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.
Gypsy Woman
Bobby Womack Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Round the campfire light
A lovely woman in motion
With hair as dark as night
Her eyes were like that of a cat in the dark
That hypnotized me with love
She was a gypsy woman
She danced around and round
To a guitar melody
From the fire her face was aglow
How she enchanted me
Oh how I'd like to hold her near
And kiss and forever whisper in her ear
I love you gypsy woman
I love you gypsy woman
All through the caravan
She was dancing with all the men
Waiting for the rising sun
Everyone was having fun
I hate to see the lady go
Knowing she will never know
That I love her
That I love her
Gypsy woman
She was gypsy woman
Gypsy woman
Gypsy woman
All through the caravan
She was dancing with all the men
Waiting for the rising sun
Everyone was having fun
I hate to see the lady go
Knowing she will never know
That I love her
I love her
Gypsy woman
Gypsy woman
She was gypsy woman
Gypsy woman
She was gypsy woman
She was gypsy woman
The lyrics of Bobby Womack's song "Gypsy Woman" tell the story of a chance encounter with a mysterious and enchanting woman. The singer describes being captivated by her presence, as she emerges seemingly out of nowhere through the caravan and dances around the campfire. Her dark hair and mesmerizing eyes, reminiscent of a cat in the dark, hypnotize the singer with love.
The chorus reveals the title of the song, emphasizing the woman's identity as a gypsy woman. The singer expresses his desire to be close to her, to hold her near, and to forever whisper his love in her ear. The repetition of the chorus further underscores the profound effect she has on him.
In the second verse, the scene continues with the gypsy woman dancing with all the men in the caravan, as they eagerly await the rising sun. The atmosphere is one of joy and fun, but underneath it all, the singer carries a sense of sadness. He laments the knowledge that the gypsy woman will never know his feelings for her, highlighting a certain sense of unrequited love.
Throughout the song, Bobby Womack's soulful vocals create a yearning and longing that perfectly captures the emotions of falling for someone unattainable and elusive, like a gypsy woman. The lyrics evoke a sense of mystery, adventure, and the fleeting nature of such encounters.
Line by Line Meaning
From nowhere through the caravan
Unexpectedly, she appeared among the group of traveling people
Round the campfire light
Surrounded by the warm glow of the campfire
A lovely woman in motion
A graceful and captivating woman moving gracefully
With hair as dark as night
Her hair was as black as the night sky
Her eyes were like that of a cat in the dark
Her eyes had a mysterious and alluring quality, like those of a cat hidden in the darkness
That hypnotized me with love
She captivated me with her love, as if under a spell
She was a gypsy woman
She belonged to the nomadic gypsy culture
She danced around and round
She swirled and twirled in a lively dance
To a guitar melody
Moving to the rhythm and melody of a guitar
From the fire her face was aglow
The fire illuminated her face, making it radiant
How she enchanted me
She mesmerized and charmed me
Oh how I'd like to hold her near
I longed to embrace her closely
And kiss and forever whisper in her ear
To kiss her and forever whisper loving words in her ear
I love you gypsy woman
I have deep affection for this woman of the gypsy culture
All through the caravan
She danced with all the people in the group's moving home
She was dancing with all the men
She engaged in dances with all the male members of the group
Waiting for the rising sun
Anticipating the arrival of the morning sun
Everyone was having fun
Everyone was enjoying themselves and having a good time
I hate to see the lady go
I feel sadness as I watch the lady depart
Knowing she will never know
Being aware that she will never understand
That I love her
My feelings of love for her
Gypsy woman
This woman from the gypsy culture
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Curtis L Mayfield
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Barry Quinnell
Mr. Womack's influence on contemporary music is incomparable.
Gloria Hunt
I was so touched when I had heard that this man had passed away and I never got a chance to see him in concert I remember when I was going through some stuff I will listen to his music and get better
ANNALAW
Mr. Womack will go down in history for his distinct, strong, soulful, masculine relevant voice. Mr. Womack's ballads, songs of life were absolutely wonderful. We'll never forget your contributions to the music industry!!!!!! We love you Bobby, Goodnight!!!!!!!!
MsIvory Seattle
RIP BOBBY YOUR MUSIC WILL LIVE ON
vanessa4u4evr
Bobby is incredible. Talk about longevity.
Zo Valentine
He lives on through his music that continues to touch so many!
aware111068
The true definition of SOUL MUSIC!!.... Greatest Soul Singer... Show Stopper ...The Poet!....Mr Bobby Womack!!!....RIP Soul Man👌💪👍👊
vanessa4u4evr
Bobby, you were such a bad ass. I'm sure heaven was jumping up and down in joy upon your return. Hope our paths cross again in this eternal experience. I feel so blessed to have been on earth the same time as you. You have no idea how many humps you got me over. But time for a well deserved rest my friend. R.I.P.
Madeleine Howard
BEAUTIFUL
Janie de Medeiros
Beautiful song by Bobby Womack