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.
Where There's A Will There's A Way
Bobby Womack Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When she needs me, but oh, that′s okay
She know I'll always be around
For her to lean on, any old way, oh
I know her intentions, devious inventions
She means well when she says she′ll repay
Oh, if she say she will (if she say, if she say she will)
Where there's a will there′s a way
Where there′s a goal there's a stay
Where there′s a stage there's a play
Where there′s a will there's a way, oh
"I love you" is the words she use
To get all the things she needs from me, but wait a minute
"I love you, too" is the words I use
Don′t you know that you can get all that you'll ever need
Ooh, baby, oh
I know her intentions, devious inventions
She means well when she says she'll repay
Oh, if she say she will (if she say, if she say she will)
Oh, if my baby says she will (if she say, if she say she will)
If, if, if, if, if my baby says she will (if she say, if she say she will)
I do believe she′ll find a way
Where there′s a will there's a way (where there′s a will there's a way)
Where there′s a goal there's a stay (where there′s a goal there's a stay)
Where there's a stage there′s a play (where there′s a stage there's a play)
Where there′s a will there's a way (where there′s a will there's a way)
I know if my baby say she will (if she say, if she say she will)
Oh, if my baby say she will (if she say, if she say she will)
Ooh, if my baby say she will (if she say, if she say she will)
If, if my baby say she will (if she say, if she say she will)
I do believe she′ll find a way
If there's a will there's a way (if there′s a will there′s a way)
If there's a goal there′s a stay (if there's a goal there′s a stay)
Where there's a stage there′s a play (where there's a stage there's a play)
Where there′s a will there′s a way (where there's a will there′s a way)
Where there's a will there′s a way (where there's a will there′s a way)
Where there's a goal there's a stay
The lyrics to Bobby Womack's song "Where There's A Will There's A Way" are about a man named Jenny who only comes to the singer when she needs something. The singer is aware of her devious intentions, but he is willing to help her anyway. He believes that if she says she will repay him, she will find a way to do so. The chorus mentions that where there is a will, there is a way, where there is a goal, there is a stay, and where there is a stage, there is a play. These lines seem to suggest that if one is determined and has a goal in mind, they will find a path to reach their objective.
The central theme of the song is the idea that with perseverance, anything is possible. The singer recognizes that Jenny only comes to him for help when she needs it, but he is willing to lend a helping hand nonetheless. He believes that if she is determined to repay him, she will find a way to do so. The chorus reinforces this message, stating that where there is a will, there is a way. The song's lyrics also convey a sense of empowerment, suggesting that anyone can achieve their goals if they are determined enough.
In summary, the lyrics to "Where There's A Will There's A Way" convey a message of perseverance and determination. The singer is willing to help a person with devious intentions, believing that they will find a way to repay him. The chorus drives home the idea that with a strong will and sense of purpose, anything is possible.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, Jenny only comes to me
When she needs me, but oh, that′s okay
She know I'll always be around
For her to lean on, any old way, oh
Jenny only seeks help from me when in need, but I am fine with it. She is aware that I will support her in any way possible.
I know her intentions, devious inventions
She means well when she says she′ll repay
Oh, if she say she will (if she say, if she say she will)
I believe she'll find a way
I am aware of her manipulative schemes but she has good intentions while promising to pay back. If she says she will fulfill her commitments then I have faith that she will achieve them.
Where there's a will there′s a way
Where there′s a goal there's a stay
Where there′s a stage there's a play
Where there′s a will there's a way, oh
Having a strong determination can lead to finding a solution for a problem. Having an aim results in progress. Every situation can offer an opportunity. A strong determination can lead to a solution.
"I love you" is the words she use
To get all the things she needs from me, but wait a minute
"I love you, too" is the words I use
Don′t you know that you can get all that you'll ever need
Ooh, baby, oh
She uses the words 'I love you' to get her needs fulfilled by me. I say 'I love you too' but she can find everything she needs on her own.
If, if, if, if, if my baby says she will (if she say, if she say she will)
I do believe she′ll find a way
Where there's a will there's a way (where there′s a will there's a way)
Where there's a goal there's a stay (where there's a goal there's a stay)
If she expresses her intention to follow through on her promises multiple times, I am convinced that she will find a way to keep them. Determination can lead to finding a solution and progress.
I know if my baby say she will (if she say, if she say she will)
Oh, if my baby say she will (if she say, if she say she will)
Ooh, if my baby say she will (if she say, if she say she will)
If, if, if, if, if my baby says she will (if she say, if she say she will)
I do believe she′ll find a way
If she repeatedly expresses her intention to fulfill her commitment, I am positive she will find a way to keep it.
Writer(s): Bobby Womack
Contributed by Cooper K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Darren Duncan
This song just jumped into my head from out of nowhere. I used to love it when it was current many years ago. I'm amazed that I remembered the name right and the artist. Wow. The mind is an amazing thing.
Madeline Andrade
This song sure brings back alot of good memories. No one does it like Bobby
Richard Ayers
RIP brother Bobby Womack. We will always love & cherish the soulful music that he left behind, for all the archives. This tune had special meaning to me, when it was released because as Bobby sings: "Genie, only comes to me, when she needs me, but oh.....that's okay!" And, by coincidence, I was dating a young lady who was named: Regina (Genie).
Gregory Yancey
Without a doubt the horns were kickin !
yoshluv7
Ok!!!!!!!
Keith D. Jones
Why am I just discovering this gem!!!?
Evelyn Ealy
Just goggle Bobby Womack and discover many more gems from The Poet . Bobby is the MAN
Warp75
As Darth Vader once said the groove is strong in this one
duke harris
What more can you say Mr Womack!
L Coleman
I was 5 when this song came out, good tune.