Sweet Surrender
Bread Lyrics


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Baby I'm through runnin' it's true
I'd be a fool to try to escape you
Maybe I'm beat but oh what a sweet surrender

You keep your rights, I'll take your nights
No one can lose when we turn the lights out
Tastin' defeat, lovin' that sweet surrender
I'm givin' up myself to you but I didn't really lose at all
I gave the only love I've known and it never hurt me to fall

Now that it's done, so glad you won




I know our lives have only begun now
No more retreat, only my sweet surrender

Overall Meaning

In Bread's song "Sweet Surrender," the lyrics express a feeling of acceptance and resignation towards being in love. The singer has been trying to resist this love, but can no longer deny the strong pull towards their partner. They are no longer running away from love as they did before, realizing that was foolish to do so. They feel beaten, but not in a negative sense; rather, the beat is the beat of the heart, which they have now surrendered to their partner.


The chorus speaks of taking each other's rights and nights, indicating a mutual acceptance of each other. They plan to switch the lights off, suggesting a level of intimacy that can only be achieved in the dark when nothing else can distract from the focus on each other. The singer does not mind the feeling of defeat because the sweetness of surrender is much greater. They have given themselves up completely to love and now feel like they could not have been happier.


Overall, the lyrics in this song express a deep understanding of love and the benefits that come from giving oneself up to it. The singer has come to embrace this surrender and is glad to be in love.


Line by Line Meaning

Baby I'm through runnin' it's true
I have stopped running away from you.


I'd be a fool to try to escape you
I understand that you are too good for me to let go.


Maybe I'm beat but oh what a sweet surrender
Even though I have lost, I feel really good about giving in to you.


You keep your rights, I'll take your nights
You can maintain your freedom during the day, but I want to be with you at night.


No one can lose when we turn the lights out
We both win when we're together in the dark.


Tastin' defeat, lovin' that sweet surrender
Although I feel like I have lost, I am enjoying the feeling of giving in to you.


I'm givin' up myself to you but I didn't really lose at all
Even though I am submitting to you, I still feel like a winner.


I gave the only love I've known and it never hurt me to fall
I am not afraid of giving you my love, because I know you won't hurt me.


Now that it's done, so glad you won
I am happy that you have won me over.


I know our lives have only begun now
I believe that we have a bright future together.


No more retreat, only my sweet surrender
From now on, I will not run away from you anymore, only give in to you.




Lyrics © DAVID GATES D/B/A KIPAHULU MUSIC, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID GATES

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Deborah Thunder Hawk

I was 15 years old when this song came out. My sister and I had records by Bread. Their music was awesome, not like today. These guys were talented. I am 64 years old now and I still love this song.

Andybernitez

Hi Deborah

Sandy Moyer

I hear you! I'm 63 yrs old and still love their beautiful music! Such talent unlike today's music.

Terri Nopp

My older sister had this album and played it nonstop.

david tomlinson

Yes I agree , i was sweet 17 at the time , great tracks , David Gates , so talented .

pat hayes

Yh n 😊

2 More Replies...

Pete Garza

I'm sure a lot of music critics especially Rolling Stone magazine dismissed Bread as a lightweight soft rock band but I'm sure they have a whole slew of fans who love their music...No matter what this band definitely deserves a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame...🎤🥁🎸🎹

SabbraCadabra

"I'm giving up myself to you, but I didn't really lose at all". Brilliantly phrased line, and it works so well in this song. I'm a huge fan of Bread's simplicity. They crafted short, yet catchy melodies with smart lyrics.

jeff werner

100% ! David Gates is phenomenal ! I wish he was still writing and singing material like this......he knew a good song unlike most of what we hear or heard on the radio the last 25 -30 years. This is talent ++++++++++ Jeff

Ganpignanus .Gianni

So relaxing and pleasant to listen to. This never grows old.

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