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.
No Matter How High I Get
Bobby Womack Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh, I'd be the first to admit that
I've had some fun with some of the prettiest girls
But temptation gets strong sometimes
But if it lasts too long
Ooh you always seem to call me
At the right time saying "Bobby be strong"
I felt a feeling that I've never never known
You see, I'll be your number one
When all your hits are gone
So if you feel, if you feel insecure
You can rest, you can rest, you can rest assured
No matter how high
No matter how high I get
I'll still be looking up to you
No matter how high
No matter how high I get
I'll still be looking up to you
Listen to me
They only want to see the side of me
That they pay to see
But you get that free baby
But you get the worst side of me
The things that are lost along the way
Took a whole lot out of me
I had become so blind that I've lost all reality
Ohh, I can remember when they said you were through
But I never never never gave up on you
I've seen you at your worst
But baby didn't we make it through
But sometimes sometimes you made me feel, you made me feel so insecure
You don't have to worry
You can always rest assured
No matter how high
No matter how high I get
I'll still be looking up to you
No matter how high
No matter how high I get
I'll still (I'll still)
I'll still be looking up to you
Ohh, I can remember when they said you were through
But I never never never gave up on you (no you didn't baby)
Baby I've seen you I've seen you at your worst
But baby baby didn't we make it through (ohh)
But sometimes sometimes you made me feel so insecure
You can always, you can always, you can always rest assured
No matter how high
No matter how high I get
I'll still (I'll still) I'll still (I'll still)
I'll still be looking up to you
No matter how high
No matter how high I get
Oh, I'll still (I'll still)
I'll still be looking, I'll still be looking up to you
Oh yes I will Bobby
No matter how high
No matter how high I get
I'll still be looking up to you
No matter how high
No matter how high I get
I'll still be looking, I'll still be looking up to you
No matter how high
No matter how high I get
I'll still be looking up to you
No matter how high
No matter how high I get
I'll still be looking, I'll still be looking up to you
The song No Matter How High I Get by Bobby Womack & Patti LaBelle is a beautiful ode to true love and loyalty. The lyrics suggest that no matter how successful one becomes, or how many temptations one faces, true love remains a constant anchor that keeps one grounded. The song begins with Bobby Womack admitting that his job as a musician takes him all around the world, where he gets to have fun with some of the prettiest girls. However, he feels the strong pull of temptation and recognizes that it can be dangerous if he gives in to it for too long. It is during these moments that he says, "Ooh you always seem to call me at the right time saying 'Bobby be strong'", acknowledging the importance of having someone who reminds him of his true values.
Then Patti LaBelle enters the song with a verse that talks about the support and love she has for her partner. She says that she'll always be their number one, even when their hits are gone, suggesting that she loves them not only for what they can do but for who they are. She acknowledges that sometimes her partner may feel insecure, but they don't have to worry because she'll always be there for them, no matter what.
In the second verse, Bobby Womack talks about the different sides of him that people see. He says that the public only sees the side of him that they pay to see, but his partner gets to see the worst side of him. He acknowledges that he has lost a lot along the way and has become blind to reality at times. However, despite all of his flaws, he knows that his partner has never given up on him and has seen him at his worst.
The chorus repeats the idea that no matter how successful one becomes or how high they get, they'll always be looking up to their partner. The song ends with the two singers reaffirming their love for each other and the unconditional support they provide.
Overall, the lyrics of this song are deeply personal and convey a message of love, loyalty, and support that anyone can relate to. It's a reminder that no matter how far we go in life, we should never forget where we came from and the people who supported us along the way.
