Have You Ever?

Album: Never Say Never (1998)
Charted: 13 1
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • In this song, a heartbroken Brandy is devastated after losing the guy she thought was the one. She's not likely to get over it anytime soon, still hoping he comes back.
  • Brandy was just 19 when this song was released, but it comes off very adult, as what she's singing about is far more than puppy love. Musically, the song is also very mature, with a smooth mid-tempo groove.

    The song was written by Diane Warren and produced by David Foster, both veteran tunesmiths with a long track record of hits. Warren had written hits for older artists like Cher and Bette Midler, but also for newcomers like Shanice and LeAnn Rimes. Foster's clients include Whitney Houston, Barbra Streisand and Chicago.
  • On Soul Tracks Brandy recalls: "That was the first time I had been in the studio with a producer like David Foster. My voice wasn't as developed as it is now and the song required what producers call 'money notes' - the kind that get you a #1 on the charts! I was really nervous but it all worked just fine."
  • The first single from Brandy's second album, Never Say Never, was her lighthearted duet with Monica, "The Boy Is Mine," which stayed at #1 in America for 13 weeks in the summer of 1998. "Have You Ever?" was her follow-up, and it also climbed to the top, staying for two weeks in January 1999.
  • In 2007 this was covered by Irish boy band Westlife on their album Back Home.

Comments: 2

  • Ernest from TanzaniaI like it
  • Jerry from LagosAh I love Brandy
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Stan Ridgway

Stan RidgwaySongwriter Interviews

Go beyond the Wall of Voodoo with this cinematic songwriter.

Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of Wayne

Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of WayneSongwriter Interviews

The guy who brought us "Stacy's Mom" also wrote the Jane Lynch Emmy song and Stephen Colbert's Christmas songs.

Goodbye, Hello: Ten Farewell Tour Fake-Outs

Goodbye, Hello: Ten Farewell Tour Fake-OutsSong Writing

The 10 biggest "retirement tours" that didn't take.

Yoko Ono

Yoko OnoSongwriter Interviews

At 80 years old, Yoko has 10 #1 Dance hits. She discusses some of her songs and explains what inspired John Lennon's return to music in 1980.

Intentionally Atrocious

Intentionally AtrociousSong Writing

A selection of songs made to be terrible - some clearly achieved that goal.

Gentle Giant

Gentle GiantSongwriter Interviews

An interview with Ray and Derek Shulman of the progressive rock band Gentle Giant to discuss counterpoint, polyrhythms, and... Bon Jovi.