What Would I Do Without You
Gladys Knight Lyrics


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Crazy how I feel,
Living without you
Inside this house that we built.
It seems like the windows
Finally open
Letting the memories out

Go on and love her
Love her forever
I will not tell her
I told you to
You′ll never notice
How much I love you
Lovin's for fools
Love is for fools

Maybe you′ll find me
Walking in the garden
Looking for something pure.
Roots that are growing,
Deeper and deeper
Mabey you'll pull them too.

Go on and love her
Love her forever
I will not tell her
I told you to
You'll never notice
How much I loved you




Loveins for fools
Love is for fools.

Overall Meaning

In Gladys Knight's song "What Would I Do Without You," she sings about the pain of living without someone she loves and the struggle to move on while still holding onto her feelings. The lyrics "Crazy how I feel, living without you inside this house that we built" convey the deep emotional impact of being in a space that was once shared with someone she loves but is now absent. The metaphor of windows finally opening and letting memories out shows the weight of the memories and emotions that were once confined inside.


The next verse explores the conflict of wanting to hold onto the love for the person but also acknowledging that they have moved on. The lines "Go on and love her, love her forever, I will not tell her I told you to" express the internal battle of not wanting to let go, but also wanting what is best for them. The lyric "lovin's for fools, love is for fools" suggests that love can be both a source of pain and joy, and that the choice to continue loving someone who has moved on requires a level of foolishness.


The final verse introduces the possibility of finding something pure and deep while also acknowledging the risk of having it pulled away. The lines "Maybe you'll find me walking in the garden, looking for something pure. Roots that are growing, deeper and deeper, maybe you'll pull them too" reflect the idea that love can grow and deepen, but can also be cut off unexpectedly.


Overall, "What Would I Do Without You" is a poignant exploration of the complexities of love and loss, and the struggle to move on while still holding onto feelings of love.


Line by Line Meaning

Crazy how I feel,
It's overwhelming to be without you and I don't know how to cope.


Living without you
Life feels incomplete and less meaningful without you by my side.


Inside this house that we built.
Every corner of this house reminds me of our shared memories and experiences.


It seems like the windows
Metaphorically speaking, it appears as though the walls are closing in and the past is haunting me.


Finally open
It feels like a release to finally acknowledge and confront my emotions rather than suppress them.


Letting the memories out
As I face my feelings, the past memories and emotions become more vivid and difficult to ignore or forget.


Go on and love her
You have moved on and found someone new to love.


Love her forever
You have committed to this new person and won't be turning back.


I will not tell her
I won't interfere with your current relationship or try to come between you two.


I told you to
I may have given you advice in the past, but ultimately your decisions and happiness are your own responsibility.


You'll never notice
You may not realize or appreciate the depth of my love for you.


How much I love you
My feelings for you run deep and have not faded over time.


Lovin's for fools
Love can be heartbreaking and lead to pain and disappointment.


Love is for fools
Despite the risks, love is worth it and can be an incredibly powerful and transformative force.


Maybe you'll find me
I might be searching for something pure and meaningful, perhaps even hoping for a second chance.


Walking in the garden
I'm exploring nature and seeking solace in its beauty and tranquility.


Looking for something pure.
In the midst of all the pain and heartache, I'm searching for hope, purity, and new beginnings.


Roots that are growing,
Like the roots of a plant, my emotions and feelings for you continue to grow and take hold in my heart.


Deeper and deeper
Through all the ups and downs, my love for you grows stronger and more profound.


Mabey you'll pull them too.
Perhaps you'll realize that my love hasn't faded and you'll feel it too, hopefully leading to a reconciliation.




Writer(s): Jerry Vines, Cliff Jones, Darrell Babbs

Contributed by Jack F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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