Bobby Womack Quotes

Powerful Bobby Womack for Daily Growth

About Bobby Womack

Robert Darnell Womack, affectionately known as Bobby Womack, was an American singer, songwriter, and record producer who left a lasting impact on soul and R&B music. Born on March 4, 1944, in Cleveland, Ohio, Womack's love for music began at an early age, influenced by gospel music and the likes of Sam Cooke and B.B. King. At 10 years old, Womack began his career as a professional musician, performing with his family group, The Womack Brothers. They found success in the 1950s, with hits such as "Look Out (Here Comes Congress)" and "It's All Over Now." In the 1960s, Womack wrote and produced several hits for artists like Sam Cooke, The Rolling Stones, and Wilson Pickett, solidifying his status as a songwriting powerhouse. However, it was in the 1970s that Womack truly shone as a solo artist. His album "Understanding" (1974) produced timeless hits like "If You Want Me" and "Bring On the Night," showcasing his distinctive falsetto voice and soulful guitar work. The 1980s saw Womack experimenting with funk and pop influences, while the 1990s marked a return to his roots. His album "Resurrection of a Man" (1994) earned him a Grammy for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance. Throughout his career, Womack's music was marked by its raw emotional intensity and heartfelt storytelling. He passed away on June 7, 2016, leaving behind an indelible legacy in soul and R&B music. His quotes, such as "When you sing a song that touches somebody, it's because they're singing it to themselves," encapsulate the profound connection between his music and his audience.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"If you think I'm blind, you don't know my mind."

This quote by Bobby Womack suggests that although he may appear blind on the surface, he is not lacking in intelligence or insight. Essentially, he's saying that one should not underestimate him based on his outward appearance or a particular circumstance, as his mind holds a depth of understanding and wisdom that others might not be aware of.


"There's a difference between a woman and a friend."

This quote highlights that while there may be an emotional bond or intimacy between a man and a woman, it doesn't necessarily equate to a friendship. A woman in this context might be someone who is romantically involved, but a friend implies a level of mutual respect, trust, understanding, and shared experiences that are not always present within romantic relationships. The quote suggests the importance of recognizing the nuanced differences between these two fundamental human connections.


"I learned to live without her but I can't live without music."

The quote suggests that Bobby Womack found it difficult to cope without his loved one, yet he could find solace and continuity in music. Music became a source of strength for him amidst personal struggles or loss, serving as a constant companion through life's ups and downs. This underscores the profound impact and healing power of music on human emotions, especially during challenging times.


"I was born with the devil in me. I've got that fire burning inside."

This quote by Bobby Womack suggests he was a deeply passionate and intense individual, driven by an inner force or motivation. The "devil" metaphorically represents a strong, unrelenting spirit that fuels his creativity and talent, but may also be associated with personal struggles or challenges he faced in life. Overall, the quote conveys a sense of raw emotion, power, and resilience.


"Music is my language, it's the way I communicate to the world."

This quote by Bobby Womack underscores music as a universal means of expression, transcending verbal communication barriers. For him, music is not just entertainment but a personal tool to convey emotions, thoughts, and experiences to the world, thus establishing a connection that words may sometimes fail to achieve. It emphasizes music's profound ability to bring people together through shared feelings and understanding, making it an essential aspect of human interaction and culture.


When I first played New York, it was with James Brown at the Apollo, and I was playing in a band under the name The Valentinos. I remember Sam Cooke saying, 'I want you to go in there with James Brown. I couldn't be as hard on you as James Brown would be.' But we came out marching like soldiers.

- Bobby Womack

Soldiers, I Remember, James, Marching

I met a zillion people through Ronnie Wood. He's been my friend since he was in The Faces, and he's still my best friend. A real person, earthy, working 24 hours a day, uplifting to be around, and he's still got that fire about music.

- Bobby Womack

Through, Been, Real Person, Ronnie

I know a lot of people who are not here anymore, and I wonder why I'm still here... Not a day goes by that I don't think about Sam Cooke. His presence is so strong and so convincing to me, a true artist, a true talent, who never talked down to people.

- Bobby Womack

Strong, Artist, Here, None

I started with Sam Cooke when I was 6 or 7 years old.

- Bobby Womack

Old, Started, Cooke, None

Estee Lauder cologne. Sam Cooke always wore it, and I started wearing it because he wore it.

- Bobby Womack

Always, Started, Wearing, None

Plantation gospel music was the stuff I fell in love with when I was a kid - these beautiful melodies and these hard, hard stories.

- Bobby Womack

Love, Melodies, Stories, Gospel Music

It is my fondest wish that the gift of song that God has given me will flow from my soul to yours and help ease any burden that might weigh upon you.

- Bobby Womack

Gift, Song, Weigh, Flow

When I was a kid, during those days, you couldn't use instruments. It was against the pastor's religion, so all the singers would make these instruments with their voices. It was just unbelievable. I couldn't explain it.

- Bobby Womack

Explain, Singers, Use, Pastor

I've got to be honest: I don't listen to any music now. I don't even listen to mine! I like to walk fresh into the studio and have ideas that come straight out of me.

- Bobby Womack

Like, Studio, Mine, Fresh

You learn if you mind stay open. And once you can't learn no more, your mind must be closed. Life goes on and you keep growing, you know?

- Bobby Womack

Mind, Learn, More, Open

I keep living life as it's dealt to me. Sometimes, it's not dealt 100 percent. Sometimes it's dealt on the low '30s.

- Bobby Womack

Living, Percent, Sometimes, Living Life

People shout out for songs and I don't even remember writing them.

- Bobby Womack

Remember, Songs, Even, Shout

You knew the difference between Barbra Streisand and Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles, straight away. Now everyone sounds like each other, and I don't think that's right.

- Bobby Womack

Other, Away, Stevie Wonder, Franklin

Chicago is old stomping grounds for me.

- Bobby Womack

Me, Old, Grounds, Chicago

I'm amazed by the ground that I covered. The music's the number-one thing. And if it isn't, you better quit now.

- Bobby Womack

Music, Better, Amazed, Covered

I think people like it when I tell them, 'I'm lucky to be here, because they are, too. Ain't nothing to do with age. There ain't nothing promised to you. Everybody's going to die.

- Bobby Womack

Think, Lucky, Here, Promised

I like to swim, I like to play with my dogs and I love to eat - but I have to start watching that because my suits are getting too small.

- Bobby Womack

Love, Small, Play, Swim

I was on stage with Cyndi Lauper, and my trousers split. It seemed like she was going to sing for ever.

- Bobby Womack

Like, Going, Seemed, Split

Nobody could understand why a guy would love his guitar, then all of a sudden turn around and try to destroy it. Jimi was just different.

- Bobby Womack

Love, Understand, Could, Sudden

When I want to check out how my life's been, I go through my albums. They steps in my life.

- Bobby Womack

My Life, Through, Been, Steps

I was hoping I could become a success to give my mother and my father a better way of living.

- Bobby Womack

Living, Give, Better Way, Hoping

We take things for granted, and because we wake up every day, you start talking about what you're going to do next week. I said, 'Who told you you would be here next week?'

- Bobby Womack

Week, Next, Here, Granted

You gotta know when it's time to hang up. But when I finally go, let me go out on stage, my perfect ending. Don't let me go when I'm sick or asleep. Let me be in motion.

- Bobby Womack

Motion, Perfect, Hang, Asleep

Once upon a time, I could sing three hours. Now, when you see me say 'I'm done,' I'm done; ain't nothing left till the next night.

- Bobby Womack

Next, Hours, Till, Sing

People think you have to go through a lot of changes to become a soul singer, You just have to go through life.

- Bobby Womack

Think, Through, Lot, Changes

Leave them wanting more and you know they'll call you back.

- Bobby Womack

More, Leave, Call, Wanting

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