"U Don't Know Me (Like U Used To)" is a song by American recording artist

Brandy Norwood Brandy Rayana Norwood (born February 11, 1979), better known by her mononym Brandy, is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, actress and model. She is known for her distinctive sound, characterized by her peculiar timbre, voice-layer ...

. It was written by Isaac Phillips, Paris Davis, Sean Bryant,

Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins Rodney Roy Jerkins (born July 29, 1977), 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. Jerkins has won multiple Grammy Awards. Among hi ...

, and Norwood for her second studio album '' Never Say Never'' (1998). Production was handled by Jerkins, with additional production from Norwood. 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 The Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart ranks the most popular R&B and hip hop songs in the United States and is published weekly by '' Billboard''. Rankings are based on a measure of radio airplay, sales data, and streaming activity. The chart had 100 ...

, also reaching the top 20 of the UK Dance and

UK R&B The UK Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart and the UK Hip Hop and R&B Albums Chart (also known as The Official UK Hip Hop and R&B Charts, the Top 40 Hip Hop and RnB Singles and the Top 40 Hip Hop and RnB Albums, or simply the UK Urban Chart) are 40-posi ...

charts. A remix version of the track featuring female rappers Shaunta and

Da Brat Shawntae Harris-Dupart (born April 14, 1974), 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 '' Fun ...

was accompanied by a remix EP entitled '' U Don't Know Me... Like U Used to – The Remix EP'' and a second

music video A music video is a video of variable duration, that integrates a music song or a music album with imagery that is produced for promotional or musical artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a music marketing devic ...

, directed by Martin Weisz, featuring alternative visuals.

Critical reception

Billboard A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large adverti ...

'' 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 "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, ...

," citing it "hypnotic," and found that her "rougher-than-usual vocals styles at times even sound like Mary J. Blige." Da’Shan Smith from ''

Revolt Rebellion, uprising, or insurrection is a refusal of obedience or order. It refers to the open resistance against the orders of an established authority. A rebellion originates from a sentiment of indignation and disapproval of a situation and ...

'' 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."

Music video

A music video for "U Don't Know Me (Like U Used To)" was filmed by German director Martin Weisz. A ''

Matrix Matrix most commonly refers to: * ''The Matrix'' (franchise), an American media franchise ** '' The Matrix'', a 1999 science-fiction action film ** "The Matrix", a fictional setting, a virtual reality environment, within ''The Matrix'' (franchi ...

''-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. 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.

Track listings

Credits and personnel

Credits lifted from the album's liner notes. * Brandy Norwood – writing, lead vocals, additional production *

Rodney Jerkins Rodney Roy Jerkins (born July 29, 1977), 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. Jerkins has won multiple Grammy Awards. Among hi ...

– writing, all music, production * Sean Bryant – writing * Paris Davis – writing * Isaac Phillips – writing *

LaShawn Daniels LaShawn Ameen Daniels (December 28, 1977 – September 3, 2019) was an American songwriter, vocal producer and arranger known for his songwriting credits on songs by artists such as Brandy, Lady Gaga, Beyoncé, Destiny’s Child, Michael Jackso ...

– recording * Brad Gilderman – recording * Victor McCoy – recording * Dexter Simmons – mixing

Charts

Release history

References

{{Authority control 1998 songs 1999 singles Atlantic Records singles Brandy Norwood songs Song recordings produced by Rodney Jerkins Songs written by Brandy Norwood Songs written by Rodney Jerkins