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.

The Way I Do
Brian McKnight Lyrics

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[Mr. Cheeks]
Special kinda friend, lemme clown with ya
Get to know you little better, spend some time with ya
Hit the town with ya, spend every dime with you
no matter what you want to do as long as i'm with you
get your picture painted, place it on my wall
and as long as i want I'm giving you my all
but when the night falls, we hold eachother all night

Play some B. Knight, He'll make it all right

[Brian]
I can see it in your eyes, your looking at a real man
I don't wear a disguise, gonna make you understand
I know you heard a lot of lies
I won't beat around the bush
I know I'm gonna make ya mine
But I'm not gonna push

Girl I don't mean to come off
As cocky, or concieted
But I believe that you were meant
Just for me, There should be nothing
But love coming betweens us
And we will be together always, baby yeah

Baby I don't mean come on strong
But you should be with somebody
Who understands you like I do
I'll be right here
If ever you need a hand or 2
To help you get where you going to
Lemme show you the way I do

[Brian]
I would never do you wrong
Like some other fella did
It only matters where you going
Don't matter where you been
I calculated all the costs
Measured what your worth
And right after God
Girl I'm puttin you first

Girl I don't mean to come off
As cocky, or concieted
But I believe that you were meant
Just for me, There should be nothing
But love coming betweens us
And we will be together always

Baby I don't mean come on strong

But you should be with somebody
Who understands yo

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Brian McKnight's song "The Way I Do" tell the story of a man who is interested in a woman and wants to show her that he is different from other men she has met. At the beginning of the song, Mr. Cheeks raps about wanting to spend time with this woman, no matter what she wants to do. He wants a deeper connection with her and would go as far as putting up her picture on his wall. Later, Brian McKnight chimes in with the chorus, where he promises the woman that he will treat her right and be there for her when she needs him.

The verses sung by Brian are a reflection of his sincerity and transparency with this woman. He tells her that he is not going to beat around the bush or come on too strong, but he believes that she was meant just for him. He promises to be the person who understands her like nobody else and to always be there to help her get where she needs to go. He even puts her above everything else in his life, right after God.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: TIJUAN FRAMPTON, MICHAEL JONES, MICHAEL CARLOS JONES, TERRANCE COCHEEKS KELLY, JACK KNIGHT, BRIAN KELLY MC KNIGHT, MARIO WINANS, MARIO MENDELL WINANS

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