Jeffrey Osborne began his professional singing career in 1969 with a popula… Read Full Bio ↴Jeffrey Osborne began his professional singing career in 1969 with a popular funk and soul group called Love Men Ltd. The band moved to Los Angeles in 1970 and changed its name to L.T.D. Osborne was originally brought on as the drummer and eventually became the lead vocalist. After more than ten years with the band, he decided to pursue a solo career, which produced such Top 40 hits as "Don't You Get So Mad," "Stay With Me Tonight," and "Love Power," which he performed with Dionne Warwick.

Born in Providence, RI, Jeffrey Osborne was the youngest of 12 children and was constantly bombarded with music as he was growing up. He had five brothers and six sisters, some of whom went on to have music careers. His father, Clarence "Legs" Osborne, was a popular trumpeter who played with Lionel Hampton, Count Basie, and Duke Ellington, and died when Jeffrey was only 13. His mother, Wanita, is ancestored by a Pequot Indian sachem. His oldest brother, Clay Osborne, is a singer and pianist, and Billy, another brother, is a songwriter and producer in Los Angeles. But Osborne's father had the greatest influence on his musical career; Clarence "Legs" Osborne turned down many top band offers during his career to be with his family. It was only after receiving his mother's encouragement that Jeffrey left for Los Angeles to play with L.T.D. At the age of 15, he sat in with the O'Jays when the drummer was too tired to play, and went on to play with them for two weeks. It was at a Providence nightclub that fate brought him together with the band Love Men Ltd. in 1969.

Osborne's solo career has brought him five gold and platinum albums, including Stay With Me Tonight, Aymuk, and Only Human. He also recorded an album of duets with popular singer James Ingram, and scored an international hit with "On the Wings of Love" in 1982. Osborne's touring and recording continue to keep him busy much of the time, but he also devotes some of his time to charity work.

Knocks Me Off My Feet
Jeffrey Osborne Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I see us in the park
Strolling the summer days of imaginings in my head
And words from our hearts
Told only to the wind felt even without being said
I don't want to bore you with my trouble
But there's somethin 'bout your love
That makes me weak and
Knocks me off my feet

There's sumptin 'bout your love
That makes me weak and
Knocks me off my feet
Knocks me off my feet

I don't want to bore you with it
Oh but I love you, I love you, I love you
I don't want to bore you with it
Oh but I love you, I love you, I love you
More and more
We lay beneath the stars
Under a lovers tree that's seen through the eyes of my mind
I reach out for the part
Of me that lives in you that only our two hearts can find
But I don't want to bore you with my trouble
But there's sumptin 'bout your love
That makes me weak and
Knocks me off my feet

I don't want to bore you with it
Oh but I love you, I love you, I love you
I don't want to bore you with it
Oh but I love you, I love you, I love you
I don't want to bore you with it
Oh but I love you, I love you, I love you
Darling I don't want to bore you with it
Oh but I love you, I love you, I love you
I don't' want to bore you with it
Oh but I love you, I love you, I love you

Darling I don't want to bore you with it
Oh but I love you, I love you, I love you

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Jeffrey Osborne's song "Knocks Me Off My Feet” describe the overwhelming feeling of being in love. The singer envisions strolling through the park with their lover, telling them everything on their mind, but also sensing that they don't want to burden them with their troubles. The love shared between them is described as something that makes the singer weak and “knocks them off their feet.” The love they have is so strong that the singer can only express it by reaching out for a part of their lover that only their hearts can find.

Although the lyrics are about love, they also explore themes of vulnerability, connection, and the difficulty of articulating one's emotions. The singer openly admits to their weakness and vulnerability, which is a stark contrast to the traditional portrayal of strength in masculinity. Additionally, they are worried about boring their lover with their troubles, suggesting that communication may not come easy. However, the singer's deep affection for their lover motivates them to express their feelings despite their reservations.

Overall, “Knocks Me Off My Feet” is a passionate declaration of love, communicating the intense emotions that can come with falling deeply in love. Through his lyrics, Jeffrey Osborne captures the thrill and vulnerability of this complex emotion, providing insight into the range of emotions that relationships can evoke.

Line by Line Meaning

I see us in the park
I imagine us spending time together in the park

Strolling the summer days of imaginings in my head
In my mind, we are walking together during lazy summer days and enjoying time spent together

And words from our hearts
We openly express our feelings to each other

Told only to the wind felt even without being said
Our unspoken feelings are still felt by both of us

I don't want to bore you with my trouble
I don't want to burden you with my problems

But there's somethin 'bout your love
There is something special about your love

That makes me weak and
Your love has a powerful impact on me

Knocks me off my feet
Your love overwhelms me and leaves me feeling powerless

More and more
As time goes on, my love for you grows stronger

We lay beneath the stars
We spend time together looking up at the night sky

Under a lovers tree that's seen through the eyes of my mind
In my imagination, we sit under a tree that symbolizes our love