Born September 30,1954, in Los Angeles, CA, Rushen's parents enrolled her in music classes at U.S.C. when she was three. In her teens, she won a solo competition at the 1972 Monterey Jazz Festival. The attention garnered from this earned her a contract with Prestige Records. After recording three albums and becoming an in-demand session player, Rushen signed with Elektra Records in 1978. Forging an engaging jazz/R&B/funk fusion, she regularly hit the R&B charts. Her five albums for the label were Patrice, Pizzazz, Posh, Straight From the Heart, and Now. Some of these sides can be found on Haven't You Heard:The Best of Patrice Rushen.
In 1993, Rushen signed with Disney's Hollywood Records. Her first and only release was the excellent Anything but Ordinary, which yielded the inspiring single "My Heart, Your Heart." Hollywood wasn't satisfied with the album and shelved it. Sindrome Records bought the rights to the album and reissued it with the single, and some LP tracks received airplay on R&B and smooth jazz radio stations. Rushen became a member of the jazz collective the Meeting, appearing on several releases. Her busy schedule includes session dates and being the musical director for several different tours and TV specials. 1997's Signature found Rushen returning to her jazz roots for this solid album of instrumentals.
In fall 2000, Patrice Rushen appeared as a part of Sisters Being Positively Real, an act on Brown Baby Entertainment Group.
is an American jazz pianist and R&B singer. She is also a composer, record producer, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and music director. Her 1982 single, "Forget Me Nots", received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance. Rushen had great success on the R&B and dance charts. "Haven't You Heard" went number 7 on the R&B charts, with "Forget Me Nots" as her only top 40 pop hit in the United States.
Rushen is the elder of two daughters born to Allen and Ruth Rushen.[1] In her teens, she attended south LA's Locke High School and went on to earn a degree in music from the University of Southern California.[2] Rushen married Marc St. Louis, a concert tour manager and live show production specialist,[3] in 1986.[4] They have one son Cameron.[4][5] Her nickname is "Babyfingers," a reference to her small hands. In 2005, Rushen received an Honorary Doctorate of Music degree from Berklee College of Music.[6] She has been a member of jazz fusion band CAB.[7]
Her song "Hang it Up" was featured on the 2005 video game Fahrenheit.[8]
Always On Time
Patrice Rushen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Ashanti) [Ja talking]
Always there when you call [Buckshots, hah], always on time
Gave you my... baby be mine
Always there when you call, always on time
Gave you my... baby
Baby, I'm not always there when you call, but I'm always on time
And I gave you my all, now baby be mine
I'm not always there when you call, but I'm always on time
And I gave you my all, now baby be mine
(Ja Rule)
C'mon and get a piece of this late-night lover
You know, the one that swing dick like no other (shit)
I know, I got a lot of things I need to explain
But baby you know the name and love is about pain
So, stop the complaints and drop the order restraints
Our sex life's a game so bat me down in the paint
'Cause I can't wait no more
'Cause it's about a quarter-past three and shorty's eyein me
I got the Bentley valeted
And I'm just outside of Jersey, past the Palisades
And I love to see that ass in boots and shades
Hold down on the bed while I'm yankin your braids
Thug style, you never thought I'd make you smile
While I'm smackin your ass and fuckin you all wild
[With Ashanti] But we share somethin so rare, but who cares, you care
(Chorus)
Girl, get a grip, c'mon, pull it together
It's only a sunshower, we been through worse weather
Like the stormy nights you wrote a "Dear Ja" letter
And took my Benz and keyed and cut the leather
Bitch, you know better, we live M-O-B
Money Over Bitches, Murder, I-N-C
I got two or three hoes for every V
And I keep 'em drugged up off that ecstasy
I'm a playground legend like Kirk with Pee-wee
Name a nigga in the league got more game than me
I play hard, there's so many women I fathered
Meet 'em with scars and send 'em home hot and bothered
Truth or dare, this life ain't apparantly fair
And a love with no glare is a crystal stare
But we share [with Ashanti] somethin so rare, but who cares, you care
(Chorus)
Oh I'm, feelin like ya livin a, double life
'Cause you don't be comin home, sometimes
Baby, but you're always, on time, checkin for one time
You and I, got a special bond together
We go back like bombers boo, in the coldest weather
And when I play you play the same way you freak me baby I fuck you crazy
Then I'm gone
Baby don't really want me to get up and leave off that easy
She'll be wakin up wet for sheezy
Remind these bitches to mind they business
Believe me, this pimp game is very religious
And I'm built like the Don Bishop
Gon' keep this money-green Benz and my hoes as my witness
The life we share is a thug affair
[With Ashanti] But who cares, you care
(Chorus)
(Ashanti)
Always there when you call, always on time
Gave you my... baby be mine
Always there when you call, always on time
Gave you my... baby be mine
(Radio Announcer)
Here at W-I-Z we play nothing but the hits, nothing but the hits
Nothing but the muthafuckin hits
The song "Always on Time" by Patrice Rushen ft. Ashanti and Ja Rule is a story of a couple who are in love but cannot always be physically present with each other. The chorus sung by Ashanti speaks to the dedication of the singer to always be there for the person they love even if they can't show up physically. Ja Rule's verses speak to his sexual and romantic relationship with his partner. He acknowledges the issues they face in their relationship but emphasizes their shared intimacy as a way to overcome any difficulties. The song's lyrics are explicit, particularly Ja Rule's lines, but the playful flow of Ashanti's chorus and the upbeat tempo of the song creates a feeling of ease and intimacy.
Line by Line Meaning
(Ashanti) [Ja talking]
Always there when you call [Buckshots, hah], always on time
Gave you my... baby be mine
Always there when you call, always on time
Gave you my... baby
I am always there and never too late when you need me. I've given you everything, now please just be with me, baby.
(Chorus - Ashanti)
Baby, I'm not always there when you call, but I'm always on time
And I gave you my all, now baby be mine
I'm not always there when you call, but I'm always on time
And I gave you my all, now baby be mine
I might not always be physically present, but trust me, I'm still there for you when it matters the most. I've given you everything I have, so please be mine.
(Ja Rule)
C'mon and get a piece of this late-night lover
You know, the one that swing dick like no other (shit)
I know, I got a lot of things I need to explain
But baby you know the name and love is about pain
Come to me and let's enjoy each other's company in the middle of the night. I am confident because I can satisfy you like no other. Yes, there are things I have to say, but you already know me and that love is not always smooth sailing.
So, stop the complaints and drop the order restraints
Our sex life's a game so bat me down in the paint
'Cause I can't wait no more
'Cause it's about a quarter-past three and shorty's eyein me
I got the Bentley valeted
And I'm just outside of Jersey, past the Palisades
And I love to see that ass in boots and shades
Hold down on the bed while I'm yankin your braids
Thug style, you never thought I'd make you smile
While I'm smackin your ass and fuckin you all wild
[With Ashanti] But we share somethin so rare, but who cares, you care
Stop nagging and let's explore our fantasies. Life is a game, let's play it in the bedroom. I'm too excited and we can't wait any longer. It's late, I've got my car, and everything's in place. You look amazing in your boots and sunglasses. Let's get down to business, you love it when I take control. I might be a thug, but I can still make you happy. Our relationship is rare, and it doesn't matter what others think.
(Chorus)
Girl, get a grip, c'mon, pull it together
It's only a sunshower, we been through worse weather
Like the stormy nights you wrote a "Dear Ja" letter
And took my Benz and keyed and cut the leather
Please calm down and focus on us. This is just a temporary problem, and we've dealt with worse. I remember the night you wrote that letter to me in the middle of a storm. And don't forget how you damaged my car out of frustration.
Bitch, you know better, we live M-O-B
Money Over Bitches, Murder, I-N-C
I got two or three hoes for every V
And I keep 'em drugged up off that ecstasy
You should know by now that we prioritize our wealth above anyone else. Our crew is all about money, women, and murder. I have a lot of mistresses on the side, and I keep them in line with drugs.
I'm a playground legend like Kirk with Pee-wee
Name a nigga in the league got more game than me
I play hard, there's so many women I fathered
Meet 'em with scars and send 'em home hot and bothered
I am well-known in this game and have mastered it like Kirk and Pee-wee on the playground. There's no other man in our league with better skills than me. I have slept with countless women, and I'm not afraid to hurt them and send them home dissatisfied.
Truth or dare, this life ain't apparantly fair
And a love with no glare is a crystal stare
But we share [with Ashanti] somethin so rare, but who cares, you care
This life can be cruel and unfair, and sometimes love feels cold and distant. But even if our love is not perfect, we cherish its uniqueness. We are different from others, and we don't care what they think.
(Chorus)
Oh I'm, feelin like ya livin a, double life
'Cause you don't be comin home, sometimes
Baby, but you're always, on time, checkin for one time
You and I, got a special bond together
We go back like bombers boo, in the coldest weather
And when I play you play the same way you freak me baby I fuck you crazy
Then I'm gone
Baby don't really want me to get up and leave off that easy
She'll be wakin up wet for sheezy
Remind these bitches to mind they business
Believe me, this pimp game is very religious
And I'm built like the Don Bishop
Gon' keep this money-green Benz and my hoes as my witness
The life we share is a thug affair
[With Ashanti] But who cares, you care
I am confused because you're not always around, and I feel like you're living another life. But you always show up right on time and check for me. We have a special connection that can withstand any challenge. When we are intimate, it feels right, and you love that I'm wild in bed. I don't want to leave you, and you don't want me to go. So, don't worry about other women and remind them that I am the king of this game. Our relationship is not perfect, but we don't care what others think.
(Ashanti)
Always there when you call, always on time
Gave you my... baby be mine
Always there when you call, always on time
Gave you my... baby be mine
I am always there for you when you need me, and I'm always on time. I have already given you everything, so please be with me, baby.
(Radio Announcer)
Here at W-I-Z we play nothing but the hits, nothing but the hits
Nothing but the muthafuckin hits
We only play the best music here at W-I-Z.
Writer(s): JEFFREY B. ATKINS, MARCUS VEST, IRVING DOMINGO LORENZO
Contributed by Benjamin K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.