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.
Walk Softly
Gladys Knight Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It seems to be an ongoing thing
When you're dealing with pain
Love and the fact that you've lost it
When I met you, I was introduced to love and
After a period of time I came to be friends with pain
I've dealt with these emotions and I hope that I've come through
Walk softly when you walk by me
‘Cause my heart is still, don't shake it up
Now that I've cried my love to sleep
(Cried my love to sleep)
Don’t wake it up, don't wake it up
(Don't wake it up)
Now that I've cried my love to sleep
(Cried my love to sleep)
Don’t wake it up, don't wake it up
(Don't wake it up, ooh)
If I seem distant and reserved when we meet
Don’t take the time to ask me, why
‘Cause it's bad enough that I've lost you
Ohh, don't make it rough, ohh, just say hello and goodbye
Tip toe when you pass by me
‘Cause my heart is still, don't shake it up
Now that I've cried my love to sleep
(Cried my love to sleep)
Don’t wake it up, ooh, don't wake it up
(Don't wake it up)
Yeah, I just cried my love to sleep
(Cried my love to sleep)
Ooh, don’t wake it up, don't wake it up
(Don't wake it up, ooh)
I fall apart each time I look in your eyes
Remembering things I should forget
Ooh, my love's a spark but it could burst into flames
‘Cause I'm not over you yet
Walk softly when you walk by me
Ooh, my heart is still, don't shake it up
Now that I've cried my love to sleep
(Cried my love to sleep)
Ooh, don’t shake it up, don't wake it up
(Don't wake it up)
Ooh, baby, now that I've cried my love to sleep
(Cried my love to sleep)
Don’t wake it up, don't wake it up, yeah
(Don't wake it up)
(Now that I've cried my love to sleep)
I've cried my love to sleep
Don’t wake it up, ooh, don't wake it up
(Now that I've cried my love to sleep)
Yeah, I just cried my love to sleep
Don’t wake it up, please, don't wake it up
The lyrics to Gladys Knight's song "Walk Softly" convey a sense of vulnerability and caution from the perspective of someone who has experienced heartbreak. Time is emphasized as an important aspect in dealing with pain and losing love. The singer warns others to walk softly and tip-toe around her heart to avoid shaking it up or waking up the love that she has cried to sleep. The lyrics reveal that the singer is still not over their past relationship, but does not want to be reminded of it or be subjected to questions or rough interactions.
The song is imbued with melancholic tones and a sense of longing, communicated through Knight's soulful voice and the mellow instrumentation. The refrain "Now that I've cried my love to sleep" emphasizes that the singer has come to terms with their pain but still feels fragile and in need of protection from others.
Overall, "Walk Softly" is a poignant reminder of the emotional labor that comes with healing from heartbreak, and the importance of showing empathy and understanding towards others who are struggling with similar experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
Time is all important to everything
Everything that exists operates on a timeline
It seems to be an ongoing thing
This timeline continues endlessly
When you're dealing with pain
Pain is a natural part of experiencing emotions
Love and the fact that you've lost it
Losing love is a particularly painful situation
When I met you, I was introduced to love and
I discovered love when I met you, and
After a period of time I came to be friends with pain
Over time, I became familiar with pain
I've dealt with these emotions and I hope that I've come through
I have faced and overcome these feelings, and I hope I am now stronger for it
So if you don't mind
Therefore, I ask you to please
Walk softly when you walk by me
Please be gentle with me when you are near
‘Cause my heart is still, don't shake it up
My heart is still healing, so please do not disrupt the process
Now that I've cried my love to sleep
Now that I have gotten over my love for you
(Cried my love to sleep)
Don’t wake it up, don't wake it up
Please do not awaken the emotions that I have put to rest
(Don't wake it up)
If I seem distant and reserved when we meet
If I appear cold and disconnected when we are together
Don’t take the time to ask me, why
Please do not inquire about the reason for my behavior
‘Cause it's bad enough that I've lost you
Losing you was already painful enough
Ohh, don't make it rough, ohh, just say hello and goodbye
Please make this encounter easy and cordial, simply greeting and parting ways
Tip toe when you pass by me
Please walk softly and gently when you are near
Yeah, I just cried my love to sleep
I have just recently gotten over my love for you
Ooh, don’t wake it up, don't wake it up
Please do not reignite those feelings
(Don't wake it up, ooh)
I fall apart each time I look in your eyes
I still have intense feelings for you, and they overwhelm me whenever I see you
Remembering things I should forget
Recalling past memories of us is painful and unproductive
Ooh, my love's a spark but it could burst into flames
My love for you still exists, and it could quickly become all-consuming
‘Cause I'm not over you yet
I have not fully moved on from you
Ooh, baby, now that I've cried my love to sleep
Now that I have finally gotten over my love for you, my dear
Don’t wake it up, don't wake it up, yeah
Please do not bring back those feelings
(Don't wake it up)
(Now that I've cried my love to sleep)
I've cried my love to sleep
I have finally let go of my love for you
Don’t wake it up, ooh, don't wake it up
Please do not resurrect those emotions
(Now that I've cried my love to sleep)
Yeah, I just cried my love to sleep
I have just overcome my feelings for you
Don’t wake it up, please, don't wake it up
Please do not revive those sentiments
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., VAN MCCOY MUSIC, INC.
Written by: VAN MCCOY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@talaf6616
Alchemist yet again with a great sample
@joshdowie
Love to see this
@cjizzle26
Broke generational curses with my cursive
@DomePieceRecka
Photographic memories?
@Mikeso367
@@cjizzle26those words have been echoing in my mind the last couple of weeks!😂
@Gcarlo7272
Al and Boldy anyone????
@WestsidePiFF
I didn’t know where Alchemist and Boldy sampled it from, so I had to search the distant and reserved lyrics. Alchemist was digging in the crates fasho 🔥
@cjizzle26
Broke generational curses with my cursive
@Pokechopsamich
Late but, he took it from Carl Graves - walk softly. Both versions are sung beautifully
@Emanuel9991000
Composition, arrangement and production by phenomenal Van McCoy, one of my favorite composers.