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.
I'm Gonna Forget About You
Bobby Womack Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh, baby!
Ah ah ah, I'm gonna forget about you
You're drying to be crazy, listen
I couldn't sleep, a wink all night long
Waiting by my telephone (ooh ooh)
You said you'd call me about a quarter to ten
I don't know what you're gonna do
But if you stay I'm gonna move!
Ohh baby!
Ah ah ah, I'm gonna forget about you
Oh, baby!
Ah ah ah, I'm gonna forget about you
Listen
Don't try tell me that you're sorry
Whoa! Don't gimme that same old line!
I know for a fact that if I took you back
You'd make me lose my my mind! Oh!
Ah ah ah, I'm gonna forget about you (oh sometimes) oh, baby!
Ah ah ah, I'm gonna forget about you
Do one thing, listen!
I'm gonna snatch your picture off my wall
I'm going on out and have myself a ball (ooh ooh)
Too many fish in the deep blue sea
That's what I'm doin' girl
Ain't gonna let you make a fool out of me!
I don't know what you're gonna do
This is the way I'll see it
You're tired of me
And I'm so tired of you! Baby!
Ah ah ah, I'm gonna forget about you
(I gotta gotta gotta put you down)
Ah ah ah, I'm gonna forget about you
Ah ah ah, I'm gonna forget about you
(I'm givin' you your mansion)
Ah ah ah, I'm gonna forget about you
I give you everything
Oh! (ah ah ah)
The lyrics to Bobby Womack's song "I'm Gonna Forget About You" depict a classic story of heartbreak and moving on. The singer of the song has been stood up by a lover who promised to call, and he's had enough of waiting around for them. The lyrics suggest that the singer has been in this situation before and has forgiven their lover for their transgressions, but he's reached his breaking point. He's done waiting by the phone for someone who doesn't show up, and he's done being a fool.
Throughout the song, we hear the pain and frustration of someone who has been made a fool of, but we also hear a sense of determination and strength. The singer is no longer going to allow himself to be taken for granted, and he's going to move on and find happiness elsewhere. He acknowledges that there are "too many fish in the deep blue sea," and he's going to get out and have some fun.
Overall, "I'm Gonna Forget About You" is a cathartic song that speaks to anyone who has experienced heartbreak and the frustration that comes with waiting for someone who never shows up. It's a declaration of independence and self-respect, and a reminder that we should never allow ourselves to be taken for granted.
Line by Line Meaning
Ah ah ah, I'm gonna forget about you
I am determined to move on and forget about you.
Oh, baby!
An expression of sadness about the current situation.
Ah ah ah, I'm gonna forget about you
Repeating determination to move on from the past relationship.
You're drying to be crazy, listen
You are trying to make me go crazy, but I won't fall for it.
I couldn't sleep, a wink all night long
I was unable to sleep all night long due to worrying about hearing from you.
Waiting by my telephone (ooh ooh)
I waited by the phone for you to call.
You said you'd call me about a quarter to ten
You promised to call around 9:45 pm.
Girl, you went somewhere and stood me up again
You went somewhere and did not keep your promise to call, hurting my feelings.
I don't know what you're gonna do
I am uncertain about your intentions.
But if you stay I'm gonna move!
If you want to continue with this relationship, I will leave and move on.
Listen
Please pay attention to what I am saying next.
Don't try tell me that you're sorry
I don't want to hear your apologies anymore.
Whoa! Don't gimme that same old line!
Stop using the same fake excuses you always use to try and get me to forgive you.
I know for a fact that if I took you back
I am certain that if I got back together with you, you would hurt me again.
You'd make me lose my my mind! Oh!
You would drive me crazy with your behavior.
Ah ah ah, I'm gonna forget about you (oh sometimes) oh, baby!
Repeating the determination to forget about you, despite occasional moments of sadness.
Do one thing, listen!
Pay attention to my plans for moving on.
I'm gonna snatch your picture off my wall
I am going to take down the picture of us that's hanging on my wall.
I'm going on out and have myself a ball (ooh ooh)
I am going out to have some fun and enjoy myself without you.
Too many fish in the deep blue sea
There are many other potential partners out there for me.
That's what I'm doin' girl
I am moving on from our relationship.
Ain't gonna let you make a fool out of me!
I won't let you continue to take advantage of my feelings and make me look foolish.
This is the way I'll see it
This is how I view the situation.
You're tired of me
You are no longer interested in me.
And I'm so tired of you! Baby!
I have also grown tired of this relationship.
I gotta gotta gotta put you down
I need to break up with you and move on.
I'm givin' you your mansion
I am ending this relationship and leaving you with everything we have shared - our memories, experiences, etc.
I give you everything
You can have everything from our relationship.
Oh! (ah ah ah)
An exclamation of the determination and resolve to move on.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Abkco Music Inc.
Written by: SAM COOKE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind