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 You Don't Want My Love
Bobby Womack Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If you don't need my love
Baby, give it back
Baby, give it back
If you don't want my love
If you don't need my love
Baby, give it back
Baby, give it back
When I found you stranded on a highway
I took you home in town
I also taught you how to live good
And now you want to move me down
If you don't want my love
If you don't need my love
Baby, give it back
Baby, give it back
I know your tried to make a decision
Between him or me
But knowing in you all the time you got something
That you feel you need, yeah baby
If you don't want my love
If you don't need my love
If you don't want it
If you don't want it
If you don't need it
find somebody else
If you don't want my love
If you don't want it,
If you don't need it,
Give it back
If you don't want my love
Give it back
The lyrics to "If You Don't Want My Love" by Bobby Womack are about a failed relationship. The singer has given their all to their partner, teaching them how to live good, but in the end, the partner has decided that they do not want the love that the singer has to offer. The singer is insisting that if their love is not wanted or needed, then the partner should give it back instead of keeping it and hurting the singer. The second verse suggests that the partner had to make a decision between the singer and someone else, but ultimately chose neither, and now the singer is left feeling hurt and confused.
The overall message of the song is the importance of mutual love and respect in a relationship. If one person does not want or need the love of the other, it is better to be honest and let them go rather than stringing them along and causing emotional pain.
Line by Line Meaning
If you don't want my love
If you don't have any feelings for me and don't want to be with me
If you don't need my love
If you don't require my love to be happy or fulfilled in your life
Baby, give it back
Please return or give back any affection or attention I have given you
Baby, give it back
Please return or give back any affection or attention I have given you
When I found you stranded on a highway
When I met you in a difficult situation
I took you home in town
I helped you and brought you into my life
I also taught you how to live good
I helped and guided you to live a better life
And now you want to move me down
You want to hurt or betray me after all I have done for you
I know you tried to make a decision
I am aware that you had to choose between me and someone else
Between him or me
Between the other person you love and me
But knowing in you all the time you got something
But deep down you know that you have a feeling or desire for something
That you feel you need, yeah baby
Something that you think is necessary or important for you, my dear
If you don't want it
If you don't want my love and what it brings
If you don't want it
If you don't want my love and what it brings
If you don't need it
If you don't require my love and what it brings
find somebody else
Please look for another person who can give you what you want and need
If you don't want my love
If you don't have any feelings for me and don't want to be with me
Give it back
Please return or give back any affection or attention I have given you
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOHN PRINE, PHILLIP SPECTOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
timmy841212
Bobby was an underrated rhythm guitarist.
p man
Imo one of the most influential in the history of American music. Should be recognized the way Curtis Mayfield is.
Gourd Seed
Had no clue.
SALAAM ALLAH ALTERNATE CHANNEL
THIS IS THE BEST VERSION OF THIS SONG !! GLAD I GOT IT ON CD !!
justo576
i wish this was longer!! but nontheless...A CLASSIC
Troy Taylor
Facts
Ricardo Moreno
This song is awesome. Love the.guitar strumming. I call them waterfall guitars
Henrietta Parks
GREAT BOBBY!! I SEE HIM IN A SMOKEY BAR!! DARK HE ON THE ACOUSTIC GUITAR!! HOMEY ON THE BONGOS!!! FANTASTIC!!! LUV IT!! 2019!!!
Jamie Warrior Warlord McCallum
love this hard hitting song from the late great bobby womack soul and r&b legend, guys if that lady is not right for you make sure she gives your love back. some are not worth the heartache.
Monica Dupont
Oh man, I have been looking for this song since the 1970s when I saw him do it live on American bandstand-THANK YOU !!!!!!!!!!!