Gladys Maria Knight (born May 28, 1944 in Atlanta, Georgia) is a legendary … Read Full Bio ↴Gladys Maria Knight (born May 28, 1944 in Atlanta, Georgia) is a legendary American R&B/soul singer and actress. She is best known for the hits she recorded during the 1960s and 1970s, for both the Motown and Buddah Records labels, with her group Gladys Knight & the Pips, the most famous incarnation of which also included her brother Merald "Bubba" Knight and her cousins Edward Patten and William Guest.
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.

This Bitter Earth
Gladys Knight Lyrics

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This bitter earth
Well, what fruit it bears
What good is love
mmmm that no one shares
And if my life is like the dust
oooh that hides the glow of a rose
What good am I
Heaven only knows

Lord, this bitter earth
Yes, can be so cold
Today youre young
Too soon, youre old
But while a voice within me cries
Im sure someone may answer my call
And this bitter earth

Ooooo may not
Oh be so bitter after all

Overall Meaning

Gladys Knight's "This Bitter Earth" is a powerful ballad that deals with some of the harsh realities of life. The song starts by describing the world as a bitter place, with a fruitless earth and love that goes unshared. The lyrics suggest that even if something beautiful or valuable exists, it might be hidden or overlooked, much like a rose obscured by dust. The singer wonders what good she is in that kind of world, and suggests that only heaven knows.

As the song continues, the theme of the bitterness of the earth deepens. The singer notes that the world can be cold and unfeeling, and that time seems to pass too quickly, robbing us of our youth and vitality. There is a sense of sadness and desperation here, with the singer longing for someone to answer her call. However, there is also a glimmer of hope. While the earth may be a bitter place, it doesn't have to stay that way. The song ends with a suggestion that things might improve, that the earth might not be so bitter after all.

Line by Line Meaning

This bitter earth
The world can be a painful and unpleasant place to live in

Well, what fruit it bears
The world produces negative experiences or outcomes

What good is love
Love is useless or meaningless

mmmm that no one shares
Love loses its value when it's not reciprocated or shared

And if my life is like the dust
If my existence is insignificant

oooh that hides the glow of a rose
And doesn't reveal my true potential or beauty

What good am I
What purpose or significance do I have in this world?

Heaven only knows
I have no idea what I'm here for or what my destiny holds

Lord, this bitter earth
The world can be a difficult and painful place to live in

Yes, can be so cold
People can be cruel and indifferent

Today youre young
Youth is fleeting and temporary