David Gates (guitar, keyboards, bass and vocals) and Jimmy Griffin (guitar and vocals) formed the group in 1968, adding Robb Royer (guitar, bass and vocals of Pleasure Faire) before signing to Elektra Records. Bread, the band's debut album as a trio, was a failure. The band became a quartet beginning with their second album, On The Waters, bringing in Mike Botts as permanent drummer. This time their efforts quickly established Bread as a major act, hitting the mainstream with the #1 hit "Make It With You" in 1970. Bread began touring and recording the 1971 album titled Manna, which included their most enduring hit, "If."
Royer left the group after three albums to pursue other interests. He was replaced by Larry Knechtel (keyboards, bass, guitar, harmonica), a top session player from the Los Angeles scene. Knechtel's credits included records by Elvis Presley, The Beach Boys, The Mamas and the Papas, The Monkees, Jan and Dean, Johnny Rivers and Simon & Garfunkel. In 1972 Bread released the highly successful album titled Baby I'm-a Want You, followed by another hit album, Guitar Man. Tensions existed between Gates and Griffin, however. Elektra had been invariably choosing Gates' songs for the A-sides of the singles; Griffin felt that the singles should have been split between the two, however.
By 1973 the band members sensed that they had taken Bread as far as they could, so they disbanded. Gates and Griffin then began solo careers, with mixed results. After reuniting in 1976, Bread released the album Lost Without Your Love in January 1977. The title track was the band's last top-ten hit, peaking at number 9 on the singles chart. The comeback album was also RIAA-certified Gold®.
2. Bread (Joe Kosnow) is a rapper from Portland, ME.
Any Way You Want Me
Bread Lyrics
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Cause I need your love to see me through
You can make me anyway you want me
That's all that I can offer you
I have tried so hard to please you
But I just can't seem to reach you
Tried, tried a little kindness
But you can take me, yes and you can leave me
But I always stayed, and you knew I would
Come on, come on closer now
I will get to you somehow
Come on, come on closer now
I will get to you somehow
But you got to show me how
Please, please baby, please
Please, baby show me the way to your heart
You got to take me anyway you want me
Or take me just, just the way I am
Take me, or you can make me
The lyrics to Bread's song "Any Way You Want Me" convey the singer's desperation for his lover's acceptance and love. He pleads for her to "take me anyway you want me" as he needs her love to "see me through." He acknowledges that he has tried his best to please her, but he has not been successful in "reaching" her. Despite this, he is willing to do whatever it takes to be with her, even if it means changing himself to fit her desires. He asks her to show him the way to her heart, so he can become the person she wants him to be.
The song portrays the common theme in many love relationships where one partner is trying to change to keep their significant other around. It highlights the desperation and the lengths people will go to for love. The singer's willingness to change himself for his lover's affection is a reminder to listeners that sometimes love can come at a cost. The beautiful melody and lyrics make this song an emotional ballad that tugs at the heartstrings.
Line by Line Meaning
Take me anyway you want me
I am open to being molded and shaped into whatever you desire.
Cause I need your love to see me through
I require your affection to get through the hardships I am facing in my life.
You can make me anyway you want me
You have the power to transform me into the person you want me to be.
That's all that I can offer you
My willingness to change myself for you is the best thing I have to give.
I have tried so hard to please you
I have done everything in my power to bring you happiness.
But I just can't seem to reach you
Despite my efforts, I feel like I still cannot connect with you emotionally.
Tried, tried a little kindness
I have attempted to show you unconditional love and understanding.
Every night and day like I knew I should
I have made a consistent effort to embody goodness and positivity, anticipating your approval.
But you can take me, yes and you can leave me
You have the freedom to choose whether you want to keep me or let me go.
But I always stayed, and you knew I would
Despite any disagreements or difficulties, I have remained loyal to you.
Come on, come on closer now
I am inviting you to approach me and connect with me deeper.
I will get to you somehow
I am determined to find a way to bridge the emotional distance between us.
But you got to show me how
I require your guidance in understanding how to make our relationship work.
Please, please baby, please
I am pleading with you to help me understand you and strengthen our bond.
Please, baby show me the way to your heart
I want you to show me how to reach the deepest, most vulnerable parts of you.
You got to take me anyway you want me
I am entirely willing to submit to your desires and affections for me.
Or take me just, just the way I am
Alternatively, you may choose to accept me for who I am and not require me to change.
Take me, or you can make me
The power is in your hands to either embrace me as I am or influence me to become the person you desire.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Hunter Sullivan
on Lost Without Your Love
Lost and all alone
I always thought that I could make it on my own
But since you left I hardly make it through the day
My tears get in the way, and I need you back to stay
I wonder through the night
And search the world for the words to make it right
All I want is the way it used to be
With you here close to me
And I've got to make you see,
That I'm lost with out your love
Life without you isn't worth the trouble of
I'm as helpless as a ship without a wheel,
A touch without a feel
I can't believe its real
And someday soon I'll wake and find my heart won't have to break
Yes, I'm lost with out your love
Life without you isn't worth the trouble of
All I want is just the way it used to be
I need you here with me
Oh darling can't you see,
If we had love before we can have it back once more