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 Don't Wanna Be Hurt By Ya Love Again
Bobby Womack Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Naw, Naw Naw Naw, Not again!
I can't even by your love
but I'm afraid to let you in
Ya see it's happened once before, darling
I cant let you take my heart again
That's why i keep runnin' runnin' -- runnin' away from you
But your good vibes -- just wont turn me loose
But love once took my heart
I can't let it take my mind
But it's so real (with back)-- I know I know I know
I like the way -- the way it makes me feel
Oh, I
I don't wanna be hurt by love again
Let me say it again
I, I
I don't wanna be hurt by love again
Love is something --
that we all need in our lives
Even the hurt, the pain
that comes along with it ---
Sometimes I wonder if it's
worth the price
Just like a fish hooked on a line
Having good life --
It's just a matter of time
I take it -- at even where it is
I like the way -- the way you make me feel
So real, (with singers in background) Lord, help me!
And all I can do, is tell it like it is
Ohhhh --- I (with background)
I don't wanna be hurt by love again
Why don't you sing it one more time --
Oh, I
Naw, Naw
I don't wanna be hurt by love again (with chorus)
Awwwww!!
Keep on runnin' Keep on hidin'
So I on runnin' runnin' -- running away from you
Ohhhh, I -- Ohhhh I
Dont wanna be hurt by your love again (with chorus)
Ohh!! Keep it on, Keep it on
Dont wannn be hurt by your love again (with chorus)
Awwww!! Baby!
Baby!
The lyrics of Bobby Womack's "I Don't Wanna Be Hurt By Ya Love Again" describe the fear of getting hurt again in a relationship. Womack sings about how he cannot buy love, but he is also afraid to let it in. The song is about how he has been hurt in love before and cannot let it happen again. He admits that he likes the way it makes him feel, but he is resistant to it because of his past experiences. He runs away from love, but it continues to draw him back in because he likes the feeling it brings.
The lyrics also acknowledge the pain and hurt that often come with love. Womack mentions that love is something we all need in our lives, but he questions whether the pain that comes with it is worth it. He compares love to a fish hooked on a line, illustrating how it may seem good at first, but eventually leads to pain and separation. Despite this, Womack still finds himself drawn to love and unable to resist it.
Overall, the lyrics of Bobby Womack's "I Don't Wanna Be Hurt By Ya Love Again" depict the struggle to balance the desire for love with the fear of getting hurt again. It acknowledges the pain and fear that often come with love and recognizes that it is a risk worth taking.
Line by Line Meaning
Hmmmm! Hmmmmm!
The singer begins with a contemplative hum, indicating that he is lost in thought.
Naw, Naw Naw Naw, Not again!
The singer rejects the idea of experiencing heartbreak again in a firm and emphatic tone.
I can't even by your love
The singer acknowledges that despite his desire for love, he cannot buy it.
but I'm afraid to let you in
The singer admits that he is afraid of opening up to love again after being hurt in the past.
Ya see it's happened once before, darling
The singer explains that he has been hurt in a romantic relationship before.
I cant let you take my heart again
The singer is unwilling to let his heart be taken by love again.
That's why i keep runnin' runnin' -- runnin' away from you
The singer reveals that he is constantly running away from love and the person who is trying to give it to him.
But your good vibes -- just wont turn me loose
The singer acknowledges that the positive energy of the other person is not enough to make him open up to love again.
I don't mind trying - trying one more time
The singer is willing to give love another chance.
But love once took my heart
The singer reflects on the past when he gave his heart to love and was hurt.
I can't let it take my mind
The singer is determined not to let love overtake his thoughts and emotions.
But it's so real (with back)-- I know I know I know
The singer acknowledges that the love he is feeling is genuine and not just a figment of his imagination.
I like the way -- the way it makes me feel
Despite his reservations, the singer enjoys the feelings that come with being in love.
Oh, I
The singer starts a new part of the song with an exclamation of emotion.
I don't wanna be hurt by love again
The singer expresses his fear of being hurt by love again.
Let me say it again
The singer repeats his fear to emphasize its importance.
Love is something --
that we all need in our lives
The singer acknowledges the importance of love in human lives.
Even the hurt, the pain
that comes along with it ---
Sometimes I wonder if it's
worth the price
The singer recognizes that love can come with pain and wonders if it is worth the emotional cost.
Just like a fish hooked on a line
The singer uses a metaphor of a fish being hooked on a line to describe the feeling of being trapped by love.
Having good life --
It's just a matter of time
The singer suggests that even a good life can be disrupted by the challenges and consequences of loving someone.
I take it -- at even where it is
The singer accepts the situation as it is without trying to change it.
I like the way -- the way you make me feel
The singer enjoys the feelings that the other person's love is bringing him.
So real, (with singers in background) Lord, help me!
The singer acknowledges that his feelings are real and asks for divine assistance in dealing with them.
And all I can do, is tell it like it is
The singer accepts that he cannot change his emotions and simply chooses to express them honestly.
Ohhhh --- I (with background)
The singer starts another verse with a cry of emotion.
Why don't you sing it one more time --
The singer asks to have the previous verse repeated for emphasis.
Naw, Naw
I don't wanna be hurt by love again (with chorus)
Awwwww!!
The singer repeats his fear of being hurt by love again in a firm and emphatic tone.
Keep on runnin' Keep on hidin'
So I on runnin' runnin' -- running away from you
The singer acknowledges that he is still running away from love and the person who is trying to give it to him.
Ohhhh, I -- Ohhhh I
Dont wanna be hurt by your love again (with chorus)
Ohh!! Keep it on, Keep it on
Dont wannn be hurt by your love again (with chorus)
Awwww!! Baby!
Baby!
The singer concludes the song with a repeat of his fears of being hurt by love again and a plea to the other person not to hurt him.
Contributed by Maria J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Creighton Wallace
I've been a fan since i got my hands on a greatest hits cassette back in the 90's. You gotta excuse my tardiness. I was born in 80. Harry Hippy and A Woman's got to have it turned me out. The Unsung on him did him justice and the more tracks i hear make me dig deeper into the crates. Long Live King Bobby!
Eb La Shon
Alright baby, welcome aboard...
Kalada Apiafi
What a great voice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Maria Sono
This voice though...great talent,cant get used to it
Nubiandude01
Bobby Womack's music just takes me to another place and the lyrics are like a story of my life. RIP Bobby Womack.
riadinio13
me too
Garden Belly.
I wish they still make music like this.
Leonard Julien
A true soul preacher!!!
derek iorg
Love this man's music!
Jerome Wilson
Bobby was NO JOKE. He spoke the truth about RELATIONSHIPS. That's the only way.....