Now, with the release of West Coast Coolin', Norman Brown consolidates his reputation as a premier recording and performing artist with a collection of ten tracks -- written and co-written by the artist - that take the sonic adventure of Just Chillin' into breathtaking new spheres. It's an innovation due in large part to Brown's exceptional skills as a distinctive urban vocalist, with the specially selected tracks of West Coast Coolin' providing the perfect vehicle for this dazzling new facet of his career. As a result, Norman Brown joins a very select list of versatile urban artists gifted as both instrumentalists and vocalists.
All which should come as no surprise to savvy music fans. Over the course of five landmark releases and a virtually constant itinerary of international touring, this gifted and gloriously versatile guitarist and vocalist has established himself as one of a handful of preeminent instrumentalists and composers in contemporary musical realms, setting a standard for virtuosity that has placed the Shreveport, La. native in a category of one.
It's a love affair with music that began at the tender age of eight, after the family had relocated to Kansas City. It was there that Brown first heard the mind-blowing brilliance of Jimi Hendrix and determined to make the guitar his life. The obligatory garage rock apprenticeship followed, but it was Brown's steelworker father who eventually introduced his son to the equally life-changing influence of Wes Montgomery and turned his talents toward jazz.
After graduating high school, Brown headed west to study at the renowned Musician's Institute in Los Angeles, eventually landing a teaching job at the school even as he put together his first jazz combo and began playing on the city's thriving club scene. Adding George Benson to his list of seminal influences, Brown had already garnered a small but fanatical following when he landed his first recording contract with Motown Records. Over the course of the next four years he released three critically acclaimed albums, Just Between Us (1992), the gold-selling After The Storm (1994) and Better Days Ahead (1996). The decade drew to a close with a new label, Warner Bros. Records, and one of his most accomplished and assured offerings, the above mentioned Celebration, which marked the beginning of his fruitful collaboration with ace producer Paul Brown.
Celebration was followed, two years later, by the Grammy winning Just Chillin', spotlighting an altogether more laid back sound and an A-list of supporting vocalists that included Michael McDonald, Chante Moore, Miki Howard and others.
Never Again
Norman Brown Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
and opened up your heart
and found your wish come true
its the love you waited for
the key to every door
it looks like heaven
can you see a little more
further past the door
its what you seen before
and what I found to do
no more
stop now before its too late
never again baby
will i ever trust your heart
i gave you my word
right from the start
and maybe itll be baby
you wanted the same for yourself
all you really wanted
was to have me for yourself
when i look around
no lovin to be found
just games all around
cant you see a little more
further past the door
my mind starts to change
its what i seen before
what i got to do
stop now before its too late
never again
will i trust your heart
This song is about the struggle of trusting someone who has betrayed you in the past. The lyrics describe a moment of realization - the singer has finally found the love they've been searching for, but they're afraid to trust it. They've learned from past experiences that love can be deceptive and not everything is as it seems. The singer is hesitant to open up their heart again, and wonders if their partner truly wants the same for themselves. Despite their reservations, the singer still longs for the love they "waited for" and sees it as the "key to every door."
As the song progresses, the singer becomes more conflicted. They look around and see that "no lovin to be found" and that "games" are all around them. Their mind starts to change as they contemplate what they've seen before - perhaps referring to the previous betrayals they've experienced. They know they can't keep making the same mistakes, and finally decide to "stop now before it's too late." They vow to never again trust their partner's heart.
Line by Line Meaning
have you ever looked around
Have you ever taken a moment to observe the surrounding environment?
and opened up your heart
And allowed yourself to be vulnerable and let your emotions take over?
and found your wish come true
And discovered that your deepest desires have finally been fulfilled?
its the love you waited for
It's the affection you've been longing for all this while.
the key to every door
The solution to every problem one might face in life.
it looks like heaven
It seems like a dream come true.
can you see a little more
Can you see beyond what's visible and imagine the possibilities?
further past the door
Moving ahead and exploring more.
your mind starts to change
Your way of thinking and perspective starts to transform.
its what you seen before
It's the result of everything you have experienced in the past.
and what I found to do
And the decision I've made as a result.
no more
I'm done with this situation completely.
stop now before its too late
It's better to stop now than regret it later.
never again baby
I won't fall for it again, no matter what.
will i ever trust your heart
I won't put my trust in you, no matter how much you try.
i gave you my word
I had promised you something.
right from the start
From the moment our relationship began.
and maybe itll be baby
Perhaps things could have been different if certain factors were altered.
you wanted the same for yourself
You also had certain expectations, just like I did.
all you really wanted
Your core desire was just this.
was to have me for yourself
To possess me as your own.
when i look around
When I survey my surroundings.
no lovin to be found
There's a distinct lack of love and affection.
just games all around
Everyone's just pretending and putting on a facade.
my mind starts to change
I begin to reconsider my thought process.
what i got to do
The action I must take as a result of my thinking.
stop now before its too late
It's better to pull the brakes immediately than regret later.
never again
Not in this lifetime, no matter what.
will i trust your heart
I won't take a chance and trust you.
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: KIMBERLY ROSS, LYNNE FIDDMONT-LYNDSEY, NORMAN BROWN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind