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.
Make It by Yourself
Bread Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And need some help to get you through each day
Well, here's a thought or two
I've used and like to pass them on your way
I found them lying there
The answers that you say you're looking for
Make what you will of them
And you can change the way it was before
You got to make it by yourself
You know you got to make it by yourself
I'll be your friend and I'll lend a helping hand
But you got to try and help yourself before I can
I hear you talk of all the happiness
And emptiness you've known
Well, let me reassure you
Never were you really all alone
They say in quiet desperation many people cannot see
They cannot see the simple truth
That's not the way it has to be
You got to find it for yourself
God helps the man who helps himself, amen
I am your friend and I'll lend a helping hand
But you gotta try and help yourself before I can
We got to help each other (each other)
You got to help your brother when you can
When you can
Now don't you think that I was preachin'
I'm just reachin' out for you
Cause that's the only way
That I know how to get the message through
Then you in turn and got to learn and teach it
To somebody who
Who felt the happiness and emptiness the same as you
Bread's song "Make It by Yourself" is about self-sufficiency and taking responsibility for one's own life. The song's lyrics encourage the listener to stop relying on others for happiness and fulfillment, and instead find their own answers and make their own way in the world. The singer advises that while they will be there to offer support and guidance, the listener must ultimately "help yourself before I can."
The song takes an empathetic tone, acknowledging the listener's struggles and loneliness, but also recognizing that these are common experiences shared by many. Through this, the song suggests that no one is truly alone in their struggles, and it is possible to overcome them by finding one's own strength and inner resources. The line "God helps the man who helps himself" reinforces this idea, suggesting that the divine can only work through us when we take active steps to improve our own lives.
At its core, "Make It by Yourself" is a message of hope, encouraging listeners to have faith in their own abilities and find the courage to take control of their own lives. The song's gentle melody and uplifting lyrics make it a comforting and reassuring anthem for anyone facing difficulties or uncertainty.
Line by Line Meaning
You say you're down and out
You claim to feel hopeless and miserable
And need some help to get you through each day
You require assistance in order to make it through each day
Well, here's a thought or two
Allow me to share a couple of ideas with you
I've used and like to pass them on your way
These are concepts that I have put into practice and would like to share with you
I found them lying there
These answers were available to me and may be useful to you as well
The answers that you say you're looking for
The solutions to the problems that you have claimed to be struggling with
Make what you will of them
Interpret them and apply them as you see fit
And you can change the way it was before
Implementing these ideas can alter your circumstances for the better
You got to make it by yourself
You are responsible for achieving your own success
You know you got to make it by yourself
You should be aware that personal effort and action are required for success
I'll be your friend and I'll lend a helping hand
I am willing to offer friendship and support to you
But you got to try and help yourself before I can
However, you must make an effort to help yourself before I can fully assist you
I hear you talk of all the happiness
I hear you speak of joy and contentment
And emptiness you've known
As well as despair and loneliness that you have experienced
Well, let me reassure you
Let me provide some comfort to you
Never were you really all alone
You were never truly isolated or without support
They say in quiet desperation many people cannot see
It is said that desperation can prevent people from recognizing what is truly important
They cannot see the simple truth
They are unable to perceive the straightforward facts
That's not the way it has to be
However, things do not have to remain this way
You got to find it for yourself
You must discover your own path and solutions
God helps the man who helps himself, amen
Divine assistance is available to those who actively seek to better their own lives
I am your friend and I'll lend a helping hand
I am here for you and willing to offer support
But you gotta try and help yourself before I can
However, you must make an effort to improve your own situation before I can provide full assistance
We got to help each other (each other)
It is important that we aid each other in life
You got to help your brother when you can
You have a responsibility to assist others when possible
Now don't you think that I was preachin'
Please do not interpret my words as a sermon
I'm just reachin' out for you
I am simply attempting to make a connection with you
Cause that's the only way
This is the most effective method
That I know how to get the message through
Through this approach, I hope to effectively communicate with you
Then you in turn and got to learn and teach it
You must then learn and teach the lessons you have received
To somebody who
To someone who
Who felt the happiness and emptiness the same as you
Who has experienced joy and sadness comparable to your own
Lyrics © DAVID GATES D/B/A KIPAHULU MUSIC
Written by: 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