The song "Signed Gladys" by Gladys Knight & The Pips tells the story of a woman who is heartbroken and struggling to let go of a love that she feels is slipping away. She expresses her emotions through a tear-filled letter that she has written to her partner, addressing it as "Signed Gladys." The lyrics depict the narrator's internal struggle and hesitation to say goodbye in person, as she feels overwhelmed by her deep love for him. She confesses that she had intended to speak to him face to face but couldn't find the courage to do so. This reflects her fear of facing the reality of the end of their relationship. The narrator believes that her love for him is too intense to share with anyone else. She signs the letter as Gladys, implying that she is pouring her heart out and revealing her vulnerability in this communication. The song suggests that if her partner needs someone else, it indicates that she is not enough for him, which makes her feel like she has failed. She questions herself and wonders if she knew the reasons behind their breakup, maybe there wouldn't be a need for this tear-filled letter. The chorus emphasizes the protagonist's overwhelming love for her partner and her resistance to sharing his affections with anyone else. She feels that their love was too intense and that she couldn't bear the thought of him being with someone else. The protagonist admits to being tired of the way her life has been, considering it a "three way tragedy," implying that she might be in a love triangle. She acknowledges that her partner might be content with the situation, but it is not enough for her. Towards the end of the song, the narrator reveals that despite writing the letter, she decides to tear it up before sending it. She fears that expressing her true feelings and risking losing his love would be too painful. The final lines of the song imply that she knows her partner will never read the words she had written. Overall, "Signed Gladys" is a poignant depiction of a woman grappling with the intense emotions of a failing relationship and her inability to let go. It captures the pain, vulnerability, and inner turmoil that come with loving someone so deeply.
