A Dozen Slices of Bread

David Gates in 1975
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Michael Putland/Getty Images

When a band shares its name with one of the most common foods on the planet, it’s something a little bit difficult to do any deep research on their work without getting frustrated and giving up without ever really getting anywhere. Fortunately, we’re here to help you: despite a commonplace name, Bread were never anything less than extraordinary, having delivered a dozen hits on the Billboard Hot 100 in less than a decade, with half a dozen of the tunes ending up at Top 10 hits, and we’ve put together a dozen tracks to help steer you some of the band’s best material.

“Dismal Day” (Bread, 1969): The opening track of Bread’s self-titled album, this was the first single released from the LP, and it must be said that its sales were - wait for it - dismal. Seriously, though, it didn’t even chart, and when you listen to it now and hear how insidiously catchy it is, you’ll wonder how that’s even possible.

“It Don’t Matter to Me” (Bread, 1969): Written by David Gates, this song can also be found on Bread’s self-titled debut, but the odd thing about its success as a single - it was a Top 10 hit - is that it didn’t occur until after the band had already released their second album, On the Waters. The band also made the decision to re-record the song for its release as a single, but given the subsequent chart success, it’s hard to call the decision anything other than a good one.

“Make It with You” (On the Waters, 1970): This song scarcely needs an introduction, of course, since it was the tune that broke Bread in a big, big way, taking them to the top of the Billboard Hot 100. For the record, only two members of the band actually appear on the song: Gates and drummer Mike Botts.

“Look What You’ve Done” (On the Waters, 1970): For as much credit as David Gates for writing some of Bread’s biggest hits, and rightfully so, this track is a reminder of just how great a songwriter James Griffin was. He and fellow bandmate Robb Royer co-wrote this song, and while it wasn’t a hit single, it very much remains one of the best Bread songs ever.

“If” (Manna, 1971): A Top 5 hit for the band, this spent 22 years holding the record as the shortest-titled song to become a Top 10 hit, and to this day it’s only been topped by two song titles which were simply single-digit numbers: Prince’s “7” and Britney Spears’ “3.” By the way, if you’ve never had the opportunity to witness Telly Savalas – yes, TV’s Kojak – cover this song, please fix that right now.

“Let Your Love Go” (Manna, 1971): Elektra was a bit misguided in releasing this tune as first single from Manna, since it only ended up making it to No. 28 before beginning its descent. Still, for all your harpsichord rock-out needs, accept no substitutes.

“Everything I Own” (Baby I’m-a Want You, 1972): Another Top 5 hit for the band - in fact, it hit the No. 5 spot precisely - but the song has actually gone No. 1 in the U.K. twice...and neither time was by Bread. The first time was when a reggae-fied version by Ken Boothe topped the U.K. singles chart in 1974, and then Boy George recorded a solo version of the song, also giving it a little bit of reggae flair, and hit No. 1 in 1987. Oh, and just for the record, when Gates wrote the track, it wasn’t intended as a love song but, rather, as an ode to his deceased father.

“Baby I’m-a Want You” (Baby I’m-a Want You, 1972): Another Top 5 hit, this one making it to No. 3, this is arguably the most easy-listening tune in Bread’s ‘70s catalog - not that there’s anything wrong with that. Certainly, it’s found plenty of fans in fellow musicians over the years: it’s been covered by everyone from Conway Twitty to Isaac Hayes to Engelbert Humperdinck.

“Guitar Man” (Guitar Man, 1972): Who among us doesn’t enjoy the use of a wah-wah pedal? This title track from the band’s fourth album only made it to No. 11 on the Hot 100, but it topped the adult contemporary chart. You may also have heard covers of the song by David J (Love and Rockets), Cake, Bobby Bare Jr., and Wreckless Eric and Amy Rigby.

“Aubrey” (Guitar Man, 1972): Inspired by Gates’ viewing of Breakfast at Tiffany’s, this No. 15 hit may have chosen to switch up a letter in Ms. Hepburn’s name, but the switch inspired actress Aubrey Plaza’s parents: she was named after the song.

“Lost Without Your Love” (Lost Without Your Love, 1977): After a five-year hiatus, during which time Gates kicked off his solo career, Bread delivered this comeback tune, which made it to No. 9 on the Hot 100 and became their final Top 10 hit.

“Hooked on You” (Lost Without Your Love, 1977): Although Bread’s final Hot 100 entry wasn’t a particularly substantial one - it only made it to No. 60 - this song’s success is better gauged by the way adult contemporary audiences embraced it: it hit No. 2 on Billboard’s easy listening chart and topped Canada’s AC chart. Clearly, this demographic was very much still hooked on Bread.

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