Way Back When
Brenda Russell Lyrics


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Way back when I saw magic
You can blame it all
On your friends and your companions
I knew you way back when
I knew you too, yeah

No disappointing
You are my favorite
I knew you had it in

You do be a success in life
A sensation
You can blame it all
On big city stimulation

But I knew you when
The small town attraction
Baby, you can't pretend
You don't need the reaction
Sophisticated friends
Now fill your moment
(Way back when)

Way back when I, I saw magic
You can blame it all
On your friends and your companions
But I knew you when
I knew you too, yeah

No disappointing end
You are my favorite, yes, you are
(Way back when)
I knew you too, yeah, baby
(Way back when)
'Cause you are my friend
(Way back when)
I know you too, yeah

I knew when
I know you too, yes, I do, baby
Oh, oh, oh
I knew it, I knew it, I knew it, I knew it
Oh yeah, oh

(Way back when)
(Way back when)
I know you too, yeah
(Way back when)
Baby
I knew it, I knew it, I knew it, I knew it

(Way back when)




(Way back when)
Way back when

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Brenda Russell's song Way Back When is a nostalgic look back on a time when the singer saw "magic" in someone they knew. The opening line is "way back when I saw magic" and the singer goes on to acknowledge that the person they're singing about has changed, blaming it on big city stimulation and sophisticated friends. Nonetheless, the singer still sees that spark of magic in the person and acknowledges that they are still their favorite.


The song seems to be a tribute to a friend who has changed over time, but also a lamentation for the loss of that connection from "way back when." The repeated line "I knew you when" emphasizes the singer's knowledge of who the person used to be and their current state. They see through the facade of city life and sophisticated friends and recognize the genuine qualities of their friend from their hometown.


Overall, the lyrics suggest a longing for the past when the singer and the person they're singing about were closer and more authentic versions of themselves. It's a bittersweet song about change and nostalgia.


Line by Line Meaning

Way back when I saw magic
I remember a time when I saw something special in you


You can blame it all
You might think it's because of others around you


On your friends and your companions
Your social circle might have influenced you in some way


I knew you way back when
I've known you for a long time


I knew you too, yeah
I understood who you were and what you were capable of


No disappointing
I wasn't let down


You are my favorite
You hold a special place in my heart


I knew you had it in
I knew you had potential and ability


You do be a success in life
I believe you will achieve great things


A sensation
You will have an impact on the world


On big city stimulation
You might think it's because of the exciting city life


But I knew you when
I remember who you were before all of that


The small town attraction
The qualities that drew people to you when you were in a smaller community


Baby, you can't pretend
Don't forget who you really are


You don't need the reaction
Your worth doesn't depend on the attention you receive


Sophisticated friends
You're surrounded by successful and worldly people now


Now fill your moment
This is your time to shine


(Way back when)
Remember when things were simpler


(...) baby
I care about you




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BRENDA GORDON RUSSELL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Moe S

Way back when I saw magic
You can blame it all
On your friends and your companions
I knew you way back when
I knew you too, yeah
No disappointing
You are my favorite
I knew you had it in
You do be a success in life
A sensation
You can blame it all
On big city stimulation
But I knew you when
The small town attraction
Baby, you can't pretend
You don't need the reaction
Sophisticated friends
Now fill your moment
(Way back when)
Way back when I, I saw magic
You can blame it all
On your friends and your companions
But I knew you when
I knew you too, yeah
No disappointing end
You are my favorite, yes, you are
(Way back when)
I knew you too, yeah, baby
(Way back when)
'Cause you are my friend
(Way back when)
I know you too, yeah
I knew when
I know you too, yes, I do, baby
Oh, oh, oh
I knew it, I knew it, I knew it, I knew it
Oh yeah, oh
I know you too, yeah
(Way back when)
Baby
I knew it, I knew it, I knew it, I knew it
Way back when



All comments from YouTube:

Richard werkNprog Hall

Damn. This track is so musically cerebral, yet so beautiful. Brenda Russell is so underrated as a songwriter.

Angel Murphey

Brenda Russell is not underrated just because you are just now hearing of her.

Therone Evans

The arrangement on this song is amazing, the classical strings in the background, the synthesizer, the beat, the flow of the music, amazing!

Charles Alston

YES!!!

jeff waghorn

A new find for me a class song

The Real Alice Snow

Love this album.Sophistication at it’s finest.She wrote for many artist and as we can see she carried her own beautifully .love you girl....

Greg Lites

Not only the greatest debut album ever made, its one of the greatest r&b albums of all time. 8 songs, all could have been released as singles. (For those that don't know - she's singing this song about Al Jeroue, the love of her life at that time.)

Barbara Knight

You are so correct 💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞 All 8

Phat 👀Katt👀

How you know so much about Miss Russell? I thought i knew everything there was too know about Brenda Russell one of my all time favorite singers

alf lazz

Estoy muy de acuerdo, es inmenso este álbum

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