"Everything I Own" is a song written by American singer-songwriter David Gates. It was originally recorded by Gates's soft rock band Bread for their 1972 album Baby I'm-a Want You. The original reached No. 5 on the American Billboard Hot 100. Billboard ranked it as the No. 52 song for 1972. "Everything I Own" also reached No. 5 in Canada and No. 1 in the Philippines.
Jamaican artist Ken Boothe's reggae version of the song was No. 1 in the UK Singles chart in 1974. A version by Boy George reached No. 1 in the charts in the UK, Canada, Ireland and Norway in 1987, Boy George's first hit and only UK No. 1 as a solo artist.
The song was also included in the soundtrack of the 2023 film Beau Is Afraid. The music plays in remembrance of Beau's Mother at her funeral near the end segment of the movie, listed as one of her favourite songs.
Composition
Although initial listeners may have interpreted it as a song about a broken relationship, David Gates revealed that it was written in memory of his father who died in 1963 before he achieved his success with Bread. According to the book 1000 UK No. 1 Hits by Jon Kutner and Spencer Leigh, at his father's funeral, a friend took David Gates aside and said, "Your dad was so proud of what you were doing." David agreed, "My success would have been so special to him as he was my greatest influence. So I decided to write and record 'Everything I Own' about him. If you listen to the words, 'You sheltered me from harm, kept me warm, you gave my life to me, set me free', it says it all." As for the title, Gates said that he once sent his mother an orchid for her birthday at a time when he could barely afford it: "She was so touched – my dad wrote to tell me I could have had "anything she owned" in return." Typically Gates wrote the lyrics after the music. Although the lyrics were written so it could be interpreted as a love song, Gates said: "When I played it for my wife, she knew right away that it was about my father. She cried."
Reception
Record World said that "More melodically subtle than its predecessor, 'Baby I'm-A Want You,' David Gates' latest gem will join the growing line of Bread winners. Cash Box said that "ballad with strongly rhythmic chorus is another David Gates beauty carefully baked by Bread."
Covers
The single has been recorded by Shirley Bassey, The Connells, Jack Jones, Zdravko Čolić, Ken Boothe, Olivia Newton-John, Georgie Fame, Boy George, William Tarmey, *NSYNC, Jude, Rod Stewart, Rebeca Monroy, Crystal Gayle, Nicole Scherzinger, Russ Willoughby, Chrissie Hynde, Felix Serrat, Greg London, Edison Lighthouse, Marc Engelhard, Hernaldo Zuniga, Aiza Seguerra, Vanessa Hudgens and Boyzone. The song was frequently interpreted as a romantic one, but Gates wrote it as a tribute to his late father.
Charts
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
Certifications
Ken Boothe version
Jamaican artist Ken Boothe's reggae version of the song "Everything I Own" in 1974 was featured on his Trojan Records album release of the same name. Boothe first heard Andy Williams' version of the song in Canada, and included it in his album as he needed additional material. He recorded the song at the Federal studios in Kingston, Jamaica, and it reached No. 1 in that country on release. The recording was then picked by Trojan Records for release in the United Kingdom, where it reached No. 1 in the Singles charts on October 26, 1974, staying at the top for three weeks. The song spent 3 weeks at No. 1 on the Irish Singles Chart. Although the song was a major success, with Trojan going bankrupt in 1975, Boothe did not receive royalties.
Boothe's version employs the lyric "I would give anything I own".
Personnel
Source: Ken Boothe – vocals Willie Lindo – guitar Lloyd Parks – bass Paul Douglas a.k.a. Paul Williams – drums Federal Soul Givers Lloyd Charmers – producer, organ, piano, percussion Buddy Davidson & George Raymond – mixing engineers