Born in McComb, Mississippi, Norwood was raised in Carson, California, beginning her career as a backing vocalist for teen groups. After signing with Atlantic Records in 1993, she released her self-titled debut album, Brandy, the following year, which sold six million copies worldwide. Norwood ventured into acting with the UPN sitcom Moesha (1996–2001), which won her an NAACP Image Award, and resulted in numerous other roles, such as the titular character in the television film Cinderella (1997) and Karla Wilson in the slasher film I Still Know What You Did Last Summer (1998). Her musical breakthrough came with the wildly successful single "The Boy Is Mine" (1998), a duet with fellow R&B contemporary Monica, which went on to become one of the best selling female duets of all time. Her second album, Never Say Never, won Norwood her first Grammy Award. In 2002, Norwood starred in the reality series Brandy: Special Delivery, documenting the birth of her daughter. Her third and fourth albums, Full Moon (2002) and Afrodisiac (2004), were released to critical success.
Norwood served as a judge on the first season of America's Got Talent before being involved in a heavily publicized car accident in 2006. Norwood's fifth album, Human (2008), was released to positive reviews, although it was a commercial failure. In 2010, she returned to television as a contestant on the eleventh season of Dancing with the Stars and starred in the reality series Brandy & Ray J: A Family Business. She was a series regular in the BET series The Game (2012–2015) and released her sixth album Two Eleven (2012) thereafter, both earning her critical praise. In April 2015, Norwood made her Broadway debut as Roxie Hart in the musical Chicago. She starred in and executive produced a sitcom titled Zoe Ever After on BET which premiered in January 2016. In July 2020, Norwood released her seventh studio album, B7, also her first project as an independent artist, to critical acclaim. In 2021, Norwood starred alongside Naturi Naughton, Eve and Nadine Velazquez in American Broadcasting Company's music drama series Queens to critical acclaim.
In June 2022, Norwood announced her major label return after signing with Motown Records under which she is expected to preprare her eighth studio album.
Borderline
Brandy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ah
Ah
Oh, yeah
Oh, yeah
Oh
You're sorry, you're sorry (sorry)
Would you think about me?
I know there's something wrong with you
On my mind all the time
It is what it is
Feeling crazy (feeling)
Wanna be with me deep down (deep down)
You can feel it, you can't help it, baby
I'll give you this heart of mine
Ooh
I'm on the borderline, yeah-yeah (oh)
Ooh
Don't wanna be schizo this time (oh)
Never ever cheat, never lie to me
I'm the most jealous girl (girl)
In the whole wide world (world)
Don't you ever hurt me
I'll change on you
I will do, me and you, how
'Cause I'm falling in love all alone (oh, I)
Come on home
Never treat me the same, I ain't the same
I'm like nobody else
Oh
Ooh
I'm on the borderline, yeah-yeah (oh)
Ooh (ooh)
Don't wanna be schizo this time (oh)
Never ever cheat, never lie to me
I'm the most jealous girl (girl)
In the whole wide world (don't you ever)
(Don't you ever) don't you ever hurt me
I'll change on you (oh, I will do)
I will do, me and you, how
I'm so dangerous, baby
I need you to see
Believe what you see
Feel what I feel
And my feelings don't die
It's why I cry (cry)
I need to heal
Got another lady, having a baby
Going crazy, but I'll be your friend, baby
Take what I can, baby
Back then I couldn't take no chances
Karma is a bitch, baby
Ooh
I'm on the borderline, yeah-yeah (oh)
Ooh (ooh)
Don't wanna be schizo this time (schizo this time, ah)
Never ever cheat, never lie to me
I'm the most jealous girl (I'm the most jealous girl)
In the whole wide world (in the whole wide world)
Don't you ever hurt me
I'll change on you
I will do, me and you, how
Heart drops to the floor
'Cause there's no you and I
Maybe in another lifetime (right place)
Caught me at the wrong time (wrong time)
In the end, I'm the only one
Gon' get torn apart (oh)
In the end, I'm the only one (that's gonna)
Gon' be torn apart
Ooh (ooh)
I'm on the borderline, yeah-yeah (oh)
Ooh (ooh)
I don't wanna be schizo this time (ah)
Never ever cheat, never lie to me (woo)
I'm the most jealous girl (girl)
In the whole wide world
Don't you ever hurt me
I'll go crazy (ah)
We can't cross the line
Borderline
Schizo' this time
We can't cross the line
Borderline
Schizo' this time
We can't cross the line
Borderline
Schizo' this time
We can't cross the line
The lyrics of Brandy's song "Borderline" depict a complicated and intense relationship. The song explores the singer's feelings of insecurity, jealousy, and fear of being hurt by their partner. The singer acknowledges that there is something wrong with their partner, but despite that, they still have strong feelings for them. The line "Feeling crazy, wanna be with me deep down" suggests that the partner may have conflicting emotions and desires. The singer is willing to give their heart to their partner, implying a level of vulnerability and the hope for reciprocation.
The repeated phrase "I'm on the borderline" signifies that the singer feels on the edge of their emotions and sanity in this relationship. They express their fear of becoming "schizo" or losing their grip on reality. The term "schizo" is used metaphorically here to convey the turmoil and instability within the relationship. The lyrics reveal the singer's inner struggle and their desperate plea for their partner to never cheat or lie to them.
The song also touches on the consequences of infidelity and the fear of being replaced. The verse referencing "another lady, having a baby" suggests the partner's involvement with someone else, causing the singer's distress. The lyrics imply that the singer has experienced betrayal in the past ("Back then I couldn't take no chances") and warns their partner about the karmic consequences of their actions.
Ultimately, the song signifies the singer's internal conflict between their love for their partner and their fear of being hurt. They wrestle with their emotions, acknowledging their vulnerability while demanding loyalty and honesty.
Line by Line Meaning
You're sorry, you're sorry (sorry)
You apologize, but how would you handle being by yourself? Would you think about me?
What would you do if you're alone? (Yeah)
If you were alone, how would you spend your time? Would I still be on your mind?
Would you think about me?
Would I occupy your thoughts and hold a special place in your mind?
I know there's something wrong with you
I sense that there is an issue or unease within you
On my mind all the time
You constantly occupy my thoughts, and I can't seem to get you out of my mind
It is what it is
The situation is as it appears, and I accept it for what it is
Feeling crazy (feeling)
Experiencing a level of insanity or intense emotions
Wanna be with me deep down (deep down)
Somewhere deep within, you have a strong desire to be with me
You can feel it, you can't help it, baby
You can sense this emotion within you, and despite your best efforts, you can't control it
I'll give you this heart of mine
I am willing to offer you my vulnerable and loving heart
Ooh
Expressing a moment of realization or surprise
Don't wanna be schizo this time (oh)
I don't want to exhibit schizophrenic behavior or have inconsistent emotions this time
Never ever cheat, never lie to me
Promise me that you will never deceive or betray me
I'm the most jealous girl (girl)
I am extremely possessive and prone to jealousy
In the whole wide world (world)
There is no one else in the entire world who is more possessive or jealous than me
Don't you ever hurt me
Please never cause me pain or harm
I'll change on you
If you betray or hurt me, I will transform and become someone different
I will do, me and you, how
I am willing to make changes and adapt to our relationship in any way necessary
'Cause I'm falling in love all alone (oh, I)
I am gradually falling in love, but it feels like I'm the only one experiencing these emotions
Come on home
I implore you to return home or to me
Never treat me the same, I ain't the same
Please don't treat me as you have before because I have changed
I'm like nobody else
I am unique and unlike anyone else
I'm on the borderline, yeah-yeah (oh)
I am indecisive and in a state of uncertainty or emotional limbo
Don't wanna be schizo this time (oh)
I don't want to experience inconsistent or erratic emotions this time
Never ever cheat, never lie to me
Please make a promise to never betray me or deceive me
I'm the most jealous girl (girl)
I possess an extreme level of possessiveness and jealousy
In the whole wide world (in the whole wide world)
There is no one else in the entire world who possesses more jealousy than me
Don't you ever hurt me
I plead with you to never inflict pain upon me
I'll change on you (oh, I will do)
If you hurt or betray me, I will undergo a transformation and become someone different
I will do, me and you, how
I am ready to make changes and adapt to our relationship in order to make it work
I'm so dangerous, baby
My emotions and actions can be risky or unpredictable, my dear
I need you to see
I want you to understand and acknowledge my feelings and perspective
Believe what you see
Have faith in the sincerity of what you witness or observe
Feel what I feel
Try to empathize and connect with the same emotions I am experiencing
And my feelings don't die
My emotions are not easily extinguished or forgotten
It's why I cry (cry)
The intensity of my emotions is the reason why I shed tears
I need to heal
I require healing and solace from the emotional turmoil I am experiencing
Got another lady, having a baby
You have another woman in your life who is pregnant
Going crazy, but I'll be your friend, baby
I may be feeling overwhelmed or losing control, but I am still here for you as a friend
Take what I can, baby
I will accept whatever you offer or give me
Back then I couldn't take no chances
In the past, I was not willing to take any risks or gamble on love
Karma is a bitch, baby
The consequences of your actions will come back to you, my dear
Heart drops to the floor
My heart sinks with disappointment or sadness
'Cause there's no you and I
Because there is no longer an us or a romantic relationship
Maybe in another lifetime (right place)
Perhaps in a different existence or future, we may have the opportunity to be together
Caught me at the wrong time (wrong time)
You encountered me at an unfortunate or inopportune moment
In the end, I'm the only one
Ultimately, I am the sole person who will face the consequences or be affected
Gon' get torn apart (oh)
I will inevitably experience emotional pain and be shattered
I don't wanna be schizo this time (ah)
I refuse to have conflicting or inconsistent emotions this time around
We can't cross the line
We are unable to surpass the boundaries or limitations
Borderline
We are in a state where decisions must be made or emotions are uncertain
Schizo' this time
I don't want to exhibit schizophrenic behavior or have inconsistent emotions this time
Lyrics © Ultra Tunes, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Al Sherrod Lambert, Brandy Norwood, Charles McAllister, Darrhyl Camper Jr., Kim Krysiuk
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Faridah Nakigozi
I don't believe Brandy is underrated, she's just not appreciated as much because she's special. Brandy is an acquired taste, her voice, lyrics and music have such depth and quality that you have to be in a certain space to receive. She's like an expensive wine that only seasoned connoisseurs understand and appreciate.
Tony Dixon
Well said. Exactly; that she is!
Lora Mays
I agree ❤️💯
Mighty
That's what it means to be underrated
Keith Vinson
I've could've said it BETTER I totally Agree
Siân
period!!!!!!!!!!
Dustin Perrin Media
This song deserved a GRAMMY. The artistry in the video truly coincides with the lyrics.
EVM ENT
Dope as concept
Over all
Russika Robinson💰
Absolutely PERFECT
Joanne Barton
No words can describe how good this song is cause the adlibs are really doing it’s job 🔥