I Heard It Through the Grapevine
Gladys Knight And The Pips Lyrics
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'Bout your plans to make me blue
With some other guy you knew before
Between the two of us guys
You know I loved you more
It took me by surprise I must say
When I found out yesterday
Don't you know that I heard it through the grapevine
Oh I heard it through the grapevine
Oh I'm just about to lose my mind
Honey, honey yeah.
I heard it through the grapevine
Not much longer would you be mine baby
I know a man ain't supposed to cry
But these tears I can't hold inside
Losin' you would end my life you see
'Cause you mean that much to me
You could have told me yourself
That you loved some one else
Instead I heard it through the grapevine
Not much longer would you be mine
Oh, I heard it through the grapevine
And I'm just about to lose my mind
Honey, honey yeah
I heard it through the grapevine
Not much longer would you be mine, baby
People say believe half of what you see
Son and none of what you hear
But I can't help but be confused
If it's true please tell me dear
Do you plan to let me go
For the other guy you loved before?
Don't you know I heard it through the grapevine
Not much longer would you be mine, baby yeah
I heard it through the grapevine
I'm just about to love my mind
Honey, honey, yeah
I heard it through the grapevine,
Not much longer would you be mine, baby yeah
The classic soul song "I Heard it Through the Grapevine" is a desperate plea from someone who has just discovered that their lover is planning to leave them for someone else. The song is told from the perspective of the jilted lover, who found out the news not from his partner, but through rumors ("the grapevine"). The singer is devastated by the news and cannot believe that his partner would abandon him so callously. The lyrics are filled with heartache and uncertainty, as the singer wonders whether the rumors are true and whether he should fight for his relationship or let it go.
The chorus of the song is particularly powerful, with the singer repeatedly singing "Not much longer would you be mine" in a mournful tone. The repetition of this line highlights the inevitability of the breakup, and the sense of desperation and helplessness that the singer feels. Despite this, the song ends on a poignant note, with the singer still holding out hope that his lover will change her mind and come back to him.
Line by Line Meaning
I bet you're wonderin' how I knew
You're probably wondering how I found out about what you're doing
'Bout your plans to make me blue
About your intention to make me sad
With some other guy you knew before
You're with another man that you've known previously
Between the two of us guys
Of the two of us men
You know I loved you more
You know that I had stronger feelings for you
It took me by surprise I must say
I must admit that it was unexpected news
When I found out yesterday
When I was told yesterday
Don't you know that I heard it through the grapevine
I learned of it through informal means
Not much longer would you be mine
Our relationship wouldn't last much longer
Oh I heard it through the grapevine
I gathered the information indirectly
Oh I'm just about to lose my mind
I'm almost losing my sanity
Honey, honey yeah.
My dear, yes
I know a man ain't supposed to cry
I understand that a man shouldn't cry
But these tears I can't hold inside
But I'm unable to suppress these tears
Losin' you would end my life you see
Losing you would be devastating for me
'Cause you mean that much to me
Because you're very important to me
You could have told me yourself
You should have directly informed me
That you loved some one else
That you're in love with another person
Instead I heard it through the grapevine
But instead I learned through rumor
And I'm just about to lose my mind
And I'm nearly going crazy
People say believe half of what you see
Some people say to only trust some of what you witness
Son and none of what you hear
But don't believe any of what you hear
But I can't help but be confused
But I can't help but feel uncertain
If it's true please tell me dear
If it's true, please be honest with me, my love
Do you plan to let me go
Are you intending to end our relationship
For the other guy you loved before?
For the other man that you previously loved?
Not much longer would you be mine, baby
Our relationship wouldn't continue for much longer, my love
I'm just about to love my mind
I'm almost going insane
Honey, honey, yeah
My dear, yes
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BARRETT STRONG, NORMAN WHITFIELD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind