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.
Didn't Even Know Her Name
Bread Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But the hurt was showing
When she looked at me that way
I had to stay
I knew I had to get to know her name
The town was weary
She was to marry
Her eyes said no
I knew I had to get to know her name
And when I got her all alone
She told me through the tears
That she didn't really loved him
But he'd waited for so many years
She said she couldn't break his heart
She'd rather live with hers
And though I told her she should leave with me
She just could not believe with me
Should've kept on goin'
Better that than knowin'
That he made her his wife
He took her life
You know I didn't even know her name
You know I didn't even know her name
The song "Didn't Even Know Her Name" by Bread tells a story of a man who meets a woman in a town which appears to be small and conservative. The woman is about to get married but she seems unhappy about it, and the man falls for her instantly. He knows he should have kept on going, but he is caught in her gaze and feels he has to know her name. He learns that she is unable to break the heart of the man she is about to marry, despite not truly loving him. The singer tells her that she should leave with him, but she is unable to meet his request. The song concludes with the singer expressing regret for not having gotten to know her name more, lamenting over what could have been.
The lyrics of the song, although simple, are packed full of meaning. The narrative expresses an understanding that timing and context can significantly impact the course of one’s life. The man understands that he should have moved on and not gotten involved, but he was captivated by her and the connection he felt. In the end, all he can do is look back with regret, because he didn't even know her name but he feels a sense of loss for what could have been. The song carries a message of wistful longing, as we see the singer missing an opportunity that he would never get back.
Line by Line Meaning
Should've kept on goin'
I should've walked away and never looked back
But the hurt was showing
My pain was written all over my face
When she looked at me that way
When she gave me that look
I had to stay
I couldn't leave
I knew I had to get to know her name
I felt compelled to learn her name
The town was weary
The town was tired
She was to marry
She was engaged to be married
Someone planned years ago
Her fiancé was chosen for her long ago
Her eyes said no
Despite her engagement, she didn't want to marry him
I knew I had to get to know her name
I felt compelled to learn her name
And when I got her all alone
When I had her to myself
She told me through the tears
While crying, she confessed
That she didn't really love him
She didn't have true feelings for her fiancé
But he'd waited for so many years
He had been devoted to her for a long time
She said she couldn't break his heart
She didn't want to hurt his feelings
She'd rather live with hers
She preferred to deal with her own pain instead of causing someone else's
And though I told her she should leave with me
Despite my urging, I suggested she come with me
She just could not believe with me
She didn't agree with my plan
Should've kept on goin'
It would have been better if I had just walked away
Better that than knowin'
It would have been better than knowing
That he made her his wife
That she married someone she didn't love
He took her life
He monopolized her existence and happiness
You know, I didn't even know her name
Despite my feelings, I was just a stranger to her
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: RYAN ADAMS
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