I Heard It Through the Grapevine
McDonald Michael Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I bet you're wonderin' how I knew
'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
Not much longer would you be mine
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

Overall Meaning

The song "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" by McDonald Michael is a classic soul hit from the 1960s that tells the story of a man who finds out that his lover is leaving him for another man. He expresses his sadness and confusion through the lyrics, wondering how he didn't know about it before and why she couldn't have told him herself. He also notes that he loves her more than the other guy and that losing her would be devastating for him.


The song is a testament to the power of rumors and the damage that they can cause. The phrase "heard it through the grapevine" refers to the transmission of information through a network of people, often inaccurately or without confirmation. In this case, the singer found out about his girlfriend's infidelity through rumors that were spread around their social circle. The song suggests that he might have been able to save their relationship if he had known sooner, but instead, he must suffer the consequences of learning the truth too late.


Line by Line Meaning

I bet you're wonderin' how I knew
You may be curious as to how I found out


'Bout your plans to make me blue
About your intention to make me upset


With some other guy you knew before
Spending time with someone you knew from before


Between the two of us guys
When it comes to us two men


You know I loved you more
You should be aware that I was more in love with you


It took me by surprise I must say
I must confess, it was unexpected news for me


When I found out yesterday
The day before, I discovered


Don't you know that I heard it through the grapevine
Have you not heard that I found out indirectly?


Not much longer would you be mine
You will not be mine for much longer


Oh I heard it through the grapevine
Oh, I learned it through the grapevine


Oh I'm just about to lose my mind
Oh, I am almost losing sanity


Honey, honey yeah.
My love, oh yeah


I know a man ain't supposed to cry
I understand that men are not expected to weep


But these tears I can't hold inside
However, I am unable to keep my tears from flowing


Losin' you would end my life you see
Losing you would destroy my existence, you understand


'Cause you mean that much to me
Because you are so valuable to me


You could have told me yourself
You had the opportunity to convey the news to me yourself


That you loved some one else
That you have feelings for another person


Instead I heard it through the grapevine
However, I still learned indirectly


People say believe half of what you see
People generally advise to trust only half of what is seen


Son and none of what you hear
And none of what is heard, my child


But I can't help but be confused
I cannot help but feel perplexed


If it's true please tell me dear
If it is true, kindly inform me, darling


Do you plan to let me go
Do you intend to release me


For the other guy you loved before?
For the other gentleman you cared for previously?


Not much longer would you be mine, baby yeah
You will not be mine for much longer, my beloved yeah


I'm just about to love my mind
I am about to lose my sanity


Honey, honey, yeah
My darling, oh yeah




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Norman Whitfield, Barrett Strong

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions