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.
Love The Time Is Now
Bobby Womack Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I heard somebody say
You had to get better after a while
But I say
Love, the time is now, yeah
Freedom for all
And
If you ever gonna come
Love, love, the time is right now
Won't you please for me
Yeah
Love, the time is right now
I heard somebody say
It's gonna be alright after a while
There's a cloud over head
And it's so dark and
Let my people go
Can't you see it's time and we're here
Love, love, love
The time is now
I don't wanna leave you but I got to go
Yeah
You've got the
Bless
We're all sisters and brothers
The song Love The Time Is Now by Bobby Womack is a passionate plea for love and freedom for all. The lyrics suggest a sense of urgency, as if the time for change is now and cannot be postponed any longer. The repetition of the phrase "Love, the time is now" emphasizes the message and creates a sense of urgency.
The song begins with someone saying that things will get better with time, but the singer disagrees. He believes that love and freedom are possible now and should not be delayed any longer. He urges listeners to hurry up and change if they ever want to see a world where love and freedom are possible for all.
The second verse suggests that there is a dark cloud hanging over people's heads, perhaps representing oppression or hardship. However, the singer believes that it is time for people to stand up and fight for their rights. The repetition of the phrase "Let my people go" echoes the words of Moses in the Bible, who called for the release of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.
Overall, Love The Time Is Now is a powerful song that encourages listeners to take action and fight for love and freedom. It is a call to arms for social justice and equality, with an emphasis on the urgency of the moment and the need for people to act now.
Line by Line Meaning
Love, the time is now
It’s important to love now and not wait for a better time.
I heard somebody say
Someone else expressed their belief in the importance of love now.
You had to get better after a while
Others may think that things will improve on their own with time.
But I say
Bobby Womack’s individual belief contrasts with the idea of waiting for things to improve.
Freedom for all
There needs to be equality and respect for everyone.
And
Additionally, love and change are important values.
So hurry up change
Change needs to happen quickly to improve the current state of affairs.
If you ever gonna come
It’s unclear whether change will come at all, but it’s necessary nonetheless.
Love, love, the time is right now
Love is important and necessary right now.
Won't you please for me
Bobby Womack is personally urging listeners to love and help effect change.
It's gonna be alright after a while
Things may improve eventually but it’s important to take action in the present.
There's a cloud over head
There are current issues that affect everyone.
And it's so dark and
These issues are dire and difficult to overcome.
Let my people go
There needs to be liberation from oppressive forces.
Can't you see it's time and we're here
There’s a sense of urgency to act now while we’re present and aware of the issues at hand.
Love, love, love
Love and compassion are important themes that persist throughout the song.
I don't wanna leave you but I got to go
Bobby Womack acknowledges the pain of leaving behind loved ones for the fight for change.
You've got the bless
There is a sense of hope or divine intervention that provides comfort.
We're all sisters and brothers
We are all equal and unified in the fight for change.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Abkco Music Inc.
Written by: BOBBY WOMACK, JIMMY HOLIDAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind