Have A Slice Of This Soft “Bread!”
Have you listened to any really bad music lately? Well, I can fix that!
Meet “Bread” – a “soft rock” band from Los Angeles, California.
“Bread” had 13 hit songs on the Billboard Hot 100 chart between 1970 and 1977 and were, as wikipedia correctly notes, “an example of what later was labeled as ‘soft rock’.”
YES! 13 HIT SINGLES!
Need a sample? Well, here their #1 single “Make It With You” as performed in 1977 on The Midnight Special:
“Soft Rock” Indeed!
According to wikipedia, here is the band’s lineup:
The band consisted of David Gates (vocals, bass guitar, guitar, keyboards, violin, viola, percussion), Jimmy Griffin (vocals, guitar, keyboards, percussion) and Robb Royer (bass guitar, guitar, flute, keyboards, percussion, recorder, backing vocals). Mike Botts became their permanent drummer when he joined in the summer of 1969, and Larry Knechtel replaced Royer in 1971, playing keyboards, bass guitar, guitar, and harmonica.
So why I am I giving these guys a hard time? They had thirteen hit singles – why am I picking on them?
Well…how about this?
“Baby, I’m A Want You”
Baby, I’m A WHAT?!?!?!?
Yes, take a moment to say the name…say is slowly…now say it again.
“BABY, I’M A WANT YOU.”
Not only is this the WORST name for a song of all time, it was a big hit single in 1972! Not only that, the album had the same title – they not only released a song with this name, but they embraced it!
The song was written by Bread’s lead singer David Gates – note the music sheet and the instruction at the upper left:
“Slowly,with feeling”
Well that’s unsettling.
Gates had a very distinctive voice singing some VERY wacky lyrics:
“Baby I’m-a want you
Baby I’m-a need you
You’re the only one I care enough to hurt about
Maybe I’m-a crazy
But I just can’t live without
your lovin’ and affection
Givin’ me direction
Like a guiding light to help me through a darkest hour
Lately I’m a-prayin’
That you’ll always be a-stayin’ beside me”
Time to let you hear this song and decide for yourself!
Thanks to “Carl’s Folk Club” for sharing this on YouTube, where it has been viewed more than 100,00 times!
The album actually reached #3 on the Billboard chart in 1972, and the title cut also went to #3 on the Billboard Top 100, along with the other hits “Everything I Own” which went to #5, and “Diary” which was also top twenty.
This album was a smash hit!
As you can see, the single was released with a number of very 70’s styles – oh, and the band performed the song live as well – take a look!
OK, it may be the worst song of all time, by a band that for those who think Coldplay is too hard-edged…now, it really is the title that makes me shake my head, but that alone doesn’t make a song bad – here’s another song with a wacky title…
“Strawberry Letter 23”!
Yes, The Brothers Johnson had a big hit with this wacky song as well! The difference is, this song is amazing – and it was produced by Quincy Jones! See the whole story of the classic duo The Brothers Johnson here:
And then, what if you have a great song like Steely Dan’s “Reelin’ In The Years” – but it’s the worst PERFORMANCE OF ALL TIME?
That’s where The Osmond come in! Click here to see them butcher the Steely Dan classic!
Ouch!
Let me know what you think of Bread’s music!
Categories: 70's Music, Art, Awards, Books / Media, Classic Rock, Music, Obscure Music, Talent/Celebrities, TV Show, Uncategorized
johnrieber 
I tend to agree with you, John. This is a very weird song.
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Pretty but the WORST lyrics of all time! Thanks for the comment!
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Reblogged this on johnrieber and commented:
Because music like this can never be forgotten….
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There’s a great many my age that had “Bread” stuff down our throats in high school, so do speak. 😉
Hormone-plagued and love-addled teens, of which I was one, lapped this up. ‘Course, we rebelled shortly after leaving that cauldron of education. Admittedly, there’s now a tinge of nostalgia for such things. Again, guilty as charged. 😉
I nominate that Osmond tragedy cover of the Dan for worst. Thanks, John. 😀
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look, i always thought it was a really stronge name for a song – i have had people argue that it’s NOT the worst song of all time, and even if it’s not, can we all at least admit it’s fair to put it int he running! Oh, and I owned Bread albums at the time, so i’m not above the “tinge of nostalgia” myself! Thanks for the comment!
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V didn’t know not to play the link. I knew better! I don’t need that rubbish in my head!
Good call, John. They were crap. Successful perhaps, so successful crap.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Yes John, why are you picking on these guys? LOL! I think what’s more unsettling here is not just the pic of Donny and Marie but the newfound knowledge that they did a cover of Steely Dan’s “Reelin’ In the Years”. Still, nothing is more unsettling and disturbing than Captain & Tennille’s “Muskrat Love” here: https://youtu.be/KgCk3bnvO5Y
That one gets top honors. Like Lou said: “Those were different times…”
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But they also did ‘Love Will Keep Us Together’. A catchy pop classic that I have always loved. Come on, all together, “You, you belong to me now…” 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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I believe that song was written by England’s own Neil Sedaka, right?
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Love will keep us together was definitely a Sedaka song, I think they even pay homage to him at the end of the song.
As for worst songs of all time, the road to hell is paved with horrible songs that somehow became hits. I know a lot of people will hate and deride me for this stance, but anything ABBA did is worse than a fork across a chalkboard.
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ABBA is great! All those hit singles and they didn’t speak a single word of english!
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I can’t stand ABBA either. Sorry about ‘Love Will Keep Us together’, but it was a time and place for me. (I’m old…)
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I know, a lot of people I know really liked them… to me, cranial laxative.
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WOW! Yes, C&T no doubt butchered a great many song in their day as well!
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It’s in my head now.
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HA! Sorry!
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Damn song, haha.
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