Line by Line Meaning
Even though my job takes me all around the world
Despite my job requiring me to travel a lot
Oh, I'd be the first to admit that
I am willing to acknowledge
I've had some fun with some of the prettiest girls
I have been with beautiful women
But temptation gets strong sometimes
However, I face strong temptation at times
But if it lasts too long
If it continues for too long
Ooh you always seem to call me
You always seem to call me at the right time
At the right time saying "Bobby be strong"
You call at the right time to encourage me to be strong
Before the very first time
Prior to my first experience
I felt a feeling that I've never never known
I experienced a feeling I had never felt before
You see, I'll be your number one
I will be your top priority
When all your hits are gone
Even when you are no longer popular or successful
So if you feel, if you feel insecure
If you are feeling insecure
You can rest, you can rest, you can rest assured
You can be sure that you are safe and secure
No matter how high
Regardless of how successful or famous
No matter how high I get
No matter how high I climb in my career
I'll still be looking up to you
I will continue to respect and admire you
Listen to me
Pay attention to what I am saying
They only want to see the side of me
People only want to see my public image
That they pay to see
The image they pay for
But you get that free baby
But you get to see the real me for free
But you get the worst side of me
But you also see my negative qualities
The things that are lost along the way
The things I sacrificed on my journey
Took a whole lot out of me
Took a lot of my energy and effort
I had become so blind that I've lost all reality
I became so caught up in my career that I lost touch with reality
Ohh, I can remember when they said you were through
I recall when people said you were finished
But I never never never gave up on you
But I always believed in you and never gave up
I've seen you at your worst
I have seen you at your lowest point
But baby didn't we make it through
But we managed to get through it together
But sometimes sometimes you made me feel, you made me feel so insecure
But at times, you made me feel insecure
You don't have to worry
You do not need to be worried
You can always rest assured
You can always be sure of your safety and security
Oh, I'll still (I'll still)
I will still
I'll still be looking, I'll still be looking up to you
I will continue to admire and respect you
Oh yes I will Bobby
I will, Bobby
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Abkco Music Inc.
Written by: Bobby Womack, Paul Kisch
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Wf Tyler
With all due respect……….it’s not like Alltrinna achieved the success or notoriety of Patti. Not Patti Labelle, not Patti Austin. Not even Patti Duke.
Of course she can sing, but less than two minutes into a Google search it becomes very clear this song was the standout point in her career. By FAR.
There have been many women through the years who could really blow, who rose to prominence being featured in a duet. Unfortunately many times the duet(s) turned out to be the defining point of their career.
Lisa Keith
Sharon Paige
Jacci McGhee
Alltrinna Grayson
………the list goes on and on…….
Just D
One of the best songs ever...and when young folks claim this is Patti, I tell them to put some respect on Altrinna’s name and learn about her!
Sherman Burns Jr.
I Know That's Right,You Better Say That!!!
Mary Murray
Lord I’m guilty she sounds like pattie. Beautiful song.
Wf Tyler
With all due respect……….it’s not like Alltrinna achieved the success or notoriety of Patti. Not Patti Labelle, not Patti Austin. Not even Patti Duke.
Of course she can sing, but less than two minutes into a Google search it becomes very clear this song was the standout point in her career. By FAR.
There have been many women through the years who could really blow, who rose to prominence being featured in a duet. Unfortunately many times the duet(s) turned out to be the defining point of their career.
Lisa Keith
Sharon Paige
Jacci McGhee
Alltrinna Grayson
………the list goes on and on…….
Shaungreea Clark
Right sis you can really tell the difference in their voices from the beginning
It’s just because she does excellent high notes
Naturally Relaxed
Exactly put some respect on Altrinna's name.
Cnote100
To say they don't make music like this anymore is an understatement. There is no way this sound could be duplicated. If you don't feel something by listening to this you might just be dead inside. This is true soul music.
manb4war
I don't know why people calling this underrated, this song dominated when it was released.This is that golden age of duets, the fact that Bobby made this one sound like a gospel song made it iconic and the incredible sax solo from Wilton Felder...so sweet. I can't stop listening to this one...and Alltrinna Altrinna....there are no words.
Melvin Bridgewater
One Of The Best Brothers To Ever Control The Mic. R.I.P. Bobby
Twann Canady
This is me singing to God no matter how rich or famous I become I'll always bow to nim