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.
Focus
Brandy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tell 'em I'll be right back
In a real short time,
It's just that I lost my mind
Gotta find it
But when I hop on my train of thought
I'll get back here, pronto
There's really nothing you can do to help
Every time I see you
I'm reminded of every time we did it
All those other women
Every time you lied to me
Said you only had eyes for me
Eyes for me,
I don't wanna
[Chorus: x2]
I don't want to lose my focus
But it's bound to leave
Every time you come running into me
You come running, running
All we use to be
Shouldn't even matter to me
(Don't want to lose my focus)
Well it's to late now
Cause I'm reminded
I want to put it behind
But I'm behind it
Lord knows I'm tired
As much as I'd love to join you
On planet Earth right now
Know that I'm too hurt
Right now to be civilized
I need this time alone
Cause it won't be long
Every time I see you
I'm reminded of every time we did it
All those other women
Every time you lied to me
Said you only had eyes for me
Eyes for me,
I don't wanna
[Chorus: x2]
Oh I'll be back
Lost my way
Got off track
Please try to understand
I use to love you man
Oh I'll be back
Lost my way
Got off track
Please try to understand
I use to love you man
[Chorus: x3]
In Brandy's song "Focus," the singer is in a confusing and emotional state of mind because of her past relationship with a man. She opens with a message to anyone looking for her, telling them that she will be back soon because she has lost her mind and needs to find it. Brandy then proceeds to describe the effect that the man has on her whenever she sees him. Despite all the hurtful things he has done in the past, she finds it difficult to maintain her focus and stay away from him. She is reminded of the times they spent together and the times he lied to her. Brandy then repeats the chorus twice, expressing her desire to not lose her focus but acknowledging that it is bound to happen anytime he comes into her life.
In the second verse, Brandy acknowledges that it's been challenging for her to move on from her past relationship with the man. She wants to let go of all the hurt and pain, but it's been tough, and she feels tired. She recognizes that being in his presence would not be a good idea for her right now, and she needs more time to heal. Despite still having feelings for him, she acknowledges that she needs space to process all her emotions and to get back on track. In the end, she reiterates that she will find her way back and apologizes for her confused state of mind.
Line by Line Meaning
Should anybody ask for me
If anyone inquires about my whereabouts
Tell 'em I'll be right back
Let them know that I will return soon
In a real short time,
Within a brief period
It's just that I lost my mind
I am feeling confused and disoriented
Gotta find it
I need to regain my sense of clarity
But when I hop on my train of thought
However, when my mind becomes focused again
I'll get back here, pronto
I will return promptly to where I need to be
To collect myself
In order to gather my thoughts and emotions
There's really nothing you can do to help
There is nothing that someone else can do to assist me
Every time I see you
Each time I encounter you
I'm reminded of every time we did it
I am reminded of our past intimate experiences
All those other women
The other women you have been involved with
Every time you lied to me
When you were dishonest with me
Said you only had eyes for me
Telling me that you were only interested in me
Eyes for me,
Only looking at me
I don't wanna
I do not wish to continue in this cycle
[Chorus: x2]
Repeating the chorus twice
Well it's too late now
At this point, it is too late
Cause I'm reminded
Because I am reminded
I want to put it behind
I want to move past it
But I'm behind it
But I am currently struggling with this
Lord knows I'm tired
I am extremely exhausted
As much as I'd love to join you
Although I would like to be with you
On planet Earth right now
In the present moment
Know that I'm too hurt
Understand that I am in a great deal of pain
Right now to be civilized
And unable to interact in a polite or friendly manner
I need this time alone
I require some solitude
Cause it won't be long
Because it will not be for an extended period of time
Oh I'll be back
I will return
Lost my way
I have become confused and disoriented
Got off track
Got sidetracked
Please try to understand
I hope you can comprehend
I use to love you man
I used to have love for you, my friend
[Chorus: x3]
The chorus is repeated three times
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TIMOTHY MOSLEY, WALTER MILSAP, CANDICE NELSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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