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.

What You Gonna Do ft. Black Eyed Peas
Brian McKnight Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Todo se siente tan diferente cuando estás aquí
Estás en mi mente, estás en la gente, qué bello es vivir
And now that I found her don't wanna ever be alone
Tú me amas
Y este mundo se ve mejor

Amor, la razón eres tú
Puedes llenar todo el lugar de luz

Me haces volar hasta tu cielo azul
Mírame amor, love, la razón eres tú
You

Voy despistado, enamorado sin temor
No tengo prisa, no hay otro lugar mejor
Trying to find the words, but I don't know what to say
She loves me
Wouldn't have it any other way

Oh, love, look what you make me do
All of the things I swore that I'd never do
I didn't know where this would lead me too
Look me now, love

Me entrego a tu voz
Sin miedo en el corazón
Atrapado por tu emoción
Y la pasión de darte mi devoción

Abrazándome a tu piel
Todo va a estar muy bien
With my whole heart
Let forever begin

And no, la razón eres tú
All of the things I swore that I'd never do
Me haces volar hasta tu cielo azul
Look me now, love
Look what you make me do
Mírame amor, love, la razón eres tú

Mm, mm
La razón eres tú

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Brian McKnight's song "What You Gonna Do" ft. Black Eyed Peas express the deep, intense feelings of a man who has fallen in love. The opening lines convey a sense of overwhelming change that comes with the presence of the woman he loves, whether she is physically there or simply on his mind or in the thoughts of others. He no longer wants to be alone and she fills his world with light, making everything better.

The chorus reinforces the idea that love is the reason for everything, making everything brighter and more vibrant. The man is enraptured by his beloved, so much so that he feels like he is flying in her blue skies. He is lost in love, but without fear or hesitation, content in the belief that there is no better place than being with her.

The final verse speaks to the powerful transformative nature of love. The man is no longer in control of himself, doing things he never thought he would. Yet despite this, he is not afraid of where this love will take him. He is willing to give himself to her completely and trusts that everything will work out in the end.

Line by Line Meaning

Todo se siente tan diferente cuando estas aquí
Everything feels so different when you are here

Estas en mi mente estas en la gente que bello es vivir
You are in my mind, you are in the people, how beautiful life is

And now that I found her dont't wanna be alone
Now that I found her I don't want to be alone

Tú me amas y este mundo se ve mejor
You love me and the world looks better

Amor,la razón eres tú
Love, you are the reason

Puedes llenar todo el lugar de luz
You can fill the whole place with light

Me haces volar hasta tu cielo azul
You make me fly to your blue sky

Mira amor love, la razón eres tu
Look love, you are the reason

Voy despistado enamorado sin temor
I'm lost in love without fear

No tengo prisa, no hay otro lugar mejor
I'm not in a hurry, there is no better place

Trying to find the words but I don't know what to say
Trying to find the words but I don't know what to say