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.
It's All Over Now
Bobby Womack Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She made me cry, she done me wrong
She hurt my eyes open, that's no lie
Tables turn and now her turn to cry
Because I used to love her, but it's all over now (2x)
Well, she used to run around with every man in town
She put me out, it was a pity how I cried
Tables turn and now her turn to cry
Because I used to love her, but it's all over now (2x)
Well, I used to walk in the morning, get my breakfast in bed
When I'd gotten worried she'd ease my aching head
But now she's here and there, with every man in town
Still trying to take me for that same old clown
Because I used to love her, but it's all over now (4x)
The song It's All Over Now by Bobby Womack is a classic soulful break-up song. The lyrics tell the story of a man who was once in love with a woman who used to stay out all night long and would run around with every man in town. She would spend all his money and play her high-class game, and it eventually leads to him getting kicked out of their shared space. The tables have turned now, and his former lover is left to cry. The man reflects on how he used to love her, but now it's all over.
The song's lyrics speak to the heartbreak of a relationship ending and the common experience of one partner taking advantage of the other. The sense of transformation and growth that comes with time passing is also present in the song. The man described in the lyrics has seen a change in his fortunes and learned from his past experiences. He has become a stronger and wiser person who no longer accepts the treatment of his former partner. And while he acknowledges that he used to love her, he is now ready to move on.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, baby used to stay out all night long
My ex-girlfriend would frequently stay out late, without any regard for my feelings.
She made me cry, she done me wrong
Her actions caused me emotional pain, and she was in the wrong.
She hurt my eyes open, that's no lie
Her actions forced me to see things in a new light and accept the truth.
Tables turn and now her turn to cry
The situation has reversed, and she is now experiencing the pain and suffering that she once caused me.
Because I used to love her, but it's all over now (2x)
Although I once loved her, our relationship has come to an end.
Well, she used to run around with every man in town
She would engage in infidelity with multiple partners.
She spent all my money, playing her high class game
She would spend my money frivolously, trying to maintain a certain social status.
She put me out, it was a pity how I cried
She forced me out of our shared space, and I was devastated by the situation.
Well, I used to walk in the morning, get my breakfast in bed
When our relationship was going well, she would bring me breakfast in bed in the morning.
When I'd gotten worried she'd ease my aching head
When I was feeling stressed, she would comfort me and make me feel better.
But now she's here and there, with every man in town
She is promiscuous and has multiple partners all around town.
Still trying to take me for that same old clown
She is still trying to manipulate me and treat me like a fool.
Because I used to love her, but it's all over now (4x)
I once had strong feelings for her, but our relationship is now finished and I have moved on.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Abkco Music Inc.
Written by: BOBBY WOMACK, SHIRLEY WOMACK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@laroudoune
Well, baby used to stay out all night long
She made me cry, she done me wrong
She hurt my eyes open, that's no lie
Tables turn and now her turn to cry
Because I used to love her, but it's all over now
Because I used to love her, but it's all over now
Well, she used to run around with every man in town
She spent all my money, playing her high class game
She put me out, it was a pity how I cried
Tables turn and now her turn to cry
Because I used to love her, but it's all over now
Because I used to love her, but it's all over now
Well, I used to wake in the morning, get my breakfast in bed
When I'd gotten worried she'd ease my aching head
But now she's here and there, with every man in town
Still trying to take me for that same old clown
Because I used to love her, but it's all over now
Because I used to love her, but it's all over now
Because I used to love her, but it's all over now
@essesosaya4431
STONES were glad they heard this song BW is SOUL BAD
@lancegoulbourne
The original and the best RIP Mr. Womack
@ahsatharcarson2618
Dam Bobby, you song the hell out of this song, man. I am rocking this song like it's my last time you're the greatest, sir.
@nowseeitall
Always thought that The Stones were the composers! They made an awesome cover. Thanks to both Bobby and the Rolling Sones.
@radiocommander
At the Rolling Stones' first tour to US, their manager Andrew Oldham was advised by a NYC DJ, to release this song in UK under the name of the Stones before the Valentinos would do. Bobby Womack had just released the song in US as a member of Valentinos. Oldham then agreed with the idea right away and bought immediately the publishing right of the song in UK from the record company before Valentinos tried to.
It is said that Womack, who was the writer of the song, got really mad when hearing about this exclusive publishing contract between Stones and the company. This tells us mid 60's was an era that Rock'n Roll became to be a big business rather than just to be a music style.
@doctorstrange2642
One night in Miami
@ConArdist
Maybe the best cover band in history! But I really prefer this version.
@blackmore4
@@ConArdist Womack's original is definitely more funky/groovy. Then again, the Stones' version has an amateur/punk thing going on which I've always loved.
@johnconway6976
@@radiocommander Womack cooled off after he received a substantial percentage of the Stones' earnings.
@kurtadams3021
Classic from the Womack Brothers . Produced by Mr. Sam Cooke