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.
So Many Sides of You
Bobby Womack Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pode o medo chegar
Espero ansiosamente
A luz da aurora aparecer
Eu sei, que a manhã logo vem
Vem o alvorecer de um novo tempo
Mas ainda é noite
Tenho um posto pra guardar
Sou chamado a anunciar
Até meu nome Deus trocou
Agora eu já sei quem sou, eu sou...
Sentinela da Manhã
Que anuncia a chegada do sol
Proclama que Jesus Ressuscitou
Eu sei que o dia vem,
Vem, maranathá vem
Jesus minha esperança
Que nunca me engana
Eu sei, o mundo quer sua luz
Quer o alvorecer de um novo tempo
Mas ainda é noite...
In Bobby Womack's song "So Many Sides of You" he sings about the fear that can arrive in the middle of the night, but also the hope that the morning will bring a new dawn. The lyrics talk about being a sentinel of the morning, guarding a post and proclaiming the arrival of Jesus who has risen. The singer says that he knows who he is, a sentinel of the morning who lives in hope that the world will have a new awakening.
The first line in Portuguese, "No coração da noite pode o medo chegar" translates to "In the heart of the night, fear can arrive". The lyrics paint a picture of waiting for the light of dawn, which represents hope for a new start. The singer proclaims that he is a Sentinel of the Morning, announcing that the day is coming soon and so is Jesus. He knows who he is and what he is meant to do, which brings him comfort and purpose.
Overall, "So Many Sides of You" delivers a message of hope, even in the face of fear and uncertainty, and emphasizes the importance of having a clear identity and purpose. The song encourages listeners to embrace their identities, take on their roles as sentinels of the morning, and be a light in the darkness.
Line by Line Meaning
No coração da noite
In the heart of the night
Pode o medo chegar
Fear can arrive
Espero ansiosamente
I eagerly wait
A luz da aurora aparecer
For the light of dawn to appear
Eu sei, que a manhã logo vem
I know that morning comes soon
Vem o alvorecer de um novo tempo
Bringing the dawn of a new time
Mas ainda é noite
But it's still night
Tenho um posto pra guardar
I have a post to guard
Sou chamado a anunciar
I am called to announce
Até meu nome Deus trocou
Even God changed my name
Agora eu já sei quem sou, eu sou...
Now I know who I am, I am...
Sentinela da Manhã
Morning sentinel
Que anuncia a chegada do sol
Announcing the arrival of the sun
Proclama que Jesus Ressuscitou
Proclaiming that Jesus has risen
Eu sei que o dia vem,
I know the day is coming
Vem, maranathá vem
Come, Maranatha, come
Jesus minha esperança
Jesus, my hope
Que nunca me engana
Who never deceives me
Eu sei, o mundo quer sua luz
I know the world wants your light
Quer o alvorecer de um novo tempo
Wants the dawn of a new time
Mas ainda é noite...
But it's still night...
Writer(s): BOBBY WOMACK, JIM FORD
Contributed by Elena R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
JaZZy JM
Will always be a Bobby Womack fan. His soulful voice is timeless. Great music, makes feel like dancing. ❤️
E le
Damn I'm just discovering how great he is. I only heard a couple of his songs growing up. Wow he's got some Awesome songs!!!
Markus Mildner
Always loved the voice and sound of Bobby Womack. So many sides of pure entertainment. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Kimberly McClary
Love me some Bobby Womack. Every song is dynamite.
MONEY BRINGS DRAMA 🎭💃
U better tellem
Karin Muziek
Wow, this music is awesome! That voice and rythm!
Farrah C
Thank you for uploading. Love Mr Womack! 🖤🙏 4.3.2020
MONEY BRINGS DRAMA 🎭💃
So smooth I'll be his fool
Niesha C
I truly appreciate this song🔥🎵
Alex O'Day
This was an ad for me, last night... more music to love. This is amazing