Everything I Own is the second song to feature here from Bread and although I am not as taken with it as I was as a youngster, I still hold it close for nostalgic reasons. It is from their 1972 record Baby I’m a Want You. I have heard of bad record names before, but this one – Baby I’m a Want You is right up there. Everything I Own reached No 5 on the billboard charts.
You sheltered me from harm
Kept me warm, kept me warm
You gave my life to me
Set me free, set me free
The finest years I ever knew
Were all the years I had with you
And I would give anything I own
I’d give up my life, my heart, my home
I would give everything I own
Just to have you back again
I don’t think I have seen a longer list of artists who have covered a song such as Everything I Own; it includes Shirley Bassey, Olivia Newton-John and Rod Stewart.
According to wikpedia: Although initial listeners may have interpreted it as a song about a broken relationship, Gates revealed that it was written in memory of his father who died in 1963 before he achieved his success with Bread….’My success would have been so special to him as he was my greatest influence. So I decided to write and record ‘Everything I Own‘
Bread was an American soft-rock band from Los Angeles, California. Gates explained: A bread truck came along right at the time we were trying to think of a name. We had been saying, “How about bush, telephone pole? Ah, bread truck, bread.”
Baby I’m-a Want You, was their most successful album, peaking at No. 3.
“The more I live, the more I learn. The more I learn, the more I realize, the less I know.”- Michel Legrand
Observation Blogger 
I love this song…it can bring a tear if I let it. I reminds me of growing up listening to my sister’s Bread Greatest hits. This is probably my favorite of them all.
That’s a lovely sentiment to your sister. I was surprised to read it was originally written in memory of Gate’s Dad. It’s funny some of the things we discover about songs which are so different from how we might have remembered them.
This, and Aubrey are favourites from Bread and the Goodbye Girl when Gates was solo. Cheers Max.
Yes it really takes me back…I didn’t know that either about his father…it makes it even sadder…if that is possible.
I like It Don’t Matter To Me a lot also…
Oh man, I’d forgotten about that song. It’s wonderful. Same here the sound of Bread definitely takes me a long way back as well. Great ballad music.
They were one soft rock band that I really liked…Gates is a great pop songwriter.
Yes indeed. Thanks for the reminder of ‘It don’t matter to me’. Will be a late inclusion into my collection.
Here is a story that should not be on a public forum… I’ll put it this way…the first time I….well you will get the picture…”Make it With You” was playing! No lie…it was on an oldies channel on low…and it fit lol. So they will always be with me
This made me laugh Max. A certainly profound memory that one!!!
Nothing wrong with alluding to why they made such an impression on you. Thanks for your transparency. It’s welcoming to know people’s background of certain music.
Yea…that song is a keeper! It was really cool and I’ll never forget…not that I would anyway.
I really appreciate and respect you for sharing it.
Always loved this song! They are not writing songs like this anymore. Touching!
That sad realisation you expressed came into my mind a few times as I reflected on this song. Although there are a few exceptions, such as Jar of Hearts by Cristina Perri which is one of the greatest ballads I’ve heard, but the official video sux. Thank you for sharing about your love of this song.
You are welcome!