<Table> <Tr> <Td> "Baby I'm - a Want You" (1971) </Td> <Td> "Everything I Own" (1972) </Td> <Td> "Diary" (1972) </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Td> "Baby I'm - a Want You" (1971) </Td> <Td> "Everything I Own" (1972) </Td> <Td> "Diary" (1972) </Td> </Tr> <P> "Everything I Own" is a song written by David Gates . It was originally recorded by Gates's rock band Bread for their 1972 album Baby I'm - a Want You . </P> <P> Although initial listeners may have interpreted it as a song about a broken relationship, Gates would later reveal that it was a song about the death of his father . According to the book 1000 UK #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 by replying, "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 ." </P>

Who sang i would give everything i own original