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.
If There Wasn't Something There
Bobby Womack Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You'd have just walked away
If there wasn't something there
You'd have just walked away
Made me work so hard to reach you
Where you coming from?
Got something that I could teach you, babe
You used all your attention
I got some feeling on my own
Should I even have to mention
I'm still here
(Baby, you ain't alone)
If there wasn't something there
You'd have just walked away
If there wasn't something there
You'd have just walked away
After some appointment
If you breathe, then yes come in
You'll have to make a few adjustments
Pay or feel past it
Honey, I know how well you play it
Like I read your diary
But you say it before you say it
I know I got your curiosity
If there wasn't something there
You'd have just walked away
If there wasn't something there
You'd have just walked away
The lyrics of Bobby Womack's song "If There Wasn't Something There" suggest a relationship that has encountered some difficulties, yet has persevered due to the presence of an underlying connection between the people involved. The repetition of the phrase, "If there wasn't something there, you'd have just walked away," emphasizes the idea that the relationship is being sustained by something intangible, yet significant. The lyrics suggest that the singer has put in a lot of effort to reach their partner and that they have something to offer that their partner does not yet recognize. The phrase, "I got something you don't know you want," further emphasizes this idea.
The lyrics also suggest that the relationship is not without its challenges. The line, "After some appointment, if you breathe, then yes come in," implies that there have been disagreements or misunderstandings that need to be addressed before the relationship can move forward. However, the singer recognizes that their partner is worth the effort, stating, "Honey, I know how well you play it, like I read your diary. But you say it before you say it, I know I got your curiosity."
Overall, the lyrics of "If There Wasn't Something There" suggest that love can be complicated and require work, but that it is worth it when there is an underlying connection that sustains the relationship. The repetition of the phrase, "If there wasn't something there, you'd have just walked away," emphasizes the importance of this connection.
Line by Line Meaning
If there wasn't something there
If there wasn't anything meaningful in our relationship
You'd have just walked away
You would have left me already
Made me work so hard to reach you
I put in a lot of effort to get close to you
Where you coming from?
What are your true intentions?
Got something that I could teach you, babe
I have something valuable to offer you
I got something you don't know you want
I have something you need, even if you don't realize it
You used all your attention
You were focused on me
I got some feeling on my own
I have my own emotions
Should I even have to mention
Do I need to point out
I'm still here
I am still present and committed
(Baby, you ain't alone)
(I am still with you)
After some appointment
At some later time
If you breathe, then yes come in
You are always welcome here
You'll have to make a few adjustments
You will need to adapt to this environment
Pay or feel past it
Pay the price or leave it behind
Honey, I know how well you play it
I am aware of your tactics
Like I read your diary
I know you almost too well
But you say it before you say it
You reveal your true thoughts without realizing
I know I got your curiosity
I have captured your interest
Contributed by Mila K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
povrlux
génial ce dernier album, il se bonifie comme du bon vin le bobby <3
TyroneeT
this is a seriously good piece of music
Sandra Sanchez
😔adiós Bobby!!
GhostWave
Song is beautiful. True soul. Beauty in the face of despair is what this song is about.
ebony jordan
LEGEND.
Janet Griffiths
Lunchtime listening. I learn a lot from certain kinds of music. This man in particular.
joao Carlos
ae eu faço isso com o dedo tambem kkkkkk
riadinio13
thank you Bobby for all , you make me happy every time when i listen your songs
binchforever
Honey, I know how well you play it Like I read your diary But you say it before you say it I know I got your curiosity If there wasn't something there You'd have just walked away If there wasn't something there You'd have just walked away
Giovanni Faggiolly
MUY FELIZ , VERY HAPPY