Connors became interested in jazz as a child, and began playing drums early, once sitting in for Elvin Jones at a John Coltrane performance he attended while in middle school. Connors studied music at Temple University and Juilliard; his first recording was on Archie Shepp's 1967 release, Magic of JuJu. He played with Pharaoh Sanders for the next few years until signing with Cobblestone Records in 1972 and releasing his first record as a bandleader. In the mid-1970s, Connors, although fronting some great jazz recordings with Carlos Garnett, Gary Bartz, Dee Dee Bridgewater and Herbie Hancock, began focusing more on R&B tunes, and had several US hits with songs featuring vocalists such as Michael Henderson, Jean Carn, and Phyllis Hyman. The most successful of these was "You Are My Starship". Dee Dee Bridgewater also performed with him on the jazz album "Love from the Sun". His more recent work, "Star Power", has seen him operating more in the vein of smooth jazz and urban crossover music featuring Howard Hewett, Bobby Lyle, Ray Parker, Jr, Peabo Bryson, Michael Henderson, and Antoinette.
Used To Be
Norman Connors Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Remember how your man was?
Yeah but that's when love was sexy
Smooth
You know, au natural
Lil' something like this, check it out
It used to be about your bling-bling
Used to be about the fancy things I thought
And anything that your money bought
You talking about the real thing? (used to be)
Are you talking about a diamond ring?
Oh baby, baby
Listen
Do you remember when we first met?
It was a day like this
Oh I remember
It wasn't too long after that
We started kicking it
With each other
We shared some good times and bad times, too
But we got through it
Yes we did
When there was doubt we both worked it out
Together
That's how we stayed together
It used to be about your droptop
It used to be about your bling-bling
Used to be about the fancy things I thought
And anything that your money bought
You talking about the real thing?
Are you talking about a diamond ring?
I'm talking about spending time with you shorty
Let's go somewhere and just do this
Look at us now, how we've come so far
We've both had drama in our lives
Yet we both shook it off
We've been through it
And through it all
You're my heart, you're my love
You're the one I want baby
It used to be about your droptop
It used to be about your bling-bling
Used to be about the fancy things I thought
And anything that your money bought
You talking about the real thing?
Are you talking about a diamond ring?
I'm talking about spending time with you shorty
Let's go somewhere and do this
No, no, no, no, no, no, no
Don't wanna let you go
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Baby I know this for sure
I could see us together for a very long time
So let's be like this
For all times
Oh yeah
All right
Ooh-ee
Yeah yeah
Oh oh oh...
It used to be about your droptop
It used to be about your bling-bling
Used to be about the fancy things I thought
And anything that your money bought
You talking about the real thing?
Are you talking about a diamond ring?
I'm talking about spending time with you shorty
Let's go somewhere and just do this
It used to be about your droptop
It used to be about your bling-bling
Used to be about the fancy things I thought
And anything that your money bought
You talking about the real thing?
Are you talking about a diamond ring?
Anything you want baby, oh, oh
Hey baby
It used to be about your droptop
It used to be about your bling-bling
It used to be about the fancy things I thought
And anything that your money bought
You talking about the real thing?
Are you talking about a diamond ring?
The song "Used To Be" by Norman Connors is a nostalgic track that reminisces about a relationship that has weathered the storms of life. The lyrics begin with a conversation between the singer and their partner, which initiates a walk down memory lane. The first verse highlights the focus on material possessions at the beginning of the relationship, with mentions of droptop cars and bling. However, as the conversation progresses, the importance of these things fades away, and they are replaced with a deeper connection and a desire to spend quality time together.
The chorus repeats the sentiment that the relationship has evolved beyond material wealth, and that it's more about spending time and building experiences together. The second verse talks about the ups and downs of the relationship, and how the couple worked through their problems to remain together. The final chorus emphasizes the singer's commitment to their partner and how they see themselves being together for a long time.
Overall, "Used To Be" is a song that speaks to the ebb and flow of long-term relationships, where the superficial aspects that initially attract us can fade away, leaving behind deep connections built on shared experiences and time spent together.
Line by Line Meaning
S'up baby
Norman Connors greets his significant other.
Remember how your man was?
Norman Connors asks his significant other if they remember how he acted in the past.
Yeah but that's when love was sexy
Norman Connors insinuates that their past relationship was more exciting and attractive.
Smooth
Norman Connors emphasizes how everything was easygoing and effortless between them in the past.
You know, au natural
Norman Connors implies how everything felt more authentic and genuine in the past.
Lil' something like this, check it out
Norman Connors plays music to remind his significant other of their past love.
Do you remember when we first met?
Norman Connors reflects on the beginning of their relationship.
It was a day like this
Norman Connors recalls the atmosphere of the day they met.
Oh I remember
Norman Connors confirms his memory of their past together.
It wasn't too long after that
Norman Connors remembers the timeline of their relationship.
We started kicking it
Norman Connors recalls when they started spending time together.
With each other
Norman Connors specifies that they had good times with each other.
We shared some good times and bad times, too
Norman Connors acknowledges that their relationship had its ups and downs.
But we got through it
Norman Connors emphasizes how they both overcame their difficulties together.
Yes we did
Norman Connors repeats his sentiment of overcoming obstacles together with his significant other.
When there was doubt we both worked it out
Norman Connors reveals how they both worked through their relationship problems.
Together
Norman Connors stresses how they overcame their relationship problems jointly.
That's how we stayed together
Norman Connors attributes their current relationship status to working things out together in the past.
No, no, no, no, no, no, no
Norman Connors expresses that he does not want to end their relationship.
Don't wanna let you go
Norman Connors further emphasizes that he wants to stay together with his significant other.
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
Norman Connors expresses enthusiasm and affirmation towards his significant other.
Baby I know this for sure
Norman Connors expresses certainty and confidence about his feelings towards his significant other.
I could see us together for a very long time
Norman Connors expresses his hope and expectation for a long-term relationship with his significant other.
So let's be like this
Norman Connors suggests that they maintain their current loving relationship.
For all times
Norman Connors emphasizes his desire for a long-lasting relationship with his significant other.
Anything you want baby, oh, oh
Norman Connors tells his significant other that he is willing to provide anything for them.
Hey baby
Norman Connors addresses his significant other lovingly.
Contributed by Skyler R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Aporche
on Wouldn't You Like to See?
I love this song. It makes me think of what would be sung when one has just died. Wouldn’t You Like to See It?
Michael Henderson
on You Are My Starship
This song, "You Are My Starship" was written, performed and produced by Michael Henderson as indicated on the Norman Connors album of the same title.. Norman plays drums..