Knight recorded with Mercury and Capitol in New York before signing with Stax Records in 1972. He had his only UK hit single, "I've Been Lonely For So Long," in 1972. The song was on the chart for 10 weeks and reached number 22. Lack of further chart activity leaves him labeled as a one-hit wonder. However, Knight did appear in the documentary film, Wattstax, which was released in 1973.
After Stax's demise Knight launched Juana Records, writing and producing The Controllers, and he had a UK Number 1 chart credit with Anita Ward's "Ring My Bell" in 1979. Knight cut "I've Been Lonely for So Long" in Birmingham, Alabama, with a seasoned southern soul crew behind him, and hit again in 1975 with "I Betcha Didn't Know That."
The song "Be For Real", written by Knight and originally performed by Marlena Shaw, was covered by Leonard Cohen for his album The Future and subsequently by The Afghan Whigs for the movie Beautiful Girls.
He only released 4 albums under his name; 1987's "Knight Kap" being the last.
I've Been Lonely for So Long
Frederick Knight Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't seem like happiness will come along
I've been lonely for so long
Don't seem like happiness will come along
These ain't rain clouds over my head
Everybody's throwing rocks in my bed
Just can't seem to get ahead in life
Won't somebody help me please
'Cause I've been lonely for so long
Don't seem like happiness will come along
I've been lonely for so long
Don't seem like happiness will come along
I lay awake every night
Tryin' to figure out how to make things right
There's got to be a better way I know
To shake this monkey off 'cause he's makin' me so
Won't somebody help me please
'Cause I've been lonely for so long
Don't seem like happiness will come along
I've been lonely for so long
Don't seem like happiness will come along
Yes, I know what it feels like to be lonely
To have your friends turn their backs on you, yes I've been lonely
To never know the real meaning of peace of mind, yes
I lay awake every night
Tryin' to figure out how to make things right
There's got to be a better way I know
To shake this monkey off 'cause he's makin' me so
Won't somebody help me please
'Cause I've been lonely for so long...
The lyrics of Frederick Knight's "I've Been Lonely for So Long" convey the singer's deep sense of isolation and desperation. The opening lines express the singer's belief that happiness seems out of reach, despite their intense longing for connection and companionship. The image of rain clouds and rocks being thrown at the singer's bed creates a bleak and uncomfortable atmosphere, emphasizing the feeling of being trapped and unable to escape their loneliness.
The repetition of the phrase "I've been lonely for so long" emphasizes the duration and impact of the singer's loneliness. The lyrics suggest that the singer has tried and failed to improve their situation, as they lay awake each night, grappling with the feeling of being alone. Despite their efforts, the singer cannot seem to shake off the metaphorical monkey on their back, which may represent the weight of their loneliness.
The final verse reveals that the singer has experienced loneliness firsthand, highlighting the authenticity of their feelings. The plea for help in the final lines emphasizes the singer's vulnerability and need for human connection. Through its poignant lyrics, "I've Been Lonely for So Long" captures the profound emotional impact of isolation and the search for a way out.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been lonely for so long
I have been feeling sad and alone for an extended period of time
Don't seem like happiness will come along
It feels like I will never be happy again
These ain't rain clouds over my head
My problems are not temporary and can’t be solved by waiting them out
Everybody's throwing rocks in my bed
I am being constantly confronted with hardships and opposition
Just can't seem to get ahead in life
No matter how hard I try, I can't seem to achieve success or happiness
Ooh, nothin' I do ever turn out right
All of my efforts result in failure or disappointment
Won't somebody help me please
I am desperate for assistance and support
I lay awake every night
I have trouble sleeping because of my worries and anxieties
Tryin' to figure out how to make things right
I am constantly trying to find a solution to my problems
There's got to be a better way I know
I am sure that there is a better path for me to take
To shake this monkey off 'cause he's makin' me so
To find a way to overcome the problems that are causing me so much suffering
Yes, I know what it feels like to be lonely
I can empathize with others who feel similar to me
To have your friends turn their backs on you, yes I've been lonely
I have experienced the pain of being rejected or abandoned by those I thought were friends
To never know the real meaning of peace of mind, yes
I have never truly experienced inner peace or contentment
Contributed by Julian S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@danielalexanderpobo
What a gem. I can't believe how underrated this song is.
@shondaharris5752
My brother had me listening to this at a very young age even then I was infatuated with this song I’m the youngest of 7
@maxwatkins5166
I hear ya...better get used to it though bro if you value music for its internal worth
@rferoe
Word
@skyfall9124
I love it when a plan comes together
@tjgunner7497
Lmao
@willieeiland9771
😂💯
@redacted4168
Heard this song for the first time last week in the warehouse of a department store I've been working at for the last four years, the job and everything that was going on at that point was really making me miserable. When I heard this I had to stop my stock check and look it up, I haven't been able to stop listening to it all week. Today I got offered a new job at a place where I can start pursing my chosen career. Whatever you're going through, we've all felt it. Just give it some time.
@kevinharrison4780
Those of us who grew up w/ this unbelievable music , man we are so lucky. They don't do it like this anymore.
@philipbonner6486
Beautiful song, Fredrick Knight also wrote the hit single Ring my Bell for Anita Ward from 1979.