U Don't Know Me (Like U Used To)

Last updated

"U Don't Know Me (Like U Used To)"
Brandy Norwood - U Don't Know Me (Like U Used To).jpg
Single by Brandy
from the album Never Say Never
ReleasedSeptember 14, 1999 (1999-09-14) [1]
Recorded1998 –July 12, 1999 [2]
Genre Electrohop [3]
Length4:29
Label Atlantic
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Rodney Jerkins
Brandy singles chronology
"Almost Doesn't Count"
(1999)		"U Don't Know Me (Like U Used To)"
(1999)		"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You"
(1999)

"U Don't Know Me (Like U Used To)" is a song by American recording artist Brandy Norwood. It was written by Isaac Phillips, Paris Davis, Sean Bryant, Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, and Norwood for her second studio album Never Say Never (1998). Production was handled by Jerkins, with additional production from Norwood.

Contents

The song was released as the album's fifth US single and sixth overall single from Never Say Never in September 1999. The track peaked at number 79 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 25 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, also reaching the top 20 of the UK Dance and UK R&B charts. A remix version of the track featuring female rappers Shaunta and Da Brat was accompanied by a remix EP entitled U Don't Know Me... Like U Used to – The Remix EP and a second music video, directed by Martin Weisz, featuring alternative visuals.

Critical reception

Billboard editor Chuck Taylor called "U Don't Know Me (Like U Used To)" a "summery, you-can-sing-along-with-the-hook record." He compared the favorably to Norwood's debut single "I Wanna Be Down," citing it "hypnotic," and found that her "rougher-than-usual vocals styles at times even sound like Mary J. Blige." [4] Da’Shan Smith from Revolt declared the song one of Never Say Never's "outstanding cuts" and found that it recalls "the '94 days of Brandy, but elevated it for the '98 present and subsequent future." [5] [6]

Music video

A music video for "U Don't Know Me (Like U Used To)" was filmed by German director Martin Weisz. A Matrix -themed clip, it begins with people walking in front of a building and later on a sidewalk. They pause periodically and speed up as Norwood sings. [7] Weisz also directed a video for the remix version of the song, featuring Norwood, Shaunta, and Da Brat singing as people walk by on a pedestrian walk. [8]

Track listings

US CD single
No.TitleLength
1."U Don't Know Me (Like U Used To)" (remix radio edit)4:03
2."U Don't Know Me (Like U Used To)" (album version)4:29
3."U Don't Know Me (Like U Used To)" (remix instrumental)4:05
International CD single
No.TitleLength
1."Never Say Never" (Jazz Animal Remix)4:25
2."U Don't Know Me (Like U Used To)" (remix)3:59
3."U Don't Know Me (Like U Used To)" (album version)4:27
4."Never Say Never" (album version)5:09

Credits and personnel

Credits lifted from the album's liner notes. [9]

Charts

Chart (1999)Peak
position
UK Singles (OCC) [10] 180
UK Dance (OCC) [11] 13
UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC) [12] 19
US Billboard Hot 100 [13] 79
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs ( Billboard ) [14] 25

Release history

RegionDateFormatLabelRef.
United StatesSeptember 14, 1999 Atlantic
United KingdomNovember 8, 1999
  • CD
  • cassette
 [16]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brandy Norwood</span> American singer (born 1979)

Brandy Rayana Norwood, better known mononymously as Brandy, is an American singer, songwriter, actress and model. Her sound, characterized by heavy voice-layering and intricate riffs, has seen her nicknamed "the Vocal Bible". As of August 2020, she has sold over 40 million records worldwide, with approximately 8.62 million albums sold in the United States. Her work has earned her numerous awards and accolades, including a Grammy Award and an American Music Award.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Da Brat</span> American rapper (born April 14, 1974)

Shawntae Harris-Dupart, better known by her stage name Da Brat, is an American rapper. Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, she began her career in 1992, the year she signed with So So Def Records. Her debut album Funkdafied (1994) sold one million copies, making her the first-ever female solo rap act to receive a platinum certification, and the second-ever female rap act after Salt-N-Pepa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rodney Jerkins</span> American record producer and rapper

Rodney Roy Jerkins, also known by his stage name Darkchild, is an American record producer, rapper, and songwriter. He has collaborated with a broad range of popular artists.

<i>Full Moon</i> (Brandy album) 2002 studio album by Brandy

Full Moon is the third studio album by American singer Brandy. It was released by Atlantic Records on March 5, 2002 in the United States. The album was recorded primarily during the summer and fall of 2001 at the Hit Factory Criteria in Miami, amid a three-year musical hiatus following the success of her multi-platinum previous studio album Never Say Never (1998) and the finale of her highly successful television sitcom Moesha in May 2001. As with Never Say Never, Brandy collaborated with producer Rodney Jerkins and his Darkchild production and songwriting team on the majority of the album's composition, while Mike City, Warryn Campbell, and Keith Crouch contributed additional production.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Boy Is Mine (song)</span> 1998 duet single by Brandy and Monica

"The Boy Is Mine" is a duet by American singers Brandy and Monica. It was written by LaShawn Daniels, Japhe Tejeda, Fred Jerkins III, Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, and Brandy, while production was helmed by Jerkins, Brandy, and Dallas Austin. It was released as the lead single from both singers' second albums from 1998, Never Say Never by Brandy and the album of the same name by Monica. Inspired by Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney's 1982 duet "The Girl Is Mine", the lyrics of the mid-tempo R&B track revolve around two women fighting over a man.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Talk About Our Love</span> 2004 single by Brandy

"Talk About Our Love" is a song recorded by American singer Brandy for her fourth studio album Afrodisiac (2004). It was written by Kanye West, who also appears as a featured artist on it, and Harold Lilly, while production was handled by the former. Due to the song's use of a sample of Mandrill's 1978 song "Gilly Hines", band members Claude Cave II, and Carlos, Louis, and Ricardo Wilson are also credited as writers. Lyrically, "Talk About Our Love" is about a relationship lacking support from family and friends.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Who Is She 2 U</span> 2005 single by Brandy

"Who Is She 2 U" is a song by American recording artist Brandy Norwood from her fourth studio album, Afrodisiac (2004). It was written by Candice Nelson, Walter Millsap III and Timbaland, and produced by the latter. The song is built around a sample of "Instant Love" (1977) by American singer Leon Ware. Due to the inclusion of the sample, he and Jacqueline Hilliard are also credited as songwriters. Based on true events, the song describes a woman who is suspicious about her mate's awkward behavior around a seemingly unfamiliar woman. The dramatic up-tempo incorporates piano keys, flutes, chamber pop string melodies and go-go drum programming.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">What About Us? (Brandy song)</span> 2002 single by Brandy

"What About Us?" is a song by American singer Brandy from her third studio album, Full Moon (2002). It was written by LaShawn Daniels, Rodney Jerkins, Kenisha Pratt, Nora Payne and Norwood, featuring main production by Jerkins. An offbeat, aggressive high-tech track, the song's development was motivated by the fact that the singer wanted something different–an aggressive, sexier and edgier sound with a message which would empower women while also reflecting her own growth and maturity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Full Moon (Brandy song)</span> 2002 single by Brandy

"Full Moon" is a song recorded by American singer Brandy for her third studio album of the same title (2002). A breakaway from Rodney Jerkins' dominating influence on the album, it was written and produced by Mike City, one of the few producers Norwood worked with on Full Moon apart from Jerkins and his production and songwriting crew. Described by Norwood as "ghetto", the track is an R&B and pop song with a simple, piano-led production. Lyrically, the song follows Norwood as she experiences love at first sight in a nightclub, whose circumstances she attributes to a full moon night.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Top of the World (Brandy song)</span> 1998 single by Brandy

"Top of the World" is a song by American singer Brandy Norwood, from her second studio album, Never Say Never (1998). The song was written by Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, Fred Jerkins III, LaShawn Daniels, Isaac Phillips, Nycolia "Tye-V" Turman, and Mason Betha, with Darkchild and Norwood producing and Mase having featured vocals. Released as the album's second international single in 1998, the track peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart and reached the top 20 in Iceland, Ireland, and New Zealand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Have You Ever?</span> 1998 single by Brandy

"Have You Ever?" is a song by American recording artist Brandy Norwood for her second studio album, Never Say Never (1998). The song was written by Diane Warren, while production was handled by David Foster. It was released as the album's third single by Atlantic Records in October 1998. The song became Norwood's second song to reach the top position on the US Billboard Hot 100, following the worldwide chart-topping of "The Boy Is Mine". The former further reached number one in New Zealand, number two in Iceland, number eight in Australia, and the top 30 in Canada, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.

"Angel in Disguise" is a song recorded by American singer Brandy for her second studio album Never Say Never (1998). It was written by Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, Fred Jerkins III, LaShawn Daniels, Traci Hale, and Tye-V Turman, and was produced by Jerkins along with Brandy. The song was recorded and mixed by audio engineer Dave Way at the Pacifique Recording Studios in North Hollywood, California and features prominent backing vocals by singer Joe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Almost Doesn't Count</span> 1999 single by Brandy

"Almost Doesn't Count" is a song by American singer Brandy Norwood. It was written by Shelly Peiken and Guy Roche and recorded by Norwood for her second studio album, Never Say Never (1998). Atlantic Records consulted Fred Jerkins III to recut the song to be more consistent with the overall sound of the album. He would subsequently share production credit along with Roche. A pop and R&B-ballad combining elements of country, it incorporates Latin flavored riffs. The song's lyrics are based on an on-again, off-again relationship that Peiken had experienced during her college years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Wanna Be Down</span> 1994 single by Brandy

"I Wanna Be Down" is the debut single of American recording artist Brandy from her self-titled debut album (1994). It was written by musicians Keith Crouch and Kipper Jones, with production helmed by the former, it was released on September 5, 1994, by the Atlantic Recording Corporation. The song is a mid-tempo track that features a thunderous beat and light synth riffs. Lyrically, "I Wanna Be Down" describes a flirt with a boy, who Norwood tries to convince of her loveliness.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brandy videography</span> Videography about Brandy Norwood

Brandy Norwood, an American singer, songwriter and actress, has released various music videos. She first appeared in the music video for her debut single "I Wanna Be Down (1994). The Keith Ward-directed clip won the Billboard Music Award for Best New Clip, R&B/Urban. A second version, shot alongside female rappers MC Lyte, Queen Latifah, and Yo-Yo for the Human Rhythm Hip Hop Remix of "I Wanna Be Down", earned Norwood her first MTV Video Music Award nomination in the Best Rap Video at the 1995 ceremony, and received Billboard Music Award and Billboard Music Video Award nods. Norwood's video for follow-up "Baby", a collaboration with director Hype Williams, garnered a Best Choreography nomination at the 1995 MTV Video Music Awards. Other videos from the album included for the singles "Best Friend", and "Brokenhearted".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Never Say Never (Brandy song)</span> 2000 promotional single by Brandy

"Never Say Never" is a song recorded by American recording artist Brandy Norwood. The song was written by Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, LaShawn Daniels, Fred Jerkins III, Japhe Tajeda, Rick Williams, and Norwood for her same-titled second studio album, released in 1998, featuring main production by Jerkins and additional production by Norwood. The song was released along with "U Don't Know Me " as a promotional single in German-speaking Europe only in 2000, where it failed to chart or sell noticeably.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Right Here (Departed)</span> 2008 single by Brandy

"Right Here (Departed)" is a song by American recording artist Brandy Norwood. It was written by Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins and The Writing Camp members Evan "Kidd" Bogart, Victoria Horn, Erika Nuri, and David "DQ" Quiñones and produced by Jerkins for her fifth studio album, Human (2008). Not recorded until late into the production of the album, it set much of the tone for the final Human track listing as it was the first out of several new songs Norwood and Jerkins recorded together following his absence on her previous album Afrodisiac (2004). Its lyrics chronicle a woman's talks about mutual support with loved ones.

<i>Human</i> (Brandy album) 2008 studio album by Brandy

Human is the fifth studio album by American singer Brandy. It was released on December 5, 2008 by Epic Records, Knockout Entertainment and Koch Records. The album was Norwood's debut Epic Records release, following her split with Atlantic Records in 2005, and her reunion with longtime collaborator and mentor Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, who executively produced and wrote most of the album with his songwriting collective.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Long Distance (song)</span> 2008 single by Brandy

"Long Distance" is a song by American recording artist Brandy Norwood. It was written by Bruno Mars, Philip Lawrence, Jeff Bhasker, and Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, and was co-produced by Jerkins and Mars for her fifth studio album Human (2008) based on a demo by Mars. It appears as the seventh track on the album on which it is interluded by a telephone conversation between two lovers. The lyrics of the piano–led power ballad describe the protagonist's emotional state towards an ongoing long-distance relationship, which leaves her in depression.

<i>Never Say Never</i> (Brandy album) 1998 studio album by Brandy

Never Say Never is the second studio album by American singer Brandy. It was released on June 9, 1998, by Atlantic Records. Atlantic consulted David Foster, as well as producer Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins and his team to work with Norwood on the record; Jerkins went on to craft the majority of the album and would evolve as Norwood's mentor and head producer on her succeeding projects.

References

  1. 1 2 "Going for Adds / AddVance Notice". Radio & Records . No. 1316. September 10, 1999. pp. 54, 60, 67.
  2. ↑ "Press of Atlantic City, pressofAtlanticCity.com – Archives". Nl.newsbank.com. July 13, 1999. Retrieved December 16, 2010.
  3. ↑ Seymour, Craig (August 4, 1998). "The Boy Is Whose?". The Village Voice . Archived from the original on September 16, 2018. Retrieved August 24, 2023. Tracks like the electrohop "U Don't Know Me (Like U Used To)" ....
  4. ↑ Taylor, Chuck (August 28, 1999). "Singles". Billboard . Retrieved May 10, 2020.
  5. ↑ Smith, Da’Shan (May 30, 2018). "Master Class: A comprehensive history of the Electro-Hop&B genre in the 90s & 2000s". revolt.tv. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
  6. ↑ Smith, Da’Shan (June 8, 2018). "Revisiting Brandy's 'Never Say Never' 20 years later". revolt.tv. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
  7. ↑ "Brandy: U Don't Know Me (Like U Used To) (Video 1999)". IMDb . Retrieved May 10, 2020.
  8. ↑ "Brandy Feat. Shaunta & da Brat: U Don't Know Me (Like U Used To), Remix (Video 1999)". IMDb . Retrieved May 10, 2020.
  9. ↑ Never Say Never (booklet). Brandy. Atlantic Records. 1998.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  10. ↑ "Chart Log UK - 1994–2010". zobbel.de. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  11. ↑ "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  12. ↑ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  13. ↑ "Brandy Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 23, 2011.
  14. ↑ "Brandy Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 23, 2011.
  15. ↑ "Gavin Top 40/Rhythm Crossover: Impact Dates". Gavin Report . No. 2272. September 13, 1999. p. 11.
  16. ↑ "New Releases – For Week Starting 8 November, 1999" (PDF). Music Week . November 6, 1999. p. 31.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.