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.
whatI'vebeenwaiting4
Brian McKnight Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yea
Yeah
Look in my eyes
Take a good look tell me what you see
Because of you
I'm only a fraction of the man I used to be
I didn't want to fall in love
I didn't really have the time
I didn't want to let you in my life
I wanted to run and hide
Now I don't want to live without you
Can't be without you
Ever since I let you in the door
Girl I don't want to sleep without you
Can't breathe without you
I think I found what I've been waiting for
What I been waiting for
Mm
The smile on my face
Tells I'm exactly at the place that I want to be
Girl you're like my fire
You're my one and only desire
You can have everything that you want from me
I didn't want to fall in love
I didn't really have the time
I didn't want to let you in my life
I wanted to run and hide
Now I don't want to live without you
Can't be without you
Ever since I let you in the door
Girl I don't want to sleep without you
Can't breathe without you
I think I found what I've been waiting for
Baby I'm going through it
I really don't know what you did
But I'm glad you did it
I never thought I would feel this way
But I'm so with it
All things are possible
And with that we'll fall together
Now I don't want to live without you
Can't be without you
Ever since I let you in the door
Girl I don't want to sleep without you
Can't breathe without you
I think I found what I've been waiting for x4
I know what I've been waiting for
And it's you
I know what I've been waiting for
Oh, oh
The song "What I've Been Waiting For" by Brian McKnight tells a story about how the person singing is no longer the same as they used to be because of the woman they love. They sing about how they didn't want to fall in love and weren't ready to let this woman into their life, but now that they have, they can't imagine living without her. The smile on their face shows that they are where they want to be, and the woman they love is their one and only desire. The lyrics convey a sense of vulnerability, as the person singing was hesitant about falling in love but ultimately found what they have been waiting for in this woman.
Line by Line Meaning
Look in my eyes
Direct attention to my gaze
Take a good look tell me what you see
Observing closely and describe what is seen
Because of you
The reason for the current state of things is you
I'm only a fraction of the man I used to be
I have changed significantly and my old self is just a fraction of what I am now
I didn't want to fall in love
I was not prepared to deeply care for someone
I didn't really have the time
I didn't have a lot of free time to dedicate to a romantic relationship
I didn't want to let you in my life
I tried avoiding a romantic relationship with you in my life
I wanted to run and hide
I felt the urge to avoid developing feelings for you
Now I don't want to live without you
I cannot imagine my life without you in it
Can't be without you
It is impossible for me to exist without you in my life
Ever since I let you in the door
Since you entered my life
Girl I don't want to sleep without you
The thought of going to bed without you is unpleasant
Can't breathe without you
I require your presence to keep living
I think I found what I've been waiting for
You are what I've been searching for
The smile on my face
I feel joyful and content
Tells I'm exactly at the place that I want to be
I am currently in a position that aligns with my desires
Girl you're like my fire
You set my soul alight
You're my one and only desire
You are the only thing that I crave
You can have everything that you want from me
You can have anything that I can provide
Baby I'm going through it
I am currently experiencing a difficult time
I really don't know what you did
I am unsure of what you did to me
But I'm glad you did it
Whatever you did made me happy
I never thought I would feel this way
I never predicted that I would be in love with you
But I'm so with it
I am fully committed to this relationship
All things are possible
Anything is achievable
And with that we'll fall together
We will work together to achieve our goals
I know what I've been waiting for
I have identified what I was searching for
And it's you
It is you, my romantic partner
Oh, oh
Vocal ad-lib expressing strong emotion
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind