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.
Me and Bobby McGee
Brian McKnight Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Waitin' for the train
Feelin' nearly faded as my jeans
Bobby thumbed a diesel down
Just before it rained
Rode us all the way to New Orleans
I pulled my harpoon out of my dirty red bandanna
And was playing soft
With them windshield wipers slappin' time
I was holdin' Bobby's hand in mine
We sang every song that driver knew
Freedom's just another word for nothin' left to lose
Nothin' ain't worth nothin' but it's free
Feelin' good was easy, Lord,
When he sang the blues
And feelin' good was good enough for me
Good enough for me and Bobby McGee
From Kentucky coal mines
To the California sun
Bobby shared the secrets of my soul
Through all kinds of weather, Lord
Through everything I done
Bobby baby kept me from the cold
Then somewhere near Salinas, Lord
I let him slip away
Lookin' for the home I hope he'll find it
And I'd trade all of my tomorrows
For one single yesterday
Holdin' Bobby's body next to mine
Freedom's just another word for nothin' left to lose
Nothin' left is all that Bobby left me
Feelin good was easy, Lord
When he sang the blues
And buddy, that was good enough for me
Good enough for me and Bobby McGee
The opening lines of Brian McKnight's "Me and Bobby McGee" describe a desolate scene, with the singer "busted flat in Baton Rouge, waitin' for the train." He's feeling worn out, dirty, and hopeless. But then he sees his friend Bobby waiting with him, and the two of them decide to hitch a ride on a diesel truck headed for New Orleans. On the journey, they share Bobby's love for the blues, and although the singer may not have much else in life, for a while, he feels free.
Throughout the course of the song, we see the deep bond between the singer and Bobby. Even though they come from different backgrounds (from "Kentucky coal mines to the California sun"), they connect through music and through their shared struggles. The chorus echoes the rallying cry of the counterculture of the time, declaring that "Freedom's just another word for nothin' left to lose." Although the singer doesn't have much material wealth or stability, he holds onto the feeling of freedom that comes with being with Bobby and singing the blues.
In the final verse, the mood shifts to one of loss and longing. The singer recalls how Bobby slipped away from him "somewhere near Salinas," and how he would trade "all of my tomorrows for one single yesterday, holdin' Bobby's body next to mine." The song ends on a bittersweet note, as the singer reflects on what he's gained and what he's lost in his time with Bobby.
Line by Line Meaning
Busted flat in Baton Rouge
I was stranded and broke in Baton Rouge.
Waitin' for the train
I was waiting for a train to take me somewhere else.
Feelin' nearly faded as my jeans
I was tired and worn out.
Bobby thumbed a diesel down
Bobby hitchhiked a ride on a diesel truck.
Just before it rained
It started raining soon after we got on the truck.
Rode us all the way to New Orleans
The truck took us all the way to New Orleans.
I pulled my harpoon out of my dirty red bandanna
I took out my harmonica from my dirty red handkerchief.
And was playing soft
I played it softly.
While Bobby sang the blues
Bobby sang some sad songs.
With them windshield wipers slappin' time
The sound of the windshield wipers matched the rhythm of the song.
I was holdin' Bobby's hand in mine
I was holding Bobby's hand tightly.
We sang every song that driver knew
We sang all the songs that the driver knew.
Freedom's just another word for nothin' left to lose
Being free means you have nothing else to lose.
Nothin' ain't worth nothin' but it's free
Things that are worthless are usually free.
Feelin' good was easy, Lord,
It was easy to feel good.
When he sang the blues
When Bobby sang his sad songs.
And feelin' good was good enough for me
Feeling good was good enough for me at that moment.
Good enough for me and Bobby McGee
Me and Bobby were happy with just feeling good.
From Kentucky coal mines
I came from Kentucky's coal mines.
To the California sun
I traveled all the way to California.
Bobby shared the secrets of my soul
Bobby knew my deepest thoughts and feelings.
Through all kinds of weather, Lord
We went through difficult times together.
Through everything I done
Through everything I did.
Bobby baby kept me from the cold
Bobby kept me warm and safe.
Then somewhere near Salinas, Lord
Somewhere close to Salinas.
I let him slip away
Bobby left me, I didn't hold on to him tight enough.
Lookin' for the home I hope he'll find it
I hope Bobby finds a new home.
And I'd trade all of my tomorrows
I would give up all my future days.
For one single yesterday
To relive one moment in the past.
Holdin' Bobby's body next to mine
I wish I could hold Bobby's body close to mine again.
Nothin' left is all that Bobby left me
Bobby didn't leave me anything of value.
Feelin good was easy, Lord
Feeling good was easy when Bobby sang his sad songs.
And buddy, that was good enough for me
That was all I needed to feel content in that moment.
Good enough for me and Bobby McGee
Me and Bobby were happy with just feeling good together.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: FRED FOSTER, FRED L FOSTER, KRIS KRISTOFFERSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sarah Andrews
Great job!
Sam Mendes
You rock