A beloved 1971 love song got an unexpected second chance at chart glory when a famous TV star recorded a remake that became a No. 1 smash, giving the classic ballad a remarkable new life atop the charts.
“If” by Bread remains one of the seminal love songs of the early part of the decade. The song describes the comforting nature of a relationship that has seen its ebbs and flows, and continues throughout time.
“If” was written and produced by David Gates. The song reached the top of the Billboard charts in April 1971 and remained at the top spot for five weeks.
The tune became a favorite wedding song and became the band’s trademark tune. However, “If” also became an unlikely hit for another superstar performer, from the world of television and movies, topping the UK charts with a spoken word version.
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Telly Savalas, best known for his portrayal of Lieutenant Theo Kojak, a tough, lollipop-sucking NYPD detective on the CBS series Kojak, took “If” to the top of the UK charts in February 1975. Already a well-known hit, the song found renewed success through Savalas’ unconventional recording.
While Bread’s version hailed from the place of a young man looking forward into the future, Savalas’ version had the opposite effect. His spoken-word interpretation gave the lyrics a reflective quality, as though he were looking back on a lifetime of love and memories.
In 2012, Pop Dose called Savalas’ version one of the World’s Worst Songs. The unlikely distinction came despite the track’s strong commercial success overseas.
In the liner notes to his LP Telly, which contained “If” as well as spoken word covers of “A Song For You,” “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling,” “Something,” and “You and Me Against the World,” the beloved television star admitted that he wasn’t a singer. Pop Dose reprinted his commentary: “People know that singing is not my bag . . . . I can only make mistakes by pretending to be a great singer.”
Both Bread and Telly Savalas’ versions of “If” are worth a listen. Each brings a completely different emotional tone to the same romantic lyrics, showing just how versatile the song can be.
Related: 1971 Chart-Topper Turned a Tale of Unrequited Love Into a Nostalgic Pop Hit
This story was originally published by Parade on Jun 16, 2026, where it first appeared in the Entertainment section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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