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 Where It's At
Bobby Womack Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They seem to like it fast
But every now and then you wanna hold someone nice and close
To slow drag, ha ha, I know you′ll know what I'm talking about
And it takes a special kinda song to do that
And I′d like to do that for you right now
Lights turn down way down low
With someone you love so
That's where it's at, yeah
Your heart beatin′ fast
Knowin′ time will pass
Hoping that it'll last
That′s where it's at, yeah
That′s where it's at, pretty lady
That′s where it's at (I really mean it honey)
That's where it′s at, pretty lady
That′s where it's at, yeah
World turned upside down
You′re making not a sound
No one else around
That's where it′s at
You say, "It's time to go"
She says "Yes, yes I know"
But just stay one minute more
That′s where it's at
And oh, that's where it′s at, pretty baby
That′s where it's at (I wouldn′t tell you if I didn't mean it)
That′s where it's at, pretty baby
That′s where it's at
That's where it′s at, pretty baby
That′s where it's at
That′s where it's at, pretty baby
That′s where it's at all night long
That′s where it's at, pretty baby
That's where it′s at
That′s where it's at, pretty baby
That′s where it's at
In Bobby Womack's song That's Where It's At, the lyrics speak to the power of slow, romantic music with someone you love. The song begins with Womack acknowledging that some people prefer fast music, but he knows that from time to time, people want to slow dance and hold their special someone close. The song's tempo then slows down, and Womack's deep, soulful voice sings about the world turning upside down and making not a sound while dancing with the one you love. The lyrics suggest that this is a special time, where it's just the two of you together in your own world.
In the second verse, Womack describes the feeling of your heart beating fast, knowing that time will eventually pass, but hoping that the moment lasts forever. He acknowledges that eventually, the night will come to an end, but he urges his lover to stay for just one more minute, in that special place where it's just the two of them. The song ends with Womack repeating, "That's where it's at, pretty baby," reminding us that this is the moment that matters, and that's where we want to be.
Overall, the lyrics of That's Where It's At are simple, but the heart and soul that Womack puts into them make the song an anthem for those romantic moments when time seems to stand still.
Line by Line Meaning
You know some people like music
Some people have a great love for music
They seem to like it fast
Fast-paced songs are popular among some people
But every now and then you wanna hold someone nice and close
Occasionally, people desire to hold someone close to them
To slow drag, ha ha, I know you'll know what I'm talking about
Referring to a specific type of dance, the slow drag
And it takes a special kinda song to do that
Certain songs are appropriate for slow dancing
And I'd like to do that for you right now
I would like to play a slow dance song for you
Lights turn down way down low
Dimming of the lights to create a certain ambiance
Music soft and slow
Playing slow-paced music sets a particular mood
With someone you love so
Slow dancing is best enjoyed with someone you love
That's where it's at, yeah
This is the ideal ambience for a slow dance
Your heart beatin' fast
Emotions and pulse are heightened during intimate moments
Knowin' time will pass
The moment will not last forever
Hoping that it'll last
Wishing that the moment could be prolonged
That's where it's at, yeah
The ultimate experience to slow dance
That's where it's at, pretty lady
This is the perfect moment and mood for intimacy
That's where it's at (I really mean it honey)
I sincerely believe this is the perfect moment for us
World turned upside down
The world around you feels different in this moment
You're making not a sound
The quietness of the moment is only interrupted by your breath
No one else around
You feel like you are in your own world right now
That's where it's at
This is the ultimate moment of intimacy
You say, "It's time to go"
The moment is over and it is time to depart
She says "Yes, yes I know"
The other person is aware it is time to go
But just stay one minute more
Wishing the moment could last for at least one more minute
That's where it's at
This is the best moment of intimacy that one could ask for
And oh, that's where it's at, pretty baby
This moment is the pinnacle of closeness
That's where it's at (I wouldn't tell you if I didn't mean it)
I am being genuine and sincere when I express this sentiment
That's where it's at all night long
This experience of intimacy is something one desires to experience for an extended period
Writer(s): Sam Cooke, J.w. Alexander
Contributed by Mackenzie W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
riadinio13
woow great version !!!!
Bobby is MAGIC , simply the best artist all time
Eleanor Courtney
DRIVING DOWN A COUNTRY ROAD AND SEE A JUKE JOINT AND HEAR THIS SONG PLAYING INSIDE MAKES YOU WANNA STOP GET OUT AND SLOW DANCE WHEREEVER YOU ARE STANDING...WHEW THAT'S WHERE ITS AT FOR SHO
breanna thomas
bobby womack was and still is my guy.. love this song😊😊😊
April Dixon
yesss i love this song!!! Bobby womack voice was the greatest😍😍
gloria rollins
It honestly doesn’t get better than Bobby, and his pure soulful voice, it cannot. He did the thing!!!!! RIP my powerful, talented underrated brother!!!!!!
ronny williams
MY SHIT MAN .....HOLDING YOU IN MY HEART
gloria rollins
That’s where it’s at even in 2019”
Bernice Nelson
Come on Bobby!!!!!Love it!!!!
Savage Life
It hurts me when I think about his relationship with Sam Cooke, but you can't deny this music...... Maybe this was his way of redeeming himself with Sam.... By giving him shout outs through musical renditions of Sam's songs...... I hope that's the case... I love Bobby Womack and don't want to visualize him in negative light...... We still need music like this....
Phillip Watts, Jr.
To me, this was the great thing about Bobby Womack. You knew he wasn't no angel. You knew he's made plenty of decisions that weren't exactly bright ones. Shit, the same can be said for every damn body in this entertainment industry. However, Bobby had the talent to be able to take all those situations, take all that regret and put it into song. You listen to this man and you just knew he been through some shit. That is part of what made this man a legend, what made him irreplaceable. And I don't think his talent and his music would've been anywhere near what it is if he had a squeaky clean life. It's what THE BLUES is about.