Everything I Own

For the Ken Boothe album, see Everything I Own (album).

"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.^[5] "Everything I Own" also reached No. 5 in Canada and No. 12 in Australia.

"Everything I Own"
Single by Bread
from the album Baby I'm-a Want You
B-side	"I Don't Love You"
Released	January 29, 1972
Recorded	1971
Genre	Soft rock[1][2] easy listening[3] pop[4]
Length	3:07
Label	Elektra
Songwriter(s)	David Gates
Producer(s)	David Gates
Bread singles chronology
"Baby I'm-a Want You" (1971) "Everything I Own" (1972) "Diary" (1972)
Music video
"Everything I Own" on YouTube

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.^[6] 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."^[7]

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."^[6] Gates typically 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."^[6]

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.^[8] Cash Box said the "ballad with strongly rhythmic chorus is another David Gates beauty carefully baked by Bread."^[9]

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1972) Peak position Australia (KMR) 12 Canada Top Singles (RPM)[10] 5 New Zealand (Listener)[11] 9 UK Singles (OCC)[12] 32 US Billboard Hot 100[13] 5 US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[14] 3 US Cash Box Top 100[15] 6

Year-end charts Chart (1972) Rank Australia 63 US Billboard Hot 100[16] 52 US Cash Box[17] 68

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[18]	Silver	200,000‡
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Ken Boothe version

"Everything I Own"
Single by Ken Boothe
from the album Everything I Own
B-side	"Drum Song"
Released	1974
Studio	Federal studios, Kingston
Genre	Reggae
Length	3:49
Label	Wild Flower/Federal (Jamaica) Trojan (UK)
Songwriter(s)	David Gates
Producer(s)	Lloyd Charmers
Ken Boothe singles chronology
"Everything I Own" (1974) "Crying Over You" (1974)
Official audio
"Everything I Own" on YouTube

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.^[6]

He recorded the song at the Federal studios in Kingston, Jamaica, and it reached No. 1 in Jamaica on release. The recording was then picked by Trojan Records for release in the United Kingdom,^[6] where it reached No. 1 in the UK Singles Chart on October 26, 1974, staying at the top for three weeks.^[19]

The song spent three weeks at No. 1 on the Irish Singles Chart.^[20] Although the song was a major success, with Trojan going bankrupt in 1975, Boothe did not receive royalties.^[6]

Boothe's version employs the lyric "I would give anything I own".

Personnel

Source: ^[21]

• 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

Boy George version

"Everything I Own"
Single by Boy George
from the album Sold
B-side	"Use Me"
Released	23 February 1987[22]
Recorded	1986 in Montserrat
Genre	Reggae
Length	4:00
Label	Virgin
Songwriter(s)	David Gates
Producer(s)	Stewart Levine
Boy George singles chronology
"Everything I Own" (1987) "Keep Me in Mind" (1987)
"The Crying Game" (1992) "Everything I Own" (1993) "More Than Likely" (1993)
Alternative cover
Music video
"Everything I Own" on YouTube

The version by British singer and songwriter Boy George reached No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart for two weeks in March 1987, becoming his first hit and only UK No. 1 as a solo artist.^[23] It was also his first solo single after a departure from his band, Culture Club. Owing more to the Ken Boothe version, the sweet reggae style was reminiscent of his earlier debut hit with Culture Club, "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me?".

Coming at the time of his arrest for possession of heroin, it provided a major boost to his career. Other than the UK, it was a No. 1 in many countries (including Canada, Ireland, Italy, Norway and South Africa) and top 10 in many markets too. The track was recorded during the "Sold" sessions at Air Studios Montserrat and produced by Stewart Levine. The musicians were Ian Maidman (later aka Jennifer Maidman) bass and guitar, Vic Martin keyboards, Glen Nightingale guitar, Richie Stevens drums, and Paul 'Wix' Wickens keyboards .^{[citation needed]}

Boy George played this song many times in his live shows. He re-recorded the track in an acoustic style (named the Hippy Trippy Mix) and it was released on the American CD single of "Everything I Own", a re-release from 1993. It was also remixed in a dub version for the Culture Club 2002 box set.^{[citation needed]}

Critical reception

William Ruhlmann from AllMusic stated in his review of Sold, "But it's still that bouncy, vulnerable voice, notably on the reggae-tinged hit "Everything I Own", that remains his trademark."^[24] On the 1993 version, Larry Flick from Billboard commented, "Refurbished for George's new "At Worst, The Best Of" compilation, oh-so charming track should meet with greater approval this time around—thanks to George's revived strength at radio and radio's increasing penchant for reggaevibed covers."^[25]

Irish newspaper The Kerryman wrote that the singer "returns with the deceptive tune that was aired by American group Bread. While it may not be a brilliant return the Boy needs our support. Lets hope this will mark the beginning of a full rehabilitation."^[26] A reviewer from People Magazine described it as an "atrocious" reggae version, and added, "To fit the reggae meter George must resort to a sort of hiccup on the chorus, “I would give everything I o-own." Oh-oh, Boy!"^[27]

British newspaper Reading Evening Post reviewed the song as a "croaky and tired sounding version of the old hit."^[28] Pete Clark of Smash Hits noted that for this cover version, George "opts for the reggae approach", and deemed "this might just mark the beginning of a full rehabilitation".^[29]

Charts

Weekly charts Weekly chart performance for "Everything I Own" Chart (1987) Peak position Australia (KMR)[30] 5 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[31] 10 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[32] 2 Canada Top Singles (RPM)[33] 1 Denmark (IFPI)[34] 8 Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[35] 21 France (SNEP)[36] 11 Ireland (IRMA)[37] 1 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[38] 3 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[39] 4 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[40] 3 Norway (VG-lista)[41] 1 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[42] 14 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[43] 8 UK Singles (OCC)[44] 1 West Germany (GfK)[45] 8 Zimbabwe (ZIMA)[46] 1

Year-end charts 1987 year-end chart performance for "Everything I Own" Chart (1987) Rank Australia (Kent Music Report)[47] 84 Belgium (Ultratop Flanders)[48] 20 Canada Top Singles (RPM)[49] 86 Europe (European Hot 100)[50] 18 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[51] 22 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[52] 17 New Zealand (RIANZ)[53] 27 UK Singles (OCC) 20 West Germany (Official German Charts)[54] 72

Other versions

• Joe Stampley released this song twice, first on his 1972 album If You Touch Me (You've Got to Love Me), and then again in 1976 on his All These Things album. He also released it as a single in 1976. It peaked at No. 12 on the Country charts.^{[citation needed]}
• British-Australian singer Olivia Newton-John recorded a version for her 1972 album Olivia.
• In 1972, Brazilian singer Diana released a Portuguese version of the song under the title "Tudo Que Eu Tenho", which is part of her debut album. The song was adapted into the language by Rossini Pinto and used in the soundtrack of the film O Céu de Suely (2006), Karim Aïnouz.^{[citation needed]}
• Country star Crystal Gayle released her version as a single in 1983 where it peaked at No. 93 on the UK Singles Chart.^[55]
• The song was covered in 1997 by American boy band NSYNC on their eponymous debut studio album.
• Greg London’s version of "Everything I Own” won the award for Best Adult Contemporary Song at the 2009 Hollywood Music in Media Awards.^[56]

In other media

• The song is heard over the credits in the season finale of the 2011 miniseries This Is England '88

• In the 2023 film Beau Is Afraid, the song is played at Beau's mother’s funeral.

