Back To The Future
D'Angelo;The Vanguard Lyrics
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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
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
"Back to the Future" is a song that talks about the past and the desire for things to be the way they were before. The lyrics suggest feelings of nostalgia for a time that has passed and a desire to return to it, however impossible that may be. D'Angelo sings about going back to the way things were before, reminiscing about what has been missing and what has changed. He expresses his desire to love again and wonders if he is still capable of it. In the end, he reflects on the fact that seasons may come and go, and what we are left with is nothing but memories.
The lines, "Traveling at the speed of light and then/At the same time I'm in the same spot too" can be interpreted as a metaphor for time travelling or nostalgia. It's as if the singer is moving through time, but is also stuck in the present, unable to go back to the past. The mention of "cousins kissing/That's taboo" could be seen as a reference to something that is forbidden, like trying to recreate a past that can't be replicated.
Overall, the song seems to be about the longing for a simpler time and the acceptance that the past is gone forever. The singer seems to understand that the past is just a memory, but still yearns for it.
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 and unchanged
The room was kept in
The environment remains unchanged
'Bout the same way you left it
Just like when you left it
With about the threats you mess in attitude
Similar negative vibes are still present
Where ya' been with all your grin
Where have you been happy?
Until all your friends turn their backs on you
Realising that your supposed friends aren't trustworthy
Reminiscing over what you've been missing
Thinking about what you've lost
Could be just like cousins kissing
Uncanny and inappropriate
That's taboo
Socially unacceptable
I just wanna go back, baby
Longing for the past
Back to the way it was
To the point before experiencing negativity
I used to get real high, now I
I used to feel good, but now
But now I'm just gettin' a buzz
I only feel okay
If you win, no matter if you lose
You'll have to keep fighting to keep your victories
You got to come back again
You have to keep trying
Pay some dues
To suffer to make up for victories
Back in Richmond, shit ain't changed a bit in
Things are still the same
Niggas with a little piss in got some attitudes
People with very little have negative dispositions
I been wondering if I can love again
Thinking about whether or not love is still possible
So if you're wondering about the shape I'm in
If you're curious about me
I hope it ain't my abdomen that you're referring to
I hope you're not asking if I'm pregnant
Seasons may come and your luck just may run out
Things can change quickly
And all that you'll have is some memories, oh
All that's left are memories
Said I just wanna go back, baby
Reaffirming the desire to return to a better time
Now, now, now
Right now
I used to get real high
I used to feel really good
Now I'm just getting' a buzz
Now I only feel okay
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Michael Eugene Archer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@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
@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.