Artist: Bobby Womack
Song: Across 110th Street
Album: Across 110th Street Soundtrack
Mood: Bleak
There are certain songs I like to classify as “rainy-day” songs. They’re really only useful when the weather is awful and you have ample opportunity to lose yourself in the music, which is typically dreary and mournful. In fact, it’s nearly impossible to listen to these songs when the weather is nice- the mood of the song is so incongruous with the weather that it almost makes the song sound wrong, in a way. But there is something to be said about a song that fits a particular mood perfectly; after all, a lot of songs aren’t worth the time regardless of what the weather is like. One such song is Bobby Womack’s “Across 110th Street.”
If you’re familiar with the films of Quentin Tarantino, you may recognize it as the song that plays through the opening credits of “Jackie Brown,” though the song was composed decades before that movie was released. Womack’s singing is not as technically proficient as that of some of his peers (Marvin Gaye, Teddy Pendergrass, Al Green, Bill Withers, et al); whereas their vocals sound almost effortless, Womack actually sounds like he’s trying to hit the notes. But in this song, the often-heard ode to ghetto life, that passion gives the song more depth. It almost sounds as though Womack is trying to sing his way out of the ghetto, and there’s a certain desperation in the notes he hits- he’s worn down by it all. What’s just as important as how he sings is what he sings. “The family on the other side of town/Would catch hell, without a ghetto around.” Essentially, he’s saying that “In order to maintain a balance, somebody has to live in the ghetto- I’m just not happy that it’s me.” It’s a powerful song, and it resonates with me every time I hear it. Give it a listen- just make sure you do so when the weather is awful. It’ll make the experience that much more gratifying.
Possibly Related Posts:
- Waiting for the End
- Oh, It’s Going to Be One of THOSE Weeks
- Disappointment for the Grammy Awards
- Tuesdays Are the New Monday
- The Grunge Revival
