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.
What Is This
Bobby Womack Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What is this? Somebody tell me!
Yeahha! What is this now? I like it!
What is this? Look!
What is this thing that's gotta hold on me?
What is this feeling that won't let me be?
Evan with my problems I can sleep tonight,
cause' it let's me know everything's gonna be alright.
It's gotta be the love of my baby Yeah!
It's gotta be the love of my baby Yeah!
Heyhh!
What is this? Come on!
What is this? Ouhh!
What is this? Somebody tell me!
What is this? Ah look up!
Without daystealing hoping life be
it would mean nothing at all to me
Even with my problems I can sleep tonight-ah!
Cause' it let's me know everything's going be allright.
It's got to be the love of my baby!
It's got to be the love of my baby Hhh!
Ohh! Oh yeah! Whoho what a feeling!
This thing keeps me rockin' anda' reelin' Auhh! Auhh!
What is this? Sombody tells me!
What is this? Nowahh!
What is thisah a agotagotagotagot
I can walk with my head up high
This thing called love keeps me alive.
If You got it You'll understand
why I'll keep parling out over this land
I keep on asking You:
It's got to be the love of my baby!
It's got to be the love of my baby!
She got some a walk, she got in my talk
In Bobby Womack's song What Is This, he sings of a strong feeling that has taken hold of him and won't let him be, even with all his personal problems. He asks repeatedly what this feeling is, and eventually realizes that it is the love of his baby that is keeping him going. The song speaks to the power of love to sustain us even during tough times, and how it gives us the strength to face whatever challenges come our way. Womack's soulful and passionate voice conveys the depth of emotion behind the lyrics, making the listener feel the urgency and intensity of the singer's experience.
The repetition of the line "What is this?" serves to emphasize the confusion and mystery surrounding the feeling Womack is describing. He offers no clear answer, but rather invites his listeners to question their own experiences of love and what it means to them. The song also showcases some classic soul music tropes, such as the use of call-and-response between the singer and backup vocals, and the incorporation of gospel-inspired harmonies in the chorus.
Line by Line Meaning
What is this? Oh Yeah!
Expressing excitement and enthusiasm, wondering what new thing or experience is happening.
What is this? Somebody tell me!
Asking for help to identify and understand a new feeling or situation.
Yeahha! What is this now? I like it!
Expressing enjoyment and satisfaction with an unknown or unexpected thing.
What is this? Look!
Urging others to pay attention and witness something new or important.
What is this thing that's gotta hold on me?
Questioning and pondering the power that something has over one's thoughts and actions.
What is this feeling that won't let me be?
Wondering about a strong and persistent emotion that continues to affect one's daily life.
Even with my problems I can sleep tonight,
cause' it let's me know everything's gonna be alright.
Finding comfort and reassurance amidst personal struggles through this new experience or feeling.
It's gotta be the love of my baby Yeah!
Realizing that the source of this new and positive feeling is the love of one's partner.
Without daystealing hoping life be
it would mean nothing at all to me
Even with my problems I can sleep tonight-ah!
Cause' it let's me know everything's going be allright.
Reflecting on the importance of having hope and love in life, and how it provides peace of mind even during difficult times.
It's got to be the love of my baby!
Affirming that the love of one's partner is the foundation of this new and positive experience.
Ohh! Oh yeah! Whoho what a feeling!
This thing keeps me rockin' anda' reelin' Auhh! Auhh!
Expressing joy and excitement about the transformative power of this new feeling, which fills one with energy and vitality.
What is this? Sombody tells me!
What is this? Nowahh!
What is thisah a agotagotagotagot
Continuing to seek understanding and answers about this inexplicable but wondrous feeling.
I can walk with my head up high
This thing called love keeps me alive.
If You got it You'll understand
why I'll keep parling out over this land
I keep on asking You:
Realizing that the love one has for another person can provide the strength and confidence to face the challenges of life, and expressing a desire to share this feeling with others.
It's got to be the love of my baby!
It's got to be the love of my baby!
She got some a walk, she got in my talk
Reaffirming that the love of one's partner is the key to this newfound vitality, and expressing admiration for their unique qualities.
Writer(s): Bobby Womack Copyright: Keymen Music
Contributed by Asher I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@italiankaren
Another super soulful song from back in the day. Love this song. Bobby Womack had it goin on!
@pohccahodass9436
:)You got SOUL~ There's a special place in Heaven for you Mary Ann and I hope I can hug you there :)
@anthonycothran352
Ahhh the summer of 1968
@martincarlos3759
Music, Music, Music, Music !!!!
@DarkEliteEric
Funky!
@guidixest
Bom demais!
@rhythmandbluesconspiracyof9492
Killer
@RitchieRosson
What a vocal performance! Incredible track. Thank you for posting this gem. Hello from London. Where are you people at?
@bluekrypton1
I love this song thanks for putting it out here. There are some that still remember the songs not recognized. It was in the early late 60's and early 70's when I heard this. Its amazing that years later Walter Hawkins came back with a gospel "What is this." Now if any one with some history on this song, meaning that a lot of singers (Bobby Bland, Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, and others used gospel) I would love to learn the history of "What is this."
@anthonycothran352
Song came out in the summer of 1968