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.
That's The Way I Feel About 'Cha
Bobby Womack Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everybody wants love
But everybody's afraid of love
You know, I'm a true believer
If you get anything out of life
You got to put up with the toil and strife
Ooh You're pushin' my love
I don't think you know
I don't think you know how blest you are
And your friend Annie May tell you all she see
Have you, ever thought she was tryin' to get close to me
Think it over, think it over, girl, think it over
That's the way I feel about 'cha
That's the way I feel about 'cha
I don't mind, I don't mind, I don't mind
I know you've been hurt and so have many others too
But that's the sacrifice that life put you thru
Put you thru, put you thru
Trust in me, my dear, have no fear
You don't know but God might have sent me here, sent me here
Think it over, think it over, girl, think it over
That's the way I feel about 'cha
(Any of us can leave for a long adventure)
That's the way I feel about 'cha
Don't take my love as a sign of weakness
Check into the situation, girl
Dig a little deeper
Think it over, think it over, girl, think it over
That's the way I feel about 'cha
That's the way I feel about 'cha
In the song "That's The Way I Feel About 'Cha", Bobby Womack delves into the complexities of love and relationships. He begins by acknowledging that everyone wants love, yet everyone is afraid of it. He asserts that, as a "true believer", he understands that in order to achieve anything in life, one must endure both the good and the bad. Womack then proceeds to address his significant other, telling her that she's "pushing his love a little bit too far" and that she may not understand how blessed she truly is. He warns her not to be misled by her friend Annie May, who may be trying to pursue Womack herself.
Despite acknowledging that his love interest has likely experienced much pain in her life, Womack reminds her that life is full of sacrifices and to trust in him without fear. He urges her to not mistake his love for weakness and to "dig a little deeper" into their relationship. Throughout the song, Womack's smooth and soulful delivery expresses a mixture of caution and sincerity.
Line by Line Meaning
Huh, you know life is funny when you look at it
Life can be unpredictable and ironic
Everybody wants love
Everyone desires love
But everybody's afraid of love
However, many are scared of love because of the risk of getting hurt
You know, I'm a true believer
I, on the other hand, believe in love
If you get anything out of life
In life, if you wish to attain anything
You got to put up with the toil and strife
You have to endure hardships and challenges
Ooh You're pushin' my love
You are testing my affection
A little bit too far
And you may have gone overboard
I don't think you know
You may not be aware
I don't think you know how blest you are
Of how fortunate you are
And your friend Annie May tell you all she see
Your friend Annie May may have been telling you things
Have you, ever thought she was tryin' to get close to me
You might have considered that she has personal motives behind that
Think it over, think it over, girl, think it over
Reflect about it, ponder on it
That's the way I feel about 'cha
That is how I truly feel about you
I don't mind, I don't mind, I don't mind
I do not care, I am not bothered
I know you've been hurt and so have many others too
I understand that you have gone through pain, like many others
But that's the sacrifice that life put you thru
That is the cost of living life
Trust in me, my dear, have no fear
Have faith in me, do not worry
You don't know but God might have sent me here, sent me here
You never know, perhaps God has placed me in your life for a reason
Don't take my love as a sign of weakness
Do not perceive my love as a vulnerability
Check into the situation, girl
Examine the matter more closely
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Abkco Music Inc.
Written by: John Grisby, Bobby Womack, Joseph Hicks
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Muziekgenot
That's the Way I Feel About 'ChaBobby Womack
Huh, you know life is funny when you look at it
Everybody wants love
But everybody's afraid of love
You know, I'm a true believer
If you get anything out of life
You got to put up with the toil and strife
Ooh You're pushin' my love
A little bit too far
I don't think you know
I don't think you know how blest you are
And your friend Annie May tell you all she see
Have you, ever thought she was tryin' to get close to me
Think it over, think it over, girl, think it over
That's the way I feel about 'cha
That's the way I feel about 'cha
I don't mind, I don't mind, I don't mind
I know you've been hurt and so have many others too
But that's the sacrifice that life put you thru
Put you thru, put you thru
Trust in me, my dear, have no fear
You don't know but God might have sent me here, sent me here
Think it over, think it over, girl, think it over
That's the way I feel about 'cha
(Any of us can leave for a long adventure)
That's the way I feel about 'cha
Don't take my love as a sign of weakness
Check into the situation, girl
Dig a little deeper
Think it over, think it over, girl, think it over
That's the way I feel about 'cha
That's the way I feel about 'cha
Songwriters: Bobby Womack / Joe Grisby / John Grisby / Joseph Hicks / Joseph H Hicks
@rodriecka4089
Huh, you know, life is funny when you look at it
Everybody wants love
But everybody's afraid of love
You know, I'm a true believer that
If you get anything out of life
You've got to put it with the toils and strife
… Now listen, hoo
You're pushing my love
A little bit too far
I don't think you know
I don't think you know how blessed you are
… And your friend, Annie Mae
Tell you all she see
Have you ever thought she was trying to get close to me? Yeah
… Think it over
Think it over, girl
Think it over
… Look
That's the way I feel about 'cha
(That's the way I feel about 'cha) and if that's being weak, for you, darling, yeah
I don't mind, I don't mind
I don't mind, I don't mind
… That's the way I feel about 'cha
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
That's the way I feel about 'cha
… I know you been hurt
And so has many others too
But that's a sacrifice
That life puts you through
Puts you through, puts you through
… Trust in me, my dear
Have no fear
You don't know but
God might have sent me here
Yeah (sent me here)
… Think it over
Think it over (think)
You better think it over
Hmm, oh, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah
… 'Cause that's the way I feel about 'cha
That's the way I feel about 'cha
Let me say, yeah, yeah
That's the way I feel about 'cha
Whoa, oh, oh, oh
That's the way I feel about 'cha
… I knew, I knew
You know, you know
You know, you know
… well
That's the way I feel about ya (that's the way I feel about 'cha)
… Please, please
Please answer love
If it ever comes knocking at your door (well, I don't care)
'Cause what's out there knocking, baby? (darlin')
The world don't give enough of, don't give enough of
… I know you've been hurt
And so has others too
But all you got to do is ask about the changes
That life has put them through
… Lord, have mercy
This is just the way it is
… Listen
Don't take my love
As a sign of weakness
Check into the situation, girl
Dig a little bit deeper
… 'Cause that's the way I feel about 'cha
Oh, that's the way
That's the way I feel about 'cha (wahhh)
… That's the way I feel about 'cha (hold on)
(That's the way, that's the way) that's the way, that's the way, that's the way I feel about 'cha
That's the way I feel about 'cha
I wanna testify this here (that's the way I feel about 'cha)
So if I'm weak for you, and I don't light up (that's the way I feel about 'cha)
Well, don't you lead me back (that's the way I feel about 'cha)
… Let me say it, say it, say it
Say it, say it, say it (well)
That's the way I feel about 'cha
@tiairasmama
When I hear this, I can see my dad clearly sitting up on the stool in the basement swaying with arms up wide looking at my mom singing his heart out as if he wrote this song specifically for her. How I miss them so much....❤️ That's how I feel about ya.
@stalee34
🥰🥰
@stephendaparma3303
❤️❤️
@sheashea4622
That's a beautiful memory😊😊
@86juice55
Your not the only one my daddy use to play this song on his record player n the 90s 😂 wen I here it I c my daddy singing n dancing which makes it my favorite song 💯💞
@timmcdowell6027
I can so relate.
@keriengiddens4035
I’m only 22 years old and even I know this is what real music sounds like. Real soul. Not doing it for money, doing it because it’s your passion.
@williamwright3830
Did the only 20 you're very wise I don't know how old your comment is Billy of the first state of Delaware
@marcelmalone909
As a 10 year old kid back in the 70's I would always go to the local Bar in the afternoon to get some money from my pops. Never understood why a bunch of grown men would be sitting in a dimly lit bar on a nice sunny afternoon drinking beers listening to this song. Now that I'm grown and been thru some things, I TOTALLY TOTALLY UNDERSTAND !! A pure Gem of soulful music that can NEVER be duplicated. Damn I miss those days.
@stitchfacegotthesauce
That's so fucking cool to hear so much history tied to music. I'm still a kid and I actively am tryna find music like this!! I love this stuff so much