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 Feel a Groove Comin' On
Bobby Womack Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well, well, well
Let me tell you about it
Sometime pressure can be so high, there′s no way to turn
And you're lookin′ for a way to release yourself
'Cause you got energy to burn
Listen to me
I feel a groove comin' on strong
I′m gonna dance, dance, dance, dance, dance
All night long
Don′t fight the feeling
Let it all hang out
When you get the feeling
In your mind you'll have no doubt
′Cause when the groove comes on
You might think your timing is wrong
Because the problem is there, it ain't going nowhere
So come on
What a way to release yourself
Just let the music groove you step by step (step by step)
Get out on the floor and dance (dance)
(Get out on the floor and dance)
I feel a song coming on strong (get out on the floor and dance)
Gonna dance, dance, dance, dance
All night long (get out on the floor and dance)
If they can′t ever groove
They won't let you be (get out on the floor and dance)
Extend from your head
Down to the sole of your feet (get out on the floor and dance)
When the groove comes on
You might think your timing is wrong
Because the problem is there, it ain′t going nowhere
So come on, come on
What a way to release yourself
Let the music groove you step by step (step by step)
Get out on the floor and dance (dance)
(Get out on the floor and dance, dance)
(Get out on the floor and dance, dance)
(Get out on the floor and dance, dance) It's kind of moment like I'm talkin′ about
(Get out on the floor and dance, dance)
There′s so many dances that come and go (get out on the floor and dance, dance)
But the basic feeling will never grow old (get out on the floor and dance, dance)
Some like it fast and some like it slow (get out on the floor and dance, dance)
Just get out on the floor
Go for what you know (get out on the floor and dance, dance)
Get it on, let it in
Steppin' in the night parade
When you touch you must so need satisfaction
Groove (get out on the floor and dance, dance)
Everybody groove (get out on the floor and dance, dance)
Everybody′s groovin' (get out on the floor and dance, dance)
Everybody′s movin' (get out on the floor and dance, dance)
I′m gonna dance, dance, dance, dance, dance (get out on the floor and dance, dance)
Dance my blues away (get out on the floor and dance, dance)
Think me gettin' on the floor (get out on the floor and dance, dance)
Must make tomorrow a better day (get out on the floor and dance, dance)
(Get out on the floor and dance, dance)
(Get out on the floor and dance, dance)
(Get out on the floor and dance, dance)
(Get out on the floor and dance, dance)
(Get out on the floor and dance, dance)
(Get out on the floor and dance, dance)
(Get out on the floor and dance, dance)
(Get out on the floor and dance, dance)
I feel a song just keeps comin' on strong
I think it′s dance, dance, dance, dance, dance
That′s what my heart wants (get out on the floor and dance, dance)
Get it (get out on the floor and dance, dance)
I just gotta get it (get out on the floor and dance, dance)
I just gotta get it (get out on the floor and dance, dance)
Just feel it (get out on the floor and dance, dance)
Do you feel it (get out on the floor and dance, dance)
Everybody feel it (get out on the floor and dance, dance)
Do you feel it (get out on the floor and dance, dance)
I know you got to feel it (get out on the floor and dance, dance)
(Get out on the floor and dance, dance)
(Get out on the floor and dance, dance)
(Get out on the floor and dance, dance)
(Get out on the floor and dance, dance)
(Get out on the floor and dance, dance)
(Get out on the floor and dance, dance)
(Get out on the floor and dance, dance)
(Get out on the floor and dance, dance)
I feel a groove comin' on strong
I wanna dance, dance, dance, dance, dance
All night long (get out on the floor and dance)
If you can′t feel it (get out on the floor and dance)
Better leave me out (get out on the floor and dance)
And when you get that feeling (get out on the floor and dance)
In your mind you'll have no doubt (get out on the floor and dance)
Keep on dancin′ (get out on the floor and dance)
Don't stop dancin′ (get out on the floor and dance)
Keep on dancin' (get out on the floor and dance)
Don't stop dancin′ (get out on the floor and dance)
Get it
′Cause when the groove comes on
You might think your timing is wrong
Because the problem is there, it ain't going nowhere
So come on
What a way to release yourself
Let the music groove you step by step
Step by step
(Get out on the floor and dance, dance)
(Get out on the floor and dance, dance)
(Get out on the floor and dance, dance)
I feel a groove comin′ on strong
I ain't gonna fight it (dance, dance, dance, dance, dance)
It′s been building too long
If you got a problem
It ain't going nowhere
Give yourself a chance
Go on and dance
Give yourself a chance
Oh, go on and dance
What a way to release yourself
Let the music groove you
Bobby Womack's I Feel a Groove Comin' On is a song about the power of letting go and dancing your troubles away. The lyrics suggest that sometimes life can be so stressful that you need to find a way to release yourself. The groove of the music can help you tap into the energy within you, and the lyrics encourage you to let it all hang out and dance, dance, dance. The song encourages you to let the music take over and take you on a journey of self-discovery. The lyrics suggest that the groove of the music can help you let go of the problems that may be weighing you down and free you to have a great time.
The song's inspirational message finds its perfect expression with Bobby Womack's soulful voice, which is backed up by rhythmic guitar strums and a punchy bassline. The song's upbeat tempo is infectious, and you cannot help but nod your head and tap your feet to the music. The song's repeated refrain of getting out on the dancefloor and dancing is a call to action that is hard to resist. The music captures the essence of the lyrics, which is all about releasing yourself and letting the groove take you on a journey.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, well, well
An expression of excitement or anticipation
Let me tell you about it
I want to share something with you
Sometime pressure can be so high, there's no way to turn
There are times when stress feels overwhelming, and there seems to be no solution
And you're lookin' for a way to release yourself
You're searching for a way to let go of the tension
'Cause you got energy to burn
You have a lot of pent-up energy
Listen to me
I want you to pay attention
I feel a groove comin' on strong
I sense a strong desire to dance and let loose
I'm gonna dance, dance, dance, dance, dance
I'm going to dance all night long
Don't fight the feeling
Don't resist the urge to dance
Let it all hang out
Let yourself go and have fun
When you get the feeling
When you feel the urge to dance
In your mind you'll have no doubt
You'll be sure of your desire to dance
'Cause when the groove comes on
Because when the music starts playing
You might think your timing is wrong
You may feel uncertain about when to start dancing
Because the problem is there, it ain't going nowhere
The source of your stress isn't going away anytime soon
So come on
So let's dance
What a way to release yourself
Dancing is a great way to let go of stress
Just let the music groove you step by step (step by step)
Let the music guide your movements in a rhythmic and gradual way
Get out on the floor and dance (dance)
Start dancing and enjoy yourself
If they can't ever groove
If they can't enjoy dancing
They won't let you be
They won't allow you to dance and have fun
Extend from your head
Let your thoughts and emotions flow freely
Down to the sole of your feet
To every part of your body
When the groove comes on
When the music starts playing
Let the music groove you step by step (step by step)
Let the music guide your movements in a rhythmic and gradual way
It's kind of moment like I'm talkin' about
This is the kind of moment I'm referring to
There's so many dances that come and go (get out on the floor and dance, dance)
There are many different dance styles, but the important thing is to dance
But the basic feeling will never grow old (get out on the floor and dance, dance)
The desire to dance and have fun will always be relevant
Some like it fast and some like it slow (get out on the floor and dance, dance)
Different people have different dance preferences, but everyone should dance
Just get out on the floor
Just start dancing
Go for what you know (get out on the floor and dance, dance)
Dance to the music you know and love
Get it on, let it in
Start dancing and let the music fill you up
Steppin' in the night parade
Dancing with a group of people at night
When you touch you must so need satisfaction
When dancing, you must feel satisfied with your movements
Groove (get out on the floor and dance, dance)
Dance and enjoy yourself
Everybody groove (get out on the floor and dance, dance)
Everyone should dance and have fun
Everybody's groovin' (get out on the floor and dance, dance)
Everyone is enjoying the music and dancing
Everybody's movin' (get out on the floor and dance, dance)
Everyone is moving to the beat
I'm gonna dance, dance, dance, dance, dance (get out on the floor and dance, dance)
I'm going to dance all night long
Dance my blues away (get out on the floor and dance, dance)
Dancing will help me forget my worries and feel happy
Think me gettin' on the floor (get out on the floor and dance, dance)
I'm thinking about dancing
Must make tomorrow a better day (get out on the floor and dance, dance)
Dancing will help me have a better tomorrow
I feel a song just keeps comin' on strong
I'm feeling the urge to dance strongly
I think it's dance, dance, dance, dance, dance
I want to dance all night long
That's what my heart wants (get out on the floor and dance, dance)
Dancing is what will make me happy
Get it (get out on the floor and dance, dance)
Start dancing and enjoy yourself
I just gotta get it (get out on the floor and dance, dance)
I need to dance
Just feel it (get out on the floor and dance, dance)
Let yourself feel the music and let loose
Do you feel it (get out on the floor and dance, dance)
Are you feeling the music too?
Everybody feel it (get out on the floor and dance, dance)
Everyone should feel the music and move to the beat
I know you got to feel it (get out on the floor and dance, dance)
I know you want to dance too
I wanna dance, dance, dance, dance, dance
I want to dance all night long
If you can't feel it (get out on the floor and dance)
If you can't hear the music, then don't dance
Better leave me out (get out on the floor and dance)
If you don't want to dance, then don't join me
And when you get that feeling (get out on the floor and dance)
And when you feel the urge to dance
In your mind you'll have no doubt (get out on the floor and dance)
You'll be sure of your desire to dance
Keep on dancin' (get out on the floor and dance)
Don't stop dancing
Don't stop dancin' (get out on the floor and dance)
Continue to dance and enjoy yourself
Get it
Start dancing
Let the music groove you step by step
Allow the music to guide your movements in a rhythmic and gradual way
Step by step
Gradually and rhythmically
I feel a groove comin' on strong
I sense a strong desire to dance and let loose
I ain't gonna fight it (dance, dance, dance, dance, dance)
I won't resist the urge to dance all night long
It's been building too long
The desire to dance has been growing for a while now
If you got a problem
If you have a source of stress
It ain't going nowhere
It's unlikely to resolve itself soon
Give yourself a chance
Allow yourself to have fun despite your problems
Go on and dance
Start dancing and enjoy yourself
Oh, go on and dance
Come on, start dancing
Let the music groove you
Allow the music to guide your movements and have fun
Writer(s): Bobby Womack
Contributed by Jordan F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.