Happy 45th: Bread, BABY I’M-A WANT YOU
45 years ago this month, Bread released their fourth LP, which proved to be the highest-charting studio album of the band’s career and provided them with four top-40 hits.
Produced by frontman David Gates, who also served as the band’s predominant songwriter, BABY I’M-A WANT YOU was a transitional album for Bread, as it was their first LP without founding member Robb Royer in their ranks. Although his departure was due to increasing tensions between him and Gates, Royer continued to write songs with Jimmy Griffin, who remained in the band, hence Royer’s name still turning up in the credits as the co-composer of “Dream Lady” and “Games of Magic.” From a musical standpoint, however, keyboard duties were handed over to new member Larry Knechtel, who arrived with an impressive résumé, having played on The Beach Boys’ PET SOUNDS, The Doors’ self-titled album, and Chet Baker’s BLOOD, CHET, AND TEARS.
As you might have guessed, one of the hit singles to emerge from BABY I’M-A WANT YOU was, in fact, its title track, but the one that’s ultimately gotten the most airplay over the years, thanks to numerous artists covering it, is “Everything I Own.” Both Ken Booth and Boy George had significant UK hits with the track, but you can also find versions out there by Shirley Bassey, The Connells, Olivia Newton-John, Rod Stewart, Tesla, Susanna Hoffs and Matthew Sweet, and even Andy Williams.
All told, the success of the album’s singles stacked up like this:
“Mother Freedom” – #37 “Baby I’m-a Want You” - #3 “Everything I Own” - #5 “Diary” – #15Although the band continued onward for a few more years, in terms of their career success, Bread stopped rising after BABY I’M-A WANT YOU, but it’s okay: when looking back at their discography, it’s easily arguable that it’s the strongest album they ever released.
