Percy Sledge worked in the fields in Leighton before he worked as an orderly at Colbert County Hospital in Sheffield. By the mid-1960s, Sledge was touring the Southeast with the Esquires Combo on weekends and working at the hospital. A former patient who was a friend of producer Quin Ivy introduced the two, an audition followed, and Sledge was signed to a recording contract.
Sledge's smooth voice was perfect for the series of soul ballads produced by Ivy and Marlin Greene, which rock critic Dave Marsh called "emotional classics for romantics of all ages."
"When a Man Loves a Woman" was the first song recorded under the contract (released in 1966), and it became not only an international hit (it reached #1 in the US) but was also the first gold record released by Atlantic Records. The magnificent soul anthem became the cornerstone of Sledge's career and was followed by "Warm and Tender Love," "Take Time to Know Her," and "Cover Me."
Sledge charted with "I'll Be Your Everything" and "Sunshine" during the 1970s, and has become an international concert favorite throughout the world, especially in the Netherlands, Germany, and on the African continent.
His career enjoyed a renaissance in the 1980s when "When a Man Loves a Woman" re-entered the Top 10 in the UK after being used in a Levi's commercial.
Sledge was an inaugural Rhythm and Blues Foundation Pioneer Award honoree in 1989. In 2005, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Take Time To Know Her
Percy Sledge Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I felt a true love
She was everything
I'd ever been dreaming of
But she was bad, I didn't know it
Her pretty smile never did show it
All I knew is what I could see
Took her home to mama
Mama, wanna see my future bride
Well she looked at us both
Then she called me to her side
She said son, take time to know her
It's not an overnight thing
Take time to know her
Please don't go rushin to do your thing
But I didn't listen to my mama
I went straight to the church
I just couldn't wait for that little girl of mine
When I got off from work
The preacher was there
So was my future bride
He looked at us both and he called me to his side
Take time to know her
Not an overnight fling
Take time to know her
Don't go rushin to do your thing
But it looks like every thing's gonna turn out all right
But then I came home from work a little early one night
And there she was kissin on another man
Now I know what mama meant when she took me by the hand
She said, take time to know her
Not an overnight fling
Take time to know her
Don't go rushin to do your thing
She said, take time to know her
Not an overnight fling
Take time to know her
Don't go rushin to do your thing
Take time to know her
The lyrics of Percy Sledge's 'Take Time to Know Her' tell a story of a man who falls in love with a woman he believes is everything he has ever dreamed of. He takes her home to meet his mother, who advises him to take time to get to know her before rushing into anything serious. Disregarding his mother's advice, the man goes to the church and marries his love. However, he soon finds out that she is unfaithful, and he realizes that his mother was right all along.
The song is a cautionary tale about the importance of taking the time to get to know someone before making a long-term commitment. The man in the song is so blinded by his infatuation with the woman that he ignores the warning signs of her true character. His mother's advice to take things slowly is a reminder that true love cannot be rushed, and that it is important to look beyond initial appearances to truly know someone.
Overall, the song is a powerful reminder that love is not always what it seems, and that it is important to take the time to truly know someone before committing to them.
Line by Line Meaning
I found a woman
I met a woman who caught my attention.
I felt a true love
I felt a deep connection and affection towards her.
She was everything
She possessed all the qualities I was looking for in a partner.
I'd ever been dreaming of
She was my dream come true.
But she was bad, I didn't know it
She had negative traits that I was unaware of.
Her pretty smile never did show it
She had a charming and pleasant appearance that concealed her flaws.
All I knew is what I could see
I judged her based on my perception and appearance.
And I knew I wanted her for me
I was determined to pursue a relationship with her.
Took her home to mama
I introduced her to my mother.
Mama, wanna see my future bride
I wanted my mother to see the woman I planned to marry.
Well she looked at us both
My mother observed us carefully.
Then she called me to her side
My mother wanted to talk to me privately.
She said son, take time to know her
My mother advised me to get to know her better before making any major decisions.
It's not an overnight thing
Building a strong relationship takes time and effort.
Please don't go rushin to do your thing
Don't be impulsive and take your time to make a thoughtful decision.
But I didn't listen to my mama
I disregarded my mother's advice.
I went straight to the church
I rushed to get married.
I just couldn't wait for that little girl of mine
I was too eager to have her as my wife.
When I got off from work
After finishing work for the day.
The preacher was there
The religious official was present.
So was my future bride
The woman I planned to marry was also present.
He looked at us both and he called me to his side
The preacher asked to speak to me alone.
But it looks like every thing's gonna turn out all right
Things seemed to be working out well.
But then I came home from work a little early one night
I returned home sooner than expected.
And there she was kissin on another man
I saw her being unfaithful with another man.
Now I know what mama meant when she took me by the hand
I finally understood my mother's advice to take time to know her.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: STEPHEN ALLEN DAVIS, STEVE DAVIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind