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.
Licence To Kill
Gladys Knight Lyrics
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Oh oh oh oh
I need, I need, I got to hold on to your love
Ooh ooh ooh ooh mmm
Hey baby, thought you were the one who tried to run away
Ooh baby, wasn't I the one who made you want to stay
Please don't bet that you'll ever escape me
I got a license to kill (to kill)
And you know I'm going straight for your heart (got a license to kill)
Got a license to kill (to kill)
Anyone who tries to tear us apart (got a license to kill)
Uh huh, license to kill
Ooh, uh
Hey babe, think you need a friend to stand there by your side
Yes you do (your side)
Ooh baby, now you can depend on me to make things right (things right)
Please don't bet that you'll ever escape me (ooh ooh ooh)
Once I get my sights on you (ooh ooh ooh)
I got a license to kill (to kill)
And you know I'm going straight for your heart (got a licence to kill)
Got a license to kill (to kill)
Anyone who tries to tear us apart, ooh honey (got a licence to kill) mmm
Say that somebody tries to make a move on you
In the blink of an eye I'll be there too
And they better know why I'm gonna make them pay (ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh)
Till their dying day (ooh ooh), till their dying day (ooh ooh)
Till their dying day, oh
Got a license to kill (to kill)
And you know I'm going straight for your heart, ooh baby
(Got a license to kill)
Got a license to kill (to kill)
Anyone who tries to tear us apart, ooh yeah (got a licence to kill)
Ooh, license to kill
Gotta hold on to your loving
Ooh, license to kill, ooh ooh
Kill, kill, kill, kill...
The lyrics of Gladys Knight’s song “Licence to Kill” are about a person who is completely devoted to their lover and will go to any extent to protect their relationship. The singer boasts about having a “license to kill” anyone who tries to come between them. She feels that her love is so strong that it entitles her to take extreme measures if someone threatens it. The lyrics suggest that the singer is possessive and obsessive about their love interest and cannot bear the thought of losing them. However, as the song progresses, it is clear that she only wants to protect her love and will stand by her lover no matter what.
The song was written by veteran songwriters Narada Michael Walden, Jeffrey Cohen, and Walter Afanasieff and was recorded by Gladys Knight for the James Bond film of the same name. The theme of the movie was about a British spy with a license to kill, and the song took on that theme metaphorically as a license to kill anyone who threatens the singer’s relationship. The song was a commercial success, reaching the top 10 in the UK and the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, and it won a Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance in 1989.
Line by Line Meaning
Ooh ooh-ooh-ooh ooh ooh ooh-ooh-ooh
Expressing a feeling of excitement or enthusiasm.
Oh oh oh oh
An exclamation indicating surprise or excitement.
I need, I need, I got to hold on to your love
The singer wants to keep and cherish the love of their partner.
Hey baby, thought you were the one who tried to run away
The singer is addressing their partner, who they thought wanted to leave.
Ooh baby, wasn't I the one who made you want to stay
The singer feels responsible for convincing their partner to stay.
Please don't bet that you'll ever escape me
The singer is warning their partner that they won't be able to get away from them.
Once I get my sights on you
The singer is focused on their partner.
I got a license to kill (to kill)
The singer feels empowered to do whatever it takes to keep their partner, even if it means hurting someone else.
And you know I'm going straight for your heart (got a license to kill)
The singer is willing to be ruthless in order to keep their partner's love.
Got a license to kill (to kill)
Reinforcing the idea that the singer is willing to use any means necessary to keep their partner.
Anyone who tries to tear us apart (got a license to kill)
The singer will fight anyone who tries to break them apart from their partner.
Hey babe, think you need a friend to stand there by your side
The singer offers to be there for their partner.
Ooh baby, now you can depend on me to make things right (things right)
The singer promises to fix any problems that arise in their relationship.
Say that somebody tries to make a move on you
The singer is imagining a scenario where someone else is interested in their partner.
In the blink of an eye I'll be there too
The singer will immediately intervene if someone threatens their relationship.
And they better know why I'm gonna make them pay (ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh)
The singer will not tolerate anyone who tries to come between them and their partner.
Till their dying day (ooh ooh), till their dying day (ooh ooh)
The singer will hold a grudge and seek revenge indefinitely.
Till their dying day, oh
Reinforcing the idea that the singer will hold onto their anger for a long time.
Gotta hold on to your loving
The singer wants to keep their partner's love.
Kill, kill, kill, kill...
Repeating the word "kill" as a reminder of the singer's cold-blooded determination.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LESLIE BRICUSSE, WALTER AFANASIEFF, JEFFREY COHEN, NARADA WALDEN, JOHN BARRY, ANTHONY NEWLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Robin_Hood054
Anyone 2024 from listening to this masterpiece .
@Damedesooo
Had a mega crush on Talisa 😁🔥
@christopherkirkbride5730
Loved Roger Moore as a kid but, Tim Dolton nailed it. Amazing title track, amazing bond girl, very underrated.
@davidsturgess7772
Its 2024, still listening to this masterpiece. By this wonderful soulfull Gladys. Everytime I hear it, I experience goose bumps from head to toes.
@aleksandarvil5718
ME 🤓🤓🤓
@antiqueandroid
✌️
@FaytLinegod
Licence to Kill is so under-appreciated. Not only is it one of the best Bond themes of all, it's one of Gladys' best songs.
@elamplough1
I'd say that the movie is under-appreciated but most Bond fans have always loved this theme.
@Roseclan24
@@elamplough1 Truth
@TheWaynos73
Most Bond fans love this movie too.