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.
Let Your Love Go
Bread Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And there's pleasin' that I know you can give
And I been crayin' the love you been sayin'
So baby won't you give it to me
You're tellin' me no, no, no
You don't want to let your love go
I'm tellin' you yes, yes, yes
I made a motion and it's out on the floor
And it's a notion that I'd love to explore
Cause I been tastin' the love you been wastin'
So baby won't you give it to me
You're a lady
And I'm here in the palm of your hand
Such a lady
How much more do you think I can stand?
The song "Let Your Love Go" by Bread is a plea by the singer to his lover to let go and allow herself to be loved. The opening lines express that there is a reason for the life that the lover lives and there is pleasure in her that she can share with him. The singer confesses his love for her and urges her to reciprocate, pleading with her to give her love to him. He goes on to state that he has been craving her love and he longs for her to give it to him. It is obvious that she is holding back, reluctant to let her guard down and allow herself to love.
The chorus of the song features a back and forth dialogue between the singer and his lover, as he tells her "you really oughta be getting some happiness" and she replies with "you don't want to let your love go." The singer is encouraging her to let go of her fears and allow herself to feel happy and loved, while she remains hesitant.
The final lines of the song depict the singer in a position of submissiveness. He acknowledges that the lover is in control of their relationship and he is at her mercy. He describes her as a lady who is holding him in the palm of her hand, unable to resist her despite her refusal to give him the love that he is yearning for.
In summary, "Let Your Love Go" is a love song that portrays the vulnerability of a lover who is willing to do anything to make his beloved love him back. It perfectly captures the essence of what it feels like to be in love with someone who is hesitant to open up and reciprocate your feelings.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a reason for the life that you live
You have a purpose and meaning for living the life you do
And there's pleasin' that I know you can give
You have the ability to give pleasure to others
And I been crayin' the love you been sayin'
I have been yearning for the love you have been expressing
So baby won't you give it to me
Please give me the love I crave
You're tellin' me no, no, no
You are saying that you do not want to give me your love
You don't want to let your love go
You are unwilling to express your love
I'm tellin' you yes, yes, yes
I am insisting that you give me your love
You really oughta be gettin' some happiness
You should experience joy and happiness by expressing your love
I made a motion and it's out on the floor
I have proposed a plan of action and it is now up for consideration
And it's a notion that I'd love to explore
I have an idea that I would like to explore further
Cause I been tastin' the love you been wastin'
I have experienced the love you have wasted and it has left me unsatisfied
So baby won't you give it to me
Please give me the love I crave
You're a lady
You are a lady
And I'm here in the palm of your hand
I am yours to hold and care for
Such a lady
You are a wonderful, charming woman
How much more do you think I can stand?
How much longer can I endure this without your love?
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DAVID GATES
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