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.
Don't Turn Me Away
Gladys Knight & The Pips Lyrics
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No no no
My world has fell apart ‘cause you don’t love me no more
How can I face life, when you’re all I’m living for
Baby don’t turn me away
Please hear what I say
‘Cause I love you, I love you
Filled with confusion, my tears have started to flow,
My whole life depends on you, please don’t tell me to go,
I know I’ve got to find, some way to make you change your mind,
Oh don’t turn me away
Please hear what I say
‘Cause I love you oh I love you
Internes is all around me, your love is slipping from the side
Your taking my life from me, leaving me the shadows of night
You know I love you so, please don’t tell me to go
Oh don’t turn me away
Please hear what I say
Baby don’t turn me away
Baby please
Baby don’t baby don’t, baby please baby please, you know I love you
The lyrics of Gladys Knight & The Pips' song Don't Turn Me Away express heartbreak, confusion, and desperation. The opening lines suggest that the singer's world has fallen apart because their lover no longer loves them. The repetition of "no no no" emphasizes the desperation and denial that the singer is feeling. They can't imagine facing life without their lover, which reveals the depth of their dependence on this relationship. The chorus pleads for the lover not to turn the singer away, emphasizing how much they love them.
Line by Line Meaning
No no no
Strongly asserting that the singer does not agree or accept the current situation.
No no no
Repeating the previous line to emphasize the singer's strong disagreement and displeasure.
My world has fell apart ‘cause you don’t love me no more
Expressing the singer's devastation and despair caused by the lack of love from the person they love.
How can I face life, when you’re all I’m living for
Asking a rhetorical question to highlight the artist's reliance and dependence on the person they love and need to survive.
Baby don’t turn me away
Pleading with the person to not reject or ignore the artist's love and emotions.
Please hear what I say
Asking for the person's attention and understanding of the singer's feelings and words.
‘Cause I love you, I love you
Stating that the reason for the singer's plea is their deep and sincere love for the person.
Filled with confusion, my tears have started to flow,
Describing the emotional state of the artist, who is overwhelmed and crying due to the uncertainty of the situation.
My whole life depends on you, please don’t tell me to go,
Emphasizing the importance and significance of the person to the artist's life, and begging them to not reject or abandon the artist.
I know I’ve got to find, some way to make you change your mind,
Acknowledging the need to take action and convince the person to reconsider their feelings and decision.
Oh don’t turn me away
Repeating the earlier plea to further reinforce the singer's desire to not be rejected and ignored.
Please hear what I say
Repeating the earlier request to appeal to the person's empathy and understanding of the artist's feelings.
‘Cause I love you oh I love you
Repeating the earlier declaration of love to highlight the singer's sincerity and depth of feelings.
Internes is all around me, your love is slipping from the side
Describing the singer's internal struggles and turmoil due to the person's fading love and attention towards them.
Your taking my life from me, leaving me the shadows of night
Expressing the devastating impact of the person's rejection and lack of love on the singer's life, which is now dark and hopeless.
You know I love you so, please don’t tell me to go
Reiterating the earlier plea for the person to not abandon the artist, and reminding them of the strength and intensity of the artist's love for them.
Baby don’t turn me away
Repeating the earlier plea with added emotional intensity to convey the artist's desperation and fear of rejection.
Please hear what I say
Repeating the earlier request with added emphasis to stress the importance of the person's attention and understanding.
Baby don’t baby don’t, baby please baby please, you know I love you
Repeating the earlier pleas with added variation and emotion, and ending with another declaration of love to appeal to the person's heart and feelings.
Contributed by Miles Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.