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.
Who Is She
Gladys Knight & The Pips Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tried to stare me down, uh
And when I looked at you
You looked at the ground
(Would you look around)
Now, I don’t know who she is
But I think that you do
(I think, think that you do)
Now, now something in my heart
And in you eyes
(Dooo hoo hoo is she to you?)
Tells me she’s not someone just passing by
(Dooo hoo hoo is she to you?)
And when you cleared your throat
Was that supposed to be your cue?
(Ooohhooh who is she to you?)
Daggumit, who was that girl
(Who was that girl?) and what is she to you?
(Oh oh who is she to you?)
A-a-a-hhh aah-aaaahaaah aaaah ah
(Oooh oooh oooh oooh who was that girl
And what is she to you?)
When I add the sum of you and me
(Oh oh who is she to you?)
Ah I get confused 'cause I keep comin' up
With number three
(What I add up, is you, and me, and she)
Your too much for one girl
But not enough for two
(Oh oh who is she to you?)
Umhm Daggumit who was that girl and
What is she to you
(Oh oh who is she to you?)
Who was that girl and what is she to you?
(Oh oh what is she to you?)
Tell me I don’t have much intuition, hm
Is that really what you think hm
Or are you wishin'
(Really really what you think
Or are you wishin'?)
Before you wreck your own home (Wait)
Desert and love a new (Think about it) boy
Daggumit, who was that girl
(Who was that girl?) and what is she to you?
(Ooh ooh what is she to you?)
(Ooh ooh what is she to you?)
A-a-a-hhh aah-aaaahaaah aaaah ah
(Oooh oooh oooh oooh who was that girl
And what is she to you?)
Who was that girl and what is she to you?
(Oh oh what is she to you?)
Who, what, where, how
(Who was that girl?) I’m askin you
To tell me now all
About it (Ooh ooh) boy (What is she to you?)
All I wanna know is, who was that girl
(Who was that girl?) and what is she to you?
(Oh oh who is she to you?)
The lyrics of Gladys Knight & The Pips's song "Who Is She" deals with the theme of suspicion and jealousy. The song starts with Gladys and her partner walking down the street when a man stares at Gladys. When she looks at her partner for reassurance, he avoids eye contact and looks down. This raises suspicions in Gladys's mind, and she wonders if her partner knows the man and if there is something going on between them.
As the song progresses, Gladys's suspicions grow more intense, and she feels that there is something more between her partner and this other person. She wonders if she is not enough for her partner or if he is having an affair. She even questions her partner's loyalty and whether he is lying to her.
In the end, Gladys confronts her partner, and her partner denies having an affair. However, Gladys is still left feeling uncertain about the relationship and questioning who this person is and what they mean to her partner.
Overall, the song expresses the feelings of suspicion, insecurity, and jealousy that can arise in a romantic relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
A man we passed just tried to stare me down
I noticed a man looking at me in an unwelcoming way as we walked by
And when I looked at you
I turned towards you hoping for some support or reassurance
You looked at the ground
But you avoided eye contact and seemed unsure or guilty
I don't know who he is
I don't recognize the man or have any clue about his identity
But I think that you do
However, I have a strong feeling that you do
Dadgummit
A mild exclamation showing frustration or annoyance
Who is he, and what is he to you
So, I'm wondering who that man is and what's your relationship with him
Something in my heart and in your eye
A gut feeling and your behavior indicate that he's probably more than a stranger
Tells me he's not someone just passing by
I suspect he has some connection or history with you
And when you cleared your throat
Your nervous or uncomfortable reaction hints at a deeper issue about this man
Was that your cue
Did you want to explain or confess something?
Now when I add the sum of you and me
Considering our relationship and familiarity,
I get confused when I keep coming up with three
I'm puzzled to see another person involved in our equation
You're too much for one man
You're a wonderful and fulfilling partner that any man would desire
But not enough for two
However, I don't want to share you or compete for your love
Well, you tell me men don't have much intuition
I don't believe the stereotype that men lack intuition or insight
Is that what you really thinking girl
Do you really believe so and underestimate my perception?
Or are you wishing
Or maybe, you hope I won't notice or confront you about him
Before you wreck your old home
Please, think twice before risking our love and commitment
And search for another new
By pursuing this mystery man or a new relationship, you may destroy what we built together
Who is he, and what is he to you
So, again, I need to know what's going on and who that man really is to you
Who is he, and what is he to you
Seriously, who is he, and what does he mean to you?
Who is he, and what is he to you
I won't stop asking until you give me a satisfying answer
Who is he, and what is he to you
Because, I love you and can't imagine losing you over some stranger
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind