There Was A Time
James Brown The Famous Flames Lyrics
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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
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
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