Gladys Knight, born on May 28, 1944, developed her singing style while singing with her family at Baptist church functions. Though the group first released recordings in 1958, their career really got started when Motown founder Berry Gordy witnessed them perform at Harlem’s Apollo Theater in 1966 and felt very impressed. With a career following spanning decade after decade, featuring many hits, the group has been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio.
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Gladys Knight & The Pips Lyrics
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I have someone who needs me
Someone I needed so long
For once unafraid
I can go where life leads me
And somehow I know Ill be strong
For once I cant touch
Long before I knew
Ooh, ooh, ooh, someone like you
Would ever dream of makin my dreams come true
For once in my life
I wont let sorrow hurt me
Not like its hurt me before, oh
For once I have something I know wont desert me
Cause Im not alone anymore
For once I can say
This is mine, you cant take it
Long as I know Ive got love I can make it
For once in my life
Ive got that someone who needs me
Mmm...hmm...hmm...
For once I can say
This is sho nuff mine, you cant take it
Long as I know Ive got love I can make it
For once in my life
Ive got that someone who needs me
Oh, yes, he does
Ive got that someone who needs me
He told me this mornin that he needed me
Mmm...mmm...I believe
This song, titled "For Once in My Life," is a heartfelt ballad performed by Gladys Knight & The Pips. The first stanza talks about how the singer has finally found someone who needs them, someone whom they have been in search of for too long. This person makes the singer feel fearless and confident about going wherever life leads them, as they are hopeful for a strong future together. In the second stanza, the singer acknowledges that they can now touch what they had only dreamt of earlier, and how someone like their partner will make their dreams come true. The chorus of the song highlights the unique opportunity to not let sorrow hurt them anymore since the singer's new relationship is something that they know won't ever desert them since they aren't alone anymore. This newfound love is owned by the singer, and no one can take it away. The song concludes with the singer affirming that they now have someone who needs them, and they believe in their partner's love for them.
Line by Line Meaning
For once in my life
Finally, in this moment, I can say that something is different than before
I have someone who needs me
I am important to someone else, and they rely on me
Someone I needed so long
This person is someone I have been searching for, for a very long time
For once unafraid
I am not scared to take chances and follow my dreams
I can go where life leads me
I am ready to explore what the future holds for me
And somehow I know Ill be strong
Despite the challenges that may come my way, I trust that I can handle anything
For once I cant touch
In the past, the things I wanted felt unattainable and out of reach
What my heart used to dream of
My deepest desires that I once thought were impossible to achieve
Long before I knew
Even before I met this person who now loves me
Ooh, ooh, ooh, someone like you
Someone who loves me for who I am
Would ever dream of makin my dreams come true
Could ever make my wildest dreams into a reality
For once in my life
This is a new experience for me, a moment of true happiness
I wont let sorrow hurt me
I have the power to protect myself and avoid pain and sorrow
Not like its hurt me before, oh
I am stronger now than I used to be, and I won't let the pain of the past affect me anymore
For once I have something I know wont desert me
I have someone who loves me and will be with me, always
Cause Im not alone anymore
I am no longer lonely, I have this wonderful person in my life
For once I can say
I have the confidence to declare something with certainty
This is mine, you cant take it
I am claiming ownership of my happiness and my relationship
Long as I know Ive got love I can make it
Love is a powerful force that gives me strength and hope for the future
For once in my life
This moment of joy and contentment is unique and special to me
Ive got that someone who needs me
I have found a person who loves and cares for me deeply
Mmm...hmm...hmm...
A contented hum of happiness and satisfaction
This is sho nuff mine, you cant take it
My happiness is real and mine to keep, no one can take it away from me
He told me this mornin that he needed me
The person who loves me has affirmed their feelings and let me know how important I am to them
Mmm...mmm...I believe
A fervent expression of faith and trust in the strength of our love
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JR., DAVID H. JR. JONES, JOHNNY WILLIAM BRISTOL, WADE BROWN, WADE, JR. BROWN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@nshuler3434
“A train I’d never make, unless I told Gloria it left at 11.”
@tonyguill6209
I have a Gloria Jean like that!
@user-zc7cv2cb9d
You mean gloria in modern family?
@angelicaats
so true!
@aphiwetafeni1260
🤣🤣🤣 one of my favorite Modern Family episodes
@oorveevashishtha1363
Hahahha love it
@josephkenny9553
My Queen of soul. Still gives me goose bumps. Richest soul voice ever. ♥️
@philb.1502
One of the greatest soul/R&B songs ever recorded. You feel this song in your soul. Shout out to the iconic group, Gladys Knight & the Pips!!
@unapologeticallyme9522
My grandmother told me to play this song for her.
She's passed on.
R.I.P I love you thank you
@charis808
may she rest in peace