There are at least two artists with the name Brenton Wood: an American soul… Read Full Bio ↴There are at least two artists with the name Brenton Wood: an American soul singer and songwriter, and a rock musician.

1.) Alfred Jesse Smith (born July 26, 1941 in Shreveport, Louisiana), better known by the stage name Brenton Wood, is an American singer and songwriter, best known for his two 1967 hits: Oogum Boogum Song and Gimme Little Sign.

When he was a child his family moved west to San Pedro in Los Angeles, California. In his high school years his family relocated to nearby Compton, where Brenton became a member of the Compton High School track team and received several awards for his athletic achievements.

Following his high school graduation, Wood enrolled in Compton College. Soon after he took the stage name Brenton Wood, possibly inspired by the wealthy Los Angeles enclave of Brentwood (some sources state that the name is in honor of his "home county"). During his period there his musical interests began to manifest themselves. He was inspired by Jesse Belvin and Sam Cooke, and he began cultivating his songwriting skills, also becoming an accomplished pianist.

After signing with Double Shot Records he had a hit with "The Oogum Boogum Song" in the spring of 1967. It reached number 19 on the R&B charts and number 34 on the pop listing. His biggest hit came in September the same year. "Gimme Little Sign" hit #9 on the pop chart and also #19 on the R&B charts. In the song gimme little sign is not sung, instead the chorus repeats "give me some kind of sign".

"Gimme Little Sign" was later covered by Danielle Brisebois who had a hit with it in 1994. "Gimme Little Sign" was also recorded by Ricky Nelson.

Some of his more unknown songs are also worth listening to, such as "Me and You," "Baby You Got It," and "18 With a Bullet."

You're Everything I Need
Brenton Wood Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Well I aint got much money
Even my friends acting funny
But I keep holding on to you honey
Cuz you're everything that I need

And when things get shaky
It always seems we can make it
And know that you're one hell of a lady

And do everything that I need

You're everything I need
You're everything I need
You're everything I need
Ooooohhh ohhh oh oh

And I'm so glad that u came and changed my life
Girl and if I should lose you're love I would die

You're everything I need
You're everything I need
You're everything I need
Ooooohhh ohhh oh oh

Though I gave u my loving
All my kisses and hugging
And for me they're aint no other
Cuz you're everything that I need

You're everything I need
You're everything I need
You're everything I need
Ooooohhh ohhh oh oh

And I'm so glad that u came and changed my life
Girl if I should lose you're love I would die die die die

You're everything I need

You're everything I need
You're everything I need

Overall Meaning

In "You're Everything I Need," Brenton Wood is expressing his love and devotion to his partner. Despite the challenges he may face, such as not having much money and his friends acting strange, he is still committed to being with this person because they are all he needs. He knows that no matter how bad things get, they can always overcome it together. He also acknowledges his partner's strengths, calling her "one hell of a lady."

Wood is grateful for his partner's presence in his life and recognizes that she has changed him for the better. The thought of losing her love is unbearable to him, as she is everything he needs. He sums it up by saying that he has given her all his love, kisses, and hugs because there is no one else he needs.

Overall, this song is a classic love ballad about the strength of a partnership and the importance of a significant other in one's life.

Line by Line Meaning

Well I aint got much money
I don't have a lot of money

Even my friends acting funny
Even my friends are acting strange around me

But I keep holding on to you honey
But I keep staying with you

Cuz you're everything that I need
Because you're everything I need

And when things get shaky
And when things get difficult

It always seems we can make it
It always seems like we can get through it

And know that you're one hell of a lady
And I know that you're a great woman

And do everything that I need
And you do everything I need

You're everything I need
You're everything I need

Ooooohhh ohhh oh oh
A musical interlude