Used to Be My Girl

Last updated
"Used to Be My Girl"
Used to Be My Girl.jpg
Single by Brian McKnight
from the album Ten
Released2006
Recorded2006
Genre R&B
Length4:12
Label Warner Bros.
Songwriter(s)
  • Tim Kelley
  • Bob Robinson
  • Brian McKnight
Producer(s) Tim & Bob
Brian McKnight singles chronology
"Find Myself in You"
(2006)
"Used to Be My Girl"
(2006)
"What's My Name"
(2007)

"Used to Be My Girl" is a song by American singer Brian McKnight. It was written by McKnight along with Tim Kelley and Bob Robinson for his ninth studio album Ten (2006), while production was helmed by Kelley and Robinson under their production moniker Tim & Bob. The song peaked at number 25 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The song was released as the album's lead single on October 17, 2006 and peaked at number 25 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. [1]

Contents

Lyrics

The song, as McKnight states in the beginning, "is not another love song". Instead, the song's lyrics expresses dismay at what he perceives to be another man's excessive pride in his relationship with an attractive girlfriend; with whom the songwriter used to have a relationship. McKnight's lyrics seemingly taunt the new love interest, going so far as to offer advice on dealing with the past relationship:

See, I know what you're thinkin'
You're feelin' like a lucky guy
I was the same way
'cause she was hard to come by
I was on her so hard
That I almost lost my hustle
So go 'head, playboy, do your thing
Don't be mad if she calls my name

The antagonist cautions the woman's new boyfriend not to "hate on" him when she intimately mentions his name, and implies that the new relationship is really "just a game", a theory that he argues is proven by her perceived inability to acknowledge his presence as he watches the new couple:

She's still thinkin' 'bout me, And I'll tell you why,
She couldn't even hold her head up when you walked by

The song ends with the singer recounting and implying to the new boyfriend various intimate acts that the woman performed for him when "she was my girl".

Formats and track listings

Digital single [2]
No.TitleLength
1."Used to Be My Girl" (Main Edit)3:27
2."Used to Be My Girl" (Instrumental)3:04

Charts

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brian McKnight</span> American singer-songwriter and record producer

Brian Kainoa Makoa McKnight Sr. is an American singer-songwriter, actor, record producer, radio personality, and multi-instrumentalist. An R&B performer, he is recognized for his strong head voice, high belting range, and melisma.

The Emotions are an American soul/R&B vocal group from Chicago. The group started out in gospel music but transitioned into R&B and disco music. The Emotions were named by VH1 as one of the 18 most influential girl groups of all time.

<i>Mahogany</i> (film) 1975 film by Berry Gordy

Mahogany is a 1975 American romantic drama film directed by Berry Gordy and produced by Motown Productions. The Motown founder Gordy took over the film direction after British filmmaker Tony Richardson was dismissed from the film. Mahogany stars Diana Ross as Tracy Chambers, a struggling fashion design student who rises to become a popular fashion designer in Rome. It was released on October 8, 1975. The soundtrack included the single "Theme from Mahogany", which peaked at number-one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in January 1976.

<i>Back at One</i> (album) 1999 studio album by Brian McKnight

Back at One is the fifth studio album by American singer Brian McKnight, released on September 21, 1999, by Motown Records. The album followed the same pattern as McKnight's previous album of original material, Anytime (1997), in which he began his transition from urban adult contemporary into the contemporary R&B/hip hop soul market. Back at One contains a mix of hip hop-influenced contemporary R&B songs, as well as a variety of ballads. While McKnight co-wrote and produced nearly every song on the album, he also worked with a few new producers, including Rodney Jerkins, his brother Fred Jerkins III, and Anthony Nance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">R. Kelly discography</span>

American R&B singer-songwriter R. Kelly has released 18 studio albums, five compilation albums, one soundtrack album, six video albums, one mixtape, two extended play, and 133 singles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Usher discography</span>

American singer Usher has released nine studio albums, ten compilation albums, eight extended plays, and 81 singles. His music has been released on the LaFace, Arista, Jive, RCA, and gamma record labels. Usher has sold more than 33 million albums in the United States alone and over 65 million albums worldwide. With over 150 million total records sold worldwide, he is one of the best selling music artists of all time. He has nine number-one singles and 18 Hot 100 top-ten singles on the US Billboard Hot 100. In 1994, Usher released his self-titled debut album in North America, which went onto sell 500,000 copies, and produced the singles "Can U Get wit It", "Think of You", and "The Many Ways". The former two peaked in the lower half of the UK and US charts. His follow-up 1997 album My Way sold over 8 million copies worldwide, becoming his breakthrough album. It is certified seven-times platinum in the US, and spawned three successful singles, including his first UK number-one song, "You Make Me Wanna...", and first US Hot 100 number-one song, "Nice & Slow". Usher's success continued in 2001, with his third studio album, 8701. It debuted at number four on the Billboard 200. The album produced two number-one singles, such as "U Remind Me" and "U Got It Bad". In 2002, the album was certified five-times platinum in the US for sales of 5 million copies. As of 2010, its worldwide sales stand at over 8 million.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love (Keyshia Cole song)</span> 2006 song by Keyshia Cole

"Love" is a song by American singer Keyshia Cole, written alongside producer Greg Curtis for her debut studio album The Way It Is (2005). The song was released on January 6 as the album's fourth and final single and emerged as the most successful single from the album. It peaked at number 19 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number three on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, becoming her breakthrough record and preceding a string of modestly successful singles, also receiving platinum certification by the RIAA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Changed My Mind</span> 2004 single by Keyshia Cole

"I Changed My Mind" is a song by American R&B recording artist Keyshia Cole, recorded for her debut album, The Way It Is (2005). It was written by the singer along with John Legend and Kanye West, while production on the track was helmed by the latter. Released on November 9, 2004 as the lead single from the album, it was mildly successful commercially, peaking at number 71 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 23 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts.

<i>Superhero</i> (Brian McKnight album) 2001 studio album by Brian McKnight

Superhero is the sixth album by American singer Brian McKnight. It was first released by Motown Records on August 28, 2001 in the United States. McKnight recorded this album to showcase his many musical influences and give listeners a glimpse into the past year of his life. Superhero mixes McKnight's usual contemporary R&B style with a touch of rock and roll and rap music. McKnight worked with a variety of producers on the album, including Battlecat, Bill Meyers, Anthony Nance, Steve Thompson, and Lavel "City Spud" Webb. Featured guest vocalists were Justin Timberlake, Nate Dogg, Fred Hammond, and hip hop group St. Lunatics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tim & Bob</span> American record producer and songwriter duo

Tim & Bob, also known as Funktwons, were an American songwriting and production duo from Peoria, Illinois. The duo has been credited on the Billboard Hot 100 top ten-singles "Thong Song" by Sisqó, "Slow Down" by Bobby V and "They Don't Know" by Jon B., as well as the top 40-singles "So Into You" by Tamia and "Come See Me" by 112. They discovered the latter act in Atlanta during the late 1990s, and have since worked extensively with acts such as Bobby V, Boyz II Men, Donell Jones and Monica to produce one or more of their albums, respectively. They disbanded in 2014 to separately pursue solo work.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brian McKnight discography</span>

The discography of Brian McKnight, an R&B singer, consists of 15 studio albums, six compilation albums, more than 40 singles, and 19 music videos. McKnight has sold more than 25 million albums worldwide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bow Wow discography</span> Hip hop recording artist discography

American rapper Bow Wow has released seven studio albums, twenty-six singles, fifty-one music videos, and eight mixtapes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Never Ever (Ciara song)</span> 2009 single by Ciara featuring Young Jeezy

"Never Ever" is a song performed by R&B singer Ciara. It is the first single released from her third studio album, Fantasy Ride. The song features rapper Young Jeezy, was produced by Polow da Don, and was co-written by Ciara and Elvis "BlacElvis" Williams, who both produced and co-wrote Ciara's single, "Promise", from her second album, Ciara: The Evolution.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You Should Be Mine (Don't Waste Your Time)</span> 1997 single by Brian McKnight featuring Mase

"You Should Be Mine (Don't Waste Your Time)" is a song by American singer Brian McKnight, released by Mercury Records on August 19, 1997 as the first single from his third studio album, Anytime (1997). The song features guest vocals from American rapper Mase, while backing vocals are performed by Kelly Price in an uncredited appearance. It was co-written by all three, while production—based on a sample of James Brown's 1972 song "I Got Ants in My Pants"—was handled by Mase's colleagues at Bad Boy Records, including the label's founder Puff Daddy, as well as its in-house producers Stevie J and Ron "Amen-Ra" Lawrence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thinkin' About You (Mario song)</span> 2009 single by Mario

"Thinkin' About You" is a song by American R&B singer Mario. It was written by Rico Love and produced by The Runners and The Monarch for his fourth studio album D.N.A. (2009). The song was released by J Records on September 4, 2009 as the album's second single. "Thinkin' About You" debuted at number 96 on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and eventually peaked at number 45.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Muni Long</span> American singer (born 1988)

Priscilla Renea Hamilton, known professionally as Muni Long, is an American singer from Gifford, Florida. Under her birth name, she signed with Capitol Records to release her debut studio album Jukebox (2009), which was met with positive critical reception despite failing to chart. She then spent the following decade co-writing songs for other artists, namely the singles "Promise This" by Cheryl, "California King Bed" by Rihanna, "Worth It" by Fifth Harmony, "Love So Soft" by Kelly Clarkson, "Imagine" by Ariana Grande, "Who Says" by Selena Gomez & the Scene, and the global hit "Timber" by Pitbull.

"Love of My Life" is 2001 single by the American R&B singer Brian McKnight from his album Superhero. The song peaked at number 51 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 11 on the R&B/Hip-Hop chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bizounce</span> 2001 single by Olivia

"Bizounce" is the debut single recorded by American singer Olivia, from her self-titled debut studio album (2001). Producers Doug Allen and Joshua Thompson wrote the song in collaboration with Olivia and songwriters David L. Conley, Quincy Q. Patrick, and Juan Magic" Peters. It was released on March 20, 2001 as the lead single from the album. It is an upbeat, R&B track with lyrics that revolve around dissatisfaction with a relationship and the desire to "bizounce" or leave the partner. In her autobiography, Release Me: My Life, My Words, Olivia revealed her disappointment that "Bizounce" was chosen and released as the lead single because of interference by label executives.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thinkin Bout You (Frank Ocean song)</span> 2012 single by Frank Ocean

"Thinkin Bout You" is a song by American singer Frank Ocean, released as the lead single from his debut studio album Channel Orange (2012). The song was written by Ocean and Shea Taylor. Originally to be featured on Bridget Kelly's debut album, Ocean released his demo version of the track for free on his Tumblr account in 2011. In May 2012, the song was officially sent to radio and released on iTunes as a single by Ocean. Kelly released her version of the track, titled as "Thinking About Forever" on her debut EP Every Girl released October 19, 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fakin' It (K. Michelle song)</span> 2009 single by K. Michelle featuring Missy Elliott

"Fakin' It" is a song by American R&B singer K. Michelle, featuring guest vocals by Grammy Award–winning rapper Missy Elliott. It was co-written by Michelle, Elliott and Ester Dean. The song attained slight media attention for Michelle and was intended to serve as the buzz single for her debut studio album, originally titled Pain Medicine.

References

  1. 1 2 "Brian McKnight Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
  2. "Used To Be My Girl". Napster . Retrieved January 14, 2020.
  3. "Brian McKnight Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
  4. "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2007". Billboard. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
Notes