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.
I've Got To Use My Imaginaton
Gladys Knight & The Pips Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To think of good reasons
To keep on keepin' on (keep on keepin' on)
Got to make the best of (best of, best of) a bad situation (bad situation)
Ever since that day (ever since that day) I woke up and found
That you were gone (gone, gone)
Blackin' out the sun
Old friends call me
But I just don't feel like talkin' to anyone
Emptiness has found me
And it just won't let me go
Go right on livin'
But why, I just don't know
(You're too strong not to keep on keeping on) Yes, I am
(You're too strong not to keep on keeping on) staring down reality
Don't do me no good
'Cause our misunderstanding
Is too well understood (too well understood)
Such a sad, sad season (sad, sad season)
When a good love dies (when a good love dies)
Not a day goes by (not a day goes by)
When I don't realize (realize)
I've really got to use my imagination (I've got to use)
To think of good reasons (I've got to use)
To keep on keepin' on (I've got to use)
I've got to make the best of (best of, best of) a bad situation (bad situation)
Ever since that day (ever since that day) I woke up and found that you were gone
(You're too strong not to keep on keeping on)
(I've got to use my imagination) my imagination
(I've got to use my imagination) to think of good reasons
(I've got to use my imagination) to keep on pushin' on
I said I've got to make the best of (best of, best of)
Of a bad situation (bad situation)
Ever since that day (ever since that day) I woke up and found that you were gone
(You're too strong not to keep on keeping on) I really got to use
(I've got to use) that imagination, gotta think of good reasons
The song "I've Got To Use My Imagination" by Gladys Knight and The Pips portrays the struggles of moving on from a breakup. The lyrics suggest that the singer is experiencing a sense of emptiness and loneliness after their significant other left them. They find it difficult to continue living without their partner's presence, but they know they must persevere. The line "I've really got to use my imagination to think of good reasons to keep on keepin' on" implies that the singer must use their creativity and mental strength to keep themselves going.
The lyrics also suggest that the singer's friends are trying to help them move on, but they are unable to connect with their friends due to their sadness. The singer feels that no one can help them, and they must find a way to cope with the pain on their own.
In the end, the song emphasizes the message of having the mental resilience to keep moving forward despite challenging situations. The chorus repeats the idea that even in bad times, one must make the best of a bad situation and keep pushing through using their imagination and mental strength.
Line by Line Meaning
I've really got to use my imagination
I am in a situation where I need to be creative and come up with new ideas to move forward.
To think of good reasons
I need to find positive justifications for why I should continue trying.
To keep on keepin' on
I need to persist and not give up despite the obstacles in my way.
Got to make the best of (best of, best of) a bad situation (bad situation)
I am in a negative circumstance, but I must find ways to optimize it and make the most out of it.
Ever since that day (ever since that day) I woke up and found that you were gone
Since the moment I realized that you were no longer with me, I have struggled to move forward.
Darkness all around me
I feel surrounded by gloom and despair.
Blackin' out the sun
My negative emotions are eclipsing any glimpse of positivity in my life.
Old friends call me
People from my past try to reconnect with me.
But I just don't feel like talkin to anyone
However, I do not have the energy to engage and communicate with them.
Emptiness has found me
I feel hollow and incomplete.
And it just won't let me go
This feeling of emptiness is overpowering and persistent.
Go right on livin'
I am expected to continue with my life despite my emotional turmoil.
But why, I just don't know
I am unsure of the purpose or meaning of continuing to exist.
(You're too strong not to keep on keeping on) Yes, I am
I acknowledge that I possess inner strength and resilience to overcome this adversity.
(You're too strong not to keep on keeping on) staring down reality
I must confront and accept the harsh reality of my current situation.
Don't do me no good
Denial or avoidance will not benefit my circumstances.
'Cause our misunderstanding
This situation arose due to a lack of understanding between us.
Is too well understood (too well understood)
We both comprehend the reasons for our separation, and there is no turning back.
Such a sad, sad season (sad, sad season)
This is a period of melancholy and despair for me.
When a good love dies (when a good love dies)
The end of our relationship was particularly painful due to our strong emotional connection.
Not a day goes by (not a day goes by)
I can't go a single day without reflecting on the loss of our love.
When I don't realize (realize)
I am always aware of the magnitude of my heartbreak.
(I've got to use my imagination) my imagination
I must exercise my creativity and mental flexibility to navigate this challenging time.
(I've got to use my imagination) to think of good reasons
I need to develop positive justifications to continue pursuing my goals.
(I've got to use my imagination) to keep on pushin' on
I must find the drive to continue working towards my aspirations.
I said I've got to make the best of (best of, best of)
I am motivated to optimize my situation and find positivity in the face of adversity.
Of a bad situation (bad situation)
Although my circumstances are negative, I am determined to improve them.
(You're too strong not to keep on keeping on) I really got to use
My strength and resilience will enable me to persevere if I utilize them effectively.
(I've got to use) that imagination, gotta think of good reason
I must lean on my creativity and mental flexibility to formulate positive justifications for my continued efforts.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Barry Goldberg, Gerry Goffin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ivanhamilton
I've really got to use
My imaginationㅤ
To think of good reasons
To keep on keepin' on (keep on keepin' on)
Got to make the best of (best of, best of)
Of bad situation (bad situation)
Ever since that day (ever since that day)
I woke up and found
That you were gone (gone, gone)
Darkness all around me
Blockin' out the sun
Old friends call me
But I just don't feel like talkin' to anyone
Emptiness has found me
And it just won't let me go
I go right on livin'
But why, I just don't know (you're too strong, got to keep on keepin' on)
Yes, I am
Staring down reality
Don't do me no good
'Cause our misunderstanding
Is too well understood (too well understood)
Such a sad, sad season (sad, sad season)
When a good love dies (when a good love dies)
Not a day goes by (not a day goes by)
When I don't realize (realize)
Ooh, ooh, oh, I've really got to use (I've got to use)
My imagination (I've got to use)
To think of good reasons (I've got to use)
To keep on keepin' on (I've got to use)
I've got to make the best of (best of, best of)
Of bad situation (bad situation)
Ever since that day (ever since that day)
I woke up and found out
That you were gone (you're too strong, got to keep on keepin' on)
I really have got to use (I've got to use)
A real imagination (I've got to use)
To think of good reasons (I've got to use)
To keep on pushin' on (I've got to use)
I said I've got to make the best of (best of, best of)
Of bad situation (bad situation)
Ever since that day (ever since that day)
I woke up and found out
That you were gone (you're too strong, got to keep on keepin' on)
Oh, I've really got to use (I've got to use)
My imagination (I've got to use)
To think of good reasons (I've got to use)
To keep on pushin' on
@KrishnaKumar-bz5uu
The first omen got me here
@luminyam6145
Is there anything better than Gladys Knight and the Pips? No, no there is not.
@lillianmunster4734
I Agree with Ya 💯
@michaelfurminger6432
Man, that chick can sing!
@lillianmunster4734
I Agree with Ya 💯👏❤️
@ruthdixon7807
fantastic...whether on vee jay, motown or buddha, they were consistent hit makers.
@darlenezamora1277
Thank you Miss Gladys Knight. ⚘
@lillianmunster4734
🌹❤️🌹🎶⭐
@melodysanger103
THIS WEEK IN MUSIC HISTORY
50 YEARS AGO (October 9, 1973): Gladys Knight and the Pips released their album “Imagination” (#1 R&B album charts; #9 pop album charts). This was their first album on Buddah Records after they left Motown a few months ago.
[10/10/2023]
@thomasporter5965
Amen and amen sisters & brothers!!!! So powerfully uplifting in the deepest despair!