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.
Save the Children
Bobby Womack Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's every mother's wish for her boy and girl, oh
A child was born inside this city yesterday
His mother held him to her breast as she began to pray
Please let them grow up to be strong and know the truth
And have the chances to taste the innocence of youth
You know what we have to do
Save the children and we might save the world
It's every mother's wish for her boy and girl, oh
A baby starts out with his back against the wall
He has to learn to survive before he learns to crawl
He needs somebody who can give him a daddy hand
We brought them into this world, they deserve a chance
They deserve a chance, got to have a chance
Why can't we all understand?
Save the baby, save him, ohh ohh, save him
The world is lost in a bout of confusion
Happiness, happiness, happiness is just an illusion
Somewhere it must end even if we have to start
Stop and start again, we're defendin' a man's sin
Oh, what's going on, what's going on?
I can remember another friend of mine tellin' me
Change gonna come, oh, yes it will
Save the children and we might save the world
Every mother's wish for her boy and girl, oh
Save, save the children, save, save the children
Save, save the children, we gotta save the children
Save, save the children, save, save the children
Save, save the children, we gotta save the children
Listen, headed in the wrong direction
No love, no love, no love, no love, no love, no love and affection
Like a [Incomprehensible] pain we tryin' to figure it out
No young boys playin' in the park and havin' fun
They find their manhood at the barrel of a loaded gun
Can't see their future, just a tunnel with no light
I'm lost in the projects runnin' from the night
Runnin' from the night, runnin' from the night
Runnin' from the night, runnin' from the night
Scared for the rest of their life
Save, save the children, save, save the children
Save, save the children, save, save the children
We gotta save the children, save, save the children
Save, save the children
Stop, stop, stop, stop, stop
We've got to stop
The song "Save the Children" by Bobby Womack is a powerful commentary on the importance of protecting and nurturing children in order to make positive changes in the world. The lyrics emphasize the role of mothers in ensuring their children are raised with care and opportunities to experience the joy and innocence of childhood. The song also draws attention to the struggles many children face, particularly those born into difficult circumstances or neighborhoods plagued by violence and unrest. Womack reminds us that it is our responsibility to give these children a chance to thrive and succeed.
The lyrics of "Save the Children" encourage us to take action to address the issues faced by children in our world today. The song highlights the need for parents, community leaders, and policymakers to come together to make sure that every child has access to education, safety, and love. The song's message of hope and optimism encourages us to keep fighting for a better future for all children.
Line by Line Meaning
Save the children and we might save the world
If we protect and care for the children, we can create a better future for the world.
It's every mother's wish for her boy and girl, oh
Every mother wants their children to be safe and happy.
A child was born inside this city yesterday
A new life has just begun.
His mother held him to her breast as she began to pray
The mother prayed for her child to have a good and safe life.
Please let them grow up to be strong and know the truth
The mother hopes that her child will be strong and wise.
And have the chances to taste the innocence of youth
The mother hopes her child will have the opportunity to experience the beauty and purity of childhood.
You know what we have to do
We all need to work together to make the world a better place for the children.
A baby starts out with his back against the wall
Babies enter the world in a difficult environment, and they need help to survive.
He has to learn to survive before he learns to crawl
Babies must first learn to overcome the challenges of the world before they can even begin to move.
He needs somebody who can give him a daddy hand
Babies need loving and supportive caregivers to help them navigate the world.
We brought them into this world, they deserve a chance
As humans, it is our responsibility to create a safe and nurturing environment for every child born into this world.
They deserve a chance, got to have a chance
Every child deserves the opportunity to grow, learn, and succeed.
Why can't we all understand?
It is difficult to understand why anyone would deny children the basic rights that they deserve.
Save the baby, save him, ohh ohh, save him
Every child deserves a chance to live and thrive.
The world is lost in a bout of confusion
The world is a chaotic and confusing place right now.
Happiness, happiness, happiness is just an illusion
True happiness is difficult to come by in a world where the future is uncertain.
Somewhere it must end even if we have to start
We must work together to create a better future for the children, no matter how difficult the task may seem.
Stop and start again, we're defendin' a man's sin
We need to stop and rethink our priorities so that we can better protect the children of the world.
Oh, what's going on, what's going on?
We need to question the current state of the world and work to make it better.
I can remember another friend of mine tellin' me
Others have spoken up about the need to protect children and create a better future.
Change gonna come, oh, yes it will
Positive change will come, but we need to work towards it.
Listen, headed in the wrong direction
The world seems to be moving towards a negative future if we do not change course.
No love, no love, no love, no love, no love, no love and affection
Without love, compassion, and care, we will fail to create a world that is deserving of children.
Like a [Incomprehensible] pain we tryin' to figure it out
The problems of the world can seem overwhelming and complex, but we need to work together to find solutions.
No young boys playin' in the park and havin' fun
The world can be a dangerous place for children, and they may not even have the chance to play without fear.
They find their manhood at the barrel of a loaded gun
Children are forced to grow up too quickly and may be subjected to the violence and fear that comes with adulthood prematurely.
Can't see their future, just a tunnel with no light
Without hope, the future can seem bleak and unattainable.
I'm lost in the projects runnin' from the night
People in disadvantaged situations may find themselves struggling to overcome daily obstacles and dangers.
Scared for the rest of their life
Without protection and support, children may be forced to live in fear and uncertainty.
We gotta save the children, save, save the children
It is our responsibility to protect and care for the children.
Stop, stop, stop, stop, stop
We need to put a stop to the harm and pain being inflicted on children and create a better future that is worthy of them.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: COURTNEY FITZGERALD PINE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Bazel RC Drifting
This playlist is so gonna be my favorite! I love to hear music that I never heard before. Good music!!!
kenneth randle
Bobby is the ultimate from the SOUL singer, he can articulate his voice so uniquely,,,
jesusheals2
This a super jam!! Inspired and Holy...
tyrone hammock
True save all the small ones bring them up right that they will a picture of YOU!!!! show them the love we seen seek family!!!!!
David Prescott
I took a hit of acid,at a sleazy motel in hollywood ca,I heard the voice of god that night.Sober now; for some time,I will never forget that night.I went out and bought the disc the next day.What a trip its been.
Samuel Hosford
Bobby is the voice of God
Pharaoh Louis
David Prescott sometimes it’s just like
Dexter Hunter
Slick intro.
Hugh Jasshole
I LOVE YOU BOBBY !!! YOUR FRIEND , ROGER