"Aubrey" is a song written and composed by American singer-songwriter David Gates, and originally recorded by the soft rock group Bread, of which Gates was the leader and primary music producer. It appeared on Bread's 1972 album Guitar Man. The single lasted 11 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at number 15.[1] In Canada the song reached only number 41 on the pop singles chart, but reached number 6 on the adult contemporary chart.[2] In New Zealand, "Aubrey" reached number 8.
| "Aubrey" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Dutch single release | ||||
| Single by Bread | ||||
| from the album Guitar Man | ||||
| B-side | "Didn't Even Know Her Name" | |||
| Released | 1973 | |||
| Recorded | 1972 | |||
| Genre | Soft rock | |||
| Length | 3:39 | |||
| Label | Elektra | |||
| Songwriter(s) | David Gates | |||
| Producer(s) | David Gates | |||
| Bread singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Background
editDavid Gates wrote the song after watching Breakfast at Tiffany's starring Audrey Hepburn.[3]
Musical structure and lyrics
editThe song features David Gates' solo voice, with no backup vocals or drumming. It relies on various melodic resources such as orchestral strings, acoustic guitar, celeste, and orchestra bells. In the lyrics, the singer talks about a longing for a girl named Aubrey for whom he had unrequited love ("the hearts that never played in tune"); perhaps a first love.
Chart history
edit| Chart | Peak |
|---|---|
| New Zealand (Listener)[4] | 8 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[5] | 15 |
| US Cash Box Top 100[6] | 11 |
Cover versions
edit- "Aubrey" was covered by jazz saxophonist Grover Washington, Jr. on his 1973 album Soul Box.
- "Aubrey" was later recorded by Perry Como and included on his 1973 album And I Love You So.[7]
- Scarborough Faire included an instrumental version of "Aubrey" on their self-titled album in 2011.[8]
Samples
edit- A soul-jazz interpretation of the main melody from Washington's cover was sampled on the 1998 song "Step to My Girl" by Oakland-based hip-hop group Souls of Mischief. This version provided inspiration in turn for the song "Step" by American indie rock band Vampire Weekend.[9]
Legacy
editActress Aubrey Plaza is named after this song.[10][11][12]
References
edit- ^ "Aubrey" 1973 Hot 100 chart position from Billboard
- ^ "Image : RPM Weekly - Library and Archives Canada". Bac-lac.gc.ca. 2022-08-30. Retrieved 2022-10-07.
- ^ Donald A. Guarisco. "Aubrey - Bread | Song Info". AllMusic. Retrieved 2020-04-27.
- ^ "flavour of new zealand - search listener". Flavourofnz.co.nz. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
- ^ Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955-1990 - ISBN 0-89820-089-X
- ^ "Cash Box Top 100 Singles, March 31, 1973". Archived from the original on March 22, 2016. Retrieved September 17, 2017.
- ^ "Perry Como – And I Love You So". Discogs.com. 1973. Retrieved 2016-10-10.
- ^ "Scarborough Faire - Scarborough Faire – Relaxing Flute Recorder | iHeart". 26 March 2011.
- ^ Boilen, Bob (May 2013). "Vampire Weekend On New York, Souls Of Mischief And The Secrets Of Its New Album". NPR. National Public Radio. Retrieved June 11, 2016.
- ^ "Aubrey Plaza on Sexy Halloween Costumes and Being Cast for 'Parks & Rec' | Screen Tests | W Magazine". Retrieved 20 May 2023 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Aubrey Plaza on Rejection, Tina Fey, and Safety Not Guaranteed". Elle.com. 8 June 2012. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
- ^ Micklos Jr, John (2012-02-15). "Aubrey Plaza of NBC's Parks and Recreation: Wilmington Native Is Building a Buzz in Hollywood". Delaware Today. Archived from the original on 2021-03-01.
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