Aubrey (song) explained

Aubrey
Cover:	Breadaubrey.jpg
Caption:	Dutch single release
Type:	single
Artist:	Bread
Album:	Guitar Man
B-Side:	Didn't Even Know Her Name
Released:	1973
Recorded:	1972
Genre:	Soft rock
Length:	3:39
Label:	Elektra
Producer:	David Gates
Prev Title:	Sweet Surrender
Prev Year:	1972
Next Title:	Lost Without Your Love
Next Year:	1976

"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.

Background

David Gates wrote the song after watching Breakfast at Tiffany's starring Audrey Hepburn.^[3]

Musical structure and lyrics

The 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

Chart performance for "Aubrey"
Chart	Peak
New Zealand (Listener)^[4]	8
US Billboard Hot 100^[5]	15
US Cash Box Top 100^[6]	11

Cover versions

"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

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

Actress Aubrey Plaza is named after this song.^[10] ^[11] ^[12]

Notes and References

http://www.billboard.com/charts/1973-04-14/hot-100 "Aubrey" 1973 Hot 100 chart position
Web site: Image : RPM Weekly - Library and Archives Canada . Bac-lac.gc.ca . 2022-08-30 . 2022-10-07.
Web site: Donald A. Guarisco . Aubrey - Bread | Song Info . . 2020-04-27.
Web site: flavour of new zealand - search listener. Flavourofnz.co.nz. 20 May 2023.
Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955-1990 -
Web site: Cash Box Top 100 Singles, March 31, 1973 . September 17, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160322060825/http://tropicalglen.com/Archives/70s_files/19730331.html . March 22, 2016 . dead .
Web site: Perry Como – And I Love You So. Discogs.com. 1973 . 2016-10-10.
Web site: Scarborough Faire - Scarborough Faire – Relaxing Flute Recorder | iHeart . 26 March 2011 .
News: Boilen. Bob. Vampire Weekend On New York, Souls Of Mischief And The Secrets Of Its New Album. NPR. May 2013. National Public Radio. June 11, 2016.
Web site: Aubrey Plaza on Sexy Halloween Costumes and Being Cast for 'Parks & Rec' | Screen Tests | W Magazine. 20 May 2023. YouTube.
Web site: Aubrey Plaza on Rejection, Tina Fey, and Safety Not Guaranteed. 8 June 2012. Elle.com. 20 May 2023.
Web site: Micklos Jr. John. 2012-02-15. Aubrey Plaza of NBC's Parks and Recreation: Wilmington Native Is Building a Buzz in Hollywood. live. Delaware Today. https://web.archive.org/web/20210301063144/https://delawaretoday.com/life-style/aubrey-plaza-of-nbcs-parks-and-recreation-wilmington-native-is-building-a-buzz-in-hollywood/ . 2021-03-01 .