I Heard It Through the Grapevine
The Chi-Lites 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 Chi-Lites song "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" is about a man who discovered through rumors that his lover is planning to leave him for an old flame. The lyrics express the shock and devastation that he feels upon learning about his lover's intentions. The song opens with the singer admitting that he heard about his lover's plan through the grapevine, or through gossip and rumors, rather than from his lover directly. He expresses his love and desire to be with his lover and how losing her would end his life because she means so much to him. He is confused and asks if the rumors are true, and he pleads with her to tell him the truth.
The lyrics reveal a complicated relationship that is falling apart because of external forces. The man feels helpless and powerless in the face of the rumors and feels betrayed that his lover did not tell him about her intentions. The song is a poignant portrayal of love, loss, and heartbreak and has resonated with listeners for decades.
Line by Line Meaning
I bet you're wonderin' how I knew
You might be curious how I found out
'Bout your plans to make me blue
About your intention to hurt me
With some other guy you knew before
You are seeing another man with whom you were acquainted earlier
Between the two of us guys
Between him and me
You know I loved you more
You were aware of my deep love for you
It took me by surprise I must say
I was taken aback by the news
When I found out yesterday
I learned about it yesterday
Don't you know that I heard it through the grapevine
I heard about it through rumors
Not much longer would you be mine
Our relationship won't last long
Oh I heard it through the grapevine
I learned about it through rumors
Oh I'm just about to lose my mind
I'm almost going crazy
I know a man ain't supposed to cry
It's not considered manly to cry
But these tears I can't hold inside
I cannot hold back my tears
Losin' you would end my life you see
Losing you would be devastating for me
'Cause you mean that much to me
You are extremely important to me
You could have told me yourself
You should have informed me directly
That you loved some one else
That you have feelings for someone else
Instead I heard it through the grapevine
I learned about it through rumors
People say believe half of what you see
People suggest to trust only partially what you witness
Son and none of what you hear
And to be even more skeptical of what you hear
But I can't help but be confused
However, I am still puzzled
If it's true please tell me dear
If it is true, please inform me directly
Do you plan to let me go
Are you intending to leave me
Honey, honey yeah.
Darling, oh yeah
Not much longer would you be mine baby
We won't be together for much longer, baby
I heard it through the grapevine
I heard about it through rumors
And I'm just about to lose my mind
I'm on the brink of madness
Honey, honey yeah
Darling, oh yeah
Not much longer would you be mine, baby
We won't be together for much longer, baby
I'm just about to love my mind
I'm almost going crazy
I heard it through the grapevine,
I learned about it through rumors
Not much longer would you be mine, baby yeah
We won't be together for much longer, baby
Lyrics © Tratore, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Norman Whitfield, Barrett Strong
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kevin C
I love the flute
Kudzai Chisango
This is a cover.