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.
Just My Imagination
Bobby Womack Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Since you said that we were through on a summer night... yes sir
I lost the other half of my best friend
(Those who lost you most will will you, for my life) sic
Baby, I'm still right there holding you
Summer breeze brought some love for me and you
You've got me burning all love inside
Just my imagination
Playing tricks on me again y'all....
Just my Imagination
Playing tricks on me again
Feel your body I'm touching you
Love me good like you used to do on a summer night, (summer night)
I lost the other half of my best friend
Those who lost you most will (sic)will you for my life
Baby! I'm still right here holding you
You can tell I'm about to get next to you
You've got me burning all love inside
But I always fantasize in my mind
Just my imagination
Playing tricks on me again y'all....
Just my Imagination
Playing tricks on me again
Love, love love love love woo hoo ho hoooo love
In Bobby Womack's song "Just My Imagination," the singer is struggling to accept the truth of a breakup. He lost the other half of his best friend and is holding onto the memory of being with his lover on a summer night. The nostalgia of their love and the illusion of being with her consume his mind. The singer continues to hold onto hope, feeling his lover's body and longing for her touch again. But, in the end, it's just his imagination playing tricks on him once again.
Line by Line Meaning
I just can't seem to face the truth
I am unable to accept the reality of your departure
Since you said that we were through on a summer night... yes sir
Ever since you ended our relationship on that particular evening, I've been struggling with denial
I lost the other half of my best friend
I miss the companionship and emotional support that I had with you
(Those who lost you most will will you, for my life) sic
The people who loved and lost you the most will always cherish you in their memories
Baby, I'm still right there holding you
I still feel emotionally connected to you, as if you're still in my embrace
Summer breeze brought some love for me and you
The warm weather and positive vibes of summer made us fall in love
You've got me burning all love inside
Your love is still deeply rooted within me, and it's intense
But I always fantasize in my mind, baby
However, I keep daydreaming about being with you again, even though it's just a wishful thought
Just my imagination
It's just a figment of my imagination
Playing tricks on me again y'all....
It feels like my mind is playing games with my heart once more
Feel your body I'm touching you
Although it's just my imagination, I can almost physically sense your presence
Love me good like you used to do on a summer night, (summer night)
I crave your affection and intimacy that we shared during a summer night
You can tell I'm about to get next to you
My thoughts and fantasies are getting more persistent and explicit
Love, love love love love woo hoo ho hoooo love
My heart and mind are consumed with love for you
Contributed by David F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Angela Williams
Really love listening to Bobby Womack
Nathaniel Hill
When I was with a band.I was the Bass player and this was one of my favorites to play.I truly do miss playing.
chris haughey
Bet this song is satisfying on bass
Farrah C
Love all of Bobby's music, surely missed. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽💜 24.8.2020
Alan Taylor
My favourite, timeless..
MidwestMagician
@Marcos FL ⁷⁷⁶
chris haughey
Gets me every time brother
Marcos FL
awesome
J Eshun
Happy heavenly 77th birthday to Bobby Womack, with another great track from my personal favourite BW album The Poet, every track is sheer quality
MultiSpacehead
Rest In Peace King