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.
babyit'sU
Brian McKnight Lyrics
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Everything you need to see
And if I, and if I never told ya
Just what you mean to me
And if you have, and if you have a question
After all that we've been through
That you're the air that I breathe
Remember what I'm telling you now
Baby, it's you, it's you, oh, yeah
You are all I ever wanted
I knew right from the start
You're all I've ever needed
You came and opened up my heart
And how'd you managed to do
The very thing so many others could not do
I have sunshine on a cloudy day
And it's all because of you, oh
If I never show ya everything
Everything you need to see
And if I, and if I never told ya
Just what you mean to me
And if, and if, and if you have a question
No question, no question
After all that we've been through, oh
You're the air that I breathe
You're every song that I sing
The reason for all I do
You are my only, I never leave you lonely
There are so many words that I'd like to say
But they just might get in the way
So I gotta show you so that you can remember
Remember, remember
When I'm wiping happy tears from your eyes
I know you'll remember, remember
Happy mornings turn to happy days and happy nights
I know you'll remember, remember
For those times that I might not be there
I know you'll remember, remember
When our children say I love you, mum and dad, it's true
Yesterday, today, forever, I know, baby, it's you, ooh
It's you, ooh, oh, it's you
Brian McKnight's song "babyit'sU" is a beautiful declaration of love to a person who means everything to the singer. The lyrics speak of the fear of not being able to convey the depth of one's feelings to the one they love, and of the immense gratitude for having this person in their life. McKnight promises that no matter what, he will always be there for his beloved and that he will never leave them lonely. The song is a testament to the power of love and the way it can transform and enrich our lives.
The lyrics are heartfelt and moving, and they beautifully express the depth of love that the singer has for the person they are addressing. The use of repetition, particularly of the phrase "it's you," creates a sense of intensity and urgency, emphasizing just how important this person is to the singer. The use of metaphor, such as "you are the air that I breathe," adds to the emotional resonance of the song, and the commitment to always being there for the loved one is a promise that will resonate with anyone who has ever been in love.
Line by Line Meaning
If I, if I never show ya everything
If I never reveal to you all that you need to know and see about me
Everything you need to see
Everything about me that is crucial for your understanding and knowledge
And if I, and if I never told ya
And if I never informed or expressed to you
Just what you mean to me
Just how important, significant and special you are to me
And if you have, and if you have a question
In case you have a doubt or uncertainty
After all that we've been through
Despite all the difficulties and hardships we've faced together
That you're the air that I breathe
That I need you as much as I need air to breathe and survive
Every song that I sing, the reason for all I do
You are the inspiration behind all my music and the purpose behind everything I do
Remember what I'm telling you now
Hold onto and keep in mind what I'm expressing to you presently
Baby, it's you, it's you, oh, yeah
You are the one I'm referring to, without a doubt
You are all I ever wanted
You are the sole desire of my heart and soul
I knew right from the start
Since the very beginning, I have always known this to be true
You're all I've ever needed
You are the only person I've ever needed for fulfillment
You came and opened up my heart
You brought a new level of emotion and love to my life
And how'd you managed to do
How did you accomplish this amazing feat
The very thing so many others could not do
The thing that so many others failed to do for me
I have sunshine on a cloudy day
You bring me happiness even on dark and gloomy days
And it's all because of you, oh
This is all possible because of the presence of you in my life
No question, no question
There shouldn't be any doubt, query or curiosity
You are my only, I never leave you lonely
You are my one and only, and I'll never let you feel isolated or alone
There are so many words that I'd like to say
There are many expressions I would like to convey
But they just might get in the way
They may obstruct or create obstacles instead of helping
So I gotta show you so that you can remember
So I'll demonstrate and prove to you, so that it remains memorable and vivid
When I'm wiping happy tears from your eyes
When I'm drying your joyful teardrops
I know you'll remember, remember
I'm positive that you'll always retain and recollect
Happy mornings turn to happy days and happy nights
The happiness we share in the mornings continues throughout the day and night
For those times that I might not be there
For those moments when I may not be present
When our children say I love you, mum and dad, it's true
When our children express their affection and adoration for us, it's genuine
Yesterday, today, forever, I know, baby, it's you, ooh
For all eternity, both in the past, present and future, I know, without question, it's you who means everything to me.
It's you, ooh, oh, it's you
All the while, I'm talking about you alone
Contributed by Carter M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.