"Thinkin' Back" is an R&B and pop song by American music group Color Me Badd from their debut album, C.M.B. (1991). It was released as the fifth single (fourth in North America) in January 1992. The song is about a deteriorating relationship, and while the protagonist's partner did them wrong, they are still lonely, and want to turn back time to go back to when their relationship was in a good place.

"Thinkin' Back"
Single by Color Me Badd
from the album C.M.B.
ReleasedJanuary 22, 1992 (1992-01-22)
Recorded1991
Genre
Length5:21
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Royal Bayyan
  • Hamza Lee
Color Me Badd singles chronology
"Color Me Badd"
(1991)
"Thinkin' Back"
(1992)
"Heartbreaker"
(1992)

"Thinkin' Back" was another successful single, but did not perform as well as its 3 preceding songs (all which were top 2 hits, and performed strongly worldwide). On the US Billboard Hot 100, the song reached number #16 on April 4, 1992, and lasted 20 weeks on the chart. It also peaked at #31 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart lasting 9 weeks on the chart, and #35 in Canada, while not charting anywhere else internationally.

Music Video

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The music video was directed by Marcus Nispel, and was filmed/produced by Portfolio Artists Network. It was shot in black and white, and was edited to coincide with the conceptual theme in the video regarding the passage of time, as each edit aligned with the beats of the music.[1] It received strong recurring play and support on MTV, and to a lesser extent BET, which helped the performance of the song.

Critical reception

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Larry Flick from Billboard wrote, "Those Badd boys show no sign of cooling off, thanks to this lush, R&B-powered ballad. Spotlight is on group's tightly woven harmonies and song's romantic lyrics. Another multiformat hit from the "C.M.B." album."[2]

Track listings

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US Vinyl, 12, Promo"[3]

  • A1 Thinkin' Back (Radio Edit) 3:49
  • A2 Thinkin' Back (XXX Version) 4:39
  • B1 Thinkin' Back (Album Version) 5:22
  • B2 Thinkin' Back (A Cappella) 5:22

US Vinyl, 7"[4]

  • 1 Thinkin' Back (Album Version) 5:23
  • 2 Thinkin' Back (XXX Version) 4:39

US CD, Single, Promo"[5]

  • 1 Thinkin' Back (Radio Edit) 3:49
  • 2 Thinkin' Back (XXX Version) 4:39
  • 3 Thinkin' Back (More Radio Edit) 3:44

US CD, Single, Promo"[6]

  • 1 Thinkin' Back (Edited Master) 3:56
  • 2 Thinkin' Back (A Cappella) 4:08
  • 3 Thinkin' Back (Album Version) 5:26
  • 4 Thinkin' Back (Pop Mix With Piano) 6:54

US Cassette, Single"[7][8]

  • A Thinkin' Back (Album Version) 5:22
  • B Thinkin' Back (XXX Version) 4:39

Personnel

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  • Producer – Hamza Lee, Royal Bayyan
  • Written-By – Color Me Badd, Hamza Lee, Troy Taylor (9)(10)[9][10]

Charts

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References

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  1. ^ "Video Track: Los Angeles" (PDF). Billboard Magazine. February 15, 1992. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
  2. ^ "Single Reviews: Pop" (PDF). Billboard. January 18, 1992. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
  3. ^ Thinkin' Back (United States 12 Vinyl liner notes). Color Me Badd. Giant Records. 1992. PRO-A-5169.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  4. ^ Thinkin' Back (United States 7 Vinyl liner notes). Color Me Badd. Giant Records. 1992. 7-19074.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  5. ^ Thinkin' Back (United States CD Single Promo liner notes). Color Me Badd. Giant Records. 1992. PRO-CD-5403.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  6. ^ Thinkin' Back (United States CD Single Promo liner notes). Color Me Badd. Giant Records. 1992. PRO-CD-5169.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  7. ^ Thinkin' Back (United States Cassette Single liner notes). Color Me Badd. Giant Records. 1992. 9 19074-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  8. ^ Thinkin' Back (United States Cassette Single liner notes). Color Me Badd. Giant Records. 1992. 4 19074-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  9. ^ Thinkin' Back (United States Cassette Single liner notes). Color Me Badd. Giant Records. 1992. 9 19074-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  10. ^ Thinkin' Back (United States Cassette Single liner notes). Color Me Badd. Giant Records. 1992. 4 19074-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  11. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 2090." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved September 30th, 2020.
  12. ^ "Color Me Badd Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 30th, 2020.
  13. ^ "Color Me Badd Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 30th, 2020.
  14. ^ "The Year in Music: Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Billboard. December 26, 1992. p. YE-20.