"Then when Gladys Knight came in to do my songs that was the straw that broke the camel's back"

Translating the quote by Brenda Holloway, "Then when Gladys Knight was available in to do my tunes that was the straw that broke the camel's back," offers an insightful peek into her sensations and experiences in the music market. This declaration likely describes a turning point or conclusion of disappointments within her career, especially connecting to her creative output and the characteristics of the music market.

The phrase "the straw that broke the camel's back" is an idiom that describes a relatively small and final problem that renders a scenario intolerable after a series of bigger troubles. For Brenda Holloway, this tipping point involved Gladys Knight, another popular artist, recording or performing tunes originally connected with Holloway. It suggests a feeling of culmination after enduring various difficulties or frustrations.

In the competitive environment of the music market, artists typically come across situations where their work is provided to or reinterpreted by others. This can lead to sensations of loss, as an artist's personal connection to their music is central to their identity and professional fulfillment. For Holloway, who was signed to Motown Records-- a label known for its rigorous control over artists' creative outputs-- seeing someone else perform her tunes might have felt like an absence of recognition of her own artistry and contribution.

The psychological weight of this scenario is magnified by the eminence of being related to a song or a hit. If Holloway's aspirations for presence and creative success were hindered by others performing her songs, it could intensify feelings of professional stagnation or inadequacy. In an industry where visibility and credit are vital for success and durability, this scenario likely felt like a substantial personal and professional problem for Holloway.

Thus, this quote encapsulates Holloway's frustration and disillusionment, highlighting the complexities and sometimes painful truths artists face within the music industry.