still my favorite song.. Now & Forever🔥
Charles Dockery
At 3:21... kills me every time, I can't control my tears..
Sean Boddie
That song is too deep for most!!!!💯👌🏾🤷🏾♂️
ponopa42
Just beautiful.
John Pifer
What a voice!
For some reason, this reminds me of walking down Cooper St. in Memphis, TN. to Easy Way Produce Market in July 1984, to get some fresh watermelon. I was 4 years old.
Catherine Washington
You put your own stamp on this song n it was rebirth my love. I miss you so much RIH BW your music n superb voice will forever sing in my heart 💞
Shay Jones
This song is about how we take for granted that tomorrow is going to come and that just isn’t so. I try everyday to tell those that i care for that I love them. I always cry on the end of the song because it is my mission to see my brother again. May he rest in paradise.
RC Thomas
Help me Lord Jesus
Dam Fool
PIMPING