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 Heard It Through The Grapevine
Gladys Knight & The Pips Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Baby, baby, baby 'bout your plans to make me blue
With some other girl you knew before (ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
Between the two of us girls you know I loved you more
It took me by surprise I must say (ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
When I found out yesterday (ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
Don't you know that I heard it through the grapevine (oh, I heard it through the grapevine)
Not much longer would you be mine (not much longer would you be mine)
Oh I'm just about, just about, just about to lose my mind
Oh yes, I am, oh yes, I am, oh yes, I am
Baby won't you listen to me
Boy take a good look at these tears of mine
Baby, baby these tears I can't hold inside
Losin' you would end my life you see (ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
Because you mean that much to me
You could've told me yourself (ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
That you love somebody else (ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
Instead I heard it through the grapevine (oh, I heard it through the grapevine)
Oh, not much longer would you be mine (not much longer would you be mine)
Oh, I heard it, yes, I heard it (heard it through the grapevine)
Oh, just about, just about, just about, to lose my mind
Oh yes, I am, oh yes, I am, oh yes, I am
Go, go
Go, I gotta go
Go, go
You gotta let me go
Go, go, go
I gotta go whoa, whoa, whoa
Say believe half of what you see
Oh, ho, and none of what you hear
Baby baby, but I just can't help bein' confused
If it's true please baby, won't ya tell me dear
Oh, do you plan to let me go (ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
For the other girl you loved before? (ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
Don't ya know that I heard through the grapevine (oh, I heard it through the grapevine)
Not much longer would you be mine (not much longer would you be mine)
Don't ya know that I heard it, yes I heard it (heard it through the grapevine)
I heard it, I heard it (heard it through the grapevine)
The lyrics to "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" by Gladys Knight & The Pips present a situation where the singer had to find out from someone else that their partner was planning to break up with them. The first verse talks about the singer's surprise at finding out, but also hints at a feeling of suspicion or intuition that something was off in the relationship. The second verse is more emotional, with the singer expressing their love for their partner and the devastation they would feel if they were to lose them.
The chorus is the most memorable part of the song, as it repeats the phrase "I heard it through the grapevine" multiple times, emphasizing the fact that the singer did not hear about the breakup directly from their partner. The bridge section features a call-and-response between the lead vocalist and the backup singers, who urge the singer to let go and move on from the relationship.
Overall, the song is a classic example of the Motown sound, with its catchy melody and memorable lyrics. It also taps into a universal theme of heartbreak and betrayal that has resonated with listeners for decades.
Line by Line Meaning
I bet you're wonderin' how I knew
I know you're curious about how I found out
Baby, baby, baby 'bout your plans to make me blue
You were trying to make me upset with your plans, oh baby
With some other girl you knew before (ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
You're with another girl that you knew from before, and it hurts me
Between the two of us girls you know I loved you more
I loved you much more than the other girl did, you know that it's true
It took me by surprise I must say (ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
I was shocked when I found out, I didn't see it coming
When I found out yesterday (ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
I just found out yesterday, it's still fresh in my mind
Don't you know that I heard it through the grapevine (oh, I heard it through the grapevine)
I heard the rumor from somewhere else and it's spreading like wildfire
Not much longer would you be mine (not much longer would you be mine)
I know you're leaving me soon
Oh I heard it through the grapevine (oh, I heard it through the grapevine)
I heard it from unreliable sources
Oh I'm just about, just about, just about to lose my mind
I'm at my wit's end and about to lose it
Baby won't you listen to me
Please listen to me, my love
Boy take a good look at these tears of mine
Take a good look at my tears, you're the reason why
Baby, baby these tears I can't hold inside
These tears can't be contained, they're falling like rain
Losin' you would end my life you see (ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
Losing you would destroy my life, don't you see?
Because you mean that much to me
You're extremely important to me
You could've told me yourself (ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
You should've told me yourself that you didn't love me anymore
That you love somebody else (ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
That you're in love with someone else
Instead I heard it through the grapevine (oh, I heard it through the grapevine)
I found out through rumors and gossip
Oh, not much longer would you be mine (not much longer would you be mine)
I know you're leaving me soon
Oh, I heard it, yes, I heard it (heard it through the grapevine)
I heard it, no need to deny it
Oh, just about, just about, just about, to lose my mind
I'm about to completely lose it
Go, go
I need to leave
Go, I gotta go
I have to leave right now
Go, go
I need to leave
You gotta let me go
You have to let me leave
Go, go, go
I'm leaving, leaving, leaving
I gotta go whoa, whoa, whoa
I really have to leave now before I break down
Say believe half of what you see
Only believe half of what you see with your own eyes
Oh, ho, and none of what you hear
Don't believe anything you hear, especially if it's gossip
Baby baby, but I just can't help bein' confused
I'm confused about this whole situation, baby
If it's true please baby, won't ya tell me dear
If it's true, please tell me the truth, my dear
Oh, do you plan to let me go (ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
Do you plan on breaking up with me?
For the other girl you loved before? (ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
For a girl you loved before me?
Don't ya know that I heard through the grapevine (oh, I heard it through the grapevine)
You don't realize that I heard about it through gossip?
Not much longer would you be mine (not much longer would you be mine)
You won't be mine for much longer
Don't ya know that I heard it, yes I heard it (heard it through the grapevine)
Yes, I heard it and there's nothing you can do to deny it
I heard it, I heard it (heard it through the grapevine)
I heard the rumors, and it's spreading like wildfire
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Norman Whitfield, Barrett Strong
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind