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.
My Prayer
Brian McKnight Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Counting the time until today
So long I've waited for a chance
When I could spend some time with you
Just with you, yes
You are growing so very fast
And I know I'm always the very last, oh
To kiss your hurt if you should happen to fall down
Fall down
But when I'm gone
I need you here to carry on
My son I know you will be strong
Like a burning flame
You're my claim
That's why you've got my name
And just to show
Come what may I love you so
And there will come a day
When all that's mine is yours
To take good care of you and yours I swear
I swear
And this is my prayer
Oh, yes
When I look at you, so hard to believe
You're the younger version of older me
I swear
I swear
And this is my prayer
Oh Lord, this is my prayer
The song My Prayer by Brian McKnight is a touching tribute to a father's love for his son. The first verse speaks of the distance between the father and son, and how he has been counting the days until they can spend time together. It is a reflection of the struggle that many fathers face in trying to balance their work and family life. The father acknowledges that his son is growing up fast and he wishes he could be more present in his life. The second verse expresses the father's desire to be there for his son, to help him with his problems and to heal his hurts. But the father also knows that he can't always be there, and that one day he will be gone. He wants his son to be strong and carry on his legacy.
The chorus of the song is a plea from the father to his son, asking him to always remember that he is loved and that he will always be there for him. The lyrics are simple yet powerful, conveying the depth of emotions that a parent feels for their child. The bridge of the song is perhaps the most poignant, as the father expresses his love for his son and promises to take care of him and his family.
Overall, My Prayer is a beautiful and heartfelt song that captures the essence of the bond between a father and son. It is a reminder that even though life can be difficult and challenging at times, the love that we have for our children is the one constant that remains.
Line by Line Meaning
I have been so far away
I've been away from home and longing to see you
Counting the time until today
I've been eagerly waiting for this day to arrive
So long I've waited for a chance
I've waited a long time for an opportunity to spend time with you
When I could spend some time with you
I want to have quality time with you, just the two of us
Just with you, yes
Being with you is all that matters to me
You are growing so very fast
I've noticed how quickly you are growing up
And I know I'm always the very last, oh
I'm aware that I'm the last person you turn to when you need help
To help you with a problem
I wish I could be more there to help you solve your problems
To kiss your hurt if you should happen to fall down
I wish I could be there to comfort you when you get hurt or fall down
Fall down
Referring to getting hurt or falling
But when I'm gone
When I'm not around
I need you here to carry on
I want you to keep moving forward and making progress
My son I know you will be strong
I have faith in your ability to be resilient and strong
Like a burning flame
Referring to the strength and intensity of his son's spirit
You're my claim
You are my legacy and what is most important to me
That's why you've got my name
I'm proud to have passed my name and heritage onto you
And just to show
To prove
Come what may I love you so
No matter what, I will always love you
And there will come a day
A time will come in the future
When all that's mine is yours
Everything I have will belong to you
To take good care of you and yours I swear
I promise to take care of you and your family
I swear
I'm making a vow or promise
And this is my prayer
This is what I am asking for
When I look at you, so hard to believe
When I see you, it's hard to believe how much you remind me of myself when I was younger
You're the younger version of older me
You are a reflection of me when I was your age
Oh Lord, this is my prayer
He's praying to God for his child's well-being and his promises to be fulfilled
Lyrics © SHAPIRO BERNSTEIN & CO. INC., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BRIAN KELLY MCKNIGHT, MICHAEL BRANDON BARNES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind