Formed in 1969, the rock band Bread was a popular group during the 1970s. The group was Comprised of singer-songwriter David Gates, singer-songwriter Jimmy Griffin, and Robb Royer.
Mike Botts became their drummer in 1969 and stayed with them until 1971. That’s when Larry Knechtel replaced Royer as keyboardist. Even though Gates wrote the songs, Royer helped out a lot too. In fact, Gates would go on to write and sing most of the group’s famous hits.
The band released several successful albums before disbanding in 1977. Their music was heavily influenced by folk and soft rock, and their most famous songs include “Make It With You,” “If,” and “Baby I’m-A Want You.” The band’s members went on to pursue solo careers after disbanding, but they have occasionally reunited for concerts over the years.
Bread’s sweet and soft voice would be their trademark sound. That, combined with more aggressive album tracks, clearly established Bread as the forerunners of 70’s soft rock. They were in great company with artists like Seals & Crofts, James Taylor, Jim Croce, Harry Chapin, and The Carpenters. Though Bread was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2006, David Gates has yet to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Considering all the classics he wrote, this is obviously a big oversight.
Below is a list of our 9 favorite Bread songs.
Baby I’m-a Want You
One of the most iconic songs of the 1970s, “Bread – Baby I’m-a Want You” is a perfect example of the soft rock sound that defined the decade. The song was released in 1971 as part of the album of the same name, and it quickly became a hit, reaching number four on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The lyrics are simple and memorable, and the melody is both catchy and easy to sing along to. The song has been covered by a number of artists over the years, but it remains best known in its original form. “Bread – Baby I’m-a Want You” is a classic example of 1970s soft rock, and it remains a favorite among fans of the genre.
The song “Baby I’m-a Want You” was on the album Baby I’m-a Want You by Bread. This album came out in 1972 and featured three other popular songs including “Diary” and “Everything I Own.” The song itself reached number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in November of 1971. It was written, sung, and produced by David Gates.
Make It With You
“Make It With You” is a song by the American pop rock band Bread, released in 1970 as the lead single from their self-titled debut album. The song was written by band member David Gates and became a worldwide hit, reaching the top of the charts in several countries.
The lyrics of “Make It With You” are simple but effective, telling the story of a young man who is head over heels in love with a girl who seems unattainable. The song’s catchy melody and Gates’ soulful vocals make it an instant classic, and it has since been covered by a number of artists. “Make It With You” is a timeless love song that deserves its place among the greatest pop songs of all time.
Sweet Surrender
Released in 1972, “Sweet Surrender” is a soft rock ballad by the American band Bread. The song became one of the band’s most popular singles, reaching #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. “Sweet Surrender” features a delicate, fingerpicked guitar intro that sets the mood for the song’s reflective lyrics.
The vocal performance is heartfelt and emotive, with the singer’s voice cracking on the high notes. The song builds to a beautiful climax, with the lyrics acknowledges the power of love to heal even the deepest wounds. “Sweet Surrender” is a truly moving piece of music, and it remains one of Bread’s most beloved songs.
The song “Sweet Surrender.” can be found on their fifth album, Guitar Man released in 1972.
Diary
“Diary” was released by the band in 1972. The song was written by lyricist David Gates and produced by Gates and Jimmy Griffin. “Diary” peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and number two on the Easy Listening chart. The song also reached number one in Canada.
“Diary” is a ballad about a man who is struggling to deal with the end of his relationship. The man’s diary entries reveal his increasing desperation and loneliness as he tries to come to terms with the fact that his partner is no longer interested in him. The lyrics are simple but effective, and the overall atmosphere of the song is one of sadness and regret.
Musically, “Diary” is a typical example of Bread’s signature sound, which combines elements of folk, pop, and country. The song features Gates’ distinctive guitar work, as well as Griffin’s often-understated but effective vocal performance. The result is a classic Bread song that remains popular to this day.
It reached number three on the Easy Listening charts. The production is sparse, with just acoustic guitar, Gates’ sweet vocal, and an electric guitar with a vibrato effect. The lyrics deal with a man who reads through his lover’s diary, and finds out that she loves someone else. Musically, this song can be thought of as the older sister to Gates’ later composition “Aubrey.”
It Don’t Matter To Me
It Don’t Matter to Me is another great song by Bread, released in 1971. The song was written by band member David Gates and was the second single from the album Baby I’m-a Want You. The song peaked at number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States and became a gold record. It also reached number four on the Adult Contemporary chart.
The song is about a relationship that is not working out, but the narrator is still hopeful that things will eventually improve. The lyrics are simple, but they are sung with passion and emotion. The result is a beautiful and moving song that speaks to the heart. It Don’t Matter to Me is a perfect example of Bread’s ability to create catchy, yet substantive, pop music.
It was originally a song from Bread’s debut album in 1969 that was removed during the editing of their first LP. It was re-recorded and released as a single from their second CD. As is usually the case, it has a lovely and restrained vocal from David Gates, who wrote and produced it.
Guitar Man
The Guitar Man is a song by the American band Bread, released in 1972. The song was written by band member David Gates and was produced by Gates and Jimmy Griffin.
The song was a hit, reaching number four on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and number two on the Adult Contemporary chart. The song is about a guitar player who is struggling to make a living. The lyrics tell the story of the man’s struggles and his eventual downfall. The finale, in which the audience applauds while the song fades out, gives it a somewhat melancholy air.
The song has been covered by many artists, including George Strait and Garth Brooks. The Guitar Man is a classic example of Bread’s easy listening style of music. The song’s simple, yet catchy melody and its relatable lyrics make it a favorite among fans of the band.
Aubrey
Aubrey by Bread is a beautiful song that tells the story of a young girl named Aubrey. The lyrics are simple yet profound, and the music is both lilting and heartbreaking.
The song begins with a description of Aubrey’s innocent beauty, and then goes on to describe the pain that she feels after her family is taken away from her. The chorus is particularly moving, with the lyrics “And all we are is dust in the wind / We’re just a drop in the ocean / We’re nothin’ at all.” These lyrics capture the feelings of loss and insignificance that we all feel at times, and remind us that life is ultimately fleeting. bread’s Aubrey is a timeless classic that will continue to resonate with listeners for years to come.
It reached #15 on the Billboard Chart. David Gates’ somber vocal is set to a simple mix of strings, acoustic guitar and celeste. It’s a beautiful composition with its title inspired by Audrey Hepburn after Gates watched the movie Breakfast At Tiffany’s. It’s likely that the classic song Moon River in said film also had an influence on Gates. His choice of developing a wide melodic range against a descending bass line helps make this song a real tearjerker.
Everything I Own
“Everything I Own” is a song by Bread, released as a single in 1972. The song was written by Bread lead singer David Gates and originally appeared on the album Guitar Man. It reached number one on the Billboard Easy Listening chart and number five on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song has been covered by many artists, including Boyzone, who had a hit with their version in 1996.
The lyrics of “Everything I Own” are fairly simple and straightforward. Gates sings about how he would give up everything he owns in order to keep the love of his life by his side. He begins by listing off some of his possessions, including his house and car, but quickly dismisses them as unimportant compared to the love he feels for this woman. He goes on to say that he would even give up his life for her, pledging his eternal love and devotion.
The song is widely interpreted as being about Gates’ dedication to his wife, but it could just as easily be about the dedication of any loved one. Regardless of its specific meaning, “Everything I Own” is a beautiful ballad that perfectly captures the intensity of young love.
If
David Gates wrote this song in 1971. It went to #1 on the Adult Contemporary Charts. Many artists have recorded it, and it is one of the most popular songs played at weddings. You can find the song on Bread’s album Manna.
The song “If” is a beautiful and heart-wrenching ballad that tells the story of a man reflecting on a past relationship. The lyrics are simple but incredibly moving, and the music is equally beautiful. The song starts off with the man reflecting on how he and his partner used to be so in love, and how their relationship slowly fell apart. He talks about how he still thinks about her all the time, and how he wishes things had turned out differently. The chorus of the song is particularly poignant, with the man singing about how he would do anything to have one more chance with his lost love. If by Bread is a powerful and emotive song that will resonate with anyone who has ever experienced a broken heart.
Worth to also mention: “Lost Without Your Love” – “Lost Without Your Love” is a perfect example of their signature sound. The song opens with a simple, gentle acoustic guitar riff that sets the tone for the rest of the track. The lyrics are sentimental and romantic, singing of the speaker’s love for someone who they can’t imagine living without. The vocals are emotive and yearning, backed by layered harmonies that create a sense of longing. The instrumentation remains fairly restrained throughout, with the occasional addition of a strings or keyboard melody. This gives the song a feeling of intimacy and sincerity, making it a touching ballad about the power of love.
Interesting fact: David Gates, the musician, was in high school when he formed his first band. The keyboardist for the group was Claude Russell Bridges. But Claude later changed his name to Leon Russell.