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 Imagination
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
In "I've Got to Use My Imagination," Gladys Knight & The Pips tell the story of a woman who is struggling after a breakup. The song starts with an acknowledgement that she needs to find reasons to keep going, admitting that it’s hard to have a positive attitude when things are so difficult. She tries to make the most of her situation, but the darkness around her and the emptiness within her make it difficult to move forward. The singer is mourning the loss of the relationship and can’t find any good reason to keep on living. She feels alone and isolated, unable to find solace even in the people around her. But she is reminded that she's “too strong not to keep on keeping on" and she has to use her imagination to find a way to push through the tough times.
The lyrics of "I've Got to Use My Imagination" exhibit the struggles of dealing with a relationship's aftermath. The song not only acknowledges the singer's pain, but also her strength in continuing despite it. By emphasizing the importance of her imagination and resilience, the song provides an uplifting message to those who may be going through similar challenges. The song’s lyrics are a testament to the strength of human spirit and its ability to overcome adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
I've really got to use my imagination
I need to be creative and positive in my thinking
To think of good reasons
To come up with convincing arguments
To keep on keepin' on
To persist and continue despite challenges
Got to make the best of (best of, best of) a bad situation (bad situation)
To optimize the outcomes from a negative circumstance
Ever since that day (ever since that day) I woke up and found That you were gone (gone, gone)
Since the day when I realized that you left me
Darkness all around me Blackin' out the sun
Feeling engulfed in sadness and despair
Old friends call me But I just don't feel like talkin' to anyone
Ignoring social contact and isolating myself
Emptiness has found me And it just won't let me go
Feeling hollow and unable to find meaning or joy
Go right on livin' But why, I just don't know
Continue living but without a clear purpose or motivation
(You're too strong not to keep on keeping on) Yes, I am
An affirmation of inner strength amid adversities
(You're too strong not to keep on keeping on) staring down reality Don't do me no good
Ignoring reality and pretending it doesn't exist is not helpful
Cause our misunderstanding Is too well understood (too well understood)
The reason for our breakup is clear and acknowledged
Such a sad, sad season (sad, sad season) When a good love dies (when a good love dies)
A period of deep melancholy and disappointment after a relationship ends
Not a day goes by (not a day goes by) When I don't realize (realize)
I am constantly aware of the absence of my former partner
(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
Reiteration of the need for creativity and motivation to persevere
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
Further emphasis on the importance of turning adversity into opportunity
(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
Final repetition of the refrain with added determination and urgency
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!