Back in the Day

Ahmad

About Back in the Day

"Back in the Day" is a 1994 single by Ahmad. Released when Ahmad was only 18, the song is a nostalgic remembrance of childhood and young teenage years, from a somewhat jaded adult perspective. "Back in the Day" was Ahmad's only major hit single, making it to #26 on The Billboard Hot 100, #19 on the US R&B chart on the strength of its hook - a sample of the Teddy Pendergrass song "Love TKO"—and Ahmad's quirky vocal style, reminiscent of Fatlip of the Pharcyde fame, and #3 on the US rap chart. It was the first single of his 1994 self-titled album and was RIAA-certified gold. The TKO Remix of "Back in the Day" (Produced By Maurice Thompson of Barr 9 Productions) is featured as the single and on the soundtrack of The Wood, a 1999 motion picture. 


Year:
1994
5:18
5,073 
#6

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Back in the days when I was young I'm not a kid anymore
But some days I sit and wish I was a kid again
Back in the days when I was young I'm not a kid anymore
But some days I sit and wish I was a kid again

Back in the days when I was young I'm not a kid anymore
But some days I sit and wish I was a kid again
Back in the days when I was young I'm not a kid anymore
But some days I sit and wish I was a kid again

I remember (back in the days)
When I just a little niggaro
I looked up to my bigger bro
Begged if I could kick it so
When he went out with girls I could go taggin' along
Naggin' if she had a sis maybe could mack a baby hood rat
Y'all remember way back then, when it was nineteen eighty-five
All the way live, I think I was about ten
One of those happy little niggaz singin' the blues
That be always tryin' to bag with the shag and karate shoes
Sayin' "Yo momma black, his momma this, his momma that"
Then he get mad and want to scrap
We stay mad about, ten minutes then it's like back on the bike
To play hide and go get it with the younger hoes by the bungalows
Then switch to playin' ding dong ditch, when that gets
old and too cold to hack it, threw on a bomber jacket
You could tell the ballers 'cause they bell wearin' Gazelles
And if they really had money raised be sportin' BK's
and, all the girls had they Turkish link
If it broke then they made earrings to it, like they meant to do it
But, sometimes, I still sit and reminisce
Then, think about the years I was raised, back in the days

Back in the days when I was young I'm not a kid anymore
But some days I sit and wish I was a kid again
Back in the days when I was young I'm not a kid anymore
But some days I sit and wish I was a kid again

Back in the days when I was young I'm not a kid anymore
But some days I sit and wish I was a kid again
Back in the days when I was young I'm not a kid anymore
But some days I sit and wish I was a kid again

(And everybody say) (I remember way back when)
(And everybody say) (I remember way back when)
(And everybody say) (I remember way back when)
(What?) (Back in the day) (When?) (Back in the day)

I'm still back in the days, but now the year is eighty-seven
Eighty-eight that's when my crew and I were in junior high
In seventh grade, I hated school wish it'd blown up
No doubt I couldn't wait to get out (and be a grownup)
But let me finish this reminiscin' and tellin'
'Bout when girls was bellin' tight corduroys like for the boys
Basket weaves, Nike Cortez, and footsie socks
And eatin' pickles, with tootsie pops
And it don't stop, I'm glad 'cause when J.J. Fad hit
Supersonic it was kinda like a sport to wear biker shorts
Or, to wear jeans and it seemed like the masses
Of hoochies, had poison airbrushed on they asses
Dudes, had on Nike suits, and the Pumas with
The fat laces, 'cause it was either that or K-Swiss
I miss those days, and so I pout like a grown jerk
Wishin' all I had to do now, was finish homework
It's true, you don't realize really what you got til it's gone
And I'm not, gonna sing another sad song, but
Sometimes I do sit and reminisce then
Think about the years I was raised, back in the days

Back in the days when I was young I'm not a kid anymore
But some days I sit and wish I was a kid again
Back in the days when I was young I'm not a kid anymore
But some days I sit and wish I was a kid again

Back in the days when I was young I'm not a kid anymore
But some days I sit and wish I was a kid again
Back in the days when I was young I'm not a kid anymore
But some days I sit and wish I was a kid again

(And everybody say) (I remember way back when)
(And everybody say) (I remember way back when)
(And everybody say) (I remember way back when)
(What?) (Back in the day) (When?) (Back in the day)

Well, it's the niggaro, I figure that now I'm all grown up
Because I'm eighteen years old, and guess you could say I'm holdin'
Down a steady job and crew steady mobbin'
You steady bobbin your head and I'm paid, so I got it made
But, didn't always have clout, used to live in South Central L.A.
That's where I stayed and figured a way out
I gave it all I had so for what it's worth
I went, from rags to riches which is a drag but now I'm first
So Ahmad and The Jones' is on our way up
Yup, we said that we was gonna make it since a kid
And we finally did, but
Sometimes I still sit there reminiscin'
Think about the years I was raised, back in the days

Back in the days when I was young I'm not a kid anymore
But some days I sit and wish I was a kid again
Back in the days when I was young I'm not a kid anymore
But some days I sit and wish I was a kid again

Back in the days when I was young I'm not a kid anymore
But some days I sit and wish I was a kid again
Back in the days when I was young I'm not a kid anymore
But some days I sit and wish I was a kid again

(And everybody say) (I remember way back when)
(And everybody say) (I remember way back when)
(And everybody say) (I remember way back when)
(What?) (Back in the day) (When?) (Back in the day)

(And everybody say) (I remember way back when)
(And everybody say) (I remember way back when)
(And everybody say) (I remember way back when)
(What?) (Back in the day) (When?) (Back in the day)

Back in the days when I was young I'm not a kid anymore
But some days I sit and wish I was a kid again

Back in the days
I got jacked for mines
You sound like a white dude "Hey I got jacked for mines!"
Aight, aight

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Ahmad

Ahmad Ali Lewis, (born October 12, 1975 in Los Angeles, California), is an American music artist, songwriter, motivational speaker and author. Credited simply as AHMAD, he is best known for the 1994 single "Back in the Day," a nostalgic song that became a signifier for nostalgia in hip-hop culture. more »

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Written by: BOBBY ROSS JR. AVILA, IZZY AVILA, JAMES SAMUEL III HARRIS, JAMES HARRIS III, CHAKA KHAN, TERRY LEWIS, TONY MAIDEN, JAMES WRIGHT, JAMES QUENTON WRIGHT

Lyrics © JOHN T. KLEMMER D/B/A REMOHJ MUSIC COMPANY, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., BONEFISH MUSIC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Song History
"Back in the Day" is a song by American hip hop artist Ahmad. The song was released in May 1994 as the lead single from his debut album, "Ahmad."
Song Performance
Despite Ahmad being relatively unknown in the music industry at the time, "Back in the Day" became a hit single, which charted at number 26 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 19 on the R&B songs chart.
Originality
"Back in the Day" is not only a rap song, but it also incorporates elements of soul and jazz music, introducing a unique and innovative style of music that was not common within the mainstream hip-hop during the mid-90s.
True Story
The lyrics of the song is autobiographical, providing a nostalgic view of Ahmad's childhood in South Central Los Angeles. He spoke about the simplicity and innocence of those days, lamenting the lost innocence and growing violence in his hometown.
Sampling
The song samples "Love That Will Not Die" by Johnny “Guitar” Watson. This piece of music gives "Back in the Day" its distinctive, jazzy influence.
Impact on Ahmad's Career
Though "Back in the Day" was a hit, Ahmad didn't continue with the same success in his further careers as a rapper. However, the song has given him lasting recognition in the music industry and it is still remembered as a 90s hip-hop classic.
Remix
A remix of "Back in the Day" was featured on the soundtrack of "The Wood," a 1999 movie about growing up in Black LA.
Lyrics
The lyrics of the song are often celebrated for their thoughtful and reflective nature. The song avoids glorifying the gangster lifestyle that was often presented in popular hip-hop of the time. Instead, it portrays a bittersweet picture of growing up and the struggles of adolescence.
Iconic Phrase
The song led to the popularization of the phrase 'back in the day', which has since become a common term in pop culture.
Artist Transition
After the success of "Back in the Day," Ahmad, together with his peers, formed the hip-hop fusion band 4th Avenue Jones and he began to infuse rock and soul into his music, establishing his versatility as an artist.

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    Back in the Day

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    56,304     1,303

    Top Hot 100 Songs 1994

    Billboard #26


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