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 Don't Want To Do Wrong
Gladys Knight & The Pips Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But you've been gone baby so long
And I hope I hope you'll understand
That it's really, it's really oh yes it is
It's out of my hands
But I don't want to do wrong, I don't want to do wrong
(But it's been so long), it's been so long
(No, no, no) um
Since you've been away (since you've been away)
I been prayin' everyday (I been prayin' everyday)
For God to make me strong till ya get back home
No, no, no, no I don't want to do it
But my heart keeps tellin' me to
I know I tried with all of my might
Ah ha I think I've lost this fight
(I don't want to do wrong) I don't want to do wrong
(But it's been so long) it's been so long
(I just can't help myself) I just can't, I just can't
(No, no, no)
Oh yeah
But then again my dear
Time passed and I didn't hear
A comforting word from you to make me see
That you were still in love with me
So if by chance you've found ya' another girl
Love her and I wish ya' all the happiness in the world
'Cause I've found a new love and I can't break loose
I hope I can find happiness too
(I don't want to do wrong) I don't want to do wrong
(But it's been so long) oh it's been so long
(I just can't help myself) no, no
No, no, no, no, no, no
I don't want to do wrong
(But it's been so long)
(I just can't help myself)
I just can't, I just can't, I just can't, I just can't, I just can't
I don't want to do wrong
(But it's been so long)
(I just can't help myself)
I just can't, I just can't
"I Don't Want To Do Wrong" is a classic soulful song by Gladys Knight & The Pips released in 1971. The song speaks of the struggles of a woman who's been waiting for her lover to return after a long absence, but the longing and loneliness have become unbearable. She contemplates finding solace in the arms of another man, even though she does not want to do anything wrong. The lyrics echo the inner conflict of a person torn between her loyalty and desire.
The song is a powerful rendition by Gladys Knight, and her vocals bring out the depth and passion of the lyrics. The song is a classic example of soulful music with its powerful beat, instrumentation, and unforgettable lyrics. The lyrics capture the emotions of anyone who has ever experienced the heartache of being separated from a loved one. The song is relatable, and many people have found comfort in its lyrics.
"I Don't Want To Do Wrong" was a significant hit for Gladys Knight & The Pips and reached number 9 on the Billboard's R&B chart. The song has since become a classic in soul music and is still played on the radio today. The song has touched millions of people's hearts, and it continues to be a symbol of hope and resilience in times of heartbreak.
Line by Line Meaning
Um I don't want to do wrong
I do not want to make a mistake
But you've been gone baby so long
Since you left, it has been a long time
And I hope I hope you'll understand
I hope that you will comprehend
That it's really, it's really oh yes it is
It is the truth after all
It's out of my hands
I cannot control it
But it's been so long
However, a lot of time has passed
I just can't help myself
I cannot help but feel this way
No, no, no um
Absolutely not
Since you've been away (since you've been away)
Since you have been gone
I been prayin' everyday (I been prayin' everyday)
I have been praying every day
For God to make me strong till ya get back home
I asked for strength until your return
I don't want to do it
I do not want to do this
But my heart keeps tellin' me to
But my heart urges me to
I know I tried with all of my might
I know I have tried with all of my strength
Ah ha I think I've lost this fight
I think I have lost this struggle
Oh yeah
Oh yes
But then again my dear
But, my beloved,
Time passed and I didn't hear
Time went by without a word
A comforting word from you to make me see
I wanted to hear comforting words from you to understand
That you were still in love with me
That you still loved me
So if by chance you've found ya' another girl
Therefore, if you have found another woman
Love her and I wish ya' all the happiness in the world
Love her and I hope you find happiness
'Cause I've found a new love and I can't break loose
Because I have found a new love and I cannot let go
I hope I can find happiness too
I hope I can find happiness as well
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: GLADYS KNIGHT, JOHNNY BRISTOL, KATHRINE SCHAFFNER, MERALD KNIGHT, WILLIAM GUEST
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sauquoit13456
On this day in 1971 {June 27th} Gladys Knight & the Pips' "I Don't Want To Do Wrong" peaked at #2 {for 4 weeks} on Billboard's Hot Black Singles* chart, for the four weeks it was at #2, the #1 record for those four weeks was "Mr. Big Stuff" by Jean Knight...
It reached #17 on Billboard's Top 100 chart...
Between 1961 and 1988 the Atlanta, Georgia group had fifty five records on the Hot Black Singles chart, thirty one made the Top 10 with ten reaching #1, plus they had another five peak at #2...
Gladys Maria Knight, aka The Empress of Soul, celebrated her 76th birthday last month on May 28th, 2020...
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.
* And from the 'For What It's Worth' department, the remainder of the Hot Black Singles' Top 10 on June 27th, 1971:
At #3. "Don't Knock My Love" by Wilson Pickett
#4. "Bridge Over Troubled Water"/"Brand New Me" by Aretha Franklin
#5. "She's Not Just Another Woman" by The 8th Day
#6. "Bring The Boys Home" by Freda Payne
#7. "Escape-ism" by James Brown
#8. "Never Can Say Goodbye" by Isaac Hayes
#9. "Stop, Look and Listen (To Your Heart)" by The Stylistics
#10. "Want Ads" by The Honey Cone
@alejandrodiazcabrera4318
Um I don't wanna do wrong
But you've been gone baby so long
And I hope I hope you'll understand
That it's really, it's really oh yes it is
It's out of my hands but (I don't wanna do wrong)
I don't wanna do wrong
(But it's been so long) it's been so long
(I just can't help myself) no
(No, no, no) um
Since you been away
I been prayin' everyday
For God to make me strong till ya get back home
No, no, no, no I don't wanna do it
But my heart keeps tellin' me to
I know I tried with all of my might
Ah ha I think I've lost this fight
(I don't wanna do wrong) I don't wanna do wrong
(But it's been so long) it's been so long
(I just can't help myself)
I just can't (no, no, no)
Oh yeah, No I don't wanna
No I didn't wanna do it ooh, ooh, oh
But then again my dear
Time passed and I didn't hear
A comforting word from you to make me see
That you were still in love with me
So if by chance you've found ya' another girl
Love her and I wish ya' all the happiness in the world
'Cause I've found a new love and I can't break loose
I hope I can find happiness too
(I don't wanna do wrong)
I don't wanna do wrong
(But it's been so long) baby, baby, baby
(I just can't help myself) I just can't (no, no, no)
I just can't (I don't wanna do wrong)
Don't wanna do wrong no
(But it's been so long)
Baby, baby, baby (I just can't help myself)
I just can't (no, no, no)
@courtneybee8259
Who still listening in 2024?? The vocal ability in her voice is givinggg
@shoanscollections9106
She's my queen of rnb
@mauriceshaw963
Nobody can touch Ms knight
@angelalewis60
"But then again my dear, time passed and I didn't hear a comforting word from you to make me see, that you were still in love with me. " O-M-G.
@pearlenaalan5196
Yessss! Baby! That’s my part! 🥰🥰
@loveyouall66
guilty as charged.
@larrysimpson1908
@@loveyouall66 h
@williampoulos1847
Ohh my GOD is right! Tears me up every time!
@musathomas7685
So profound
@williampoulos1847
Listen to this song with your heart, mind and soul, and when you do that, you hear that the woman in this song is emotionally torn because of a lover who has been away from her and her wanting to love, be loved and wanting to find that love from a stranger rather than her lover. I am an old fashioned music lover, and when I listen to soulful and powerful songs like this, I become the person in the song. I often am powerfully moved to tears when I do that.