Braun went on to have a successful solo career, but one of his most famous works is a collaboration with saxophonist Boney James, as they did a duet off the remake of the Hugh Masekela classic "Grazin' in the Grass".
In addition to his solo career, Braun also plays in the band BWB, with saxophonist Kirk Whalum and guitarist Norman Brown. In 2005, he and saxophonist Richard Elliot co-founded a new label, ARTizen Music Group.
Rick's first trumpet actually belonged to his brother, Curt. Curt performed in his high school marching band but gave up playing the trumpet after high school. One day, young Rick found it in his big brother's closet and started to play with it. Obviously, things progressed from there!
Use Me
Rick Braun Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They keep trying to tell me all you want to do is use me
But my answer yeah to all that use me stuff
Is I want to spread the news that if it feels this good getting used
Oh you just keep on using me until you use me up
Until you use me up
My brother sit me right down and he talked to me
And I'm sure he meant well yeah but when our talk was through
I said brother if you only knew you'd wish that you were in my shoes
You just keep on using me until you use me up
Until you use me up
Oh sometimes yeah it's true you really do abuse me
You get in a crowd of high class people and then you act real rude to me
But oh baby baby baby baby when you love me I can't get enough
I and I want to spread the news that if it feels this good getting used
Oh you just keep on using me until you use me up
Until you use me up
Talking about you using me but it all depends on what you do
It ain't too bad the way you're using me
'Cause I sure am using you to do the things you do
Ah ha to do the things you do
In this song, Rick Braun is singing about a relationship where his friends tell him that his partner is only using him. However, Rick’s response is that he enjoys being used, and he wants to keep being used until he is used up. Even though sometimes his partner may appear rude or mistreat him, when they are together, it feels so good that he can’t get enough. He tells his brother that he should not judge his relationship because if he were in Rick’s shoes, he would wish that he could experience the same feeling. The song celebrates and romanticizes being used by someone else, and how even though it may seem like he is being abused, it is acceptable because he is getting something from the relationship as well.
The lyrics to this song were written by Bill Withers, who is known for his soulful ballads like “Ain’t No Sunshine” and “Lean on Me.” “Use Me” was released in 1972 as a single from his album “Still Bill.” Rick Braun released a cover of this song on his album “Full Stride,” which was released in 2007. This cover has a different feel than the original, as it replaces the funk and soul sounds with more contemporary jazz sounds.
Line by Line Meaning
My friends feel it's their appointed duty
My friends believe it is their responsibility to tell me that you are only using me.
They keep trying to tell me all you want to do is use me
My friends repeatedly attempt to inform me that your intentions are selfish and you only want to take advantage of me.
But my answer yeah to all that use me stuff
However, my response to their concerns about you taking advantage of me is this:
Is I want to spread the news that if it feels this good getting used
I want to let everyone know that if being used by you feels this satisfying,
Oh you just keep on using me until you use me up
then I am content with you using me to the fullest extent until there's no more use left in me.
My brother sit me right down and he talked to me
My brother sat me down and had a serious conversation with me.
He told me that I ought not to let you just walk on me
He advised me not to let you take advantage of me.
And I'm sure he meant well yeah but when our talk was through
Although I know he had good intentions, after our conversation ended,
I said brother if you only knew you'd wish that you were in my shoes
I replied, 'If you knew how satisfying it is to be used by you, you would wish that you were in my position.'
Oh sometimes yeah it's true you really do abuse me
Admittedly, there are times when you do mistreat or take advantage of me.
You get in a crowd of high class people and then you act real rude to me
For instance, when surrounded by wealthy individuals, you behave impolitely towards me.
But oh baby baby baby baby when you love me I can't get enough
But when you show me affection, I can't resist your love.
I and I want to spread the news that if it feels this good getting used
I want to announce to everyone that if being used by you feels this pleasurable,
Oh you just keep on using me until you use me up
then it's perfectly fine with me if you continue using me until there's no use left.
Talking about you using me but it all depends on what you do
This song is about you using me, but whether it's negative or positive depends on your actions.
It ain't too bad the way you're using me
Your current level of usage isn't too unfavorable to me.
'Cause I sure am using you to do the things you do
Honestly, I'm using you as well to do the things that you do.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JAMES E. INGRAM, BARRY MANN, CYNTHIA WEIL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind