It Should Have Been Me
Gladys Knight & The Pips Lyrics


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I saw my love walking down the aisle
And as he passed me by
He turned and gave me a smile
Then, the preacher, then the preacher
The preacher joined their hands
And all the people, all the people began to stand
When I shouted, "you know it should have been me"
(Instead of her walking with you)

You are leaving me stranded
You know that it should have been me baby
Oh baby gettin' ready to marry you
Darlin' darlin' darlin'
You made a promise that we would never part
Then you turned around and broke my little heart
Now you're standing there saying I do
Holding hands with somebody new
You know that it should have been me
(I can't stand it)
Instead of her standing by you
You know that it should have been me
It should have been me
(Baby don't do it)
Then the preacher oh yeah the preacher asked
That there be silence please

If anybody objects to this wedding
Speak now or forever or forever hold your peace
Thin I shouted, "It should have been me"
You know that it should have been me
Don't you know that it should have been me
You know that it should have been me




I've been faithful to you baby, baby, baby
You were leaving me stranded

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Gladys Knight & The Pips's song It Should Have Been Me tell the story of a woman who watches her former love walk down the aisle with another woman, presumably about to be married. As she sees them exchanging vows, she realizes that it was her that should've been in the bride's place, instead of watching her love move on with someone else. The woman breaks down in tears, frustrated and hurt by the betrayal of her lover, who had promised never to leave her. She remembers the good times they shared together and how she had always stood by his side, but she now feels abandoned and stranded.


The song captures the deep emotions of heartbreak and the pain of watching a loved one move on, which is a universal feeling that many people can relate to. The woman is consumed by jealousy and is unable to understand how her lover could have left her for someone else. The lyrics highlight the raw emotions that come with losing love and the anguish that follows rejection.


It Should Have Been Me was written by Norman Whitfield and Barret Strong and released in 1968. The song was a hit for Gladys Knight & The Pips, who took it to number two on the R&B chart and number 40 on the pop chart. The song has since become a soul classic and has been covered by several other artists over the years.


Line by Line Meaning

I saw my love walking down the aisle
I saw the person I love walking towards the altar to get married.


And as he passed me by
As he walked past me, he acknowledged my presence with a smile.


He turned and gave me a smile
He looked at me and smiled.


Then, the preacher, then the preacher
The preacher then joined the couple together.


The preacher joined their hands
The preacher conducted the ceremony and united them in marriage.


And all the people, all the people began to stand
All the attendees in the wedding rose to their feet to honor the couple.


When I shouted, "you know it should have been me"
I couldn't help but scream that I should have been the one marrying my love.


You are leaving me stranded
You are leaving me behind, all alone.


You know that it should have been me baby
You are aware that I am the one who should be marrying you.


Oh baby gettin' ready to marry you
You are getting ready to get married to someone else.


Darlin' darlin' darlin'
A term of endearment to address the person I love.


You made a promise that we would never part
You promised that we would always be together.


Then you turned around and broke my little heart
Then you betrayed me and broke my heart.


Now you're standing there saying I do
Now you're standing there making vows to someone else.


Holding hands with somebody new
You are holding hands with the person you're marrying instead of me.


You know that it should have been me
You are aware that I should be the one in your shoes.


(I can't stand it)
I can't tolerate this situation any longer.


Instead of her standing by you
If only I could be standing by your side instead of the person you're marrying.


It should have been me
I am convinced that I am the one who should be getting married to you.


(Baby don't do it)
A plea to not go through with the marriage.


Then the preacher oh yeah the preacher asked
The preacher then asked a question to the attendees.


That there be silence please
To request for silence in the ceremony.


If anybody objects to this wedding
If someone has a reason to stop this wedding.


Speak now or forever or forever hold your peace
Speak now or never bring up the objection again.


Thin I shouted, "It should have been me"
I yelled that I should be the one getting married instead.


Don't you know that it should have been me
I'm sure that you know that we were meant to be together.


You know that it should have been me
You understand that I'm the one who should be marrying you.


I've been faithful to you baby, baby, baby
I have been loyal to you through thick and thin, my love.


You were leaving me stranded
You were abandoning me by getting married to someone else.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: NORMAN WHITFIELD, WILLIAM STEVENSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Corey Sheppard

Fantastic tune. Gladys has an uncanny ability to make any song whether written for her or not, her own. And of course the Pips provide amazing background. Love the added drums that come as the record progresses.

David January

Thanks to Miley Cyrus, I am hooked on this song. Loving all the versions🙏❤️🇿🇦😍😘😎

Davina Stanton

I didn't know Gladys sang this.
Wonderful. 🕊⚘💗

Quietstorm7 Jenkns

Where you been sleeping beauty?

babd71

I only remember Yvonne Fair's version. I never knew that Gladys and the Pips did a version.

Shirley Zimmerman

Gladys had always been my Queen Of Soul. She reached down, pulls up the Soul, and serves it on a platter for all to enjoy.

Lara Sinanis

I love this lady, her music, her voice are God given talent. God bless her <3

Betty Ponder

I never tire of listening to Gladys

Ellen Lirio

One of my all time favorite group 💞🎶💞

Cary Revels

How did that powerful voice fit into that little woman amazing....

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