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.
Tecolote
Bread Lyrics
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Bread
(David Gates)
Voodoo woman made a doll of me
And ever since then I been in misery
She said I did her pretty little daughter bad
And ever since then she's been driving me mad
Let me go, let me go, Tecolote
Set me free, let me be, Tecolote
Drums keep beatin' in my head all night
Poltergeists knockin' on my left and right
Pain and a fever running 103
Just because her daughter wants to marry me
Rather die, rather die than get married
Let me go, tell her no, tell her no
You heard my story and you now know why
A strange old woman makes a grown man cry
And next time a pretty pretty turns your head
You better take a look at her mother instead
Let me go, let me go, Tecolote
Let me be, set me free, let me free
The lyrics of Bread's song "Tecolote" describe a man's struggles after crossing paths with a voodoo woman. The woman creates a doll in the man's likeness and he begins experiencing a range of misfortunes, including poltergeists, fever, and pain. The reason for this apparent curse is that the man had wronged the voodoo woman's daughter. The woman believes that the man must marry her daughter as a way to right the wrong, but he would rather die than enter into an unwanted union.
The song's title, "Tecolote," is a Spanish word that translates to "owl" in English. In Mexican folklore, the owl is often associated with omens of death, which could explain why the main character in the song would rather die than marry the voodoo woman's daughter. The song's lyrics are quite dark and eerie, with references to voodoo, poltergeists, and death. However, David Gates' beautiful voice and the melancholic melody create a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere that draws listeners in.
Overall, "Tecolote" is a fascinating song that delves into themes of magic, love, and death. The voodoo woman adds an element of mysticism to the song, and the lyrics serve as a cautionary tale to those who might be tempted to deceive or hurt others.
Line by Line Meaning
Voodoo woman made a doll of me
I am cursed because a woman put a spell on me by making a doll and since then I have been suffering.
And ever since then I been in misery
Since the spell was cast on me, my life has been filled with sadness and troubles.
She said I did her pretty little daughter bad
The woman believes that I have harmed her daughter in some way and is seeking revenge.
And ever since then she's been driving me mad
Ever since the woman blamed me for something I didn't do, I've been tormented by her actions.
Let me go, let me go, Tecolote
I plead for release from the spell that has been cast on me.
Set me free, let me be, Tecolote
I want to be free of this curse and the troubles it has brought upon me.
Drums keep beatin' in my head all night
I am plagued by nonstop hallucinations that haunt me day and night.
Poltergeists knockin' on my left and right
I am being tormented by ghostly apparitions that harass me from all directions.
Pain and a fever running 103
I am physically ill and my symptoms have reached a critical level, causing me great discomfort.
Just because her daughter wants to marry me
All this trouble happened because the woman's daughter has an interest in me.
Rather die, rather die than get married
I would prefer to die than be together with the woman's daughter.
Let me go, tell her no, tell her no
I am begging for someone to help me get out of this situation and refuse the woman's daughter's proposal.
You heard my story and you now know why
I have explained my predicament to you and you understand the reason why I am suffering.
A strange old woman makes a grown man cry
It's incredible that a mere woman has the power to make a grown man cry in misery and despair.
And next time a pretty pretty turns your head
Be careful when you're attracted to a beautiful woman.
You better take a look at her mother instead
It's best to take a closer look at the woman's mother before pursuing a relationship to avoid any unexpected consequences.
Let me go, let me go, Tecolote
I repeat my plea to be released from the curse that has been put upon me.
Let me be, set me free, let me free
I beg to be freed from this curse and the troubles it brings so I can go on with my life.
Lyrics © DAVID GATES D/B/A KIPAHULU MUSIC, 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