Embracing an effortless eloquence and cocoa butter smooth persona, the music of Brian McKnight has defined the true meaning of an American soul-man since 1991. Like his spiritual Motown godfathers, this upstate New York native has a velvety voice and silky style that captures the vibe of vintage soul without being old fashion. On his latest disc Ten, that blend can be clearly heard.
While Brian’s aspirations might have seemed like a lofty ambition, the longevity of his career is a testament to the purity of his vision. With the release of Ten, McKnight’s first disc for his new label Warner Bros Records, the Grammy-nominated singer could not be more pleased with the outcome. Without a doubt, the landscape of soul music has gotten younger, but that fact did not hinder McKnight’s creative process.
After 16 million albums sold since his self-titled debut, it would have been too easy for McKnight to simply follow the R&B template of rote romanticism. But on Ten, the artist in him felt the need to be more revealing. Though McKnight has been friends with producers Tim & Bob for over ten years, this is the trio’s first collaboration.
Though Brian has never been the kind of singer/songwriter that one would call political that didn’t stop him from penning “Red, White & Blue,” a heart wrenching ode for the men and women currently at war, teaming up with country star Rascal Flatts.
Currently working on a variety of projects including a talk show and soundtracks for two upcoming Tyler Perry projects, the veteran soul singer could not be happier with the outcome of Ten. For fans of real music, Ten is the perfect addition to the soul cannon.
Anyway
Brian McKnight Lyrics
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Never known yet
The joy of lasting love
Now I'm reaching for your hand
On the shore of happiness
Oh, acquiesce
To you my dear, my love
You take my breath away
You're everything I desire
I can't stay away
I used to say never
But I'll never say never again
Every night and day
I realize what can't be denied
I never thought I'd fall
But I fell anyway
And I know that I know that I know that
I never thought I'd fall but I fell
Anyway
You're the perfect lover
And you are the perfect friend
Now all that's ever been
We simply rose above
And as long as we don't build
A castle on quicksand
We'll experience and understand
The pleasure of lasting love
My heart's on fire
Burning with a flame that will never die
There's a voice inside
Saying don't be afraid don't compromise
[Chorus]
There are many, many words that I could say
Melodies I could could play
Prayers that I can pray
Nothing could take your love away
You take my breath away
You're everything I desire
I can't stay away
I used to say never
But I'll never say never again
Every night and day
I realize what can't be denied
I never thought I'd fall
But I fell anyway
And I know that, I know that, I know that
I never thought I'd fall but I fell anyway
I know
I never thought I'd fall but I fell
Anyway
The lyrics of Brian McKnight's song "Anyway" express the artist's experience of disappointment and regret in his past relationships, and his newfound hope in finding lasting love with his current partner. He admits to never having known the joy of lasting love before, and now he's reaching for his partner's hand on the shore of happiness. The chorus emphasizes the overwhelming feeling of love and desire he feels for this person, and acknowledges that he never thought he'd fall in love again, but he did anyway.
McKnight describes his partner as the perfect lover and friend, and believes that as long as they don't build a castle on quicksand, they will be able to experience and understand the pleasure of lasting love. He acknowledges the voice in his head telling him not to be afraid and not to compromise, emphasizing his commitment to this relationship. The song ends on a hopeful note, with McKnight acknowledging that nothing can take his partner's love away from him.
Overall, "Anyway" is a beautiful love song that celebrates the hope and joy found in a relationship that has overcome past disappointments and has the potential for lasting love.
Line by Line Meaning
I have been through many disappointments and regrets
The singer has experienced a lot of let downs and sadness in their life.
Never known yet
Despite all of their experiences, the singer has not yet found true love.
The joy of lasting love
The singer desires to experience the happiness that comes with being in a long-lasting relationship.
Now I'm reaching for your hand
The artist is pursuing a relationship with the person they are speaking to.
On the shore of happiness
The artist is hopeful that their pursuit of love will lead them to a place of happiness.
Oh, acquiesce
The singer is asking the person they are speaking to to agree to be with them.
To you my dear, my love
The singer is expressing their love for the person they are speaking to.
You take my breath away
The person the artist is addressing makes them feel amazed and overwhelmed.
You're everything I desire
The artist wants to be with this person above anything else.
I can't stay away
Despite any doubts or hesitations, the artist is drawn to this person.
I used to say never
The singer was previously closed off to the idea of falling in love.
But I'll never say never again
The artist has now changed their mind about love and wants to pursue it.
Every night and day
The person the singer is addressing is always on their mind, day and night.
I realize what can't be denied
The singer is acknowledging that their feelings for the other person are strong and cannot be ignored.
I never thought I'd fall
The singer was not expecting to develop feelings for this person.
But I fell anyway
Despite not expecting it, the artist fell in love with this person.
And I know that I know that I know that
The artist is confident in their love for this person.
You're the perfect lover
The singer thinks that the person they are addressing is an ideal romantic partner.
And you are the perfect friend
The singer values the other person's friendship as much as their romantic relationship.
Now all that's ever been
The artist is saying that the other person is everything they have ever wanted in a partner.
We simply rose above
Despite any obstacles, the artist and the person they are addressing have overcome them together.
And as long as we don't build
The artist is warning that they need to be careful not to fall into the trap of expecting too much from their relationship.
A castle on quicksand
The singer is using this metaphor to describe the danger of building their relationship on a weak foundation.
We'll experience and understand
If they can build a strong relationship, the artist believes that they will grow together and have a deeper understanding of each other.
The pleasure of lasting love
The singer is hoping that if they can build a strong relationship, they will experience the happiness that comes with a long-lasting love.
My heart's on fire
The singer's feelings for the other person burn passionately inside them.
Burning with a flame that will never die
The singer's love for the other person is so strong that it will never fade away.
There's a voice inside
The artist is acknowledging their inner thoughts and feelings.
Saying don't be afraid don't compromise
The artist is telling themselves not to make any compromises or let fear hold them back from pursuing their relationship.
There are many, many words that I could say
The singer has a lot of things they want to express to the other person.
Melodies I could could play
The singer could use music to express their feelings if words fail them.
Prayers that I can pray
The artist wants to pray for their relationship and the person they love.
Nothing could take your love away
The artist is reassuring the other person that their love for them will never disappear.
I know
The artist is using this phrase as an expression of confidence in their relationship.
I never thought I'd fall but I fell
The singer is reiterating their surprise and unexpected love for the person they are addressing.
Anyway
Despite the unexpectedness of their feelings, the artist is still committed to their relationship.
Lyrics © Regard Music, Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: BRIAN KELLY MCKNIGHT, ROBIN A. THICKE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind