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.
Down on My Knees
Bread Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I won't take it no more, no more making me stay
Down on my knees, you know I'm down on my knees yea
Yes I've been down on my knees
But I'm through begging please
I won't get back on my knees.
Nobody knows, what your putting me through
Nobody sees, you got me down on my knees
Well I've been down on my knees
And I'm through begging please
Don't put me back on my knees.
You know how I always loved you
Never placed myself above you,
Don't let me go, if I wish that I could
Don't tell me no, if I wish that you would
Down on my knees, you know I'm down on my knees
Well I've been down on my knees
But I'm through begging please
Don't put me back on my knees.
The lyrics of Bread's "Down on My Knees" express a sense of desperation felt by the singer who is singing to their lover. The song describes a one-sided relationship where the singer is constantly begging for love and attention but is met with disappointment and rejection even after being on their knees figuratively. The repetition of the phrase "down on my knees" throughout the song emphasizes the singer's vulnerability and desperation.
The lyrics also reveal the singer's feelings of being taken for granted and undervalued. They feel that their love and affection are not reciprocated at the same level by the partner. The line "Nobody knows, what you're putting me through" expresses the singer's sense of isolation, where they feel that no one understands their plight.
However, the lyrics also reveal that despite all the hardships faced in the relationship, the singer still cares deeply for their partner. The line "You know how I always loved you, never placed myself above you" indicates that the love is selfless and pure. The plea "Don't let me go" reveals the singer's fear of losing their partner and the desire to make things work.
Overall, Bread's "Down on My Knees" is a poignant portrayal of the pain and vulnerability that comes with unrequited love.
Line by Line Meaning
I told you before, don't you hear what I say
I've spoken to you about this before, are you listening to me?
I won't take it no more, no more making me stay
I'm done dealing with this, I'm not staying any longer
Down on my knees, you know I'm down on my knees yea
I'm showing my vulnerability and begging for mercy
Yes I've been down on my knees
I've begged and pleaded with you before
But I'm through begging please
I'm finished with pleading and asking for forgiveness
I won't get back on my knees.
I refuse to put myself back in that position of vulnerability
Nobody knows, what your putting me through
No one understands the pain and struggle that you're causing me
Nobody knows, if it's worth it for you
No one knows if it's even beneficial for you to treat me this way
Nobody sees, you got me down on my knees
You have me in a vulnerable state where I am begging and pleading with you
Well I've been down on my knees
I've pleaded with you before
And I'm through begging please
I'm done asking for forgiveness or mercy
Don't put me back on my knees.
Please don't make me beg and plead with you again
You know how I always loved you
You know how deeply and genuinely I've always cared for you
Never placed myself above you,
I've never thought I was better than you or deserved more than you
Don't let me go, if I wish that I could
If I'm struggling to leave, please don't let me go through this alone
Don't tell me no, if I wish that you would
If I'm asking for something from you, please don't say no to me
Down on my knees, you know I'm down on my knees
I'm still begging and pleading with you, showing my vulnerability
Well I've been down on my knees
I've begged and pleaded with you before
But I'm through begging please
I'm finished asking for forgiveness or mercy
Don't put me back on my knees.
Please don't make me beg and plead with you again
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, ROBROY WEST MUSIC
Written by: David Gates, James Arthur N Griffin, Robb Royer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Carla Luz
I told you before, don't you hear what I say
I won't take it no more, no more making me stay
Down on my knees, you know I'm down on my knees yea
Yes I've been down on my knees
But I'm through begging please
I won't get back on my knees.
Nobody knows, what your putting me through
Nobody knows, if it's worth it for you
Nobody sees, you got me down on my knees
Well I've been down on my knees
And I'm through begging please
Don't put me back on my knees.
You know how I always loved you
Never placed myself above you,
Don't let me go, if I wish that I could
Don't tell me no, if I wish that you would
Down on my knees, you know I'm down on my knees
Well I've been down on my knees
But I'm through begging please
Don't put me back on my knees.
Carla Luz
I told you before, don't you hear what I say
I won't take it no more, no more making me stay
Down on my knees, you know I'm down on my knees yea
Yes I've been down on my knees
But I'm through begging please
I won't get back on my knees.
Nobody knows, what your putting me through
Nobody knows, if it's worth it for you
Nobody sees, you got me down on my knees
Well I've been down on my knees
And I'm through begging please
Don't put me back on my knees.
You know how I always loved you
Never placed myself above you,
Don't let me go, if I wish that I could
Don't tell me no, if I wish that you would
Down on my knees, you know I'm down on my knees
Well I've been down on my knees
But I'm through begging please
Don't put me back on my knees.
robert boydston
As a military brat, I lived in Japan from 1968 to the end of 1971. There was one American station, FEN, the Far East Network and I remember distinctly hearing all the songs of that era, and they played everything Bread put out. I still listen to it all and love it just as much...
lewisoflewis7
One of the best recorded rawest songs ever recorded in my opinion.....takes me right back to my childhood...fantastic guitar, bass and drum work...one of Breads best
steve unger
this group was so underrated, one of the best of the 70's
Mary Holliday
AMEN AND AMEN !
xiropigado
No way were Bread underrated. They were massive in the 70's.
DM143
The harmonies are fantastic. This has always been a favorite of mine.
Mack McBride
A perfect storm of singers harmonizing and master class musicianship! In the 70s we sooo took it all for granted—it was normal.
Jacqui Vierlinck
my older sister played this over and Over and OVER and it never got old!!! LOVE IT!
betwes
Uma das melhores musicas de uma banda bem underrated.