The song, “Everything I Own”, was originally recorded by Bread in 1971

David Gates (b.1940) of the American group Bread wrote and produced the song “Everything I Own” for their fourth album “Baby I’m-A Want You” in 1971. The track was released as the third single in January 1972 and made No.5 on the US singles chart and No.32 in the UK. It was also a top ten hit in Canada and New Zealand.

Many artists have recorded the song over the years, notably Jamaican singer Ken Boothe in 1974 as a single and Boy George in 1987, who took his version to the top of the UK singles chart and made it a top ten hit across Europe as well as in Australia and New Zealand. The song was the lead single from his debut album as a solo artist, “Sold” and, to date, remains his only UK number one hit on his own.

But which version is the best? BREAD’s original or BOY GEORGE’s cover?

Take a look at some of the other posts in this series and don’t forget to follow the playlist.