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 Through Trying to Prove My Love to You
Bobby Womack Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You laughed a whole lot of times as I walked out the door
And said don't worry he be back, see he's in love and he's hung up
You see God, if he see that you don't want something
That's good for you he takes it away and give it to somebody else
That he feels that can use it. That's why today I can say that
Oh I'm through
I'm through, I'm through
I'm through, I'm through
I'm through, I'm through
I'm through, I'm through
I'm through, I'm through
I'm through, I'm through
Trying to prove my love to you
I'm through, oh girl I'm through
Sometimes I gave up the right when I know he was wrong
But I believe I can stand up today on my own
Well, but I found someone and I think she understands what it really means
What it really means to have a real man
Her daily deeds and the things she do and say
She said, I'm not trying to take that other woman's place
But if I can't help you is swear I won't stand in your way
Tell that woman that your through trying to prove your love to her
She said, tell that woman that you're through boy
I tryin' prove my love to you
I'm through, I'm through
I'm through, I'm through
I'm through, I'm through
I'm through, I'm through
I'm through, I'm through
I'm through, I'm through
I'm through staying up all night waiting on you to return
I don't think it's another lesson
That I have to wait and try to learn
You'll find out far around the road
See when you take my heart I can't let you take my soul
And always happen in so many love affairs
Oh you're so well loved today and tomorrow
Tomorrow you just don't care
When you tired and give some wrong loving the other
And oh the other one go running in the streets
Running in the streets trying to find it and another
Oh and I'm through
I'm through, I'm through
I'm through, I'm through
I'm through, I'm through
I'm through, I'm through
I'm through
Try to prove my love to you
Well I'm through baby, yeah, yeah yeah
I don't feel bad about it no, no
Cause I gave everything I had
In "I'm Through Trying to Prove My Love to You", Bobby Womack sings about ending a relationship that has simply become too much effort for him to maintain. Throughout the lyrics, he emphasizes how futile his efforts have been and that he has finally found the strength to walk away. Womack makes it clear that he has given everything he has to the relationship but cannot continue to try and prove his love to someone who does not appreciate it.
The lyrics reveal a great deal about the dynamics of the relationship, with Womack suggesting that he has been taken for granted and that his partner has not reciprocated his love. This is highlighted in the phrases "...you've had your last laugh tough..." and "...when you take my heart I can't let you take my soul". Womack also suggests that he now has someone new in his life who understands and appreciates him, which has given him the strength to walk away from his previous relationship.
Overall, "I'm Through Trying to Prove My Love to You" is a song about self-respect and the importance of recognizing when a relationship is no longer worth fighting for. It is a powerful message about standing up for oneself and refusing to be taken for granted.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah I know you laugh, you've had your last laugh tough
You may think it's funny, but I'm not going to expend any more energy trying to prove my love to you.
You laughed a whole lot of times as I walked out the door
You may have thought it was easy to let me go, but I won't be coming back.
And said don't worry he be back, see he's in love and he's hung up
Even though you may have thought I was irrevocably in love with you, that is no longer the case.
You see God, if he see that you don't want something
I believe that when we are given great things but fail to appreciate them, God takes them away and gives them to someone else.
That's good for you he takes it away and give it to somebody else
This is why I am ready to move on and not waste any more effort trying to prove myself to you.
That he feels that can use it. That's why today I can say that
Because of this, I have found someone who understands me and I can say I'm through trying to prove my love to you.
Oh I'm through
I am undeniably finished with trying to prove my love to you.
I'm through, I'm through
I have completely moved on from trying to prove my love to you.
Trying to prove my love to you
I am finished with the exhausting process of trying to show you my love.
Sometimes I gave up the right when I know he was wrong
I have been too forgiving in the past, sacrificing my own dignity in futile attempts to make you happy.
But I believe I can stand up today on my own
Today, I am confident in my own strength and ability to walk away from you.
Well, but I found someone and I think she understands what it really means
I have found someone who truly understands me and my needs.
What it really means to have a real man
She knows what it truly takes to have a fulfilling relationship with a strong, supportive partner.
Her daily deeds and the things she do and say
Through her actions and words, she consistently shows me what it means to be truly loved and respected.
She said, I'm not trying to take that other woman's place
She respects that there was someone in my life before her and does not aim to replace her.
But if I can't help you is swear I won't stand in your way
She may not be able to fully solve my problems, but she will never obstruct my progress or restrict my choices.
Tell that woman that your through trying to prove your love to her
I am no longer wasting my time trying to prove my love to you.
She said, tell that woman that you're through boy
My new partner is in full agreement with my decision and supports me fully.
I'm through staying up all night waiting on you to return
I refuse to let myself suffer by constantly waiting for someone who will never come back.
I don't think it's another lesson
I don't believe there is anything more to learn from this situation.
That I have to wait and try to learn
I have paid my dues and am ready to move on.
You'll find out far around the road
One day, you will realize the gravity of your mistakes.
See when you take my heart I can't let you take my soul
I may have given you my heart, but I refuse to let you take away my spirit and self-worth.
And always happen in so many love affairs
This is a common occurrence in many relationships.
Oh you're so well loved today and tomorrow
One day you may feel loved, but the next you may be completely disregarded.
Tomorrow you just don't care
It's possible that the one who loves you today may not receive your appreciation and affection tomorrow.
When you tired and give some wrong loving the other
When you are exhausted and unable to provide genuine love, you may deceive someone else with your insincere affections.
And oh the other one go running in the streets
The person you deceived may leave you and go searching for true love elsewhere.
Running in the streets trying to find it and another
They will not accept anything less than real, genuine love and will keep searching until they find it.
Oh and I'm through
I have finally reached my limit and am finished trying to prove myself to you.
I'm through staying up all night waiting on you to return
I refuse to let myself suffer by constantly waiting for someone who will never come back.
I'm through trying to prove my love to you
I have finally moved on from the toxic cycle of trying to prove my love to you.
Well I'm through baby, yeah, yeah yeah
I am done with trying to make it work with you.
I don't feel bad about it no, no
I have no regrets or guilt about my decision to walk away.
Cause I gave everything I had
I know that I truly tried my best, but it just wasn't enough for you.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Abkco Music Inc.
Written by: BOBBY WOMACK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind