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 Womackโs 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.
Someday We
Bobby Womack Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just don't let the spin get you down
Think of moving fast
Hold on tight and you will last
Give your self respect, your manly pride
Get yourself in gear
Keep your stride
Never mind your fears
Take it from me, someday we'll all be free, yeah
Keep on walking tall
Hold your head up high
Lay your dreams right up to the sky
Sing your greatest song
And you'll keep going, going on
Take it from me, someday we'll all be free
Hey, just wait and see, some day we'll all be free, yeah
Take it from me, someday we'll all be free
It won't be long, take it from me, someday we'll all be free
Take it from me, take it from me, take it from me
In Bobby Womack's song "Someday We'll All Be Free," he encourages listeners to hang on to the world as it spins around despite the challenges and obstacles that life may bring. He advises not to let the spin of the world get us down and to think of moving fast. Womack urges people to hold on tight to their dreams, to give themselves respect and manly pride, and to get themselves in gear to keep their stride. He motivates listeners to never mind their fears, as brighter days will soon be here. Womack assures that someday we'll all be free and advises to take it from him. He emphasizes that we should keep on walking tall, hold our heads up high, and lay our dreams right up to the sky. Womack encourages listeners to sing their greatest song and keep going on, as someday we'll all be free. In conclusion, the song is all about remaining hopeful despite adversity and keeping our sights toward a brighter future.
Line by Line Meaning
Hang on to the world as it spins around
Don't lose sight of the world around you as things keep changing and moving.
Just don't let the spin get you down
But don't let the chaos and uncertainty bring you down.
Think of moving fast
Try to be proactive and adaptable.
Hold on tight and you will last
If you stay determined and committed, you will persevere.
Give your self respect, your manly pride
Value yourself, your accomplishments, and your masculinity.
Get yourself in gear
Take action and get things done.
Keep your stride
Stay true to who you are and don't let setbacks throw you off course.
Never mind your fears
Don't let fear hold you back from pursuing your dreams and goals.
Brighter days will soon be here
Even if things are tough now, there's still hope for a better future.
Take it from me, someday we'll all be free, yeah
Trust me, there will come a time when we'll be able to truly be free and find peace.
Keep on walking tall
Stay confident and proud.
Hold your head up high
Keep your chin up and continue to be optimistic.
Lay your dreams right up to the sky
Aim high and never give up on your aspirations.
Sing your greatest song
Express yourself and use your talents to the fullest.
And you'll keep going, going on
By staying true to yourself and pursuing your passions, you'll keep moving forward.
Hey, just wait and see, some day we'll all be free, yeah
Just wait and see - a day will come when we'll all be truly free.
It won't be long, take it from me, someday we'll all be free
It may not happen overnight, but I promise that freedom and peace will come eventually.
Take it from me, take it from me, take it from me
Believe me, trust me, take my word for it.
Lyrics ยฉ Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DONNY HATHAWAY, EDDY HOWARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TerrenceRamsey-lj5kl
I never knew this was cowritten by Donny Hathaway in early '73: but Bobby's version is an amazing redo of the original! As I listen to it, it reminds me of the things that my Grandfather, Burl Roberson, used to tell me as I grew up to be a man-"Take it from me; Someday, Lord knows, Terrell, We Will All Be Free"!!
@angelawilliams3793
I've never heard this particular song before by Bobby Womack, but it's beautiful! Yes! One day we all will be free of hatred, vengeance, too much pride and worrying about what other people think of you and the one person who always brought you strength and happiness. Yes! One day we all will be free.
@karenmarks1997
Please, God!!!
@Blackman19498
Donny Hathaway song
@brownsteven422
S, y z
@MzBettyK
I pray so. Beautiful song by The Poet.
@islandmanmikep
I cry every time I hear this song. It is so profound.
@kezmenflowers8691
This song speaks to my soul. Yeah, he might have done things, but HE MADE MUSIC! The same goes for David Ruffin and R. Kelly.
@kceen10
This is a beautiful song! RIP Poet! โค๏ธ
@tracywilliams4219
Yes this a beautiful song