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.
Friendship Train
Gladys Knight & The Pips Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Said, the world is in a desperate situation
Stealing, burning, fighting, killing
Nothing but corruption
It looks like mankind in on the eve of destruction
Oh yes, it is people, let me tell you now
We've got to learn to live with each other
No, no matter what the race, creed or color
I just got to tell you what the world needs now
Is love and understanding get on board the Friendship Train
Everybody shake a hand, shake a hand
People I'm talking about the Friendship Train
Everybody, shake a hand, make a friend now
Listen to us now, we're doing our thing
On the Friendship Train
We've got to start today to make tomorrow
A brighter day for our children
Oh, calm down people now we can do it
I can prove it but only if our hearts are willing
Now, so get on board the Friendship Train
Everybody, shake a hand, shake a hand
Yes, I'm talking about the Friendship Train
Come on buddy, shake a hand, make a friend
No, no, no, it don't matter what you look like
People or who you are
If your heart is in the right place
Talking about the right place
You're welcome on the board now
This train stands for justice
This train stands for freedom
This train stands for harmony and peace
This train stands for love, love
Come on, get on the Friendship Train
Everybody, shake a hand, shake a hand
I'm talking about the Friendship Train
Come on buddy, shake a hand, make a friend, now
People listen to me now
Harmony is the key, my sisters and brothers
Oh yes, it is I say
Harmony is the key, my sisters and brothers
People, we can't wait 'cause another day might be too late
Come on, get on the Friendship Train
Everybody, shake a hand, shake a hand, now
I'm talking about the Friendship Train
Get on board and shake a hand, make a friend, now
Gladys Knight & the Pips's song "Friendship Train" is a call to humanity to come together and work towards a better world. The song was released in 1969, at the height of social unrest and political turbulence in America. The opening lines of the song, "Calling out to everyone across the nation, said the world is in a desperate situation," set the tone for the rest of the song, which urges people to look beyond their differences and focus on what unites them.
The song speaks to the universal human desire for love and understanding. It encourages people to get on board the Friendship Train, which stands for justice, freedom, harmony, and peace. The train symbolizes a united front against corruption and social injustice. The message of the song is clear: no matter what your race, creed or color, if your heart is in the right place, you are welcome on board.
The lyrics of "Friendship Train" resonate today just as strongly as they did when the song was first released. The world is still in a desperate situation, and social unrest and political turbulence continue to plague society. The song is a reminder that harmony is the key, and that we must work towards a brighter tomorrow for our children.
Line by Line Meaning
Calling out to everyone across the nation
Trying to reach everyone in the nation
Said, the world is in a desperate situation
Suggesting that the world is in a serious condition
Stealing, burning, fighting, killing
Acts of violence and theft are rampant
Nothing but corruption
The state of affairs is characterized by corruption
It looks like mankind is on the eve of destruction
Suggesting that humanity is on the brink of annihilation
We've got to learn to live with each other
We need to make efforts to coexist with each other
No, no matter what the race, creed or color
Regardless of one's race or beliefs
I just got to tell you what the world needs now
The artist believes they have an important message
Is love and understanding get on board the Friendship Train
Encouraging people to be more empathetic and inclusive
Everybody shake a hand, shake a hand
Asking people to greet each other
People I'm talking about the Friendship Train
Referring to the theme of the song
Everybody, shake a hand, make a friend now
Encouraging people to make new friends and connections
Listen to us now, we're doing our thing
Asking the audience to listen to the performers
We've got to start today to make tomorrow
Urdues people to take action today to improve the future
A brighter day for our children
A better future for our kids
Oh, calm down people now we can do it
Encouraging people to remain calm and hopeful
I can prove it but only if our hearts are willing
Assuring people that change is possible if they are open to it
No, no matter what you look like
Regardless of outward appearances
People or who you are
Regardless of one's identity
If your heart is in the right place
If you have good intentions
Talking about the right place
Emphasizing the importance of good intentions
You're welcome on the board now
Welcoming all who share the message
This train stands for justice
The theme of the song includes justice
This train stands for freedom
The theme of the song also highlights freedom
This train stands for harmony and peace
Promoting harmony and peace among all people
This train stands for love, love
Advocating for love in various forms
People listen to me now
Commanding attention
Harmony is the key, my sisters and brothers
Emphasizing the importance of harmony
People, we can't wait 'cause another day might be too late
Urging people not to delay in taking action
Get on board and shake a hand, make a friend, now
Encouraging people to join the movement and make new friends
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BARRETT STRONG, NORMAN WHITFIELD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sauquoit13456
On this day in 1969 {December 7th} "Friendship Train" by Gladys Knight and the Pips peaked at #2 {for 1 week} on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, the one week it was at #2, the #1 record for that week was "Someday We'll Be Together" by Diana Ross and the Supremes
"Friend Train" reached #17 on Billboard's Top 100 chart...
Between 1961 and 1988 the Atlanta, Georgia group had fifty-five records on the Hot R&B Singles chart, thirty-one made the Top 10 with ten reaching #1...
Gladys Maria Knight, aka The Empress of Soul, will celebrate her 77th birthday in five months on May 28th, 2021...
Sadly, two of the Pips have passed away, Edward Roy Patten at the age of 65 on February 25th, 2005 and William Guest on December 24th, 2015 at age 74...
May both Mr. Patten and Mr. Guest R.I.P.
* "Friendship Train" was the group's second of five of their records to peak at #2, their other four #2 records were "The Nitty Gritty" {1969}, "I Don't Want To Do Wrong" {1971}, "Daddy Could Swear, I Declare" {1973}, and "On and On" {1974}...
And from the 'For What It's Worth' department, the remainder of the Hot R&B Singles' Top 10 on December 7th, 1969:
At #3. "These Eyes" by Jr. Walker & the All Stars
#4. "Baby, I'm For Real" by The Originals
#5. "Eleanor Rigby" by Aretha Franklin
#6. "Yester-Me, Yester-You, Yesterday" by Stevie Wonder
#7. "I Want You Back" by The Jackson 5
#8. "Backfield In Motion" by Mel & Tim
#9. "Ain't It Funky Now" by James Brown
#10. "Take A Letter Maria" by R. B. Greaves
Plus: The groups' above appearance was on the first episode of 'Soul Train' on October 2nd, 1971...
@brendahass5500
Calling out to everyone across the nation
Said the world today is in a desperate situation
Stealing, burning, fighting, killing
Nothing but corruption
It look like mankind in on the eve of destruction
Oh yes it is now people let me tell you now
We've got to learn to live with each other
No matter what the race, creed or color
I just got to tell you what the world needs now
Is love and understanding get aboard the friendship train
Everybody shake a hand make a friend now
Listen to us now, we're doing our thing
On the friendship train
We've got to start today to make tomorrow
A brighter day for our children
Oh calm down people now we can do it
I can prove it but only if our hearts are willing
So get aboard the friendship train
Everybody, shake a hand, shake a hand
Yes I'm talking about the friendship train
Get on board shake a hand, make a friend
It don't matter what you look like
People or who you are
If your heart is in the right place
In the right place
Talking about the right place
You're welcome aboard now
This train stands for justice,
This train stands for freedom
This train stands for harmony and peace
This train stands for love
Come on get on the friendship train
People listen to me now
Harmony is the key my sisters and brothers
Oh yes it is I say
Harmony is the key my sisters and brothers
People can't wait cause another day might be too late
Come on get on the friendship train
@GoodOlAllisonHarvard
Woah... Gladys Knight is GORGEOUS here! 😍🙌🏾✨
@apataye
¡¡I was thinking exactly the same!! I´ve never had any doubts about her being, probably, the BEST female soul singer ever, but I had never thought of her as a very pretty woman, up till now.
@OneTrineMendUs
Indeed. Kelly looks a little like her here.
@markmyers6472
She always has been, and still is, beautiful! She was the 1st entertainer I remember stopping me in my tracks as a kid!
@clarenceawalker1873
The Empress of soul she still have that beautiful voice💙👍.
@lolatyou
She is a good Christian and loves to sing The National Anthem. No knee taking for her.
Proud American Woman.
@SuperPrince1007
Gladys Knight in this video has one of the most beautiful smiles I've ever seen. I love this song so much because she gets all of her heart and soul into it.
@darlene971
They did all that footwork on that small space
@alvinwconstantine72
WHO IS LISTENING TO THIS GREAT SINGER AND HER SUPER GROUP HERE IN 2022?.....I AM!!!!
@musicloverlondon6070
Myself and many others too - because talent and quality are timeless. 😊👏