Gladys Maria Knight (born May 28, 1944 in Atlanta, Georgia) is a legendary … Read Full Bio ↴Gladys Maria Knight (born May 28, 1944 in Atlanta, Georgia) is a legendary American R&B/soul singer and actress. She is best known for the hits she recorded during the 1960s and 1970s, for both the Motown and Buddah Records labels, with her group Gladys Knight & the Pips, the most famous incarnation of which also included her brother Merald "Bubba" Knight and her cousins Edward Patten and William Guest.
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.

I Really Didn't Mean It
Gladys Knight Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I told my girl bye-bye (bye)
And I really didn't mean it
Said I met somebody new so fine (fine)
And I really didn't mean it

Out of my head to say the things I said
I didn't mean a word
Think jealousy just took a hold of me

I hope she'll ignore the things she heard
(No doubt about it) My heart is in her hands
(With every moment) I'm waiting for a second chance
(Maybe an angel) Will come and help her see
I can't face the world if she don't love me

I told my girl bye-bye (bye)
And I really didn't mean it
Said I met somebody new so fine (fine)
And I really didn't mean it
When I walked away I cried (cried)
And I really didn't mean it
So she took me back cause she knew I (I)
Really didn't mean it

Dear one from me take my apology
I need you back
I promise I know o never let you go
Is there a chance to see you baby
(They talk about all) the love that we still share
(From her emotion) I barely miss your happiness
(You're missing and mourning) the way it used to be
I know it's true but I don't believe

I told my girl bye-bye (bye)
And I really didn't mean it
Said I met somebody new so fine (fine)
And I really didn't mean it
When I walked away I cried (cried)
And I really didn't mean it
So she took me back cause she knew I (I)
Really didn't mean it

I want you back it can't be any other way
I want you back and I've waited for the day
I want you back I'm gonna be a little smarter
I want you back I'm gonna try a little harder
She's good She's fine and always on my mind
I know our love will stand the test of time
She's my girl and my best friend
And I really didn't mean it
Her love is love so fine and so for real
I want the world to know the way I feel
She's my girl and my best friend
And I really didn't mean it
Yeah... yeah.. ooh...

I told my girl bye-bye (bye)
And I really didn't mean it
Said I met somebody new so fine (fine)
And I really didn't mean it
When I walked away I cried (cried)
And I really didn't mean it

So she took me back cause she knew I (I)
Really didn't mean it

Overall Meaning

The song "I Really Didn't Mean It" by Gladys Knight is a ballad about a man who, out of jealousy, tells his girlfriend that he has met someone new and breaks up with her. He later realizes his mistake and wants her back, expressing his regret and asking for forgiveness. The lyrics show how sometimes emotions can get the best of us, leading us to say and do things we don't mean, but in the end, true love prevails.

The first verse establishes the situation: the singer tells his girlfriend goodbye, but he didn't really mean it. He lied about meeting someone new to hurt her out of jealousy. The second verse expresses his regret and hope that she can forgive him. He recognizes that his heart is in her hands and that he needs a second chance. The chorus repeats the cycle of breaking up, regretting it, crying, and being taken back, emphasizing the singer's sincerity and the strength of their love.

In the third verse, the singer asks for forgiveness and promises never to let her go again, but he's not sure if she'll take him back. He acknowledges that they still share love and emotion despite the pain he caused her. The final verse is a heartfelt declaration of love, where the singer proclaims how much his girlfriend means to him and vows to be a better partner. The song ends with the chorus repeating the main message that he didn't mean to hurt her and that he hopes they can make it work.

Overall, "I Really Didn't Mean It" is an emotional and sincere plea for forgiveness and reconciliation, showing the ups and downs of relationships and the power of love to overcome mistakes.

Line by Line Meaning

I told my girl bye-bye (bye)
I broke up with my significant other

And I really didn't mean it
I regret my decision and don't want it to be over

Said I met somebody new so fine (fine)
As an excuse, I told her I met someone else

Out of my head to say the things I said
I wasn't thinking straight and said things I didn't mean

I didn't mean a word
I want to take back everything I said

Think jealousy just took a hold of me
My jealousy got the best of me

I hope she'll ignore the things she heard
I want her to forgive me and forget what I said

(No doubt about it) My heart is in her hands
My heart belongs to her and always will

(With every moment) I'm waiting for a second chance
I'm hopeful she'll give me another chance

(Maybe an angel) Will come and help her see
I'm wishing for a miracle to help her forgive me

I can't face the world if she don't love me
I can't be without her, I need her love

When I walked away I cried (cried)
I was heartbroken when I left her

So she took me back cause she knew I (I)
She forgave me because she knew I didn't mean it

Dear one from me take my apology
I'm apologizing to her from the bottom of my heart

I need you back
I realize how much I need her in my life

Is there a chance to see you baby
I'm hoping for an opportunity to talk to her

(They talk about all) the love that we still share
People are aware of the love we have for each other

(From her emotion) I barely miss your happiness
It's hard for me to see her unhappy

(You're missing and mourning) the way it used to be
We both miss the way things were before the breakup

I know it's true but I don't believe
I understand the reality of the situation, but I'm still in disbelief

I want you back it can't be any other way
I'm determined to get her back

I want you back and I've waited for the day
I've been hoping for this moment to come

I want you back I'm gonna be a little smarter
I've learned from my mistakes and want to do better

I want you back I'm gonna try a little harder
I'm willing to put in the effort to make things work

She's good She's fine and always on my mind
She's a great person and I think about her constantly

I know our love will stand the test of time
I believe our love is strong enough to overcome any obstacle

She's my girl and my best friend
She's not only my girlfriend but also my closest friend

Her love is love so fine and so for real
Her love is genuine and feels amazing

I want the world to know the way I feel
I want everyone to know how strongly I feel about her

Yeah... yeah.. ooh...
Just expressing my emotions through melody

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MARCUS MILLER, LUTHER R. VANDROSS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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