Sweet Surrender

Album: Guitar Man (1972)
Charted: 15
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This typically mellow Bread song became very popular with their fans. The lyrics describe a way of surrendering, as in giving up all of your love to a person. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Nick - Paramus, NJ
  • Bread frontman David Gates wrote and produced this song. It was released as the follow-up to "The Guitar Man" and became the last of their four #1 hits on the Adult Contemporary chart.
  • This was a rare song that David Gates wrote on tour. In the Billboard Book Of #1 Adult Contemporary Hits, he said, "That's just a happy song. It's not meant to be anything deep or meaningful."

Comments: 5

  • Seventh Mist from 7th HeavenBarry: And in 1974, ABBA scored their breakout hit with a song about surrendering sweetly, "Waterloo."
  • Romanong Kurong from PhilippinesI've given up myself to you; but I didn't really lose at all. I came gave the only love I've known and it never hurt me to fall." This irony and/or paradox, not to mention the playful, dreamy vocals makes it unforgettable.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn November 5th 1972, "Sweet Surrender" by Bread entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #55; and 7 weeks later on December 24th, 1972 it peaked at #15 {for 1 week} and spent 11 weeks on the Top 100...
    Their record that succeeded it on the Top 100, "Aubrey", also peaked at #15 and also stayed on the chart for 11 weeks...
    Between June 1970 and April 1977 the quartet had thirteen Top 100 records; six made the Top 10 with one reaching #1, "Make It With You" for one week in 1970...
    They just missed having a seventh Top 10 record when "Guitar Man" peaked at #11 in 1972...
    Sadly, three members of the group have passed away; guitarist Jimmy Griffin {1943 - 2005}, drummer Mike Botts {1944 - 2005} and Larry Knechtel {1940 - 2009, he replaced bassist Robb Royer in 1971}.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyIn 1975 John Denver released a completely different song titled "Sweet Surrender"; it peaked at #13. Bread's version was just about as sucessful, it peaked at #15!!!
  • Charles from Charlotte, NcThe inspiration for the song clearly was the fledgling Women's Right Movement ('You take your rights, I'll take your nights').
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Jesus Thinks You're a Jerk: Rock vs. Televangelists

Jesus Thinks You're a Jerk: Rock vs. TelevangelistsSong Writing

When televangelists like Jimmy Swaggart took on rockers like Ozzy Osbourne and Metallica, the rockers retaliated. Bono could even be seen mocking the preachers.

Jonathan Cain of Journey

Jonathan Cain of JourneySongwriter Interviews

Cain talks about the divine inspirations for "Don't Stop Believin'" and "Faithfully."

Gentle Giant

Gentle GiantSongwriter Interviews

An interview with Ray and Derek Shulman of the progressive rock band Gentle Giant to discuss counterpoint, polyrhythms, and... Bon Jovi.

Deconstructing Doors Songs With The Author Of The Doors Examined

Deconstructing Doors Songs With The Author Of The Doors ExaminedSong Writing

Doors expert Jim Cherry, author of The Doors Examined, talks about some of their defining songs and exposes some Jim Morrison myths.

Album Cover Inspirations

Album Cover InspirationsSong Writing

Some album art was at least "inspired" by others. A look at some very similar covers.

Artis the Spoonman

Artis the SpoonmanSong Writing

Even before Soundgarden wrote a song about him, Artis was the most famous spoon player of all time. So why has he always been broke?