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.
Send It To Me
Gladys Knight Lyrics
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Shake it loose and let it fall
Layin' soft against your skin
Like the shadow on the wall
Come and lay down by ma side
Till the early mornin' light
All I'm takin' is your time
I don't care what's right or wrong
'N' I won't try to understand
Let the devil take tomorrow
Oh, tonight I need a friend
Yesterday is dead and gone
And tomorrow's out of sight
And it's so sad to be alone
Help me make it through the night
Mmm mm mm mm
Mmm mm mm mm
Lord it's so sad to be alone
Help me make it through the night
Uhu, lead me through the night, uhu
Come on and take me through the night, uhu
Through the night
Gladys Knight & The Pips's song Help Me Make It Through The Night, written by Kris Kristofferson, speaks of a lonely night where the only comfort sought is that of a friend. The first two lines of the song, when the singer asks the love interest to take the ribbon from her hair and shake it loose, is a metaphor for the singer's desire to expose herself to the love interest. The ribbon here represents the singer's social barriers and the request to shake it loose represents her willingness to overcome those barriers in front of the love interest.
When the singer asks the love interest to lay behind her with the soft ribbon resting against his skin, it reflects the singer's need to be comforted and reassured. The contrasting metaphor of the shadow on the wall, is a poetic representation of the singer's desire to forget everything that happens beyond the room they are in just for one night of solace with someone and create their own reality.
Throughout the song, the singer speaks of the importance of having someone to lean on, even if it's just for a night. The singer acknowledges that she does not care about what is right or wrong, but instead, focuses on the here and now, the opportunity for companionship. In a world that is moving so fast, the singer recognizes the importance of taking one step at a time and finding happiness in small victories.
Line by Line Meaning
Take the ribbon from my hair
Remove the symbol of my femininity and social expectation placed on my gender.
Shake it loose and let it fall
Let go of the pressures and expectations that society places on women and embrace freedom.
Layin' soft against your skin
Using physical touch as a way to connect with you intimately.
Like the shadow on the wall
An imagery that represents how the artist's presence can be felt without being seen or heard.
Come and lay down by ma side
A call to intimacy and companionship to fill an emotional void.
Till the early mornin' light
Spending the night together in a bond of shared intimacy and comfort.
All I'm takin' is your time
Asking for only the gift of time, both as intimacy and as a way to escape reality.
Help me make it through the night
Asking for emotional support to survive the night, the darkness, and the isolation of being alone.
I don't care what's right or wrong
Willingness to forgo moral judgment and social conventions in exchange for comfort and companionship.
'N' I won't try to understand
Seeking momentary respite rather than answers or explanations.
Let the devil take tomorrow
An acceptance and resignation to the inevitable difficulties that may come with the future.
Oh, tonight I need a friend
Admitting vulnerability and a need for emotional support and human connection.
Yesterday is dead and gone
Acknowledging the past as something that cannot be changed or undone.
And tomorrow's out of sight
The future is uncertain and cannot be relied upon, so seeking comfort and companionship in the present.
And it's so sad to be alone
Expressing the sorrow and pain that comes with isolation and loneliness.
Mmm mm mm mm
A harmonization that sets a mellow and comforting tone.
Uhu, lead me through the night, uhu
A repeating appeal for companionship and emotional support throughout the night.
Come on and take me through the night, uhu
A plea for physical and emotional intimacy to dispel loneliness and isolation throughout the night.
Through the night
Throughout the night, the time of darkness, sorrow, and loneliness.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Kris Kristofferson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@theswampangel3635
30 + years later and it still sounds terrific!
@craig68able
This song just goes so well with this soundtrack!!!! Miami Vice had all the best artists..
@alimujtaba747
Send me back to the 80s and let me cherish my childhood once again!
@mappam
Thanks for posting this song. Incredible! I love the 'sound' from the mid-1980s era, and this song captures it so well. I note that this version is different that that which appears on the GK&tP "Gold" compilation.
@Polyphemus47
YOW! I wasn't aware Gladys ever recorded this song by one of my favorite singer/songwriters of all time! These two women have given pop music some of its finest moments. Thank you!
@DiscoBillyC
classic 80's pop with the hall of famer belting it out! yes
@SmartRobot-wc2fb
Disc O'BillyC: This only proves Berry Gordy wasn't right about Gladys Knight's voice not being able to be more "POP" / commercial...he just was afraid his then lover Diana Ross would be surpassed by Gladys...
@braddietzmusic2429
Great track! Always enjoyed this song. Not a bad song on this album.
@richierichit
I only heard this song for the first time recently and it's now one of my favorites. Thanks so much for posting.
@wanglina6288
I heard this song for the time in 1987 when I was 16 years old.