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.
Lovin' On Next To Nothin'
Gladys Knight Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're holdin' back on me
That ain't the way it used to be
You wanted me so much
Now I feel lucky if I get a touch
I don't know what's gotten in to you
But I can't believe all that you're puttin' me through
I'm lovin' on next to nothin'
(Lovin' on next to nothin')
There is no way that I can survive
I'm lovin' on next to nothin'
(Lovin' on next to nothin')
How am I supposed to stay alive?
You're gonna have to give me somethin'
(You're gonna have to give me somethin')
'Cause I can't go on lovin', lovin'
(Lovin', lovin')
Lovin' on next to nothin'
Remember how it was
(How it was)
Our days and nights were filled with love
I'm missin' what we had
(What we had)
You know I wanna get it back so bad
Come closer to me, baby, don't resist
'Cause I can't go on, I can't go on like this
I'm lovin' on next to nothin'
(Lovin' on next to nothin')
Ooh, there is no way that I can survive
Lovin' on next to nothin'
(Lovin' on next to nothin')
How am I supposed to stay alive?
You're gonna have to give me somethin'
(You're gonna have to give me somethin')
'Cause I can't go on lovin', lovin'
(Lovin', lovin')
Lovin' on next to nothin'
Ooh, if I can't have you all to myself
Then I'm gonna have to find somebody else
'Cause I won't be leavin' my heart on the shelf
I can't go on
(I can't go on)
(Lovin', lovin')
Lovin', lovin'
(Lovin' on next to nothin')
Lovin' on next to nothin'
Ooh hoo, ooh hoo, yeah
Lovin', ooh
I don't know what's gotten in to you
But I can't believe all that you're puttin' me through
Lovin', lovin', lovin'
Ooh ho, ooh ho
Lovin' on next to nothin'
(Lovin', lovin', lovin')
Ooh yeah, lovin'
Ah ha, lovin' on next to nothin'
(Lovin' on next to nothin')
Ooh baby, ooh hoo
Ooh hoo
Ah ha, lovin' on next to nothin'
Uh, baby
Oh ho, oh ho, ho, ho
I'm lovin' on next to nothin'
In Gladys Knight's song, Lovin' on Next to Nothin', the singer expresses her dissatisfaction with her partner's lack of affection and attention towards her. This is a sentiment that is relatable to many individuals who have experienced uncalled for detachment or distance from a significant other. The singer begins by pointing out that things have changed between them and how her partner does not display the same love and affection he used to. She expresses her eagerness to regain the connection they once had and asserts that she cannot handle being in a loveless relationship.
The singer expresses her desperation to have something from her partner to hold on to, as she feels that she cannot survive without it. The chorus, 'Lovin' on next to nothin'' is repeated throughout the song as she emphasizes how she is just getting by with very little love or affection from her partner. She continues to plead with her partner to give her something, anything, in order to prevent their once-great relationship from disintegrating completely. At the end of the song, we see the singer has grown tired of waiting and is preparing to move on from the relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
You're holdin' back on me
You're not giving me the same level of attention you used to
That ain't the way it used to be
Our relationship has changed from how it used to be
You wanted me so much
You used to desire me very much
Now I feel lucky if I get a touch
I'm grateful for even the slightest physical engagement from you now
I don't know what's gotten in to you
I don't understand what's caused this change in you
But I can't believe all that you're puttin' me through
I'm having a hard time accepting this change and dealing with it
There is no way that I can survive
I can't continue in this relationship with such little emotional engagement
How am I supposed to stay alive?
How am I supposed to feel fulfilled and happy in this relationship?
You're gonna have to give me somethin'
You need to put more effort and attention into our relationship
'Cause I can't go on lovin', lovin'
I can't continue to feel this way and love you with so little in return
Remember how it was
Remember how we used to be towards each other
Our days and nights were filled with love
Our relationship used to be filled with affection and passion
I'm missin' what we had
I miss the way we used to be together
You know I wanna get it back so bad
I really want us to have that closeness and affection again
Come closer to me, baby, don't resist
Please come towards me and engage with me emotionally
'Cause I can't go on, I can't go on like this
I can't continue in this relationship with such little emotional engagement
Ooh, if I can't have you all to myself
If I can't have your full attention and affection
Then I'm gonna have to find somebody else
I'll need to find someone else who can fulfill my emotional needs
'Cause I won't be leavin' my heart on the shelf
I won't ignore my emotional needs and desires
Lovin', lovin', lovin'
Continuing to love you with little in return
Ooh yeah, lovin'
Loving you despite the lack of affection in return
I don't know what's gotten in to you
I don't understand what's caused this change in you
But I can't believe all that you're puttin' me through
I'm having a hard time accepting this change and dealing with it
Lovin' on next to nothin'
Trying to love you with very little emotional fulfillment
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Spirit Music Group, BMG Rights Management
Written by: JEFF PESCETTO, HOWIE RICE, ALLAN DENNIS RICH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jay Singer
Written by
Jeff Pescetto
Howie Rice
Alan Rich
————————
Lead Vocals:
Gladys Knight
———————————
Background Vocals:
Merald “Bubba” Knight
Eddie Patten
(RIP)
William Guest
(RIP)
—————————-
Instrumentation:
Various Musicians
——————————-
Arrangers:
Gladys Knight
Merald “Bubba” Knight
Eddie Patten
William Guest
Howie Rice
————————
Conductor and
Producer:
Howie Rice
————————
Year:
1987
————————
Album:
All Our Love
—————————
This was the
last album and
music video they did
before they amicably
disbanded,
and Gladys started her solo career.
Robs
this song was one of them that open my eyes to a relationship I was in that was going nowhere fast thanks Gladys for the help
marknorthwest93
This was the high point of Gladys Knight & The Pips before they called it a day as a unit. What a way to go out. Gladys has the vocal chops to blow the roof off any club she sings in and this is proof positive. Loved it back in the day and lovin' it even more today, as we approach 2016 because this is the real juice!
Linus Donnell
I agree with you!. Unfortunately I dont think we will hear music like this again.
James Arciaga
Well said, Sir. I concur.
Kai Jud
Rip to the deceased Pips who have gone on to sing on that heavenly choir...Thanks for the music..I had forgotten about this later hit until I came across it on YouTube.
michael mcmillan
That's beautiful kai❤
Janee Irvin
Thank you for posting comment. William Guest was my uncle, and a real superstar. He is definitely missed.
c2spider
I LOVE this song & I LOVE the energy Gladys Knight put into her music!!!
Dog George
Still love this song 2020.loving on next to nothing . Thanks Gladys Knight and the Soulful Pips. 😃
Tom Ryan
Love this track. So many good memories.