Song Lyric Sunday was created by Helen Vahdati from This Thing Called Life One Word at a Time and author Jim Adams from A Unique Title For Me is our current guest host. For complete rules or to join in the fun, click here.
This week’s theme is “Baking/Bread/Cake/Pie/Picnic.”
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Here’s me…being ME! 😀
I chose a group whose name included one of this week’s prompts… Bread.
Originally recorded by Bread, If went all the way to number four on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1971. It also spent three weeks at number one on the U.S. Easy Listening chart as well as at the top of the Canadian AC chart.
The band’s keyboardist, David Gates, wrote the song, saying, “I wrote that one night at the dining room table, after my kids and my wife had gone to bed. It took me about an hour and a half, with an extra verse left over. If you look at it, there’s a few bizarre lines in there, like ‘you and I would simply fly away’ – that’s kind of an unusual thought. When I was done, I said, ‘That’s the best song I’ve ever written and probably will be the best song I’ll ever write.’ For me it’s really held up over time, more than any of the others.”
FUN FACTS:
- In the U.S., Bread’s version of If was the shortest song title to become a top ten hit until 1993, when Prince hit No. 7 with “7.”
- The song has been recorded by dozens of artists in the last 49 years and charted for several. Even actor, Telly Savalas, recorded a mostly-spoken version which reached number one on the UK Singles Chart for two weeks in March 1975.
- After Bread disbanded in 1973, David Gates enjoyed a successful solo career with If as his signature song.
Just in case Boomers aren’t feeling old enough today, David Gates is 79-years-old and has remained married to high school sweetheart Jo Rita since 1959. Together they raised four children: three lawyers and a cardiothoracic surgeon. Gates, who studied the cattle ranching business while touring with Bread, purchased a 1,400-acre (570 ha) cattle ranch financed by royalties he earned during his time with the group. According to his Facebook page, he lives happily with his wife in Mount Vernon, Washington, enjoying his retirement. You’re welcome. 🙂
Enjoy!
See my Song Lyric Sunday selection for FeliciaDenise.com.
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Disclaimer: I have no copyrights to the song and/or video and/or hyperlinks to songs and/or videos and/or gifs above. No copyright infringement intended.
If
Then why can’t I paint you?
The words will never show the you I’ve come to know.
If a face could launch a thousand ships,
Then where am I to go?
There’s no one home but you,
You’re all that’s left me too.
And when my love for life is running dry,
You come and pour yourself on me.
I’d be with you.
Tomorrow and today, beside you all the way.
If the world should stop revolving spinning slowly down to die,
I’d spend the end with you.
And when the world was through,
Then one by one the stars would all go out,
Then you and I would simply fly away
Nesie's Place 
Wonderful song! Memories of road trips in my mustang listening to my 8 track of Bread songs. 🙂
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Mustang, 8-track and Bread – you just took me back again! LOL!
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Those were some good days back then. 🙂
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I really loved the music of Bread until it became the music that I associate with my ex-boyfriend. Even though I eventually went on to marry the brother of that ex, the songs hold bad memories for me. It’s a shame really because they are beautiful.
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Aww!
I’m that way with Lionel Richie’s version of “Lady.” Beautiful song but one guy ruined it for me and I don’t care if I ever hear it again. 🙂
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Such a great song!
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Thanks for stopping by, Maggie. Glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
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I remember adoring this song as a kid when it came out. Bread had some good hits. Sounds like it has treated him well. I need to write a song that does as well!
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Let’s do it! Let’s write some songs! We can be SLS – Sexy Lyrical Sirens! 😀 😀 😀
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LOL
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Beautiful share… ❤ Thanks!
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Thanks for stopping by, Bette – and for the tweet! 🙂 ❤
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My absolute favorite song that David Gates and Bread performed! Another 45 I had! Wonderful choice today! 🙂
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One of my ex-gf’s favourites when we were teens. I also remember Everything I Own which I think was about losing his Dad.
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Some songs are simply timeless. 🙂
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Yes they are! 😊
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This is such a beautiful love song.
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Agreed, Jim! 😊
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I had no idea David Gates was that old. That he’s managed to stay married all these years is very commendable. This is a gorgeous song, second to “Make It With You” in my book.
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Neither did I! I’ve said it before, it’s nice to hear the GOOD stories about the artists who make our favorite songs. 😊
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I love this song! Probably my favorite of theirs 💕🎶
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Mine too! This whole album was one of the 70s’ best! 😉
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I almost did the same! And this song melts my heart every time I hear it. Thanks for sharing it.
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Glad you enjoyed it, Jilly! Thanks for stopping by. 😊
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This crossed my mind too when I saw the prompt! I had this song and used to play it a lot. It had such a gentle sound. Good choice going for the band! 🥰
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Thanks, Christine! 😊
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😥😥😥😥😥I feel so old…..💜
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😄😄😄 IKR???
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I have always loved David Gates and bread , what a great bloke 💜
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There are so many sad stories and unhappy endings in the music world, it’s nice to hear great stories like David’s. 😊
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Yes such a lovely man 💜
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