"Take it All"
By Pete Ham
Recorded by Badfinger for their album Straight Up 1971
In a way, the sun has shone on me
Makes it easy to make it hard
Take an inch, take a yard, take it all
I don't need it at all
Makes it easy to make it hard
Take an inch, take a yard, take it all
I don't need it at all
Any day, the sun could shine on you
Makes it silly to make it bad
Take it good, take it glad, take it all
Makes it silly to make it bad
Take it good, take it glad, take it all
CHORUS:
Don't you know there's a stronger thing keeping us together
Don't you know there's a song to sing
Sing on, let the feeling take you high
Don't you know there's a stronger thing keeping us together
Don't you know there's a song to sing
Sing on, let the feeling take you high
[organ solo (Pete Ham)]
CHORUS
Any day, the sun will shine on you
Makes it silly to take it bad
Make it good, take it glad, take it all
I don't need it at all
I don't want it at all
No, no, no.
Makes it silly to take it bad
Make it good, take it glad, take it all
I don't need it at all
I don't want it at all
No, no, no.
The story behind the song: At the Concert for Bangladesh, organized by Ex-Beatle George Harrison, Pete was asked to sing "Here Comes the Sun" as a duet with George. Supposedly, this did not sit well with Joey Molland, Badfinger's other guitarist/singer. There has been some speculation that "Take it All" was written by Pete as a response to Joey's jealous teasing about the event.
Pete Ham was a kind and gentle soul, and in reading the lyrics he seems to be making a plea to his friend that everything is cool. Joey has stated in multiple interviews that he and Pete always got along and rarely, if ever, fought.
Pete Ham was a kind and gentle soul, and in reading the lyrics he seems to be making a plea to his friend that everything is cool. Joey has stated in multiple interviews that he and Pete always got along and rarely, if ever, fought.
Joey Molland is a very talented singer/guitarist who wrote and recorded many great songs while a member of Badfinger. Joey is the last of the classic Badfinger line-up still alive. Joey continues to make music and tour to this day.
Badfinger's history is a very sad and tragic story.
Badfinger's history is a very sad and tragic story.