Back To The Future
D’Angelo and The Vanguard Lyrics


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Traveling at the speed of light and then
At the same time I'm in the same spot too
The room was kept in
'Bout the same way you left it
With about the threats you mess in attitude
Where ya' been with all your grin
Until all your friends turn their backs on you
Reminiscing over what you've been missing
Could be just like cousins kissing
That's taboo

I just wanna go back, baby
Back to the way it was
I just wanna go back, baby
Back to the way it was
I used to get real high, now I
But now I'm just gettin' a buzz
I wanna go back, baby
Back to the way it was

If you win, no matter if you lose
You got to come back again
Pay some dues
Back in Richmond, shit ain't changed a bit in
Niggas with a little piss in got some attitudes
I been wondering if I can love again
So if you're wondering about the shape I'm in
I hope it ain't my abdomen that you're referring to

Seasons may come and your luck just may run out
And all that you'll have is some memories, oh
Seasons may come and your luck just may run out
And all that you'll have is some memories, oh
Seasons may come and your luck just may run out
And all that you'll have is some memories, oh
Seasons may come and your luck just may run out
And all that you'll have is some memories, oh

Said I just wanna go back, baby
Back to the way it was, now, now, now
I used to get real high
Now I'm just getting' a buzz, now, now, now
I said back to the way it was, now, now, now
I just wanna go back, baby
Back to the way it was, now, now, now
I just wanna go back, baby
Back to the way it was, now, now, now
I used to get real high




Now I'm just getting' a buzz, now, now, now
Back to the way it was, now, now, now

Overall Meaning

The song "Back to the Future" talks about traveling through time and space to the past to experience life as it once was. The lyrics talk about the singer's desire to go back to the way things used to be, to relive the past and enjoy it just as he once did. The line "traveling at the speed of light and then at the same time I'm in the same spot too" suggests that he wants to experience his past without actually leaving his present. The lyrics also mention how some things may be taboo or inappropriate, such as cousins kissing, and how the singer has changed over time, going from getting "real high" to just getting a "buzz."


The song also touches on the theme of nostalgia, with lyrics like "reminiscing over what you've been missing" and "all that you'll have is some memories." The singer is reflecting on the memories of his past and how they have shaped him into who he is today. The final lines of the song emphasize this theme, as the singer repeats "back to the way it was" to express his longing for the past.


Overall, "Back to the Future" is a song about traveling through time and space to relive the past and reminiscing over the memories of one's past. It speaks to themes of nostalgia and the desire to relive past experiences.


Line by Line Meaning

Traveling at the speed of light and then
Moving quickly through time and space


At the same time I'm in the same spot too
Feeling stagnant, unable to move forward


The room was kept in
The physical space remains unchanged


'Bout the same way you left it
Things feel familiar, even if they're not quite the same


With about the threats you mess in attitude
Dealing with the consequences of your actions and demeanor


Where ya' been with all your grin
Wondering where your happiness and optimism went


Until all your friends turn their backs on you
Feeling alone and abandoned


Reminiscing over what you've been missing
Reflecting on lost opportunities


Could be just like cousins kissing
Engaging in something taboo or forbidden


I just wanna go back, baby
Longing for a simpler, happier time


Back to the way it was
Wanting to return to a specific moment in the past


I used to get real high, now I
Missing the rush and intensity of the past


But now I'm just gettin' a buzz
Settling for something less than what you really want


If you win, no matter if you lose
Success doesn't always lead to happiness


You got to come back again
Life is cyclical, and we have to face challenges repeatedly


Pay some dues
Expecting to face consequences for past choices


Back in Richmond, shit ain't changed a bit in
Reliving past struggles and difficulties


Niggas with a little piss in got some attitudes
Dealing with difficult and stubborn people


I been wondering if I can love again
Questioning your ability to connect with others emotionally


So if you're wondering about the shape I'm in
Addressing concerns about personal well-being


I hope it ain't my abdomen that you're referring to
Making light of personal struggles and imperfections


Seasons may come and your luck just may run out
Acknowledging that life can be unpredictable and challenging


And all that you'll have is some memories, oh
Memories are an important part of the human experience


Said I just wanna go back, baby
Repeating the desire to return to the past


Now, now, now
Emphasizing the urgency and importance of this desire


I used to get real high
Remembering a time of powerful, intoxicating experiences


Now I'm just getting' a buzz
Feeling unsatisfied and longing for something more


Back to the way it was
Repeating the desire for things to return to a previous state




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Michael Eugene Archer

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

@almightypush9767

LYRICS

Traveling at the speed of light and then
At the same time I'm in the same spot too
The room was kept in
'Bout the same way you left it
With about the threats you mess in attitude
Where ya' been with all your grin
Until all your friends turn their backs on you
Reminiscing over what you've been missing
Could be just like cousins kissing
That's taboo
I just wanna go back, baby
Back to the way it was
I just wanna go back, baby
Back to the way it was
I used to get real high, now I
But now I'm just gettin' a buzz
I wanna go back, baby
Back to the way it was
If you win, no matter if you lose
You got to come back again
Pay some dues
Back in Richmond, shit ain't changed a bit in
Niggas with a little piss in got some attitudes
I been wondering if I can love again
So if you're wondering about the shape I'm in
I hope it ain't my abdomen that you're referring to
Seasons may come and your luck just may run out
And all that you'll have is some memories, oh
Seasons may come and your luck just may run out
And all that you'll have is some memories, oh
Seasons may come and your luck just may run out
And all that you'll have is some memories, oh
Seasons may come and your luck just may run out
And all that you'll have is some memories, oh
Said I just wanna go back, baby
Back to the way it was, now, now, now
I used to get real high
Now I'm just getting' a buzz, now, now, now
I said back to the way it was, now, now, now
I just wanna go back, baby
Back to the way it was, now, now, now
I just wanna go back, baby
Back to the way it was, now, now, now
I used to get real high
Now I'm just getting' a buzz, now, now, now
Back to the way it was, now, now, now



All comments from YouTube:

@deano9110

I feel so sad for all the music lovers that have just passed away to have missed this . RIP to all , sounds not to be missed

@forho2

Yea but in heaven doe.. ?

@xmann89

deano9110 yez amen

@staysuckafreewithdee

i think this all the time! i thought it was just me.

@peteywheatstraw79

The soul of j dilla is all over this song. RIP Jay dee.

@carsoni4

This track is the ultimate triple-threat. Lyrics, production and performance -- they're all flawless. Absolute perfection. 

"Used to get real high, now I'm just gettin' buzzed. I just wanna go back baby, back to the way it was"
- that's the chorus of the year folks. 

@Rancholovelazer

Agreed, Man. This is "Absolute Perfection" 

@AdamSmith-ln7fh

Co sign

@101Licious

No doubt, a masterpiece !

@rasta317

"Everybody's wondering what kind of shape I'm in. I hope it aint my abdomen." These lyrics were shared in a 2012 GQ interview he did. After reading that article I understood the demons he battled from being a sex symbol. That's not D, that's not what he's about. He's all about his music, I don't believe he's too focused on his image. So I respect his hiatus, and I am thankful for the quality he has blessed our ears and hearts with again. 

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