D'Angelo and The Vanguard - Back to the Future (Part I) (Audio) 

"Everybody's wondering what kind of shape I'm in. I hope it aint my abdomen." These lyrics were shared in a 2012 GQ interview he did. After reading that article I understood the demons he battled from being a sex symbol. That's not D, that's not what he's about. He's all about his music, I don't believe he's too focused on his image. So I respect his hiatus, and I am thankful for the quality he has blessed our ears and hearts with again.

The soul of j dilla is all over this song. RIP Jay dee.

It's not fair to pick a favorite on this album.

I feel so sad for all the music lovers that have just passed away to have missed this . RIP to all , sounds not to be missed

This track is the ultimate triple-threat. Lyrics, production and performance -- they're all flawless. Absolute perfection. "Used to get real high, now I'm just gettin' buzzed. I just wanna go back baby, back to the way it was" - that's the chorus of the year folks.

My favourite one so far. Best "oooooh's" ever. He's indeed back to the way it was with another instant classic.

This cut was sung with a Newport in his mouth. Cab Calloway, Sly Stone, JB, and Sammy Davis and all the legends would give him the nod and brim grab of approval

This song (especially that bridge) gives me chills. This album is saving today's music. I mean folks will be listening to this 10, 20, 30's years from now, no doubt Brilliant work D' Angelo

D kept his originality and integrity. great song and album.

I hope it's not my abdomen, you're referring to. D'Angelo never been out of shape these years. His musicianly fitness has always been there. You just can't see it if you're not a music lover.

its them strings.......tears....tingles...just absolutely beautiful

Need a neck-brace after listening to this song! Damn!

Who's disliking these great songs? Show yourselves you cowards!!

I like how he's addressed his comeback and how he feels about it.

that bridge is soooo sick cant stop playing along with it on guitar

Action Bronson!

Masterpiece.

"R.I.P to that blunt... He dead"

Drinking rum on my birthday, listening to this and crying. This whole album is so powerful. Thank you D'Angelo for giving me a soundtrack to my life for almost 30 years.

I love the sly stone vibe of this track.Brilliant.

2:32 to 2:52 'that bridge' just keep playin it' proper deep shit' a groove played with such intensity by great musicians that are just fixed in it' then the string section on top' boy honestly just can't have myself enough of that' love it' love it'

The absolute diz-ertiest of the crunchness-ness. Futurenow funk to bang that trunk, yet slinkin' my brain got my body slunk. The tune to take you from the moon to neptune. Thanks for the jam D, once was lost, now I can see.

This whole album is what I've been missing about Prince's output for so long. It's got all the familiarity of his best sound, with a freshness all its own. Love all the layered vocals, chicken scratch guitar, Clare Fischer sounding strings and jazzy horns. There's even something about the drumming on these tracks that sounds a cut above. I'm sure D'Angelo draws from many other influences, but you can tell he's listened hard to Prince, perfected parts of that sound and taken it in a new direction. Now I wait in hope that Prince makes a D'Angelo sounding album...

Far and away the finest track on the album imho. Back to the Future (I) brings together intelligible lyrics (!), an infectious groove and a compelling narrative of nostalgia for more innocent hedonistic days that can only resonate with fans who have lived the pain of D'Angelo's rocky 14-year hiatus!

2022 still bumping 🔥🔥

Creative freedom is powerful thing!

D' is on some dixieland blues type stuff on this joint. The second part is even more infectious.

this album reminds me of Prince sign of the times

This song has a ragtime feel to it. Back to the way it was

LYRICS Traveling at the speed of light and then At the same time I'm in the same spot too The room was kept in 'Bout the same way you left it With about the threats you mess in attitude Where ya' been with all your grin Until all your friends turn their backs on you Reminiscing over what you've been missing Could be just like cousins kissing That's taboo I just wanna go back, baby Back to the way it was I just wanna go back, baby Back to the way it was I used to get real high, now I But now I'm just gettin' a buzz I wanna go back, baby Back to the way it was If you win, no matter if you lose You got to come back again Pay some dues Back in Richmond, shit ain't changed a bit in Niggas with a little piss in got some attitudes I been wondering if I can love again So if you're wondering about the shape I'm in I hope it ain't my abdomen that you're referring to Seasons may come and your luck just may run out And all that you'll have is some memories, oh Seasons may come and your luck just may run out And all that you'll have is some memories, oh Seasons may come and your luck just may run out And all that you'll have is some memories, oh Seasons may come and your luck just may run out And all that you'll have is some memories, oh Said I just wanna go back, baby Back to the way it was, now, now, now I used to get real high Now I'm just getting' a buzz, now, now, now I said back to the way it was, now, now, now I just wanna go back, baby Back to the way it was, now, now, now I just wanna go back, baby Back to the way it was, now, now, now I used to get real high Now I'm just getting' a buzz, now, now, now Back to the way it was, now, now, now

Damn D'Angelo!! We missed you homie! This shit is a banger!! Quality music as always

Prince would Love this ISH!

The first time I ever heard about Dangelo, I was in New York in a yellow cab, dude was playing the full brown sugar album, from’JKF TO MANHATTEN. It was a trip! I ask the cab driver who that was. That’s how I got aquinted and stuck to his music. He is a genius

The changes and elements to this song is INSAIN !!!!!!!!!!

We all know that D was a disciple of Prince. He was D's biggest influence among others but imagine if you will a collaboration with D and prince. Experimentation is a very sublime thang.

