As a solo artist, Parker composed "Blues Get Off My Shoulder" and the B-side "You Got What it Takes" for his 1958 Vee-Jay Records single. That B-side was then recorded by Motown artist Marv Johnson in 1959, falsely listing Berry Gordy, Gwen Fuqua, and Roquel "Billy" Davis (also known as Tyran Carlo) as songwriters. Lacking legal resources, Parker didn't contest the song's appropriation; and Johnson's version became a hit for Motown. Parker's best-known song, "Watch Your Step," was recorded at Edgewood Studios in Washington, DC, and released in 1961 on V-Tone records. The song was a major international influence, being covered by British rock groups including the Spencer Davis Group, and inspiring artists like John Lennon of The Beatles, Carlos Santana, and Led Zeppelin. Bobby Parker settled in Washington, DC, in the early 1960's and performed at local venues such as the Flamingo in DC and the Tip Top Club in Bladensburg, MD. Beginning in 1992, he held a monthly spot at Madam's Organ in DC. During this period, he released two albums on Black Top Records: "Bent out of Shape" (1993) and "Shine Me Up" (1995). Parker passed away on October 31, 2013 at the age of 76.