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.
Don't Take Your Love Away
Brian McKnight Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sometime I feel like I'm all alone
Like I'm down here all by myself
Tell me when you comin' back to take me home
Father
I been told that the streets are paved with gold
And the lion lays with the lamb
They say it'll be nothing like I've ever known
All of my burdens
I can't wait to lay them down
My savior
Can't wait to see you in that sweet old by and by
Oh
The clock is tickin'
We're runnin' out of time
What I've been livin' for
Is finally about to be mine
That's why I'm gonna be everything you want me to be
Don't take your love from me
Everyday every night
That's why I'm livin' to see your face
You're the one
You're my life and I can't replace
That's why I've got to be everything you want me to be
Don't take your love from me
And when it gets hard
I still retain my faith
The harder the trials come
I still get on my knees and pray
And say thank you
I know the road will get rough
The sea will get stormy
But if I keep my eyes on you
I know you've prepared a place for me
And your word says it's true
And when I get there
All of my burdens
I can't wait to lay them down
My savior
Can't wait to see you in that sweet old by and by
Oh
The clock is tickin'
We're runnin' out of time
What I've been livin' for
Is finally about to be mine
That's why I'm gonna be everything you want me to be
Don't take your love from me
Everyday every night
That's why I'm livin' to see your face
You're the one
You're my life and I can't replace
That's why I've got to be everything you want me to be
Don't take your love from me
And do gonna do what I have to do
To make it through
I don't wanna be left down here
When you go
Clock is tickin'
We're runnin' out of time
What I've been livin' for
Is finally about to be mine
That's why I'm gonna be everything you want me to be
Don't take your love from me
Everyday every night
That's why I'm livin' to see your face
You're the one
You're my life and I can't replace
That's why I've got to be everything you want me to be
Don't take your love from me
Clock is tickin'
We're runnin' out of time
What I've been livin' for
Is finally about to be mine
That's why I'm gonna be everything you want me to be
Don't take your love from me
Everyday every night
That's why I'm livin' to see your face
You're the one
You're my life and I can't replace
That's why I've got to be everything you want me to be
Don't take your love from me
The song "Don't Take Your Love Away" by Brian McKnight is a powerful plea from the singer to God not to abandon him. The song opens with the singer expressing a sense of lost-ness and loneliness, feeling like he is "down here all by [him]self." He invokes the image of heaven, where he has been told the "streets are paved with gold" and the "lion lays with the lamb," imagining it as a salvation from the uncertainty and struggle of life on earth. The song emphasizes the singer's faith in God and his belief that he is living his life to please God, promising to be "everything you want me to be" so that God will not "take [his] love away."
As the song progresses, the singer expresses a deep desire to see God's face and to be reunited with him in heaven. He acknowledges that the road ahead may be difficult and that he will face trials and storms, but he remains steadfast in his faith and trusts that God has "prepared a place" for him. The song is characterized by powerful vocals and a stirring gospel-influenced musical arrangement that emphasizes the song's emotional intensity.
Line by Line Meaning
So lost
Feeling overwhelmed and directionless
Sometime I feel like I'm all alone
Feeling isolated and unsupported
Like I'm down here all by myself
Feeling separate from others
Tell me when you comin' back to take me home
Asking for guidance and support
Father
Addressing a higher power for help
I been told that the streets are paved with gold
Hearing promises of a better future
And the lion lays with the lamb
Believing in a peaceful and harmonious world
They say it'll be nothing like I've ever known
Expecting a radical change in circumstances
And when I get there
All of my burdens
I can't wait to lay them down
My savior
Can't wait to see you in that sweet old by and by
Oh
Anticipating relief from difficult circumstances and looking forward to a reunion with a higher power
The clock is tickin'
We're runnin' out of time
What I've been livin' for
Is finally about to be mine
Feeling a sense of urgency and longing for a better future
That's why I'm gonna be everything you want me to be
Don't take your love from me
Desperately trying to meet expectations and fearing abandonment
Everyday every night
That's why I'm livin' to see your face
You're the one
You're my life and I can't replace
That's why I've got to be everything you want me to be
Don't take your love from me
Dedicating life to meeting expectations and fearing loss
And when it gets hard
I still retain my faith
The harder the trials come
I still get on my knees and pray
And say thank you
Finding solace in faith during difficult times and expressing gratitude
I know the road will get rough
The sea will get stormy
But if I keep my eyes on you
I know you've prepared a place for me
And your word says it's true
And when I get there
Acknowledging that struggles are inevitable but finding comfort in belief and the promise of a better future
And do gonna do what I have to do
To make it through
I don't wanna be left down here
When you go
Determined to overcome obstacles and fearing abandonment
Clock is tickin'
We're runnin' out of time
What I've been livin' for
Is finally about to be mine
Feeling a sense of urgency and longing for a better future
That's why I'm gonna be everything you want me to be
Don't take your love from me
Everyday every night
That's why I'm livin' to see your face
You're the one
You're my life and I can't replace
That's why I've got to be everything you want me to be
Don't take your love from me
Dedicating life to meeting expectations and fearing loss
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BRIAN KELLY MCKNIGHT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind