Way Back When
Russell Brenda Lyrics
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You can blame it all
On your friends and your companions
I knew you way back when
I knew you too, yeah
No disappointing
You are my favorite
You do be a success in life
A sensation
You can blame it all
On big city stimulation
But I knew you when
The small town attraction
Baby, you can't pretend
You don't need the reaction
Sophisticated friends
Now fill your moment
(Way back when)
Way back when I, I saw magic
You can blame it all
On your friends and your companions
But I knew you when
I knew you too, yeah
No disappointing end
You are my favorite, yes, you are
(Way back when)
I knew you too, yeah, baby
(Way back when)
'Cause you are my friend
(Way back when)
I know you too, yeah
I knew when
I know you too, yes, I do, baby
Oh, oh, oh
I knew it, I knew it, I knew it, I knew it
Oh yeah, oh
(Way back when)
(Way back when)
I know you too, yeah
(Way back when)
Baby
I knew it, I knew it, I knew it, I knew it
(Way back when)
(Way back when)
Way back when
The song "Way Back When" by Russell Brenda is a nostalgic piece that reminisces a bygone era when things were simpler, and life was full of magic. The opening line describes how the singer saw something wondrous and magical 'way back when.' The singer goes on to emphasize that the people around us have a significant influence on our lives. Friends and companions can shape and guide us in ways that we may not even realize. The singer recalls knowing the subject of the song when they were younger and how they always knew that they would be a success in life.
The subject of the song has now achieved great things, but the singer highlights the idea that the success was not solely due to the big city stimulation but, in fact, was inherent and apparent even back then. This statement is a testament to the idea that the subject's accomplishments are a result of their character and hard work, rather than simply their environment. The singer challenges the subject's sophisticated friends that now fill their life to remember their roots and the 'small-town attraction.' The song then repeats the chorus emphasizing the message that the singer knew the subject way back when, long before they became famous and successful.
Overall, the song is a beautiful reminder of the importance of staying grounded, remembering our roots and that it's our character that determines our success, rather than our environment. It also emphasizes the idea of connectedness, highlighting that the people around us play a crucial role in shaping our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Way back when I saw magic
In the past, I witnessed something truly magnificent and awe-inspiring
You can blame it all
On your friends and your companions
Perhaps the reason for your current success can be attributed to the positive influence of your social circle
I knew you way back when
I knew you too, yeah
I knew you before you became famous and successful, and we have a history together
No disappointing
You are my favorite
I knew you had it in
I always believed in you, and I am not disappointed that you have lived up to your potential
You do be a success in life
A sensation
You can blame it all
On big city stimulation
Your current success and fame can be attributed to living in a big city and experiencing all the opportunities it has to offer
But I knew you when
The small town attraction
Baby, you can't pretend
You don't need the reaction
However, I remember when we lived in a small town and people were drawn to your unique and special qualities. Don't try to deny that you still crave that attention and reaction from others
Sophisticated friends
Now fill your moment
(Way back when)
Your current social circle consists of more sophisticated and well-known individuals, but in the past, it was different
I knew you too, yeah, baby
'Cause you are my friend
I know you very well, my dear friend
I know you too, yes, I do, baby
Oh, oh, oh
I knew it, I knew it, I knew it, I knew it
I know you like the back of my hand, and I always knew you had the potential to be great
Way back when
In the distant past
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BRENDA GORDON RUSSELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Moe S
Way back when I saw magic
You can blame it all
On your friends and your companions
I knew you way back when
I knew you too, yeah
No disappointing
You are my favorite
I knew you had it in
You do be a success in life
A sensation
You can blame it all
On big city stimulation
But I knew you when
The small town attraction
Baby, you can't pretend
You don't need the reaction
Sophisticated friends
Now fill your moment
(Way back when)
Way back when I, I saw magic
You can blame it all
On your friends and your companions
But I knew you when
I knew you too, yeah
No disappointing end
You are my favorite, yes, you are
(Way back when)
I knew you too, yeah, baby
(Way back when)
'Cause you are my friend
(Way back when)
I know you too, yeah
I knew when
I know you too, yes, I do, baby
Oh, oh, oh
I knew it, I knew it, I knew it, I knew it
Oh yeah, oh
I know you too, yeah
(Way back when)
Baby
I knew it, I knew it, I knew it, I knew it
Way back when
Richard werkNprog Hall
Damn. This track is so musically cerebral, yet so beautiful. Brenda Russell is so underrated as a songwriter.
Angel Murphey
Brenda Russell is not underrated just because you are just now hearing of her.
Therone Evans
The arrangement on this song is amazing, the classical strings in the background, the synthesizer, the beat, the flow of the music, amazing!
Charles Alston
YES!!!
jeff waghorn
A new find for me a class song
The Real Alice Snow
Love this album.Sophistication at it’s finest.She wrote for many artist and as we can see she carried her own beautifully .love you girl....
Greg Lites
Not only the greatest debut album ever made, its one of the greatest r&b albums of all time. 8 songs, all could have been released as singles. (For those that don't know - she's singing this song about Al Jeroue, the love of her life at that time.)
Barbara Knight
You are so correct 💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞 All 8
Phat 👀Katt👀
How you know so much about Miss Russell? I thought i knew everything there was too know about Brenda Russell one of my all time favorite singers
alf lazz
Estoy muy de acuerdo, es inmenso este álbum