References

1. "James Griffin, 61; Co-Founder of Band Bread Shared an Oscar". Los Angeles Times. January 14, 2005. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
2. Harcourt, Nic (2005). "Good Enough To Eat". Music Lust. Seattle: Sasquatch Books. p. 68. ISBN 1570614377.
3. Considine, J.D.; Coleman, Mark; Evans, Paul; McGee, David (1992). "Bread". In DeCurtis, Anthony; Henke, James; George-Warren, Holly (eds.). Rolling Stone Album Guide. New York: Random House. p. 48.
4. Breithaupt, Don; Breithaupt, Jeff (October 15, 1996). "Love American Style: Ballads". Precious and Few - Pop Music in the Early '70s. St. Martin's Griffin. p. 164. ISBN 031214704X.
5. Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1972
6. Simpson, Dave (August 20, 2019). "How we made Everything I Own: Ken Boothe and David Gates on their shared hit". The Guardian.
7. "Everything I Own by Bread Songfacts". Songfacts.com. February 27, 1972. Retrieved May 1, 2014.
8. "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. January 15, 1972. p. 1. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
9. "Cashbox Singles Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. January 15, 1972. p. 18. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
10. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 7597." RPM. Library and Archives Canada.
11. "Flavour of New Zealand, 15 May 1972". Archived from the original on May 7, 2016. Retrieved July 1, 2018.
12. "Bread: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
13. "Bread Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
14. "Adult Contemporary Chart". Billboard. January 2, 2013.
15. "Cash Box Top 100 3/11/72". Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved December 10, 2016.
16. "Musicoutfitters.com". Archived from the original on April 27, 2017. Retrieved December 10, 2016.
17. "Cash Box YE Pop Singles - 1972". Archived from the original on September 28, 2018. Retrieved December 10, 2016.
18. "British single certifications – Bread – Everything I Own". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
19. "KEN BOOTHE". Officialcharts.com. September 21, 1974.
20. "The Irish Charts - All there is to know". irishcharts.ie. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
21. Ken Boothe (1974) Everything I Own. Roots Archives. Web. Retrieved October 15, 2016. "Roots Archives : Ken Boothe - Everything I Own". Archived from the original on October 18, 2016. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
22. "New Singles". Music Week. February 21, 1987. p. 38.
23. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. pp. 472–3. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
24. Ruhlmann, William. "Boy George – Sold". AllMusic. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
25. Flick, Larry (December 4, 1993). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. p. 57. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
26. "Singles Review". Kerryman. March 6, 1987. p. 20. Retrieved November 26, 2020.
27. "Picks and Pans Review: Sold". People. July 20, 1987. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
28. Reading Evening Post. March 7, 1987. p. 13. Retrieved November 26, 2020.
29. Clark, Pete (February 25 – March 10, 1987). "Singles reviewed by Pete Clark" (PDF). Smash Hits. Vol. 9, no. 4. p. 73. ISSN 0260-3004. Retrieved November 20, 2023 – via World Radio History.
30. "Forum – ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts – Top 100 End of Year AMR Charts – 1980s". Australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
31. "Boy George – Everything I Own" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
32. "Boy George – Everything I Own" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
33. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 0814." RPM. Library and Archives Canada.
34. Danish Singles Chart. May 8, 1987.
35. Pennanen, Timo (2021). "Boy George". Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021 (PDF) (in Finnish). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 37. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
36. "Boy George – Everything I Own" (in French). Les classement single.
37. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Everything I Own". Irish Singles Chart.
38. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 14, 1987" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
39. "Boy George – Everything I Own" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
40. "Boy George – Everything I Own". Top 40 Singles.
41. "Boy George – Everything I Own". VG-lista.
42. "Boy George – Everything I Own". Singles Top 100.
43. "Boy George – Everything I Own". Swiss Singles Chart.
44. "Boy George: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
45. "Offiziellecharts.de – Boy George – Everything I Own" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
46. • Zimbabwe. Kimberley, C. Zimbabwe: singles chart book. Harare: C. Kimberley, 2000
47. "Australian Music Report No 701 – 28 December 1987 > National Top 100 Singles for 1987". Australian Music Report. Retrieved December 11, 2019 – via Imgur.
48. "Jaaroverzichten 1987". Ultratop. Retrieved November 26, 2020.
49. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 0920." RPM. Library and Archives Canada.
50. "European Charts of the Year 1987 - Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 4, no. 51/52. December 26, 1987. p. 34. OCLC 29800226. Retrieved April 11, 2022 – via World Radio History.
51. "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1987". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved November 26, 2020.
52. "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1987". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved November 26, 2020.
53. "The Official New Zealand Music Chart".
54. "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts". GfK Entertainment (in German). offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved November 26, 2020.
55. "EVERYTHING I OWN". Official Charts. February 5, 1983.
56. "Home Page". Hollywood Music In Media Awards. Archived from the original on September 26, 2009.