Although initial listeners may have interpreted it as a song about a broken relationship, David Gates revealed that it was written in memory of his father who died in 1963 before he achieved his success with Bread.

1 Hits by Jon Kutner and Spencer Leigh, at his father's funeral, a friend took David Gates aside and said, "Your dad was so proud of what you were doing."

"[7] As for the title, Gates said that he once sent his mother an orchid for her birthday at a time when he could barely afford it: "She was so touched – my dad wrote to tell me I could have had "anything she owned" in return.

"[6] Record World said that "More melodically subtle than its predecessor, 'Baby I'm-A Want You,' David Gates' latest gem will join the growing line of Bread winners.

[8] Cash Box said the "ballad with strongly rhythmic chorus is another David Gates beauty carefully baked by Bread.

Jamaican artist Ken Boothe's reggae version of the song "Everything I Own" in 1974 was featured on his Trojan Records album release of the same name.

Owing more to the Ken Boothe version, the sweet reggae style was reminiscent of his earlier debut hit with Culture Club, "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me?".

He re-recorded the track in an acoustic style (named the Hippy Trippy Mix) and it was released on the American CD single of "Everything I Own", a re-release from 1993.

[citation needed] William Ruhlmann from AllMusic stated in his review of Sold, "But it's still that bouncy, vulnerable voice, notably on the reggae-tinged hit "Everything I Own", that remains his trademark.

"[25] Irish newspaper The Kerryman wrote that the singer "returns with the deceptive tune that was aired by American group Bread.

"[28] Pete Clark of Smash Hits noted that for this cover version, George "opts for the reggae approach", and deemed "this might just mark the beginning of a full rehabilitation".