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.
O Holy Night
Bobby Womack Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The stars
Are brightly shining
It is the night of the dear
Saviour's birth
Long lay the world in sin
And error pining
'Til He appeared
It's worth a thrill of hope
The weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new
And glorious morn
Fall on your knees
Oh, hear the angel voices
Oh, night divine
Oh, night
When Christ was born
Oh, night divine
Oh night
Oh, Holy night
Fall on your knees
Oh, hear the angel voices
Oh, night divine
Oh, night
When Christ was born
Oh, night divine
Oh, night
Oh, Holy night
Oh, night divine
Oh, night
When Christ was born
Oh, night divine
Oh night
Oh, Holy night
Fall on your knees
Oh, hear the angel voices
Oh, night divine
Oh, night
When Christ was born
Oh, night divine
Oh, night
Oh, Holy night
The lyrics of Bobby Womack's cover of "O Holy Night" describe the night of the birth of Jesus Christ. The stars are shining brightly on this night, and it is a night of great significance for Christians around the world. Before the birth of Jesus, the world was trapped in sin and error, but when he appeared, the soul felt that it was worth something. This is a "thrill of hope" that the weary world rejoices in, as a new and glorious morning is breaking.
The song urges the listener to fall on their knees and hear the angelic voices. The lyricist is asking for the listener to bend down as an act of deep respect and humility in front of the greatness that is Christ. The bridge repeats the phrase "Oh night divine, Oh night when Christ was born", and it conveys the importance of the night in question. The idea of divinity is critical in Christianity, and this description of the night underscores the momentous occasion that is being celebrated.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, Holy Night
This is a holy night that is filled with joy and wonder.
The stars
The stars are shining bright and illuminating the night sky, adding to the beauty of this special night.
Are brightly shining
The stars are shining brightly and brilliantly, making this night all the more magical.
It is the night of the dear
This is the night when a beloved savior is born, marking a momentous occasion that carries immense significance and reverence.
Saviour's birth
This is the very moment when a savior, who will bring love and salvation to the world, is born.
Long lay the world in sin
For a long time, the world was trapped in sin and darkness, and people were lost and searching for meaning.
And error pining
People were lost in their mistakes and sorrows, desperately seeking a way out.
Til He appeared
Until the savior appeared, people were unable to find their way to the one true path of light and love.
And the soul felt
As soon as the savior appeared, he touched people's souls and made them feel something powerful and profound.
It's worth a thrill of hope
The appearance of the savior gave people a glimmer of hope and a sense of joy and excitement that was worth everything in the world.
The weary world rejoices
The world, which had been so weary and heavy-hearted, is now filled with joy and happiness at the birth of the savior.
For yonder breaks a new
A new dawn is breaking on the horizon, full of promise and hope, heralding the arrival of a new era of love and light.
And glorious morn
This morning is one that is immensely beautiful, full of promise, wonder and magnificence.
Fall on your knees
This moment is so humbling and powerful that people should fall to their knees in awe at the greatness of it all.
Oh, hear the angel voices
Listen closely and hear the voices of the angels, who are singing in heaven, celebrating this momentous occasion on earth.
Oh, night divine
This is a divine and holy night that is filled with wonder and beauty.
Oh, night
This night is one that is particularly special and unforgettable, more so than any other.
When Christ was born
This is the night when the savior, Jesus Christ, was brought into the world, marking a momentous occasion that would change history forever.
Oh, Holy night
This is a particularly holy night that is filled with reverence and awe due to the momentous events that have transpired.
Contributed by Isaac J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.