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.
Greatest Love Of All
Gladys Knight Lyrics
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Teach them well and let them lead the way
Show them all the beauty they possess inside
Give them a sense of pride to make it easier
Let the children's laughter remind us how we used to be
Everybody searching for a hero
People need someone to look up to
I never found anyone who fulfill my needs
So I learned to depend on me
[Chorus]
I decided long ago, never to walk in anyone's shadows
If I fail, if I succeed
At least I'll live as I believe
No matter what they take from me
They can't take away my dignity
Because the greatest love of all
Is happening to me
I found the greatest love of all
Inside of me
The greatest love of all
Is easy to achieve
Learning to love yourself
It is the greatest love of all
I believe the children are our future
Teach them well and let them lead the way
Show them all the beauty they possess inside
Give them a sense of pride to make it easier
Let the children's laughter remind us how we used to be
[Chorus]
And if by chance, that special place
That you've been dreaming of
Leads you to a lonely place
Find your strength in love
The lyrics to Gladys Knight's "Greatest Love of All" emphasizes the importance of teaching children to love and believe in themselves. The first stanza suggests that children are the future and that it is our responsibility to educate them and guide them in the right direction. The line "Show them all the beauty they possess inside" implies that every child has the potential for greatness, and we should help them to realize their worth. Additionally, the line "Let the children's laughter remind us how we used to be" reflects the purity and carefree nature of childhood that adults often lose in their quest for success and maturity.
In the chorus, the songstress sings about the importance of self-reliance, independence, and not living under anyone's shadow. She proclaims, "I decided long ago, never to walk in anyone's shadow." This line means that she has chosen to live a life that is not influenced by other people's opinions or achievements. She follows this up by stating, "If I fail, if I succeed, at least I will live as I believe." This line implies that her self-worth is not defined by her successes or failures, but by her self-belief. She then sings the iconic lines, "No matter what they take from me, they can't take away my dignity." This sentence captures the idea that no one can take away our sense of self-worth, no matter what happens to us. Finally, the chorus ends with the famous words "Learning to love yourself, it is the greatest love of all," which sums up the central theme of the song.
Overall, "Greatest Love of All" carries an essential message that teaches us to love ourselves and others, to respect the individuality of every person, to live life according to our values and beliefs, and to empower the next generation to do the same. It is a song that uplifts our spirit, gives us hope and reminds us of the purity of childhood.
Line by Line Meaning
I believe the children are our are future
I have hope that the younger generation will make the world a better place
Teach them well and let them lead the way
We should educate children and give them the tools to succeed and create a better future
Show them all the beauty they possess inside
Help children discover their unique talents and abilities
Give them a sense of pride to make it easier
Encourage children to have confidence in themselves and their abilities
Let the children's laughter remind us how we used to be
Children have a natural wonder and joy for life that adults can learn from
I decided long ago, never to walk in anyone's shadows
I choose to be my own person and not follow in someone else's footsteps
If I fail, if I succeed
Whether I am successful or not, I am proud of who I am and my efforts
At least I'll live as I believe
I choose to live true to my own beliefs and values
No matter what they take from me
No matter the circumstances, I will not lose my sense of self-worth
They can't take away my dignity
My worth as a human being cannot be taken away by anyone else
Because the greatest love of all
The most important type of love is self-love
Is happening to me
I have learned to love and value myself
I found the greatest love of all
The love and respect I have for myself is the greatest of all
Inside of me
My self-worth comes from within, not from external sources
The greatest love of all
Self-love is the highest form of love
Is easy to achieve
Anyone can learn to love and value themselves
Learning to love yourself
Developing a sense of self-love and respect is vital for personal growth and happiness
It is the greatest love of all
Self-love is more important than any other type of love
And if by chance, that special place
If your dreams take you to a lonely place
That you've been dreaming of
The place you've always wanted to be
Leads you to a lonely place
If achieving your dreams means being alone
Find your strength in love
Use self-love as a source of strength and comfort during difficult times
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: LINDA CREED, MICHAEL MASSER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ginger Williams
on Mr. Love
I'm 84 years old and I've never heard this beautiful message. My daughter introduced it to me and I'm gonna keep listening. I love it