Bobby Womack

Bobby Womack

Bobby Womack is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist from Cleveland, Ohio, active in soul, R&B, funk and southern soul. Born in 1944 and dying in 2014, he first emerges in music as a child performer and later becomes one of the notable voices and guitarists in 1970s and 1980s soul.

Early career and family group

Womack begins performing with his brothers in 1952, following their father’s gospel singing. In 1954 the group records as Curtis Womack and the Womack Brothers and issues the Pennant single “Buffalo Bill” when Bobby Womack is ten years old. Sam Cooke takes an interest in the group, and they record for Cooke’s SAR label in the early 1960s. Cooke encourages a move toward a more secular, commercial sound, and the group is renamed the Valentinos.

Songwriting, session work and solo success

As the Valentinos, Womack writes and records “It’s All Over Now” in 1964, a song later turned into a major hit by the Rolling Stones. He also writes “I Can Understand It” for New Birth. After Sam Cooke’s death in 1964, Womack marries Cooke’s widow Barbara, and his younger brother Cecil later marries Cooke’s daughter Linda. Womack works as a session guitarist at Chips Moman’s American Studios in Memphis, playing on recordings by Joe Tex and The Box Tops.

By around 1967, Womack has little solo success, but at American he begins releasing a run of soul singles, including “What Is This,” his first chart hit in 1968, along with “It’s Gonna Rain” and “More Than I Can Stand.” His guitar style is marked by a restrained rhythm approach alongside expressive vocals. He also writes songs recorded by Wilson Pickett, including “I’m in Love” and “I’m a Midnight Mover.”

1970s and 1980s recordings

After moving to United Artists in the early 1970s, Womack releases the album Communication. On an album with guitarist Gabor Szabo, he introduces “Breezin’,” later a hit for George Benson. He also records cover versions of “Everybody’s Talkin’,” “Fly Me to the Moon (In Other Words),” “Fire and Rain” and “California Dreamin’.” His guitar work appears on Sly & the Family Stone’s 1971 album There’s a Riot Goin’ On.

He continues to score hits through the 1970s with “Lookin’ for a Love,” a remake of a 1962 Valentinos single, “Across 110th Street,” “Woman’s Gotta Have It,” “You’re Welcome, Stop on By” and “Daylight.” These recordings place him among the major soul voices of the period. The Poet, released in 1981, becomes a surprise hit and includes “If You Think You’re Lonely Now.”

Later recognition and collaborations

Womack is inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009. In 2010 he contributes lyrics and vocals to Gorillaz’s “Stylo,” performing alongside Mos Def, and also sings on “Cloud of Unknowing.” He appears with Gorillaz at Glastonbury in 2010. His first album of original material since Resurrection is The Bravest Man in the World, produced by Damon Albarn and Richard Russell. Womack is associated with Bobby Womack Music and with The Browns All-Star Band.

His songs remain widely referenced and covered, including “If You Think You’re Lonely Now,” which is covered by K-Ci Hailey and quoted in Mariah Carey’s “We Belong Together,” and “Across 110th Street,” which is used by Quentin Tarantino in Jackie Brown. His interpretation of “California Dreamin’” also attracts attention through a Saab commercial.