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.
Friendship Train
Gladys Knight Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Said, the world is in a desperate situation
Stealing, burning, fighting, killing
Nothing but corruption
It looks like mankind in on the eve of destruction
Oh yes, it is people, let me tell you now
We've got to learn to live with each other
No, no matter what the race, creed or color
I just got to tell you what the world needs now
Is love and understanding get on board the Friendship Train
Everybody shake a hand, shake a hand
People I'm talking about the Friendship Train
Everybody, shake a hand, make a friend now
Listen to us now, we're doing our thing
On the Friendship Train
We've got to start today to make tomorrow
A brighter day for our children
Oh, calm down people now we can do it
I can prove it but only if our hearts are willing
Now, so get on board the Friendship Train
Everybody, shake a hand, shake a hand
Yes, I'm talking about the Friendship Train
Come on buddy, shake a hand, make a friend
No, no, no, it don't matter what you look like
People or who you are
If your heart is in the right place
Talking about the right place
You're welcome on the board now
This train stands for justice
This train stands for freedom
This train stands for harmony and peace
This train stands for love, love
Come on, get on the Friendship Train
Everybody, shake a hand, shake a hand
I'm talking about the Friendship Train
Come on buddy, shake a hand, make a friend, now
People listen to me now
Harmony is the key, my sisters and brothers
Oh yes, it is I say
Harmony is the key, my sisters and brothers
People, we can't wait 'cause another day might be too late
Come on, get on the Friendship Train
Everybody, shake a hand, shake a hand, now
I'm talking about the Friendship Train
Get on board and shake a hand, make a friend, now
The lyrics to Gladys Knight's "Friendship Train" are a call for unity and understanding in a world that is facing corruption, stealing, burning, fighting, and killing. The song urges people to put aside their differences of race, creed, or color, and come together under the banner of the Friendship Train. It calls on everyone to shake hands and make friends, to live with each other in love and harmony. The train stands for justice, freedom, harmony, peace, and above all, love.
The lyrics of "Friendship Train" reflect the spirit of the civil rights movement of the 1960s, which was marked by protests, sit-ins, and marches that called for racial equality and justice. The song was released in 1969 and became a hit, reaching No. 17 on the US Pop charts and No. 5 on the US R&B charts. It was written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong, who were also responsible for Motown hits such as "War" and "Papa Was a Rolling Stone."
The song's message of unity and understanding is timeless and continues to resonate today in a world that is still struggling with divisions of race, religion, and politics. The Friendship Train keeps on rolling, reminding us that we are all in this together and that we can make the world a better place if we work together.
Line by Line Meaning
Calling out to everyone across the nation
Gladys Knight is urging everyone in the country to listen to her message.
Said, the world is in a desperate situation
Knight believes that the world is facing a critical problem.
Stealing, burning, fighting, killing
The world is plagued by crimes, violence, and corruption.
Nothing but corruption
Corruption is widespread and has become the norm.
It looks like mankind in on the eve of destruction
Knight fears that humanity is on the brink of destruction.
Oh yes, it is people, let me tell you now
Knight is emphasizing that this is a serious matter.
We've got to learn to live with each other
Knight believes that people need to coexist peacefully with one another.
No, no matter what the race, creed or color
Irrespective of one's race, religion, or skin color, everyone should be treated equally.
I just got to tell you what the world needs now
Knight is about to reveal what she believes is crucial for the world at this point in time.
Is love and understanding get on board the Friendship Train
Love and understanding are the key to solving the world's problems, and everyone should join the Friendship Train to help achieve this goal.
Everybody shake a hand, shake a hand
Knight is encouraging everyone to connect with each other.
People I'm talking about the Friendship Train
Knight wants everyone to understand the significance of the Friendship Train.
Listen to us now, we're doing our thing
Knight and her team are confident in their mission and want people to listen to them.
We've got to start today to make tomorrow
It is essential to act now and begin making a positive change for the future.
A brighter day for our children
The ultimate goal is to create a better future for the upcoming generation.
Oh, calm down people now we can do it
Knight is calming people down and reassuring them that they can bring about a positive change if they work together.
I can prove it but only if our hearts are willing
Knight is confident in her message but acknowledges that it can only work if people's hearts are open to change.
No, no, no, it don't matter what you look like
One's physical appearance does not matter when it comes to promoting love and understanding.
People or who you are
Regardless of one's social status or identity, everyone should be welcomed on the Friendship Train.
If your heart is in the right place
What matters is that one's intentions are pure and motivated by love and understanding.
Talking about the right place
Knight is emphasizing how crucial it is for one's heart to be in the right place.
You're welcome on the board now
Knight is inviting everyone to join the Friendship Train.
This train stands for justice
The Friendship Train is a symbol of justice and equality.
