Brian McKnight (born June 5, 1969 in Buffalo, New York) is an American sing… Read Full Bio ↴Brian McKnight (born June 5, 1969 in Buffalo, New York) is an American singer, songwriter, arranger, producer and one of the prominent singers of his years, specializing in pop and R&B. He is a multi-instrumentalist and plays the piano, guitar, and trumpet.

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.

Die For Your Love
Brian McKnight Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Sew back my eyelids
So I can see this
And cut the tongue from my mouth
Then take a steak knife

Drill it into my shoulder
To let the pain bleed out
If we gotta go

This is the way I wanna go

Oh I'm gonna die for your love
For your love
Oh I'm gonna die for your love
For you love
Do do do do do do do do

I raise a glass to
The mess that is you
And drink till I unbreak
I wanna grow you back together
'Cause we're birds of a feather

We leave destruction in our wake
If we gotta go
This is the way I wanna go

Oh I'm gonna die for your love
For your love
Oh I'm gonna die for your love
For you love

Do do do do do do do do
Do do do do do do do do
Do do do do oh oh oh

I'm gonna die for your love
For your love
Oh I'm gonna die for your love
For you love

Oh I'm gonna, I'm gonna, I'm gonna die
For your love

For you love
Oh I'm gonna die for your love
For your love

Love
Love

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Brian McKnight's song "Die For Your Love" convey a deep and intense devotion to someone. The opening lines, "Sew back my eyelids, so I can see this, and cut the tongue from my mouth, then take a steak knife," are metaphorical and suggest a willingness to endure physical pain in order to fully experience the love they share. The singer is essentially saying that they are willing to go to extreme lengths to be with their loved one.

The following lines, "Drill it into my shoulder, to let the pain bleed out, if we gotta go, this is the way I wanna go," further emphasize the singer's commitment. They are willing to undergo the pain and sacrifice anything for the love they have. It signifies that they are ready to face any hardships or challenges that may come their way.

Line by Line Meaning

Sew back my eyelids
Let me open my eyes to see the truth of this situation

So I can see this
To fully understand what is happening and not turn a blind eye

And cut the tongue from my mouth
Silence my words to prevent any harm they may cause

Then take a steak knife
Use a sharp tool to experience pain and suffering

Drill it into my shoulder
Inflict physical pain on myself as a sacrifice

To let the pain bleed out
Allow the emotional pain to flow freely and be released

If we gotta go
If our journey together comes to an end

This is the way I wanna go
I choose to go through this difficult path with you

I raise a glass to
I celebrate and honor

The mess that is you
The complex and imperfect aspects of your being

And drink till I unbreak
Consume and indulge until my own brokenness is healed