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.
Taste Of Bitter Love
Gladys Knight Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Taste of bitter love
Taste of bitter love
Taste of bitter love
Taste of bitter love
Mmhmm
Taste of bitter love
Mmhmm
Taste of bitter love
I can't feel for you
Or tell you what to do
It's something you've got to understand (It's out of my hands)
Sorry won't do
Or begging please
It won't be through with you
Until you're on your knees
You feel like crying
You feel like dying
Sorry this time it's not the sweet wine
Taste of bitter love
Mm, that's what you got
Taste of bitter love
Mm, That's what you got
Taste of bitter love
Taste of bitter love, mm
'Til now your life's
Been sugar and spice
Cloudy days were something
You never knew (lucky you)
It's funny how
The tables turn
It's a hard pill to swallow
But I guess you had to learn
You feel like crying
You feel like dying
Sorry this time it's not the sweet wine
Taste of bitter love
Ooh, that's what you got
Taste of bitter love
Ooh-ooh, that's what you got
Taste of bitter love
Taste of bitter love, mm-mm
Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah
Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah
Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah
Ah, ah, ah, ah
Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah
Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah
Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah
Mm don't you, don't you
Don't you feel like crying
Feel like dying
Sorry this time it's not the sweet wine
Taste of bitter love
Taste of bitter love
Ooh, that's what you got
Taste of bitter love
Taste of bitter love
Uh, uh, uh, uh, uh
Taste of bitter love (ooh)
Taste of bitter love
Bitter, bitter, bitter love
Taste of bitter love
(Honey ain't sweet can you feel with me)
Taste of bitter love (yeah, yeah, mm)
Taste of bitter love (ah, you had to lean)
Taste of bitter love (ooh now it's your turn)
Taste of bitter love
Bitter, bitter, bitter, bitter, bitter love
Taste of bitter love
Uh, uh, uh
Taste of bitter love (ooh)
Taste of bitter love
Taste of bitter love
Taste of bitter love
Yeah, yeah. yeah
Taste of bitter love
Taste of bitter love
In Gladys Knight and The Pips' song "Taste of Bitter Love," the singer acknowledges that they cannot feel for someone else or make decisions for them. The recipient of this message must take responsibility for their actions and accept the consequences of their choices. The song is a warning to anyone who takes their "sugar and spice" life for granted and does not appreciate the good things they have until they are gone. Once things have turned sour and there is no going back, it's like tasting a "bitter love" that leaves a terrible aftertaste.
The lyrics speak to the idea that sometimes love can be a double-edged sword, where the sweet moments are coupled with pain and regret. The reference to "sweet wine" suggests that love can be intoxicating, but it can also leave a bitter taste in one's mouth. The chorus of "Taste of Bitter Love" emphasizes this message, repeating the phrase with increasing intensity to drive home the point. Overall, the song is a cautionary tale about the dangers of taking someone or something for granted and a reminder to cherish what we have before it's too late.
Line by Line Meaning
Taste of bitter love
The feeling of love that is unpleasant and disappointing
Taste of bitter love
The feeling of love that is unpleasant and disappointing
Taste of bitter love
The feeling of love that is unpleasant and disappointing
Taste of bitter love
The feeling of love that is unpleasant and disappointing
Taste of bitter love
The feeling of love that is unpleasant and disappointing
Mmhmm
Expression of agreement or acknowledgment
Taste of bitter love
The feeling of love that is unpleasant and disappointing
Mmhmm
Expression of agreement or acknowledgment
Taste of bitter love
The feeling of love that is unpleasant and disappointing
Taste of bitter love
The feeling of love that is unpleasant and disappointing
I can't feel for you
I cannot empathize with you
Or tell you what to do
Or give you advice
It's something you've got to understand (It's out of my hands)
You need to realize that the situation is beyond my control
Sorry won't do
An apology is not enough
Or begging please
Nor is begging for forgiveness
It won't be through with you
The bitterness of love will not leave you alone
Until you're on your knees
Until you are completely defeated and helpless
You feel like crying
You have an overwhelming urge to cry
You feel like dying
You feel like giving up on life
Sorry this time it's not the sweet wine
The experience of love this time is not pleasant
Taste of bitter love
The feeling of love that is unpleasant and disappointing
Mm, that's what you got
That's what you have experienced
Taste of bitter love
The feeling of love that is unpleasant and disappointing
Mm, That's what you got
That's what you have experienced
Taste of bitter love
The feeling of love that is unpleasant and disappointing
Taste of bitter love, mm
The feeling of love that is unpleasant and disappointing
'Til now your life's
Up until this point in your life
Been sugar and spice
Your life has been sweet and pleasant
Cloudy days were something
You have not experienced sad moments before
You never knew (lucky you)
You were fortunate not to experience that
It's funny how
It is ironic how
The tables turn
The situation has changed dramatically
It's a hard pill to swallow
It is difficult to accept
But I guess you had to learn
But you had to learn it the hard way
You feel like crying
You have an overwhelming urge to cry
You feel like dying
You feel like giving up on life
Sorry this time it's not the sweet wine
The experience of love this time is not pleasant
Taste of bitter love
The feeling of love that is unpleasant and disappointing
Ooh, that's what you got
That's what you have experienced
Taste of bitter love
The feeling of love that is unpleasant and disappointing
Ooh-ooh, that's what you got
That's what you have experienced
Taste of bitter love
The feeling of love that is unpleasant and disappointing
Taste of bitter love, mm-mm
The feeling of love that is unpleasant and disappointing
Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah
Background vocals with no specific meaning
Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah
Background vocals with no specific meaning
Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah
Background vocals with no specific meaning
Ah, ah, ah, ah
Background vocals with no specific meaning
Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah
Background vocals with no specific meaning
Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah
Background vocals with no specific meaning
Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah
Background vocals with no specific meaning
Mm don't you, don't you
Expression of concern or warning
Don't you feel like crying
Don't you have an overwhelming urge to cry
Feel like dying
Don't you feel like giving up on life
Sorry this time it's not the sweet wine
The experience of love this time is not pleasant
Taste of bitter love
The feeling of love that is unpleasant and disappointing
Taste of bitter love
The feeling of love that is unpleasant and disappointing
Ooh, that's what you got
That's what you have experienced
Taste of bitter love
The feeling of love that is unpleasant and disappointing
Taste of bitter love
The feeling of love that is unpleasant and disappointing
Uh, uh, uh, uh, uh
Background vocals with no specific meaning
Taste of bitter love (ooh)
The feeling of love that is unpleasant and disappointing
Taste of bitter love
The feeling of love that is unpleasant and disappointing
Bitter, bitter, bitter love
The love is exceedingly unpleasant
Taste of bitter love
The feeling of love that is unpleasant and disappointing
(Honey ain't sweet can you feel with me)
Love is often not as sweet as it seems
Taste of bitter love (yeah, yeah, mm)
The feeling of love that is unpleasant and disappointing
Taste of bitter love (ah, you had to lean)
The feeling of love that is unpleasant and disappointing
Taste of bitter love (ooh now it's your turn)
The feeling of love that is unpleasant and disappointing
Taste of bitter love
The feeling of love that is unpleasant and disappointing
Bitter, bitter, bitter, bitter, bitter love
The love is exceedingly unpleasant
Taste of bitter love
The feeling of love that is unpleasant and disappointing
Uh, uh, uh
Background vocals with no specific meaning
Taste of bitter love (ooh)
The feeling of love that is unpleasant and disappointing
Taste of bitter love
The feeling of love that is unpleasant and disappointing
Taste of bitter love
The feeling of love that is unpleasant and disappointing
Taste of bitter love
The feeling of love that is unpleasant and disappointing
Yeah, yeah. yeah
Expression of agreement or acknowledgment
Taste of bitter love
The feeling of love that is unpleasant and disappointing
Taste of bitter love
The feeling of love that is unpleasant and disappointing
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Helen Swithenbank
This song just popped into my head and I had to hear it again. I bought this record all those years ago. It still sounds great in 2022. ❤️
Mochrie99
Another fantastic Ashford & Simpson tune, performed beautifully by the radiant Gladys Knight and those amazing Pips. Love this stuff so much!
Nosh Feratu
A&S were just prolific werent they, amazing songwriters. Personal fav is 'Stay Free'
Juliukas101
You really can't go wrong with Ashford & Simpson and Gladys Knight & the Pips. They were all fantastic, and this, and Bourgie Bourgie were great.
D C
I only realised that this tune existed 8 months ago! It’s amazing! Had the pleasure of seeing this lady live in 2019 at the Apollo theatre in Manchester, she was amazing!
Jamal Mcmillio
Damn I'm glad to have lived in a generation that grew up listening to music like this. I truly feel sorry for these kids today
Musiclover60
AMEN You are so right i was born in 62
Drat McDroots
Ok boomer
Adrian breland
i was born 1958 and still go dancing to house music wiith joey lanos and mu brother frankie paradise
Jamal Mcmillio
@Drat McDroots indeed, youngin