Brenda's greatest success came in 1988 with the release of her third album, "Get Here". It featured the hit singles "Get Here" and "Piano In The Dark". At the 31st Grammy Awards, Brenda was nominated for Best Pop Vocal Performance - Female for "Get Here". "Piano In The Dark" was nominated for Song of The Year and Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group (there was a duet? -- duet vocal was by Joe Esposito of Brooklyn Dreams). "Get Here" was later a huge hit covered by Oleta Adams.
Nearly all of her songs were written by herself. Some of her compositions are also performed by others like Roberta Flack, Diana Ross, Patrice Rushen, Patti Austin, Donna Summer, Chaka Khan, Fantasia, Ruben Studdard, Justin Guarini, and very successfully by the aforementioned Luther Vandross and Oleta Adams.
Russell is also a chief songwriter and lyricist for the hit Broadway musical "The Color Purple". In 2005 she saw a Broadway musical version of Alice Walker's The Color Purple. Produced by Oprah Winfrey, the show's score is written by Russell and lyricists-composers Allee Willis and Stephen Bray. Russell and her co-writers were nominated for a Tony Award (for Best Score) and a Grammy Award (in the Best Musical Show Album category).
No Time For Time
Brenda Russell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All that's on my mind
Is lovin' you
Care, got no care for cares
Long as you are there
My dream come true
When your kiss is mine
Got no time for time
We are two who are breathless
Reaching out 'cross a midnight sky
All I know is I'm no longer restless
Didn't know it was just letting go of time
Got no time for time
All that's on my mind
Is lovin' you
And now, I leave the world behind
When your kiss is mine
Got no time for time
In your eyes there's a strangeness
I know I've never seen before
All I know is it's totally painless
And I can't help but wanting and wanting more
Got no time for time
All that's on my mind
Is lovin' you
The lyrics to Brenda Russell's "No Time For Time" describe the consuming feeling of being in love and how it can make time seem irrelevant. The singer's sole focus is on their beloved and the happiness that being with them brings. The repetition of "got no time for time" highlights this sentiment and emphasizes how love can make time feel insignificant. The lyrics also express the idea of leaving the outside world behind when with the person you love, creating a sort of bubble where nothing else matters.
The second verse introduces the idea of the singer feeling breathless and reaching out to their love in a midnight sky. This imagery heightens the romantic nature of the song and emphasizes the idea of being lost in the moment. The third verse brings in a sense of wonder and newness, with the singer seeing a strangeness in their love's eyes that they've never seen before. This adds a layer of complexity to the lyrics, suggesting that even in the midst of extreme happiness, there are still new things to discover about the person you love.
Overall, "No Time For Time" is a love song that emphasizes the all-consuming, time-stopping nature of being in love. The lyrics are both romantic and introspective, offering insight into the singer's feelings and experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
Time, got no time for time
I am so consumed with thoughts of love and my partner that I hardly have any sense of time passing by.
All that's on my mind
My constant preoccupation with the person I love keeps taking over my mind.
Is lovin' you
All I want to do is love and cherish my partner, as the love that we share is the most significant thing in my life.
Care, got no care for cares
As long as my partner is there with me, I have no worries or concerns, and nothing else bothers me.
Long as you are there
My peace and contentment in life is assured for as long as I have the love and companionship of my partner.
My dream come true
Having my partner in my life is a beautiful realization of my dreams and aspirations, and I feel incredibly lucky to have them.
And now I leave the world behind
Whenever I am with my partner, I forget about everything else in the world as their company is the only thing that matters to me.
When your kiss is mine
The thrill and happiness that I feel from the simple act of being kissed by my partner is enough to make me forget all my worries and fears.
We are two who are breathless
Together, we are so in love with each other that we are left breathless by the intensity and depth of our emotions.
Reaching out 'cross a midnight sky
Our love is so strong that it can reach across any distance, even the vast expanse of a dark and starry sky.
All I know is I'm no longer restless
I have found such peace and calm in the embrace of my partner that all restlessness within me has vanished.
Didn't know it was just letting go of time
I had no idea that what I needed to find true contentment was to just let go of my worries about time and focus on loving and being loved by my partner.
In your eyes there's a strangeness
Looking into my partner's eyes, I see an elusive quality that I have never seen before, which adds to the mystery and allure of their being.
I know I've never seen before
Being with my partner teaches me new things, and observing their unique qualities always brings some surprise or fascination.
All I know is it's totally painless
The love that I share with my partner is so pure and true that it doesn't cause any hurt or pain, only warmth and joy.
And I can't help but wanting and wanting more
Now that I know what true love is through my partner, I crave nothing more than to live and love with them forever.
Contributed by Violet N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@yelianamusic
I have adored this song for many years, it's very unique and magical...
@delago10
Absolutely phenomenal, I once snuck into one of Brenda's shows (sold out), I'm fessin' up, and I actually followed her after her first set; she was gracious, very warm, and I didn't want to "bother" her, so I just expressed my admiration, kissed her on the cheek, and stayed for the second set. What a feeling and what a great chic, and lady!
@kahlilbrooks9660
this song is so underated one of her best...
@4ME2give2You
There's no one like Brenda; her rhymes are perfect. The only other artist I can think of who did it so welll was Laura Nyro who Brenda adored. She's a class act in every way and, unfotunately underrated. I've loved her since I heard her in the 70's....
@deixandorastro
Linda voz da Brenda Russell,amo muito s2
@4ME2give2You
I remeber the first time I heard this song; I ran out and bought, at that time (1989) the casette and played it over and over and...It's still a beautiful song when I listen to it. She debuted it on the Arsenio Hall Show. Her best friends Mary Wilson and Rita Coolidge were there. It was pretty exciting! Now I can really relate to the songs title, got no time for people who are basically users, have time for you when it's convenient or when you can do something for them. OVER!
@norahmoneypenny5188
I LOVE THIS SONG!
@gustavogomesdossantos5599
Excelente cantora maravilhosa linda musica perfeita saudades dessa época que não volta mais saudades
@4ME2give2You
Absolutely beautiful!
@naadirakarim5674
One of my very favourites from Brenda Russell ❤🎉