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.
Whatever Happened To The Times?
Bobby Womack Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Baby it's alright, don't even pay me no mind
I'm just looking for, for my yesterday
So my only memories, I watch them fade and fade away
Whoa, sweet baby mine,
What ever happened to those good times
Sweet, sweet baby mine
People like to know that, I'm not by myself, I'm not alone
These lyrics from Bobby Womack's song Whatever Happened To The Times? touch upon themes of nostalgia, memory, and searching for a sense of identity in the present. The first two lines suggest that the singer is on a quest for something elusive - the memories of the past, perhaps, or a simpler time that no longer exists. The mention of "yesterday" implies that these memories are tied to a specific point in time, and that the singer is struggling to come to terms with how much has changed since then.
The chorus, with its repetition of "sweet baby mine / What ever happened to those good times," reinforces the sense of longing and sadness that runs through the song. It seems that the singer is addressing somebody, perhaps a former love or friend, who shared these memories with him. By asking this question, he is suggesting that something fundamental has been lost - a sense of community, happiness, or hope - and that he doesn't know how to get it back.
The final line, "People like to know that I'm not by myself, I'm not alone," provides a glimmer of hope in an otherwise melancholy song. It suggests that the singer is not the only one struggling with these feelings of loss and disorientation, and that there may be comfort in sharing these experiences with others. Overall, Whatever Happened To The Times? is a poignant exploration of the ways in which our memories shape our present-day experiences, and how we cope with the fact that we can never truly return to the past.
Line by Line Meaning
If you see me running through some streets in life
If you happen to come across me aimlessly wandering through life
Baby it's alright, don't even pay me no mind
Don't worry about me or try to help, everything is under control
I'm just looking for, for my yesterday
I'm searching for a time in my past that I miss
So my only memories, I watch them fade and fade away
My cherished memories are slowly slipping away from me
Whoa, sweet baby mine,
Addressing and expressing affection towards a loved one
What ever happened to those good times
Questioning the disappearance of happy moments from the past
Sweet, sweet baby mine
Reiterating love for a significant other
What ever happened to those good times
Once again wondering about the loss of joyful experiences
People like to know that, I'm not by myself, I'm not alone
Others prefer to have the assurance that I am not alone in life
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BOBBY WOMACK, JIMMY FORD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
IntoxicCH
Probably my single most favourite music video of 2012. Takes you back to all the sad and lonely moments in your life... but in a good way, not depressing you even more but giving you strength for the future. After what you have been through, nothing will keep you from making your way, even if, at times, you have to walk the path alone. So blue yet so hopeful, a very fine line for a song to walk on. Takes someone like Bobby to make it work.
Segeric
Mr. Womack, I'm never alone when I have you playing on my speakers. Rest in peace.
TRAEDONYA! TOUR STATION
BIG TUNE!!!!!!! I love this!!!! I loooooooooooooove Sir Bobby Womack and all of his work!!!!!!!!! It's about time our generation out here realize that our elders are the masters.....especially artist and musicians....THIS MAN IS A LEGEND!!!!!!!!! .Whomever it is that came up with the idea to place Sir Bobby Womack on new music for 2012....is pure genius!!!!!!!!! AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!! HE SOUNDS SOOOOOOOO SWEEEEETTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!
amgIscha
This song is truly amazing and so inspiring. I just forget everything and just feel the song.
Jonah Rosenthal
This is one of the few songs that I just have to keep coming back to every few days. Cuts straight through to the soul. I'll be keeping Bobby in my thoughts hoping that his symptoms don't get worse any time soon,
waverly williams
Great album it covers the stage of life that I'm at now.Those good times now only live in the inner space of my mind and heart, but there's still time enough for plenty more dream moments and I will be listening to"The Bravest Man In The Universe"as I live them!!! THANKS,Mr. Womack, your music has been like the sound track of my life!!! I fe'l ya!!!
dfx
agreed, this song makes you have confidence that while something may not be easy it can be the right thing to do in the big picture
Nego Pinturas
Só músicas boas 70 80 👍👍👍💘
dekipantelija
Dear mr Womack, you song vibrates in my heart that is yet so young (22), and i can't dare imagine the melancholy i'll carry when i'll be your age. But i shall learn from your experience, contemplate the path you and all the elders walked before me, and learn from your footsteps. They will remind me that i'm not alone, and that my own ones need to be just as clear, for those younger ones walking behind me.
dekipantelija
thks :)