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.
Fancy Dancer
Bread Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're fire up my mind can't take it no more
You're a fancy dancer
Makin' me blind so I can't see
You're a fancy dancer
And you ain't no good for me
You know you're comin' on strong
You're my favorite misery
You captured my soul - imprisoned my heart
You know you control whatever you start
You're fancy dancer
And it ain't too hard to see
You're fancy dancer
And you'll make a fool of me
I know it won't be for long
Until you dance a new song
But just for tonight won't you dance your dance for me
I'm not the first and I won't be the last
Don't want your future - just make the night last
C'mon fancy dancer
Make me blind so I can't see
You're a fancy dancer
And you ain't no good for me
Yeh, we both knew from the start
You'd try do dance with my heart
But just for tonight won't you dance your dance for me
Bread's "Fancy Dancer" is a song about a tempting yet dangerous woman. The singer watches her dance across the floor, and he cannot resist her allure. She is a "fancy dancer," and her seductive moves make him blind to her negative traits. He acknowledges that she is no good for him, but he cannot help but be entranced by her. The woman has captured his soul and imprisoned his heart, and he knows that she is in control of whatever she starts. The lyrics suggest that the singer is aware that the relationship is not healthy, but he is willing to indulge in the momentary pleasure that the "fancy dancer" brings, even if it means being made a fool of.
The lyrics of "Fancy Dancer" convey how love can be all-consuming and irrational. The singer is aware of the consequences of his actions, but he is willing to overlook them for the sake of the moment. The woman is described as having a hypnotic sway, perhaps symbolizing the power that love can hold over a person. The repeated chorus of "you're a fancy dancer/and you ain't no good for me" emphasizes the singer's awareness of the woman's negative influence but also his inability to resist her charms. The song's melancholic tone creates a sense of inevitability, suggesting that no matter how much the singer tries to resist the "fancy dancer," he will eventually succumb to her temptation.
Line by Line Meaning
Watchin' you move across the floor
I am observing your dance moves
You're fire up my mind can't take it no more
Your moves make me feel excited and I can't resist anymore
You're a fancy dancer
You are an elegant and skilled dancer
Makin' me blind so I can't see
Your charm is blinding me
And you ain't no good for me
You are not good for me, despite your attractive qualities
You know you're comin' on strong
You are coming on strong with your seductive dance moves
You're my favorite misery
Despite the pain your actions may cause, I still find you irresistible
You captured my soul - imprisoned my heart
You have completely won over my heart and soul, leaving me helpless
You know you control whatever you start
You have complete control over the situation and know it
And it ain't too hard to see
It is clear to me that you have this power and control
And you'll make a fool of me
Your charming and alluring ways will lead me to be foolish and make poor decisions
I know it won't be for long
I am aware that this infatuation will not last forever
Until you dance a new song
Until you change your tune or manipulate me in a new way
But just for tonight won't you dance your dance for me
Even though I know this isn't good for me, can you still dance for me tonight?
I'm not the first and I won't be the last
I am aware that this is not the first time you have seduced someone and it won't be the last
Don't want your future - just make the night last
I am not interested in a long-term relationship with you, just this moment
C'mon fancy dancer
Let's go, skilled and elegant dancer
Yeh, we both knew from the start
We both knew that this was not going to be a serious or long-lasting romance
You'd try do dance with my heart
You would attempt to charm and manipulate me to fulfill your own desires
Lyrics © O/B/O CAPASSO
Written by: JAMES ARTHUR GRIFFIN, MICHAEL GENE BOTTS
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