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.
Holdin' On
Brian McKnight Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I be missin' you, missin' you, missin' you
I be missin' you, missin' you, missin' you
Thinking back on yesterday,
All the things I could've said, but didn't say to you
Should've begged you to stay,
Heard you moved on... Heard you've been doing okay
Do you ever reminisce? Do I be crossing your mind?
All the tears and wasted time
Nothing's been the same since you went away
Girl, I know that I...
Used to be your man,
Used to have you here in the palm of my hand
I let you slip away, just like grains of sand
When I'm lying in my bed at night
Wish I was holding you, wish I was touching you
I cry myself to sleep at night
Wish I was kissing you instead of just missing you
Girl I keep holding on, Girl I keep holding on
Girl I keep holding on, Girl I keep holding on
Girl I keep holding on, Girl I keep holding on
Wish I could turn back the hands of time
Inside me there's so many questions why
I'm still wanting to live a lie
But in my heart I know it's just too late
It's just like standing out in the pouring rain
I refuse to believe that I'll never see you again
All that's going on inside my brain
That I can't seem to get it straight
Girl, I know that I...
Used to be your man,
Used to have you here in the palm of my hand
I let you slip away, just like grains of sand
When I'm lying in my bed at night
Wish I was holding you, wish I was touching you
I cry myself to sleep at night
Wish I was kissing you instead of just missing you
Girl I keep holding on, Girl I keep holding on
Girl I keep holding on, Girl I keep holding on
Girl I keep holding on, Girl I keep holding on
And if I ever hurt you, I didn't mean to treat you bad
I think about the goods times that we had
And there's no way we can be done
Girl, I know that I...
Used to be your man,
Used to have you here in the palm of my hand
I let you slip away, just like grains of sand
When I'm lying in my bed at night
Wish I was holding you, wish I was touching you
I cry myself to sleep at night
Wish I was kissing you instead of just missing you
Girl I keep holding on, Girl I keep holding on
Girl I keep holding on, Girl I keep holding on
Girl I keep holding on, Girl I keep holding on
The lyrics of Brian McKnight's song "Holdin' On" are a vivid portrayal of the pain that comes with the loss of a loved one. The singer is regretful and full of remorse for things he could have done or said differently when he had the chance. He laments the fact that he let the woman slip away, like grains of sand through his fingers, and now all he has left are memories that keep him up at night. He wishes he could turn back the hands of time, and hold and touch the woman once more, to relish the good times they had together.
The chorus of the song, "Girl, I keep holding on," reflects the singer's determination to hold on to the hope that he and the woman will be reunited someday. Although the woman has moved on and is doing okay, he can't seem to get her off his mind and believes there's no way they can truly be done. The song ends on a bittersweet note, with the singer acknowledging that he may have hurt the woman, but he never intended to treat her badly. He knows he can't change the past, but he still holds on to the memories of their time together.
Line by Line Meaning
I be missin' you, missin' you, missin' you
Repeating how much I miss you, emphasizing the depth of my feelings
Thinking back on yesterday,
Reflecting on the past and how things could have been different
All the things I could've said, but didn't say to you
Regretting missed opportunities to communicate my love and feelings
Should've begged you to stay,
Recognizing that I should have tried harder to keep you in my life
Heard you moved on... Heard you've been doing okay
Knowing that you have moved on, but still wondering how you're doing
Been thinking 'bout you all the time
Admitting that you are always on my mind
Do you ever reminisce? Do I be crossing your mind?
Questioning whether you think of me and our past together
All the tears and wasted time
Acknowledging how much pain and time has passed since we were together
Nothing's been the same since you went away
Realizing that my life has not been the same without you
Girl, I know that I...
Confessing my deep feelings for you
Used to be your man,
Acknowledging my previous relationship with you
Used to have you here in the palm of my hand
Regretting how I took you for granted and didn't cherish our time together
I let you slip away, just like grains of sand
Admitting my fault in losing you and comparing it to something slipping away effortlessly
When I'm lying in my bed at night
Expressing how much I think of you, even when I'm alone
Wish I was holding you, wish I was touching you
Desiring physical closeness with you
I cry myself to sleep at night
Showing how much I am still hurting and missing you
Wish I was kissing you instead of just missing you
Longing for the experience of kissing you again
And if I ever hurt you, I didn't mean to treat you bad
Apologizing for any pain caused, and clarifying that it wasn't my intention
I think about the goods times that we had
Remembering the good moments in our relationship
And there's no way we can be done
Hoping that there is still a chance for us to reconnect
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BRIAN KELLY MCKNIGHT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind