After appearing in a school talent show in 1984, Patterson auditioned for the television show Kids Incorporated. Proving to be "a natural," he undoubtedly landed the part and was cast as "The Kid", remaining on the show for a number of years. Onward and upward, Patterson continued to evolve, gaining experience as a backup vocalist for several artists (including Kids co-star Martika). Following his vocal contributions on Colour Club's self-entitled album, as well as writing for other artists (his credits include Brandy's platinum Top 5 smash "Baby", and Tevin Campbell's hit "Back to the World"), Patterson signed with MCA Records. Collaborating with Keith Crouch and Jamey Jaz, among others, he released his own self-entitled debut in 1997.
Stirring rave reviews, the album launched Patterson into an even larger limelight (with the single "Where You Are" receiving widespread airplay on R&B radio). Patterson, soon after, developed global recognition, as well as a loyal following in the United States and abroad.
Patterson went to work, handcrafting his followup, Love in Stereo, with Jaz and new collaborators such as Van Hunt. When Love in Stereo was released in late 1999, its reviews topped those of its predecessor, slating Patterson as one, of few artists, whose vocal ability was classified as so "distinctive," he need not rely solely on the mainstream music market to gain his footing in the film and music industry, nor afford his music massive, worldwide, international appeal..
Although Patterson's path eventually diverged from MCA's, he remained indispensable amongst industry affiliates, continuing to perform live, working as a session singer, and contributing to both soundtracks (Brown Sugar) and compilation albums (Steve Harvey's Sign of Things to Come), while working on his next album.
After Hours, Patterson's third album, was released internationally early in 2004, again garnering positive reviews. Now, with the conception of his own label, the album released in the United States during late October 2004. Wine & Spirits followed in the Fall of 2007. Wine & Spirits, not only spoke to Patterson's consistency as a versatile, smooth-crooning performer, known for his scintillating, sultry provocative vocal style; but it also, signified, for Patterson, a career of longevity, divinely masterminded from his childhood endeavors to crossing the threshold as a multi-level, music mogul, independently signed, produced and operated. The project further evidenced Patterson's "musical muscularity," spawning itself in such diverse arrangements as the reflective lamentation of "Stars," to the smooth-jazz contours in one of the album's many "feel-good" hits, entitled "Feels Good," to Patterson's resident, high-frequency, timbres, echoing in the uptempo, "Higher Love," which, inevitably, served as the artist's professional and personal testimony of growth, triumph and spiritual ascension.
Patterson's next project, the highly anticipated CD, BLEUPHORIA, is scheduled to drop in the fall of 2010. It is expected to be nothing short of what Patterson's proud fanbase has always enjoyed from him: an astronomical, stellar work of art.
Friend Of Mine
Rahsaan Patterson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And in her eyes there was a light
That brightened my days and warmed my nights
Until he charmed her weak smile
He was a friend of mine
A friend of mine, a friend of mine
He was a friend of mine
He struck my heart with a chord, yes
Way back in August of 94
He suit my soul with his song
Until she finally let me know
She was a friend of mine
A friend of mine, a friend of mine
She was a friend of mine
A friend of mine, a friend of mine
I wanna know, why did you do it?
Oh, tell me, why did you do it?
Oh, a sort of friendship, why did you do it?
I wanna know, why did you do it?
I wanna know, I wanna know
Why did you do it?
Oh, I wanna know, why did you do it?
I wanna know, why did you do it?
Tell me why, why did you do it?
The lyrics of Rahsaan Patterson's song "Friend of Mine" tell the story of a man who was in love with a woman who was charmed away by his friend. In the first verse, the man describes how he used to be with the girl and how she brightened up his life with her light. But then, he tells us that his friend charmed her away from him with his smile, leaving him heartbroken.
In the second verse, the man reveals that the friend had struck his heart with a chord, which refers to a musical term that means a combination of notes that create a particular feeling or emotion. He then says that his friend "suited his soul with his song," which means that the friend's actions and words resonated with him on a deeper level. But then, the girl finally tells him that she's chosen his friend over him.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "A friend of mine" to emphasize the betrayal the man feels. He then goes on to ask why his friend would do such a thing and betray their friendship. The repeated plea to know why his friend did it suggests that the man is struggling to come to terms with what has happened.
Overall, the song "Friend of Mine" is a poignant and emotional take on the theme of betrayal and lost love. It speaks to the pain of losing someone you love to someone you once trusted.
Line by Line Meaning
She was my girl that one time
There was a point in time when she was my girlfriend
And in her eyes there was a light
She had a bright and joyful energy within her
That brightened my days and warmed my nights
Being around her made my days brighter and my nights more comfortable
Until he charmed her weak smile
But then another guy came along and won her heart with his charm
He was a friend of mine
The guy who won her heart was my friend
A friend of mine, a friend of mine
He was someone I considered a close companion
He struck my heart with a chord, yes
He deeply hurt me with his actions
Way back in August of 94
This happened a long time ago, specifically in August of 1994
He suit my soul with his song
He connected with her on a deeper emotional level
Until she finally let me know
Until she informed me of her new relationship
She was a friend of mine
Despite the pain, she was still someone I considered a close companion
A friend of mine, a friend of mine
Someone who I had a strong bond with
I wanna know, why did you do it?
I want to understand why my friend chose to pursue a relationship with my ex-girlfriend
Oh, tell me, why did you do it?
I am begging for an explanation
Oh, a sort of friendship, why did you do it?
I am questioning the genuineness of our friendship
I wanna know, I wanna know
I am deeply curious and in need of answers
Why did you do it?
I am seeking an explanation for your actions
Oh, I wanna know, why did you do it?
I am desperate for an understanding of your motives
I wanna know, why did you do it?
I continuously need an answer for why my friend and ex-girlfriend have become romantically involved
Tell me why, why did you do it?
Please give me insight into your reasons for your (potentially hurtful) actions
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: RAHSAAN PATTERSON, VAN HUNT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind