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.
Jackie Brown
Bobby Womack Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Doing whatever I had to do to survive
I'm not saying what I did was alright
Trying to break out of the ghetto was a day to day fight
Been down so long, getting up didn't cross my mind
I knew there was a better way of life that I was just trying to find
You don't know what you'll do until you're put under pressure
Across 110th Street
Pimps trying to catch a woman that's weak
Across 110th Street
Pushers won't let the junkie go free
Across 110th Street
Woman trying to catch a trick on the street
Across 110th Street
You can find it all in the street
I got one more thing I'd like to y'all about right now
Hey brother, there's a better way out
Snorting that coke, shooting that dope man you're copping out
Take my advice, it's either live or die
You've got to be strong, if you want to survive
The family on the other side of town
Would catch hell without a ghetto around
In every city you find the same thing going down
Harlem is the capital of every ghetto town
Across 110th Street
Pimps trying to catch a woman that's weak
Across 110th Street
Pushers won't let the junkie go free
Across 110th Street
A woman trying to catch a trick on the street
Across 110th Street
You can find it all in the street
Look around you, look around you
Look around you, look around you
The lyrics of "Across 110th Street Pt. 2" by Bobby Womack and Peace tell the story of a man who grew up in poverty and had to resort to less than desirable actions in order to survive. He acknowledges that what he did was not right, but he was trying to break out of the ghetto and that was a constant battle. He reflects on how he had been down for so long, he didn't even think about getting up. He knew that there had to be a better life out there, but he just couldn't find it. He also speaks about the pressure that people are put under in situations like his, and how it can be a real test of one's resilience.
The chorus of the song is a commentary on the harsh realities of life on 110th Street in Harlem, where pimps prey on vulnerable women, drug pushers refuse to let their customers go, and prostitutes work the streets. The song paints a bleak picture of life in the ghetto and the various struggles that people face on a daily basis. However, the final verse offers a glimmer of hope, with the singer advising his listeners that there is a better way out than resorting to drugs and crime. He urges them to be strong if they want to survive and reminds them that poverty is not unique to their neighborhood.
Line by Line Meaning
I was the third brother of five
Of the five siblings in my family, I was the third one.
Doing whatever I had to do to survive
I resorted to any means necessary to stay alive.
I'm not saying what I did was alright
I'm not trying to justify my actions, which may have been wrong in hindsight.
Trying to break out of the ghetto was a day to day fight
It was an everyday battle to escape the impoverished area I lived in.
Been down so long, getting up didn't cross my mind
I had been in such a low place for so long that I couldn't even fathom the idea of recovery.
I knew there was a better way of life that I was just trying to find
Despite the struggle, I believed that there was a better existence out there and I was searching for it.
You don't know what you'll do until you're put under pressure
One cannot predict their actions until they are faced with a challenging situation.
Across 110th Street is a hell of a tester
The area across 110th street is particularly difficult and challenging to survive in.
Pimps trying to catch a woman that's weak
Pimps are attempting to exploit vulnerable women.
Pushers won't let the junkie go free
Drug dealers don't allow addicts to stop using drugs.
Woman trying to catch a trick on the street
Prostitutes are trying to solicit customers on the street.
You can find it all in the street
All these activities are happening out in the open, predominantly on the street.
Hey brother, there's a better way out
There is a path to a better life and I want to share it with you, my brother.
Snorting that coke, shooting that dope man you're copping out
Using cocaine or heroin is not an escape; it's a way of giving up on a better future.
Take my advice, it's either live or die
Listen to my guidance: either continue down the current path and face the risk of death, or make changes and live a better life.
You've got to be strong, if you want to survive
This journey is not easy and requires strength and perseverance to overcome.
The family on the other side of town
There is a stark contrast between the lives of people in different neighborhoods.
Would catch hell without a ghetto around
The struggles and hardships of poverty are not unique to my community and affect people everywhere, regardless of the presence of a 'ghetto'.
In every city you find the same thing going down
The same problems exist in every urban area, regardless of location or demographics.
Harlem is the capital of every ghetto town
Harlem, known for its poverty and difficulties, is a representation of the struggles found in impoverished communities across the world.
Look around you, look around you
Take a moment to observe your surroundings and acknowledge the realities you face.
Look around you, look around you
Acknowledge the experiences of others around you, as they likely share similar struggles and hardships.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sherbertdip6924
Love how Quentin gave us the whole song here, you don't cut a song like this. Perfect blend of imagery and music.
@thedarkknight_1983
Well anyone who’s walked through an airport knows it would probably take the length of this song played five times over.
@alonsogarcia3593
Hell yeah
@bax4562
The second chorus is cut a little.
@notsoancientpelican
The fact that some critics failed to see this was a masterpiece just goes to prove that anybody can be a critic.
@musc1esman
Most criminally underrated Tarantino film . Smart characters trying to stay ahead of each other, great chemistry between Grier and Forster, and even De Niro hardly speaking a word and still acting the perfect stoner nails that role. Pam looks like a million bucks and her role as Jackie is so well done. Only thing I hate about the film is Ordell’s gross hair 😂
@sleuthentertainment5872
I think it has to be in the Top 5 of Tarantino's best movies
@suzawilo
Well said👍🏽
I think Ordell's hair was perfect for the slezoid role😂
@nilasanders2044
LOL! We needed him to have that hair! ❤
@silversurfer8935
My favorite!!!