Knight started to record solo material due to legal issues that forced her and The Pips to record separately. Her solo debut "Miss Gladys Knight" was released in 1978 followed by "Gladys Knight" on Colombia Records. Knight recorded the title track for the James Bond movie "Licence To Kill." It became a Top 10 hit in the UK, peaking at #6. Knight's third solo album, "Good Woman" was released in 1991 on MCA Records (now Geffen Records). The album quickly climbed the charts to #1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. The album features the lead single, "Men" (#2 R&B). Her fourth album, "Just For You" followed in 1995. The album went Gold. Knight most recent album is her critically acclaimed ninth studio album, "Before Me", released in 2006.
Everybody Needs Love
Gladys Knight Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But you won't let me love you
Say you want someone to trust in you, baby
Can't you see that's what I'm tryin' to do?
I know you've been hurt before
And you're afraid to try love once more
You're only half alive
'Cause everybody needs love, oh, yeah
Everybody needs love
Say you wanna be kissed
But you won't let me kiss you
Say you wanna be missed
Can't you see how my arms are missing you?
She's got you hurting so inside
Now, with love you try to hide
But no matter how you try
Without love you can't survive
'Cause everybody needs love, oh, yeah
Everybody needs love, oh, love's alright
You need love, I need love, everybody needs love
Baby, don't you know that?
You need love and I need love
Everybody needs love
Say you wake up in the morning, yes, you will
Feeling, ooh, so empty inside
I bet I know what your trouble is, baby
You need someone like me by your side
I know you've been hurt before
But don't be afraid to try love once more
'Cause without love you'll find
You'll have no peace of mind
'Cause everybody needs love, oh, yeah
Everybody needs love
You need love
I need love
Everybody needs love
The lyrics to Gladys Knight & The Pips's song "Everybody Needs Love" express the idea that all human beings need love in their lives. The singer is telling their partner that they want to love and support them, but the partner is hesitant due to past hurt and fear of getting hurt again. The singer acknowledges this fear but encourages their partner to try love again because without it, one cannot fully live. The chorus emphasizes the universal need for love, stating that "everybody needs love."
In the second verse, the singer addresses their partner's pain and hurt caused by someone else, likely an ex-lover. They assure their partner that with love, they can hide that emotional pain and start to heal. The singer once again reminds their partner that love is necessary in life and without it, one cannot fully survive. The final verse directly addresses the partner's loneliness and emptiness, suggesting that the singer can fill that void with their love.
Overall, the song's message is meant to be universal, reminding listeners that no matter how much one might have been hurt in the past, love is essential for living a fulfilling life.
Line by Line Meaning
Say you wanna be loved
You express a desire for love
But you won't let me love you
You do not allow me to love you
Say you want someone to trust in you, baby
You seek a person who will trust you
Can't you see that's what I'm tryin' to do?
I am trying to trust you
I know you've been hurt before
I understand that you have been hurt in the past
And you're afraid to try love once more
As a result, you are hesitant to try love again
Without love by your side
Without the presence of love
You're only half alive
You feel incomplete
'Cause everybody needs love, oh, yeah
Because every person requires love in their life
Say you wanna be kissed
You express a desire to be kissed
But you won't let me kiss you
You do not allow me to kiss you
Say you wanna be missed
You want to be missed
Can't you see how my arms are missing you?
I am missing holding you in my arms
She's got you hurting so inside
You are hurting because of someone else
Now, with love you try to hide
You try to hide your feelings with the presence of love
But no matter how you try
Regardless of your efforts
Without love you can't survive
You cannot thrive without love
You need love, I need love, everybody needs love
Love is necessary for everyone
Baby, don't you know that?
Do you not realize this?
Say you wake up in the morning, yes, you will
When you wake up in the morning
Feeling, ooh, so empty inside
Feeling a deep sense of emptiness within yourself
I bet I know what your trouble is, baby
I believe I know what is causing this trouble
You need someone like me by your side
You require someone like me to be with you
But don't be afraid to try love once more
Do not be afraid to give love another chance
'Cause without love you'll find
Without love, you will discover that
You'll have no peace of mind
You will not have a peaceful mind
You need love
You require love
I need love
I require love
Everybody needs love
Every person requires love in their life
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: EDWARD HOLLAND, NORMAN WHITFIELD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Corey Sheppard
I love this tune. It truly captures Motown's classic sound with a young Gladys. It can't be beat
sundalya H
One of my top favorites songs by Gladys Knight and The Pips! Sit down, snap your fingers and move your head gently. I get excited when I hear this song on the radio!
JOHN Fulton
I love this song also I saw Gladys Knight and the Pips perform this song at the Apollo they brought the house down
Ladi Jae1
How the hell do 89 people NOT like this classic??? Xmas day is 11 minutes gone and i will bring 2021 in still listening to this song! Sing Gladys!!!!
JOHN Fulton
THAT'S RIGHT SING GIRL SING!
sally ghasan
Agreeee
Brutha Dnubian
Another shining example of why MOTOWN is the BEST music ever created ❤❤❤❤
Paul Gentile
I don't care about no best ever there's so much good music out there .. but Motown was always on the radar..
Andre Thompson
I'll say they had some of the best, Stax pumped out some great music too.
Gwendolyn Simmons
2021 Still love this melody !!! A real love song!!!