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.
It Should Have Been Me
Gladys Knight Lyrics
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And as he passed me by
He turned to me and gave me a smile
Then the preacher, then the preacher
The preacher joined their hands
And all the people, the people began to stand
When I shouted
You know that it should have been me
Instead of her walking with you
You know that it should have been me, oh baby
Gettin' ready to marry you, darlin', darlin', darlin'
You made a promise that we would never part
Then you turned around and you broke my little heart
Now you're standing there saying, I do
Holding hands with somebody new
You know that it should have been me
Instead of her standing by you
You know that it should have been me
It should have been me
Gettin' ready to say, I do
Then the preacher, oh yeah
The preacher asked that there be silence, please
If any objections to this wedding
Speak now or forever or forever hold your peace
Then I shouted, it should have been me
You know that it should have been me
You know that it should have been me
Baby, how could you do this to me, darlin', darlin', darlin'
It should have been me
Don't you know that it should have been me?
You know that it should have been me
It should have been me
I've been faithful to you, baby, baby, baby
It should have been me
How could you do this to me?
You know that it should have been me
The lyrics of Gladys Knight's song "It Should Have Been Me" tells the story of a woman who is heartbroken to see her former lover getting married to someone else, instead of her. As she watches them exchange vows, she cannot keep herself from feeling envious and sorry for herself. She reminds him of the promise they once made never to part, only for him to break her heart and marry someone else. The chorus of the song repeats the sentiment of the title, emphasizing her feeling that she was the one who should have been marrying him. The song ends with her expressing her disillusionment and questioning how he could do this to her.
The lyrics of "It Should Have Been Me" speak to the universal emotional experience of heartbreak and unrequited love. The singer's performance captures the depth of her pain and longing for the man she loved. The song was released during a time of political upheaval, social unrest, and change in the United States. The civil rights movement was in full swing, and the song may have resonated with listeners who were fighting for their rights and seeking opportunities that had been denied to them. By expressing feelings of injustice and laments for what could have been, it reflects the mood of the times.
Line by Line Meaning
I saw my love walking down the aisle
I witnessed my former love getting married.
And as he passed me by
He made eye contact with me briefly as he walked down the aisle.
He turned to me and gave me a smile
He acknowledged my presence and smiled at me.
Then the preacher, then the preacher
The officiant of the wedding, the preacher, arrived next.
The preacher joined their hands
The preacher conducted the marriage and joined their hands together.
And all the people, the people began to stand
The guests at the wedding stood up as the couple was joined in marriage.
When I shouted
At this moment, I spoke up and shouted.
You know that it should have been me
I should have been the one getting married to you.
Instead of her walking with you
You should have been walking down the aisle with me instead of her.
Gettin' ready to marry you, darlin', darlin', darlin'
I should be the one preparing to marry you, my love.
You made a promise that we would never part
You promised that we would always be together.
Then you turned around and you broke my little heart
But you broke my heart by leaving me for someone else.
Now you're standing there saying, I do
You are now married, saying 'I do' to someone else.
Holding hands with somebody new
You are holding hands with a new partner.
Instead of her standing by you
I should have been the one standing next to you, not her.
It should have been me
I was the one you should have chosen and married.
Gettin' ready to say, I do
I should have been the one preparing to say 'I do' to you.
Then the preacher asked that there be silence, please
The preacher asked for silence from the audience.
If any objections to this wedding
He asked if anyone had any objections to the wedding.
Speak now or forever or forever hold your peace
He gave the audience a chance to speak up if they had any objections to the wedding.
Baby, how could you do this to me, darlin', darlin', darlin'
I am hurt and questioning how you could have betrayed me like this.
Don't you know that it should have been me?
I am still convinced that I should have been the one marrying you.
I've been faithful to you, baby, baby, baby
I have been loyal and committed to you, my love.
How could you do this to me?
I am heartbroken and questioning how you could have hurt me like this.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: NORMAN WHITFIELD, WILLIAM STEVENSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Corey Sheppard
Fantastic tune. Gladys has an uncanny ability to make any song whether written for her or not, her own. And of course the Pips provide amazing background. Love the added drums that come as the record progresses.
David January
Thanks to Miley Cyrus, I am hooked on this song. Loving all the versions🙏❤️🇿🇦😍😘😎
Davina Stanton
I didn't know Gladys sang this.
Wonderful. 🕊⚘💗
Quietstorm7 Jenkns
Where you been sleeping beauty?
babd71
I only remember Yvonne Fair's version. I never knew that Gladys and the Pips did a version.
Shirley Zimmerman
Gladys had always been my Queen Of Soul. She reached down, pulls up the Soul, and serves it on a platter for all to enjoy.
Lara Sinanis
I love this lady, her music, her voice are God given talent. God bless her <3
Betty Ponder
I never tire of listening to Gladys
Ellen Lirio
One of my all time favorite group 💞🎶💞
Cary Revels
How did that powerful voice fit into that little woman amazing....