Funky as hell. Play on D'angelo.

This is my favorite song on this entire album! That constant bass riff line is sickening.. d’angelo is 🔥

This gives me that George Clinton Parliament Funkadelic vibe!!!!!!!!!

I found out about D'Angelo about 1 year ago via watching Questlove's Red Bull Music Academy Lecture. I listened to Voodoo hundreds of times since then... I was really sad to learn that D' never followed it up with anything. Figured it'd never happen, then I was browsing the HHH subreddit and saw someone had posted a teaser trailer. This excited me so much! A few laters day it dropped, and I was floored. I really thought that Run The Jewels 2 would be my favorite release of 2014, but this trumped it for me (I'm in a funk/jazz/soul phase right now). I've been listening to this track, 1000 deaths, TuTu, Betray My Heart, Sugah Daddy, and Real Love like crazy. Everyday multiple times a day. So good. Damn bruh. You outdid yourself, D'! :D

..ears and heart ...have been baptised again...lol

If D'angelo can release an album can we finally get Mayweather vs Pacquiao? Or how about a new Outkast album?

02:32 my my feet just instantly took on a mind of their own. The funk is just too much to handle. Slap that bass Pino

I dont think ive ever loved a song as much as this one here

this the kinda album that you wanna listen to and be in the middle of a huge-ass art project!

Almost a decade later, I'm still discovering details that surprise me. The beat is so playful and immaculate.

Why am I so obsessed with this song??

I'm Feeling that P-Funk Bridge

Sounds like his inspiration is from Prince during the Paisley Park era.

This was an album I'd listen when I was driving for Uber.

Just passing through Richmond,Va. Now! coming from NYC I miss home bad newz, va #virginia #jamesriverniggaz #804 #757

"I use to get reall high (on life) now I just get a buzz"

Already LOVING this! He took long enough. But...EXCELLENCE takes time. Worth the wait! From Brown Sugar to Voodoo to THIS! REAL MUSIC!!

Best nu-soul album experience!

This neo-soul is really growing on me

This is one of those albums that stay with you. In your heart,mind,spirit and memory. You just can't wait to get back to hearing it.No matter what I'm doing, one of these songs from this album will pop up in my head. I sometimes try to listen to other albums completely like I do on this album and it feels forced.I always come right back to"Black Messiah".

Dont never forget the Questlove genius poured onto this and all other Soulquarian related artists and musicians 🏆

Song's been ringing in my head for a couple of hours; simply had to come satisfy the itch. Thanks Dee.

Makes me smile. My favorite song on the cd so far.

I still bump this ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

I can't stop listening to this.

brother we miss you!!!

2024 still thumpin

Gentle, gentle, gentle.

Seasons may come but your luck may just run out.....oooohhh

This song gives me Jealousy vibes from Slum Village🤯🤯

shabada shabada doo!

Well, it's been well over a month since the release date and I'm still listening to this album with a mix of songs from voodoo on my playlist, mostly while commuting. I even try switching to mainstream radio to give it a rest but i find myself switching immediately back to d'angelo with a spice of Badu's songs. They get me through the day

I used to get real high. Now I just get a buzz. ...I fucking FEEL that D'Angelo.

Just what I've been MISSING in my life!!!

Finally some real music is back!!!!!

I LOVE YOU FOREVERRRRRR D'ANGELO!

I remember getting Brown Sugar when i was 12. D'angelo's still putting it down all these years later

Back to the way it was... Playing with your friends till the street lights came on, just chillin, before you had to become for real deal grown.

D'Angelo, could you please go back in time and tell everyone that the music industry is grave danger?

Love you baby. Here in May 2024.

I'm feeling the tunes but I don't understand a word he is saying it's like a jazz album to me I'm still a fan tho

2020 anybody?!

You could not have said it any better! He's so true to his music, very hard to find artists like that!

Pino hanging on that one note like a boss and then dropping it for a lower note deeeeezam

Real Music again…… been waiting.

I USED TO GET REAL HIGH...NOW I JUST CATCH A BUZZ...YEAH I WANNA GO BACK. DOPE SHIT!

Love it! Hearing a lot of Bilal in there...which I don't mind at all!

This is my ish 😩

Classic.....

This album was 🔥

Based Action Bronson

Thank you MR. D'Angelo . Heart , Soul, Spirit, Free your Mind music is back. You are a Top Class Act. Finally I can listen to a cd front to back. Much love and respect to you. The tongue is a two edged... it can speak void, however it can speak words of wisdom and calm a soul. I will not say welcome back. You never left. Everything has a time and place. Your time is now. Best wishes. Hope R&B gets it right and recognizes your talent. This is REAL SOUL TRAIN!!!!!!

Fire. Guitar layering, Bass, Vocals

Thank you for Giving US what we've been missing for the longest time! Peace & Blessings!

Back in Richmond.....

Ok, Why do I hear Q-tip in the intro to this song every time? Am I the only one?

"back in RICHMOND shit aint changed a bit then niggaz was a little pissed then got some attitudes ewwww!" it's a virginia thing you wouldn't understand! #virginia

I been going through all my like videos play list on RU-vid and this comes on and I get lost in it like it was my 1st time again...

Whole album is 🔥

I love this song

2:32 to 2:53 purely stunning

This is a masterpiece!

Seasons may come but your luck just may run out And all that you'll have is a memory, oooohhh

Fav Song? Yes.

Luv dis song!!😎🤩🤘🏾✊🏾