Prior to their first recording, “Please, Please, Please”, The Famous Flames… Read Full Bio ↴Prior to their first recording, “Please, Please, Please”, The Famous Flames were billed simply as The Flames, and Brown himself was billed as a member of the group. In later concerts and recordings Brown and the group were billed as James Brown and The Famous Flames, or sometimes as James Brown and His Famous Flames.

There Was A Time
James Brown & The Famous Flames Lyrics

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There was a day, there was a time
When I used to play
There was a time when I used to play
But take me now, baby, don't worry about later
Teach the dance I used to do
They call it the Mashed Potato

There was a day, now dig this

There was a day, they call it the Jerk
Everybody relax and watch me work

In my hometown where I used to stay
The name of the place is Augusta, GA
Down there we have a good time
We don't talk
We all get together in time, for rhythm with you
So come and walk

There was a day that I used to do
The name of the dance
They call it Boogaloo
I may not do the dance as well as you
But baby, you can bet your bottom dollar
That you never hear me holler
I do the best that I can do

There was a time, sometimes I dance
Sometimes I dance, sometimes I clown

But you can bet you haven't seen nothing yet
Until you see me do the James Brown

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to James Brown & The Famous Flames's song "There Was A Time" is a powerful nostalgia trip down memory lane. The song begins with Brown reminiscing about the days when he used to play and dance. He talks about how he used to do a specific dance - the Mashed Potato - and how he wants his partner to teach him how to do it again. The lyrics are a celebration of youth, of uninhibited joy and of coming together as a community to dance, have fun and forget about life's worries.

The song then moves on to Brown talking about another dance - the Jerk - and how he used to do it in his hometown of Augusta, GA. He describes the way people in his hometown would get together to dance and have a good time, letting the rhythm take over. He then talks about another dance - the Boogaloo - and how he may not be the best dancer, but he always gives it his all.

The song ends with Brown promising that he has more to show. He talks about how he sometimes clowns around when he dances, but assures his partner that they haven't seen anything until they see him do the James Brown, a dance move named after him. Overall, the song is a joyful celebration of youth, dance, and community.

Line by Line Meaning

There was a day, there was a time
Back in time, there was a phase

When I used to play
When I used to have fun

There was a time when I used to play
There was a time when I enjoyed life

But take me now, baby, don't worry about later
Forget the future and have a good time with me now

Teach the dance I used to do
Let me show you a dance I used to enjoy

They call it the Mashed Potato
It's called the Mashed Potato

There was a day, now dig this
Listen carefully to what I'm about to tell you

There was a day, they call it the Jerk
There was a day when the Jerk was popular

Everybody relax and watch me work
Sit back and enjoy the show

In my hometown where I used to stay
The place where I'm from

The name of the place is Augusta, GA
It's called Augusta in Georgia

Down there we have a good time
There we have fun

We don't talk
We don't waste time talking

We all get together in time, for rhythm with you
We gather to enjoy music and dance together

So come and walk
Join us and dance

There was a day that I used to do
There was a day when I used to dance

The name of the dance
It's called the Boogaloo

I may not do the dance as well as you
Maybe I'm not as good as you at this dance

But baby, you can bet your bottom dollar
But trust me

That you never hear me holler
I won't complain

I do the best that I can do
I give it my all

There was a time, sometimes I dance
Sometimes, I still dance

Sometimes I dance, sometimes I clown
Sometimes, I act silly

But you can bet you haven't seen nothing yet
But, just wait

Until you see me do the James Brown
Until I show you my best move, the James Brown

Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., CARLIN AMERICA INC, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: BUDDY J. HOBGOOD, JAMES BROWN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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