This train stands for freedom
The Friendship Train represents freedom of expression and individual liberty.
This train stands for harmony and peace
The Friendship Train embodies the values of harmony and peace.
This train stands for love, love
The Friendship Train is a symbol of love and understanding.
People listen to me now
Knight once again wants people's attention as she delivers her message.
Harmony is the key, my sisters and brothers
Knight is reiterating that the most important element in creating a better world is harmony.
People, we can't wait 'cause another day might be too late
Knight is stressing the urgency of the situation and how waiting can have dire consequences.
Get on board and shake a hand, make a friend, now
Knight wants everyone to join the Friendship Train, connect with others, and build lasting friendships.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BARRETT STRONG, NORMAN WHITFIELD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sauquoit13456
On this day in 1969 {December 7th} "Friendship Train" by Gladys Knight and the Pips peaked at #2 {for 1 week} on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, the one week it was at #2, the #1 record for that week was "Someday We'll Be Together" by Diana Ross and the Supremes
"Friend Train" reached #17 on Billboard's Top 100 chart...
Between 1961 and 1988 the Atlanta, Georgia group had fifty-five records on the Hot R&B Singles chart, thirty-one made the Top 10 with ten reaching #1...
Gladys Maria Knight, aka The Empress of Soul, will celebrate her 77th birthday in five months on May 28th, 2021...
Sadly, two of the Pips have passed away, Edward Roy Patten at the age of 65 on February 25th, 2005 and William Guest on December 24th, 2015 at age 74...
May both Mr. Patten and Mr. Guest R.I.P.
* "Friendship Train" was the group's second of five of their records to peak at #2, their other four #2 records were "The Nitty Gritty" {1969}, "I Don't Want To Do Wrong" {1971}, "Daddy Could Swear, I Declare" {1973}, and "On and On" {1974}...
And from the 'For What It's Worth' department, the remainder of the Hot R&B Singles' Top 10 on December 7th, 1969:
At #3. "These Eyes" by Jr. Walker & the All Stars
#4. "Baby, I'm For Real" by The Originals
#5. "Eleanor Rigby" by Aretha Franklin
#6. "Yester-Me, Yester-You, Yesterday" by Stevie Wonder
#7. "I Want You Back" by The Jackson 5
#8. "Backfield In Motion" by Mel & Tim
#9. "Ain't It Funky Now" by James Brown
#10. "Take A Letter Maria" by R. B. Greaves
Plus: The groups' above appearance was on the first episode of 'Soul Train' on October 2nd, 1971...
@brendahass5500
Calling out to everyone across the nation
Said the world today is in a desperate situation
Stealing, burning, fighting, killing
Nothing but corruption
It look like mankind in on the eve of destruction
Oh yes it is now people let me tell you now
We've got to learn to live with each other
No matter what the race, creed or color
I just got to tell you what the world needs now
Is love and understanding get aboard the friendship train
Everybody shake a hand make a friend now
Listen to us now, we're doing our thing
On the friendship train
We've got to start today to make tomorrow
A brighter day for our children
Oh calm down people now we can do it
I can prove it but only if our hearts are willing
So get aboard the friendship train
Everybody, shake a hand, shake a hand
Yes I'm talking about the friendship train
Get on board shake a hand, make a friend
It don't matter what you look like
People or who you are
If your heart is in the right place
In the right place
Talking about the right place
You're welcome aboard now
This train stands for justice,
This train stands for freedom
This train stands for harmony and peace
This train stands for love
Come on get on the friendship train
People listen to me now
Harmony is the key my sisters and brothers
Oh yes it is I say
Harmony is the key my sisters and brothers
People can't wait cause another day might be too late
Come on get on the friendship train
@GoodOlAllisonHarvard
Woah... Gladys Knight is GORGEOUS here! 😍🙌🏾✨
@apataye
¡¡I was thinking exactly the same!! I´ve never had any doubts about her being, probably, the BEST female soul singer ever, but I had never thought of her as a very pretty woman, up till now.
@OneTrineMendUs
Indeed. Kelly looks a little like her here.
@markmyers6472
She always has been, and still is, beautiful! She was the 1st entertainer I remember stopping me in my tracks as a kid!
@clarenceawalker1873
The Empress of soul she still have that beautiful voice💙👍.
@lolatyou
She is a good Christian and loves to sing The National Anthem. No knee taking for her.
Proud American Woman.
@SuperPrince1007
Gladys Knight in this video has one of the most beautiful smiles I've ever seen. I love this song so much because she gets all of her heart and soul into it.
@darlene971
They did all that footwork on that small space
@alvinwconstantine72
WHO IS LISTENING TO THIS GREAT SINGER AND HER SUPER GROUP HERE IN 2022?.....I AM!!!!
@musicloverlondon6070
Myself and many others too - because talent and quality are timeless. 😊👏