| "Everything I Own" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single byBread | ||||
| from the albumBaby I'm-a Want You | ||||
| B-side | "I Don't Love You" | |||
| Released | January 29, 1972 | |||
| Recorded | 1971 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 3:07 | |||
| Label | Elektra | |||
| Songwriter | David Gates | |||
| Producer | David Gates | |||
| Bread singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Everything I Own" onYouTube | ||||
"Everything I Own" is a song written by American singer-songwriterDavid Gates. It was originally recorded by Gates'ssoft rock bandBread for their 1972 albumBaby I'm-a Want You. The original reached No. 5 on the AmericanBillboard Hot 100.Billboard ranked it as the No. 52 song for 1972.[5] "Everything I Own" also reached No. 5 in Canada and No. 12 in Australia.
Although initial listeners may have interpreted it as a song about a broken relationship,David Gates revealed that it was written in memory of his father who died in 1963 before he achieved his success withBread.[6] According to the book1000 UK No. 1 Hits by Jon Kutner and Spencer Leigh, at his father's funeral, a friend took David Gates aside and said, "Your dad was so proud of what you were doing." David agreed, "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' about him. If you listen to the words, 'You sheltered me from harm, kept me warm, you gave my life to me, set me free', it says it all."[7]
As for the title, Gates said that he once sent his mother anorchid for her birthday at a time when he could barely afford it: "She was so touched – my dad wrote to tell me I could have had "anything she owned" in return."[6] Gates typically wrote the lyrics after the music. Although the lyrics were written so it could be interpreted as a love song, Gates said: "When I played it for my wife, she knew right away that it was about my father. She cried."[6]
Record World said that "More melodically subtle than its predecessor, 'Baby I'm-A Want You,' David Gates' latest gem will join the growing line of Bread winners.[8]Cash Box said the "ballad with strongly rhythmic chorus is another David Gates beauty carefully baked by Bread."[9]
Weekly charts[edit]
| Year-end charts[edit]
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| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (BPI)[18] | Silver | 200,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
| "Everything I Own" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single byKen Boothe | ||||
| from the albumEverything I Own | ||||
| B-side | "Drum Song" | |||
| Released | 1974 | |||
| Studio | Federal studios,Kingston | |||
| Genre | Reggae | |||
| Length | 3:49 | |||
| Label | Wild Flower/Federal (Jamaica) Trojan (UK) | |||
| Songwriter | David Gates | |||
| Producer | Lloyd Charmers | |||
| Ken Boothe singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Official audio | ||||
| "Everything I Own" onYouTube | ||||
Jamaican artistKen Boothe'sreggae version of the song "Everything I Own" in 1974 was featured on hisTrojan Recordsalbum release of the same name. Boothe first heardAndy Williams' version of the song in Canada, and included it in his album as he needed additional material.[6]
He recorded the song at the Federal studios inKingston, Jamaica, and it reached No. 1 in Jamaica on release. The recording was then picked by Trojan Records for release in the United Kingdom,[6] where it reached No. 1 in theUK Singles Chart on October 26, 1974, staying at the top for three weeks.[19]
The song spent three weeks at No. 1 on theIrish Singles Chart.[20] Although the song was a major success, with Trojan going bankrupt in 1975, Boothe did not receive royalties.[6]
Boothe's version employs the lyric "I would give anything I own".
Source:[21]
| "Everything I Own" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single byBoy George | ||||
| from the albumSold | ||||
| B-side | "Use Me" | |||
| Released | February 23, 1987[22] | |||
| Recorded | 1986 in Montserrat | |||
| Genre | Reggae | |||
| Length | 4:00 | |||
| Label | Virgin | |||
| Songwriter | David Gates | |||
| Producer | Stewart Levine | |||
| Boy George singles chronology | ||||
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| ||||
| Alternative cover | ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Everything I Own" onYouTube | ||||
The version by British singer and songwriterBoy George reached No. 1 on theUK Singles Chart for two weeks in March 1987, becoming his first hit and only UK No. 1 as a solo artist.[23] It was also his first solo single after a departure from his band,Culture Club. Owing more to the Ken Boothe version, the sweetreggae style was reminiscent of his earlier debut hit with Culture Club, "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me?".
Coming at the time of his arrest for possession of heroin, it provided a major boost to his career. Other than the UK, it was a No. 1 in many countries (including Canada, Ireland, Italy, Norway and South Africa) and top 10 in many markets too. The track was recorded during the "Sold" sessions at Air Studios Montserrat and produced by Stewart Levine.[citation needed]
Boy George played this song many times in his live shows. He re-recorded the track in an acoustic style (named the Hippy Trippy Mix) and it was released on the American CD single of "Everything I Own", a re-release from 1993. It was also remixed in a dub version for theCulture Club 2002 box set.[citation needed]
William Ruhlmann fromAllMusic stated in his review ofSold, "But it's still that bouncy, vulnerable voice, notably on thereggae-tinged hit "Everything I Own", that remains his trademark."[24] On the 1993 version,Larry Flick fromBillboard commented, "Refurbished forGeorge's new "At Worst, The Best Of" compilation, oh-so charming track should meet with greater approval this time around—thanks to George's revived strength at radio and radio's increasing penchant for reggaevibed covers."[25]
Irish newspaperThe Kerryman wrote that the singer "returns with the deceptive tune that was aired by American group Bread. While it may not be a brilliant return the Boy needs our support. Lets hope this will mark the beginning of a full rehabilitation."[26] A reviewer fromPeople Magazine described it as an "atrocious" reggae version, and added, "To fit the reggae meter George must resort to a sort of hiccup on the chorus, "I would give everything I o-own." Oh-oh, Boy!"[27]
British newspaperReading Evening Post reviewed the song as a "croaky and tired sounding version of the old hit."[28] Pete Clark ofSmash Hits noted that for this cover version, George "opts for the reggae approach", and deemed "this might just mark the beginning of a full rehabilitation".[29]
Weekly charts[edit]
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