Brian McKnight (born June 5, 1969 in Buffalo, New York) is an American sing… Read Full Bio ↴Brian McKnight (born June 5, 1969 in Buffalo, New York) is an American singer, songwriter, arranger, producer and one of the prominent singers of his years, specializing in pop and R&B. He is a multi-instrumentalist and plays the piano, guitar, and trumpet.

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.

Red White And Blue
Brian McKnight Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Baby
Tomorrow I'ma hafta fight
Leaving at first light
And all I can think of is you

Baby
I can hear you tryin not to cry
I'm afraid and I ain't gonna lie

I gotta do what I've been trained to do

I'm a little tired, but I'm doin fine
I got my brothers back and he's watching mine
Just keep praying that we'll all make it through

I fight for what's right
And I fight for what is true
Mostly I'm fighting to get back to you
We don't see black
We don't see white
We just see what we hafta do
All we see is red, white, and blue
Fighting for our red, white, and blue

Baby
How's our little baby girl?
Does she know her daddy's half way round the world?
Tell her she is my heart
Well...
I've only seen her in a photograph
Don't know whether to cry or laugh
While I'm out here in the dark

I get so damn tired but I'm doin fine
Got my brothers back and he's watchin mine
Just keep prayin that we'll all make it through

I fight for what's right
And I fight for what is true
Mostly I'm fighting to get back to you
We don't see black
We don't see white
We don't see what we hafta do
All we see is red, white, and blue
Fighting for our red, white, and blue

I don't know the reasons why
Sometimes at night I sit and cry
It's hard to tell you what I'm goin through
What I'm goin through...
When all we have is this telephone
On this telephone...
Don't know when I'll be comin home
I just need you to keep praying that I do

I fight for what's right
And I fight for what is true
Mostly I'm fighting to get back to you
We don't see black
We don't see white
We don't see what we hafta do
All we see is red, white, and blue

All we see is red, white, and blue
Fighting for our red, white, and blue

Overall Meaning

In "Red White and Blue," Brian McKnight sings as a soldier who is about to leave for battle. He is leaving behind his love interest, who is trying not to cry. He is afraid and admits it, but he has to do what he has been trained to do. He tells his love interest that he is fighting for what is right and true, but mostly, he is fighting to get back to her.

The soldier asks about their little baby girl and expresses his heartbreak at being so far away from her. He is tired, but he reassures his love interest that he is doing fine, and he is watching his brother’s back. The soldier doesn’t see race; he only sees red, white, and blue. He fights for his country, and he’s fighting for his love and family.

The song's lyrics reflect on the struggle, fear, and uncertainty that goes through a soldier's mind as he goes off to fight for his country. It also shows the pain and longing for loved ones left behind. It's an emotional tribute to those who fight for their country while enduring the hardships of war.

Line by Line Meaning

Baby Tomorrow I'ma hafta fight Leaving at first light And all I can think of is you
The singer is leaving to fight a war and is thinking of his loved one as he leaves.

Baby I can hear you tryin not to cry I'm afraid and I ain't gonna lie I gotta do what I've been trained to do
The singer acknowledges the fear of his loved one and reminds her that he must do what he's trained to do.

I'm a little tired, but I'm doin fine I got my brothers back and he's watching mine Just keep praying that we'll all make it through
The singer is exhausted but reassures his loved one that he and his brothers will watch each other's backs and hopes to make it through.

I fight for what's right And I fight for what is true Mostly I'm fighting to get back to you We don't see black We don't see white We just see what we hafta do All we see is red, white, and blue Fighting for our red, white, and blue
The singer is fighting for his country and his loved one, finding motivation in the colors of their flag, and doesn't see race in the war.

Baby How's our little baby girl? Does she know her daddy's half way round the world? Tell her she is my heart
The singer asks about their daughter and wants his loved one to remind her how much she means to him.

Well... I've only seen her in a photograph Don't know whether to cry or laugh While I'm out here in the dark
The singer is deeply affected by the distance from his daughter and is unsure how to feel in the situation.

I don't know the reasons why Sometimes at night I sit and cry It's hard to tell you what I'm goin through What I'm goin through...
The singer is consumed with emotions and cries in the darkness of the war, struggling to communicate and convey his situation.

When all we have is this telephone On this telephone... Don't know when I'll be comin home I just need you to keep praying that I do
The singer is far away and misses his family, wishing to return home and asking his loved one to keep praying for him.

All we see is red, white, and blue Fighting for our red, white, and blue
The singer reaffirms his and his brothers' purpose and motivation by fighting for their country's colors and the flag.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BRIAN KELLY MCKNIGHT, MICHAEL BRANDON BARNES

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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