You sheltered me from harm
Kept me warm, kept me warm
You gave my life to me
Set me free, set me free
The finest years I ever knew
Were all the years I had with you

And I would give anything I own
I'd give up my life, my heart, my home
I would give everything I own
Just to have you back again

You taught me how to love
What it's of, what it's of
You never said too much
But still you showed the way
And I knew from watching you

Nobody else could ever know
The part of me that can't let go

And I would give anything I own
I'd give up my life, my heart, my home
I would give everything I own
Just to have you back again

Is there someone you know
You're loving them so
But taking them all for granted?
You may lose them one day
Someone takes them away
And they don't hear the words you long to say

I would give anything I own
I'd give up my life, my heart, my home
I would give everything I own
Just to have you back again
Just to touch you once again


Lyrics submitted by ruben

Everything I Own Lyrics as written by David Gates

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Everything I Own song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

26 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +3
    General Comment

    My mom brought home this record (the "Baby I'm A Want You" album) in 1973, when I was only 7 years old. I listened to this song over and over again. I remember my mom having to tell me, repeatedly, to go outside and play instead of listening to her records. This song has been the most influential and important in my entire life. I still listen to it frequently.

    My understanding is that this song is about David Gates' father, not grandfather. Whatever the inspiration, he truly captured lightning in a bottle - this song is a masterpiece.

    My wife still tells me she's gonna have this played at my funeral ;-)

    ksandbergflon February 21, 2005   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    Such a sad, sweet song. Supposively it's about the singer's loss of his grandfather, who was very close to the young singer. It's safe to say that everyone can relate to this song.

    "Is there someone you know, your loving them so, but taking them all for granted?"

    Just think about it.

    damn_dirty_insomniacon August 29, 2002   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    Wow. I was just gonna comment on how close my views on this song are with damn dirty insomniac's, and then I realized that it was my old username :P But they're still the same-- It's an amazing song

    ObsessiveTendencieson April 11, 2004   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    One of David Gates best songs. It has been covered numerous times - in various styles - reggae being the most common. That said Bread's original version is best. David G had an ability to write many brilliant ballads - Make It With You, If, Diary, Lost In Love and so on. He knew waht to state. A very powerful song. It can be relkated to loosing a lover or a parent. I think it is the latter.

    The penultimate verse is so powerful and I wonder how many people weep on hearing it....

    Is there someone you know, your loving them so, but taking them all for granted? You may lose them one day. Someone takes them away, and they don't hear the words you long to say

    CharmingManon November 06, 2005   Link
  • +1
    Memory

    I heard this song for the first time with my first-love. I have been happily married to someone else for many years. A couple of years ago, I learned that my first-love had died. He never married or had children. I went and visited his grave, where there were no flowers except the ones that I took. When I got home, I sat and listened to this song over and over and cried my eyes out. I love my husband and am so glad that I married him. I just hope my first-love knew that I always loved him, too. This song is the prefect expression of the way that I felt, when I found out that he had died.

    sharonkilon January 28, 2015   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    puffffff.... this song is too much for me. it makes me be emotionally broken. there's so much true in its lyrics.. so you all say the things you wanna say to the people you love, before it's too late

    PiKueloon March 15, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I love Bread's music. This song is very emotional and a great song. N'SYNC kinda ruined it. But still an awesome song!

    Rollingstonesrockon October 08, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I love Bread's music. This song is very emotional and a great song. N'SYNC kinda ruined it. But still an awesome song!

    Rollingstonesrockon October 08, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    LIP*SYNC RAPED THIS SONG?!? FUCK THEM!

    Charlie the manon October 26, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    i dont really have a problem with nsync, or groups doing covers of old songs.... but this one, was definately the worst i've ever heard, it was a joke, they could have made it amazing, but it was done horribly, they should be embarassed.. poor guys haha

    steve_c2724on March 02, 2005   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere. In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Album art
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988. "'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it." "There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
Album art
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988. "'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it." "There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
Album art
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
Album art
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example: "'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/