Sir Knight

The name Sir Knight speaks volumes. Knight is the English term for a social position originating in the middle ages. This term we all know carries a sense of royalty and a form of gentry. From 1992 with the release of the self entitled “Brian McKnight” to the present, Sir Knight has been R&B’s knight in shining armor. In 1995, Brian released “I Remember You” and that was “The Day the Earth Stood Still”. This album reminded you that his musical career began with a musical childhood, in which he was a member of a Seventh-day Adventist Church choir.

But his love for both never allowed one to overshadow the other as Brian McKnight continued his display of gospel with songs like “Oh Lord”, “My Prayer”, and “When the Chariot Comes”. History shows that R&B has had some difficult times, but with every Brian McKnight album release we as R&B fans, were given hope that our genre of music would stand the test of time.

During the peaks of hip-hop, Sir Knight never wavered. His sound continued down the path of suggestive, sexual, passionate, affectionate, and loving. Everything that we as R&B fans needed was attainable through his songs. When the eagles forgot how to fly and it’s 20 below in July, and violets turned red and roses turned blue he stayed in love with his fans. While other artists cracked under the pressures of the industry it was Brian, three labels later still in love with his fans.

His passion for music fueled him as he mastered piano, guitar, drums, percussions, trombone, tuba, French horn, and trumpet. Learning the tuba is far from cool, but his love for music is pure. With every beat of his heart his love for music endured. His collaborations run deep. The artists Brian McKnight has collaborated with include Mase, Sean Combs, Mary J. Blige, Justin Timberlake, Nelly, Vanessa Williams, Luete Sangalo, Kirk Franklin, For Real, Canibus, Quincy Jones, Boyz II Men, Christina Aguilera, Shoshana Bean, Mariah Carey, Regina Velasquez, Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band, Rascal Flatts and Josh Groban. This diversity is unmatched in the entertainment industry.

With his uncanny ability to mimic the timbre and style of other singers I think he could sing “Mary had a Little Lamb” and it would shoot to #1 on the Bill Board. It was his “Crazy Love” for his music and fans when he paid the ultimate sacrifice when he divorced his wife, and dove deeper into his music. I’ve found his love for music runs so deep as evidenced in the lyrics to “Marilie.” The lyrics are as follows:

Now replace “Marilie” with “Melody”. I think you get the picture. When creating a song you have to start with melody before building the structure of the song. Brian has truly given his all and given us fans a lifetime of music. His songs are great as a mere puzzle piece, but together they are a marvelous work of art.

My Favorite Brian McKnight Songs

• ANYTIME
• COULD
• SHOW ME THE WAY BACK TO YOUR HEART
• YOU GOT THE BOMB
• THE ONLY ONE FOR ME
• TIL I GET OVER YOU
• I BELONG TO YOU
• WHEN THE CHARIOT COMES
• LAST DANCE
• STAY
• BACK AT ONE
• 6,8,12
• LONELY
• THE WAY LOVE GOES
• LOVE ME, HOLD ME
• AFTER THE LOVE
• ONE LAST CRY
• NEVER FELT THIS WAY
• I COULDN’T SAY
• STAY THE NIGHT
• IS THE FEELING GONE
• ON THE FLOOR
• ANYWAY
• STILL IN LOVE
• EVERY BEAT OF MY HEART
• MUST BE LOVE
• CRAZY LOVE
• MARILIE
• KISS YOUR LOVE GOODBYE
• THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL
• WHEN YOU WANNA COME
• WHAT’S IT GONNA BE
• LOVE OF MY LIFE
• EVERYTHING
• GET OVER YOU
• STILL
• WHEN WILL I SEE YOU AGAIN
• BACK SEAT
• SHOULDA, WOULDA, COULDA
• TRY OUR LOVE AGAIN
• WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE
• BEEN SO LONG
• SOMEDAY, SOMEWAY, SOMEHOW
• ONE OF THE ONES WHO DID