Robert Dwayne Womack (born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA on March 4, 1944, died J… Read Full Bio ↴Robert Dwayne Womack (born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA on March 4, 1944, died June 27, 2014), was an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. Working in the soul and R&B genres, he achieved his greatest success in the 1970s and 1980s. Womack wrote and originally recorded The Rolling Stones' first UK No. 1 hit, "It's All Over Now" and New Birth's "I Can Understand It" among other songs. As a singer he is most notable for the hits "Lookin' For a Love", "That's The Way I Feel About Cha", "Woman's Gotta Have It", "Harry Hippie", "Across 110th Street" and his 1980s hit "If You Think You're Lonely Now". In 2009, Womack was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

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.

Gifted One
Bobby Womack Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Gifted One surely your day's will come.
Just hang on steady, you come to far to far to run.
Oh gifted one don't let them bring you down,
stand the test of time, come rain then sunshine.
Keep a strong constitution show the world your contribution
when it comes down to choosing, think winning and not losing.
Oh gifted one you never,
never grow to old to unfold your dream and reaching for your goal.

Oh gifted one, its all about what you make it.
All your qualifications to well master the situation.
Keep a strong constitution,
show the world your contribution when it comes
down to choosing think winning and not losing.

Oh gifted one.
Anything under the Sun

Overall Meaning

can be achieved with hard work and perseverance, and Bobby Womack's "Gifted One" is an encouraging song aimed towards those who may feel discouraged. In the lyrics, Bobby Womack tells the listener that their time will come and that they have come too far to give up now. He urges them to remain strong and to not let anyone bring them down. He advises them to stand the test of time and to choose winning over losing. The song emphasizes the potential that comes with being a "gifted one" and encourages the listener to make the most of their talents and abilities. Womack also highlights that age is not a barrier to reaching one's goals and dreams.

The overall message of "Gifted One" is to inspire listeners to persevere in the face of challenges and to continue to work towards their goals no matter their age or circumstance. The song celebrates the uniqueness and potential of each individual and encourages them to make the most of it.

Line by Line Meaning

Gifted One surely your day's will come.
To the gifted one: have patience, your time will come.

Just hang on steady, you come to far to far to run.
Be steadfast and determined, persevere because you've come too far to give up now.

Oh gifted one don't let them bring you down, stand the test of time, come rain then sunshine.
Don't allow others to demotivate you; endure through good and bad times.

Keep a strong constitution show the world your contribution when it comes down to choosing, think winning and not losing.
Be resolute in displaying your unique abilities and qualities; strive for victory not defeat.

Oh gifted one you never, never grow to old to unfold your dream and reaching for your goal.
Age doesn't limit your aspirations or ability to achieve them.

Oh gifted one, its all about what you make it.
The outcome depends on your own efforts and attitude.

All your qualifications to well master the situation.
Utilize all your skills to handle any challenge you may encounter.

Keep a strong constitution, show the world your contribution when it comes down to choosing think winning and not losing.
Maintain your steadfastness and continue to excel; the outcome depends on your approach.

Oh gifted one.
You have unique abilities and qualities that set you apart; embrace them.

Contributed by Cameron W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS