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.
Sweet Caroline
Bobby Womack Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can't begin to knowin'
But then I know it's growing strong
Was in the spring
And spring became the summer
Who'd have believed you'd come along
Reachin' out
Touchin' me
Touchin' you
Sweet Caroline
Good times never seemed so good
I've been inclined
To believe they never would
But now I
Look at the night
And it don't seem so lonely
We fill it up with only two
And when I hurt
Hurtin' runs off my shoulders
How can I hurt when I'm with you
Warm, touchin' warm
Reachin' out
Touchin' me
Touchin' you
Sweet Caroline
Good times never seemed so good
I've been inclined
To believe they never would
Oh, no, no
Sweet Caroline
Good times never seemed so good
I've been inclined
To believe they never would
Sweet Caroline
Bobby Womack's song Sweet Caroline is a cover of Neil Diamond's classic hit. The song tells a story about a relationship that has blossomed unexpectedly. The opening line, "Where it began, I can't begin to knowin', but then I know it's growing strong" suggests that the singer doesn't know how the relationship started, but it's turned into something strong and significant. The next lines "Was in the spring, and spring became the summer, who'd have believed you'd come along" further reiterate that the relationship began spontaneously and unexpectedly.
The chorus "Sweet Caroline, good times never seemed so good, I've been inclined to believe they never would" expresses the joy and happiness the singer feels in the presence of his partner. The singer feels blessed to have found someone who brings happiness and comfort, which is evident from the line "And when I hurt, hurtin' runs off my shoulders, how can I hurt when I'm with you?" The relationship appears to have healed the pain and wounds of the past, filling the gaps of loneliness.
Line by Line Meaning
Where it began
I don't know exactly where this feeling started
I can't begin to knowin'
I have no idea how it began
But then I know it's growing strong
But I do know that this feeling is getting stronger every day
Was in the spring
I remember feeling this way in the spring
And spring became the summer
And as time went by, it turned into summer
Who'd have believed you'd come along
I never thought I'd find someone like you
Hands, touchin' hands
Our hands are touching each other
Reachin' out
We are reaching out to each other
Touchin' me
You are touching me and making me feel alive
Touchin' you
I am touching you and feeling a special connection
Sweet Caroline
I'm singing this song to you, my sweet Caroline
Good times never seemed so good
Everything feels better when I'm with you
I've been inclined
I've been predisposed to believe
To believe they never would
That good times would never feel this good
But now I
But things have changed
Look at the night
When I look at the night sky
And it don't seem so lonely
It doesn't feel as lonely as it used to
We fill it up with only two
Because we fill it up with our love for each other
And when I hurt
When I am in pain
Hurtin' runs off my shoulders
You make the pain go away just by being with me
How can I hurt when I'm with you
I can't feel hurt when I am with you
Warm, touchin' warm
Our bodies are touching each other and creating warmth
Sweet Caroline
You are so sweet, Caroline
Oh, no, no
I can't bear to be without you
Sweet Caroline
You are the sweetest thing in my life
Good times never seemed so good
Everything feels so much better when we're together
I've been inclined
I've always had a feeling
To believe they never would
That things would never be this good
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Neil Diamond
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kamia K Daniels
gone but not forgotten your music live on forever!
My Self
Just wow! This is my fave version so far.
Noki Nikau
Love His Soul Version of 'Sweet Caroline' Extraordinary xo
Wade Genwright
Superior Soul Perfection By The Almighty Fantabulous Mr. Bobby Womack Best Version Ever
Robert Gilliam
Nobody sing this song like Bobby Womack not even Neil diamond nobody 😊
Gerry Dean
You got that right
nattiley Jackson
My favorite
Formander Shears
You ain't never lied.
Kabirah Nazeem
The best version ❤❤❤
Joy Roberts
Loving Bobby Womack!!! Still listening in March, 2023!