The group came up with the Heavies name after signing their first record contract, borrowing from a liner note on a James Brown single declaring the artist "Minister of New Super Heavy Funk". As The Brand New Heavies they gained a cult following in the London club scene and soon signed to Cooltempo as acid jazz replaced rare groove in clubs. The band issued a debut recording for Eddie Piller's Acid Jazz label in 1990 with Jay Ella Ruth as lead singer.
A single, "Got to Give", came out on Cooltempo before the Brand New Heavies signed to Acid Jazz Records and released Brand New Heavies to critical acclaim. The band signed to a division of Chrysalis Records in the UK, and American distribution was picked up by influential label Delicious Vinyl, and N'Dea Davenport (who had signed an artist development deal with Delicious Vinyl) joined the group. A revamped version of the first album with vocals by N'Dea Davenport was then released, and the singles "Dream Come True", "Never Stop" and "Stay This Way", all with Davenport on lead vocals, became hits on both sides of the Atlantic, with the latter becoming a music video directed by Douglas Gayeton that saw heavy rotation on MTV.
The group's appearance with MC Serch (formerly of 3rd Bass) and Q-Tip (of A Tribe Called Quest) at a performance in New York City, inspired the group to incorporate elements of hip hop music. Their next album was the critically acclaimed Heavy Rhyme Experience, Vol. 1, which included collaborations with Guru of Gang Starr and The Pharcyde, among others, but lacked any female vocals.
While under management by Colin Lester's and Ian McAndrew's Wildlife Entertainment, The Brand New Heavies released Brother Sister (1994) which was the last album for a while with N'Dea Davenport, who had left to complete her solo album (which she had put on hold to join the Heavies). The album spawned more singles, though one of them, a cover of Maria Muldaur's "Midnight at the Oasis", was popular only in the UK because it was not included in the US version of the album.
Siedah Garrett joined the group for their next album, Shelter (1997). It contained the minor hit, the Carole King-penned song "You've Got a Friend" that was originally made famous by James Taylor. Again, though, this song did not appear on the US version of the album. The album also contained the hit "Sometimes". The remix of "Sometimes" included the rap vocals of Q-Tip from Tribe.
The Brand New Heavies then released their greatest hits album, Trunk Funk - The Best of The Brand New Heavies (2000) with Carleen Anderson on vocals for some newly recorded songs, followed by the Japan only album We Won't Stop (2003) featuring a variety of vocalists and Allaboutthefunk (2004) featuring British singer Nicole Russo on vocals.
In April 2006, the Brand New Heavies reunited with N'Dea Davenport and former label Delicious Vinyl. A new album, Get Used to It was released on June 27 2006 via Starbucks and more traditional music retail outlets. The album was recorded in New York and London; and the lead single "I Don't Know Why (I Love You)" was issued in early May. The single was notable for being one of very few late releases to feature the trademarked "A Tom Moulton Mix", as the legendary disco pioneer had been asked to contribute mixes. Later that year, their song "Jump 'N' Move" was featured on the soundtrack for the 2006 computer animated feature film, Happy Feet, and the in-game soundtrack for 2004's NBA Live 2005. The band toured at the end of 2006.
After the release of a live CD Live at the Indigo2 in late 2008, the Brand New Heavies announced they would be releasing a new album in 2009 with N'Dea Davenport on vocals.
Sometimes
The Brand New Heavies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Talking about a revolution, or maybe just a change of mind
Working on my constitution, I began to realize
I've been doing wrong forever, trouble was my favorite game, yeah
Breaking hearts I thought was so clever
But I'm the one who got hurt playing
Never could feel it until it's come and gone
But all of that don't mean nothin', no
When you're all alone, oh
Sometimes you gotta do right to be happy
One time you gotta believe in what you feel inside
Sometimes you gotta do right to find happiness, yeah
Sometimes, sometimes
Gotta do right, 'cha gotta do right, ah, sometimes
You're lookin' at a transformation
That's brought about a change in me
Love's a brand new situation, never have I felt so free
'Cause I can see it comin', yeah
And I can feel it callin' loud now
Lovin' is so rewardin', yeah
When you let it out
Sometimes you gotta do right to be happy
One time you gotta believe in what you feel inside
Sometimes you gotta do right to find happiness
Sometimes, sometimes
Sometimes you gotta do right to be happy
One time you gotta believe in what you feel inside
Sometimes you gotta do right to find happiness, oh yeah
Sometimes, sometimes
Gotta do right, you gotta do right, ah sometimes, sometimes
Gotta do right, you gotta do right, ah sometimes, sometimes
Gotta do right, you gotta do right, ah sometimes
Sometimes, sometimes, oh
The Brand New Heavies’ song “Sometimes” is a powerful soul ballad about the struggles of self-improvement, learning from past mistakes, and ultimately finding happiness. The lyrics speak of a transformation from a person who has been doing wrong forever to someone who sees the rewards of doing right. The singer realizes the game of breaking hearts was hurtful and that loving and being loved is the key to happiness.
The song’s message is that sometimes people need to make significant changes in their life, even if it is hard. The singer encourages listeners to do the right thing, to believe in their feelings, and be honest with themselves, as it is the only way to find true happiness. However, it is not easy to make changes, and the singer acknowledges this by saying, “sometimes you gotta do it.”
The song’s chorus is catchy and rhythmic, which adds to the overall emotional impact of the lyrics. The Brand New Heavies’ uses the chorus to repeat the message of the song, emphasizing that sometimes people need to make difficult choices to find happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
Gotta do right, you gotta do right, ah sometimes
Moral consciousness is important, and there are times when you have to overcome your natural tendencies to do what is right.
Talking about a revolution, or maybe just a change of mind
The singer has undergone a dramatic change in their perspective on life.
Working on my constitution, I began to realize
The singer has been introspective and is making efforts to change their character for the better.
I've been doing wrong forever, trouble was my favorite game, yeah
In the past, the artist had a propensity for causing strife and chaos.
Breaking hearts I thought was so clever
In particular, the artist enjoyed playing with people's emotions.
But I'm the one who got hurt playing
But the singer realized that ultimately, they were the ones who were causing themselves pain.
I never could see it comin', no
The singer was blind to the harm that they were causing.
Never could feel it until it's come and gone
The artist only realized the damage they had caused once it was too late to fix.
But all of that don't mean nothin', no
Past actions do not have to dictate present or future behavior.
When you're all alone, oh
Confronting the negative aspects of your personality can be a lonely experience.
Sometimes you gotta do right to be happy
Doing what is morally correct can bring happiness and a sense of satisfaction.
One time you gotta believe in what you feel inside
Trusting your intuition and instincts is important.
Gotta do right, 'cha gotta do right, ah, sometimes
Once again, the singer is emphasizing the importance of doing what's right, even when it's difficult.
You're lookin' at a transformation
The singer is undergoing a significant change in their character.
That's brought about a change in me
This transformation is having a tangible impact on the singer's life and relationships.
Love's a brand new situation, never have I felt so free
As a result of this personal growth, the artist is experiencing love in a new and liberating way.
I can see it comin', yeah
The artist is able to anticipate and plan for positive changes in their life.
And I can feel it callin' loud now
The singer is able to sense when good things are coming their way.
Lovin' is so rewardin', yeah
The singer has discovered that loving others can be fulfilling and enriching.
When you let it out
By being vulnerable and expressing emotions honestly, the artist has learned to build meaningful connections with others.
Sometimes you gotta do right to be happy
Once again, the artist reiterates that moral behavior can lead to personal contentment.
Sometimes you gotta do right to find happiness
True happiness can only be found by doing what is right and being true to yourself.
Sometimes, sometimes
The singer acknowledges that personal growth is a process that happens gradually over time.
Gotta do right, you gotta do right, ah sometimes
The importance of moral conduct continues to be emphasized.
Sometimes, sometimes, oh
Ultimately, life is a mix of right and wrong decisions, and the singer is attuned to this complexity.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: SIEDAH GARRETT, JAN KINCAID
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@hadywellbie2368
I bought this record! With actual money!
@Envee-zv5ek
Absolute perfection. Impossible not to hit the repeat button (repeatedly 😊)
@markwhittaker6866
Agreed.
@vincenzoiannone4736
Really pretty singer !❤
@tonyde52
Siedah Garret
@corienschneiders4294
❤❤❤
@athomas9355
Bringing me right back to the good days! Working at Tower Records and feeling fancy AF cause I did! I weep for the kids today
@bbargain7547
Miss these times. Makes me feel old
@tonyde52
Unfortunately, this was the LAST decade of great music!
@davidketels3717
Probably my favourite BNH song. Seidah’s solo high water mark, it is!