Bobby Womack, That’s The Way I Feel About ‘Cha | Throwback Vibez

In the 129^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2023), we recollect and reflect on “That’s The Way I Feel About ‘Cha” by Bobby Womack.

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez ! Throwback Vibez is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace this column are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re ancient – no fossils ! All genres of music are welcome. In the 129^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2023), we recollect and reflect on “That’s The Way I Feel About ‘Cha”, performed by Bobby Womack. 

“You know I’m a true believer / That if you get anything out of life / You’ve got to put up with / The toils of strife.” AMEN ! The late Bobby Womack (1944 – 2014) is one of soul music’s true greats.  His voice oozes with expression, grit, and – wait for it – S-O-U-L.  Womack, sadly, didn’t earn as many pop hits or RIAA certifications as some of his contemporaries, but his catalog shines bright, nonetheless.  One of his best songs, “That’s The Way I Feel About ‘Cha”, from his 1971 album, Communication, did earn some love on the Billboard Hot 100, to the tune of no. 27.  “That’s The Way I Feel About ‘Cha,” hence, is his second-highest charting single behind his sole top 10 hit, “Lookin’ for a Love”.

So, what makes “That’s The Way I Feel About ‘Cha” the sugar honey iced tea? Well, the authenticity of Womack’s vocal performance is definitely a big deal – he sounds amazing.  Furthermore, the backdrop is lovely, led by the smooth guitar, robust bass, the drum groove, as well as those glorious strings , idiomatic of the musical style in the 1970s.  Of course, another huge selling point is the songwriting.  Womack penned “That’s The Way I Feel About ‘Cha” alongside  Joe Hicks, and John Grisby.  The theme is all about L-O-V-E, specifically opening your heart up to love.  For Womack, he has to convince his love interest to trust him: “Trust in me, my dear / Have no fear / You don’t know but / God might have sent me here / Yeah, sent me here.” He encourages her, consistently to, “Think it over / Think it over / You better think it over.” In the bridge, he also advises,  “Please, please / Please answer love if it / Ever comes knocking at your door / ‘Cause what’s out there knocking , baby / The world don’t give enough of…”  Yep, he has a point! Of course, the crème de la crème, the crowning achievement, and the centerpiece of  “That’s The Way I Feel About ‘Cha” is none other than the chorus:

“That’s the way I feel about cha

That’s the way I feel about cha

(And If that’s being weak

For you, darling, yeah

I don’t mlnd, I don’t mind

I don’t mlnd, I don’t mind)

That’s the way I feel about cha

(Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh)

That’s the way I feel about cha.”

#CLASSIC !

Bobby Womack • Communication • The Right Stuff • 1971

Bobby Womack, That’s The Way I Feel About ‘Cha: Throwback Vibez No. 129 (2023) [: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; The Right Stuff; John Alan Sperry, PIRO via  Pixabay]