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.
Husband 2.1
Brian McKnight Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This is a lightning worth hell
When I need you, I lose my cool
When I'm shaking his hand
Inside I know that he can't
Get inside of you like I do
We feel it so strong
I get distraught when you leave my place
Whatever we do
I know that it can't erase
(Girl, I know that he's your husband)
When he's loving you and trusting you
And proud to call you his wife
(Girl, I know that he's your husband)
While you're hugging him and kissing him
He'd gladly lay down his life
Girl, I know that it ain't cool
What am I supposed to do
Every time I see your husband?
You're like the ball on the bat
You got your nails in my back
And I'm wondering what he would do
For sake of argument if
He found his way to my crib
And he walked in on me and you
Your body knows that you're mine
We've done this so many times
I'm sure he tastes me when you're with him
Whatever we do
This crazy relationship we're in
(Girl, I know that he's your husband)
When he's loving you and trusting you
And proud to call you his wife
(Girl, I know that he's your husband)
While you're hugging him and kissing him
He'd gladly lay down his life
Girl, I know that it ain't cool
What am I supposed to do
Every time I see your husband?
You don't have to explain yourself to me
Do what you gotta do to live
And just enjoy yourself with me
Trust me, I know just what this is
And if you ever say you have to go
I'll only have to understand
You had obligations [???]
So whatever, it's gonna be alright with me
You got me here
(Girl, I know that he's your husband)
(Girl, I know that he's your husband)
While you're hugging him and kissing him
He'd gladly lay down his life
Girl, I know that it ain't cool
What am I supposed to do
Every time I see your husband?
The lyrics of Brian McKnight's song "Husband 2.1" tell a story of a man who is in love with another man's wife. He knows that he is doing something wrong, but he can't help his feelings for her. He feels guilty and ashamed of himself, but at the same time, he can't resist being with her. He knows that he is helping her cheat on her husband, but he can't control his emotions. He is aware of the fact that her husband loves and trusts her and he would do anything to protect her, but he still wants to be with her. The lyrics express his inner turmoil and conflict between his desires and his moral values.
The song also highlights the complex emotions and situations that people can find themselves in when it comes to matters of love and relationships. It shows how love can sometimes be wrong, but it's still love. It also depicts how difficult it can be to resist temptation, even when it can cause harm to others. The song acknowledges the reality that people make mistakes and do things they know are wrong but can't help themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Girl, I'm not proud of myself
I feel ashamed of myself for what we're doing
This is a lightning worth hell
We know this is wrong and it's going to cause trouble
When I need you, I lose my cool
I can't control my feelings when I'm around you
When I'm shaking his hand
Even when I'm fake friendly with your husband, I'm really jealous and angry inside
Inside I know that he can't
I believe that I can give you something that he can't
Get inside of you like I do
I feel like our connection is special and he can't match it
We feel it so strong
Our attraction to each other is intense and undeniable
And we both know that it's wrong
We recognize that what we're doing is morally questionable
I get distraught when you leave my place
I feel upset and sad when our time together ends
Whatever we do
No matter what we do, it won't change the fact that you're married
I know that it can't erase
Our actions won't cancel out the fact that you have a husband
(Girl, I know that he's your husband)
I'm aware of the fact that you're married, and it bothers me
When he's loving you and trusting you
I imagine what it's like for him to be intimate and committed to you
And proud to call you his wife
He takes pride in being your partner and building a life with you
While you're hugging him and kissing him
Seeing you show affection to him hurts me
He'd gladly lay down his life
He's so devoted to you that he would sacrifice himself for you
Girl, I know that it ain't cool
I realize that what we're doing is not acceptable or ethical
What am I supposed to do
I don't know how to handle my feelings for you or the situation we're in
You're like the ball on the bat
You have a strong grip on me and I'm at your mercy
You got your nails in my back
Your hold on me is painful but irresistible
And I'm wondering what he would do
I imagine your husband finding out about us and how he would react
For sake of argument if
Just to consider the hypothetical situation
He found his way to my crib
If he somehow showed up at my place
And he walked in on me and you
If he caught us together
Your body knows that you're mine
I feel like we have a physical and emotional connection that can't be denied
We've done this so many times
We've been together intimately many times before
I'm sure he tastes me when you're with him
I believe that he can tell that you've been with me when he's intimate with you
You don't have to explain yourself to me
I'm not asking for reasons or excuses from you
Do what you gotta do to live
You have to make your own choices in life
And just enjoy yourself with me
We should just focus on enjoying our time together
Trust me, I know just what this is
I understand what kind of relationship we have and what the boundaries are
And if you ever say you have to go
If you need to leave for any reason
I'll only have to understand
I won't try to stop you or make things difficult for you
You had obligations [???]
You have responsibilities to your husband and your marriage
So whatever, it's gonna be alright with me
I'll accept whatever you decide and try to be okay with it
You got me here
I'm already committed to you emotionally and physically
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Brian Kelly McKnight
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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OMG he clowned on this one. I like all types of music and can totally appreciate this vibe. The vocals work great with the music. Whoever thought of this cross-over is a genius. Well done. This works!!!
Sergio Gonzalez
Te queremos Brian! come to Spain please, is my dream...
Bridgette Gray
This so reminds me of a Mint Condition jam...I am loving it!
Butterfly12
Amazing song.
I love it.
MicLuvsA1x
Wow this is so gritty. Initially I didn't like it! But it has that feel of Dirty Diana and THAT MJ edge to it. I dig it and the rifs fit the aggressive tone of the song. Amazing work from McNoche!
eulb0blue
I think the use of the guitar fits the theme of the song, rough. @sbbriley you have to be realistic though, this is BRIAN MCKNIGHT who we are talking about. The funny thing about this song is that this is true lol
Marcus Woods
I love this sound not only he can do rnb he can do rock and roll
Jacqueline Braxton
The lyrics are tight...For once a song where a man admits being the side thing..
missnyrap
Never thought you would ever be able to head bang to a Brian McKnight song. Lol.
George Wuertz
Brian McKnight will be singing--until his tongue falls out