Licence To Kill
Knight Gladys Lyrics


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Ooh ooh-ooh-ooh ooh ooh ooh-ooh-ooh
Oh oh oh oh
I need, I need, I got to hold on to your love
Ooh ooh ooh ooh mmm

Hey baby, thought you were the one who tried to run away
Ooh baby, wasn't I the one who made you want to stay
Please don't bet that you'll ever escape me
Once I get my sights on you

I got a license to kill (to kill)
And you know I'm going straight for your heart (got a license to kill)
Got a license to kill (to kill)
Anyone who tries to tear us apart (got a license to kill)
Uh huh, license to kill

Ooh, uh
Hey babe, think you need a friend to stand there by your side
Yes you do (your side)
Ooh baby, now you can depend on me to make things right (things right)
Please don't bet that you'll ever escape me (ooh ooh ooh)
Once I get my sights on you (ooh ooh ooh)

I got a license to kill (to kill)
And you know I'm going straight for your heart (got a licence to kill)
Got a license to kill (to kill)
Anyone who tries to tear us apart, ooh honey (got a licence to kill) mmm

Say that somebody tries to make a move on you
In the blink of an eye I'll be there too
And they better know why I'm gonna make them pay (ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh)
Till their dying day (ooh ooh), till their dying day (ooh ooh)
Till their dying day, oh

Got a license to kill (to kill)
And you know I'm going straight for your heart, ooh baby
(Got a license to kill)
Got a license to kill (to kill)
Anyone who tries to tear us apart, ooh yeah (got a licence to kill)

Ooh, license to kill
Gotta hold on to your loving




Ooh, license to kill, ooh ooh
Kill, kill, kill, kill...

Overall Meaning

In Gladys Knight's song "License to Kill," the singer is expressing her determination to protect her love and relationship at all costs. The opening lines express her need to hold onto her lover's love, and the chorus highlights her willingness to do whatever it takes to keep them together. The phrase "license to kill" suggests that she has the power and authority to do anything to protect her love, and that she is not afraid to use it. She warns anyone who tries to come between them that they will face dire consequences.


The second verse continues to emphasize the singer's loyalty and commitment to her love. She pledges to stand by his side and make things right, promising to never let him go. The bridge suggests that she is not afraid to use physical force to protect him, promising to make anyone who tries to make a move on him pay until their dying day.


Overall, "License to Kill" is a powerful love song that showcases the singer's strength and determination to protect her love. It highlights the lengths that someone is willing to go to keep their relationship strong and secure.


Line by Line Meaning

Ooh ooh-ooh-ooh ooh ooh ooh-ooh-ooh
Expressing the singer's excitement and anticipation.


Oh oh oh oh
Continuing the expression of excitement.


I need, I need, I got to hold on to your love
Stressing the singer's need to keep their love intact.


Hey baby, thought you were the one who tried to run away
Asking the partner whether they tried to leave the singer previously.


Ooh baby, wasn't I the one who made you want to stay
Reminding the partner that the singer is the reason they stayed.


Please don't bet that you'll ever escape me
Asserting the singer's control over the relationship.


Once I get my sights on you
Declaring the singer's devotion and focus on their partner.


I got a license to kill (to kill)
Using the metaphor of a license to kill to convey the singer's protectiveness over the relationship.


And you know I'm going straight for your heart (got a license to kill)
Emphasizing the singer's intention to protect the relationship at all costs.


Anyone who tries to tear us apart (got a license to kill)
Declaring that the singer will take action against anyone who poses a threat to their relationship.


Uh huh, license to kill
Repeating the chorus to reinforce the message of protectiveness.


Hey babe, think you need a friend to stand there by your side
Offering the partner the singer's loyalty and support.


Yes you do (your side)
Reinforcing the idea that the partner needs the singer's presence.


Ooh baby, now you can depend on me to make things right (things right)
Promising to make things right for the partner.


Say that somebody tries to make a move on you
Hypothetically proposing a situation in which the partner could be in danger.


In the blink of an eye I'll be there too
Stating the singer's readiness to act if the partner is threatened.


And they better know why I'm gonna make them pay (ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh)
Conveying the message that anyone who crosses the singer will face consequences.


Till their dying day (ooh ooh), till their dying day (ooh ooh)
Reiterating the severity of the consequences with a dramatic repetition.


Ooh, license to kill
Restating the chorus once again.


Gotta hold on to your loving
Repeating the opening line to remind the listener of the central theme of the song.


Ooh, license to kill, ooh ooh
Closing the song with a final reminder of the singer's protectiveness.


Kill, kill, kill, kill...
Repeating the word 'kill' to emphasize the message of protectiveness one last time.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LESLIE BRICUSSE, WALTER AFANASIEFF, JEFFREY COHEN, NARADA WALDEN, JOHN BARRY, ANTHONY NEWLEY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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