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.
Should I Go
Brandy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wondering if it's all that important to me
To get my records back out there on the streets
It ain't like I'm hurting or anything
I'm to the point right now where money ain't an issue
I can roll where I want to, do what I want to do
Tempted to leave it in my rear-view
Because this game ain't what I'm used to
[Chorus]
Should I go?
Should I stay?
I'm in control either way
Should I go?
Should I stay?
I'm in control either way
Should I go?
Should I stay?
I'm in control either way
Should I go?
Should I stay?
I'm in control either way
It used to be a few artists at a time
Now, even the veterans wait in line
Pre-mature release of these albums online
Making it hard for real entertainers to shine
If you manage to defeat all these odds against you
Keep doing your thing 'cause I'm not mad at you
Just trying to figure out where I fit into
All of this now, or if I do
[Chorus]
[Verse 2]
[Chorus]
[Verse 3]
This industry was more like a different world
When it was just me, Monica, and Babygirl
Aaliyah, I never got to tell you how much you meant
I wish you and me both was sitting here working with Tim
Just to be in the presence of people that you affected on a personal level
Just makes me stop for a second (pause & exhale)
You were such a blessing
You only answered one of my questions
[Chorus]
[Bridge]
Well, I gave it some time
And I made up my mind
Move over, this is my time
Be, Rocka's back on the grind
[Chorus]
In the first verse of Brandy's song "Should I Go," she questions her place in the music industry. Brandy wonders if it's important for her to get her records out again on the streets since she's not hurting financially. She's at a crossroads because she could leave the game in her rear-view if she wanted to, but she's conflicted about her decision. The chorus runs throughout the song and implies that Brandy is in control, whether she chooses to stay or go.
In the second verse, Brandy talks about how the industry has changed over time. It used to be that only a few artists were releasing albums at a time, and veterans didn't have to wait in line. Now, new artists are releasing pre-mature albums, making it hard for "real entertainers" to shine. Brandy acknowledges that the odds are against talented artists, but she's not mad at anyone who's been successful.
In the third verse, Brandy pays tribute to her late peers Aaliyah and Left Eye. She reflects on the days when they were all working together, saying Aaliyah was such a blessing. Brandy wishes she could still be making music with them and Timbaland. The bridge of the song is about Brandy making up her mind and getting back to work.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm standing on the edge of the industry
I'm at the point where I'm questioning my place in the industry.
Wondering if it's all that important to me
I'm not sure if being in the industry is still important to me.
To get my records back out there on the streets
I'm contemplating on releasing new music.
It ain't like I'm hurting or anything
I'm financially stable and don't need to make music for money.
I'm to the point right now where money ain't an issue
Money isn't a concern for me at the moment.
I can roll where I want to, do what I want to do
I have the freedom to do what I want with my life.
Tempted to leave it in my rear-view
I'm considering leaving the music industry.
Because this game ain't what I'm used to
The music industry has changed, and it's not the same as it used to be.
Should I go?
Am I making the right decision by leaving?
Should I stay?
Should I continue making music and staying in the industry?
I'm in control either way
I have the power to choose whether to stay or leave the industry.
It used to be a few artists at a time
In the past, the industry was less crowded.
Now, even the veterans wait in line
Even established artists have to wait their turn now.
Pre-mature release of these albums online
Albums being leaked online before their official release date.
Making it hard for real entertainers to shine
Makes it difficult for real artists to get their recognition and popularity that they deserve.
If you manage to defeat all these odds against you
If you overcome all the obstacles against you.
Keep doing your thing 'cause I'm not mad at you
Just keep making music, I don't have any issues with other artists.
Just trying to figure out where I fit into
I'm unsure of my role in the industry.
All of this now, or if I do
I don't know if I still have a place in the industry.
This industry was more like a different world
The industry was a different place when I started.
When it was just me, Monica, and Babygirl
Referring to a time when Brandy, Monica, and Aaliyah were making music together.
Aaliyah, I never got to tell you how much you meant
Brandy regrets not telling Aaliyah how much she meant to her.
I wish you and me both was sitting here working with Tim
Brandy wishes she could collaborate with Aaliyah and Timbaland.
Just to be in the presence of people that you affected on a personal level
To be with people who Aaliyah had an impact on personally.
Just makes me stop for a second (pause & exhale)
Reflecting on the impact Aaliyah, Timbaland and herself had in the industry.
You were such a blessing
You were a blessing to us all.
You only answered one of my questions
Brandy still has questions for Aaliyah that she never got to ask her.
Well, I gave it some time
I've taken some time to think about this.
And I made up my mind
I've made a decision.
Move over, this is my time
It's my turn now, I'm taking control.
Be, Rocka's back on the grind
Brandy is back and ready to make music again.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GUY BERRYMAN, JONATHAN MARK BUCKLAND, WILLIAM CHAMPION, CHRISTOPHER ANTHONY MARTN, WALTER WORTH MILSAP, TIMOTHY Z MOSLEY, CANDICE NELSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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