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U Got It Bad

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"U Got It Bad"
Song

"U Got It Bad" is a 2001 single from Usher's 2001 album 8701. It was the second US single from the album and the third international single, reaching number 1 on the United States Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart, and reaching the top 5 in the United Kingdom and Australia.

The song was produced by Jermaine Dupri and co-produced by Bryan-Michael Cox. The Soulpower remix, which incorporated some 2-step garage elements, received significantly more airplay than the Dupri-produced version in some territories. The lyrics notably contain some quick direct allusions to other soul music ballads, mainly Maxwell's "Fortunate", and Prince's "Adore".

The song is listed at #99 on the Billboard: All-Time Hot 100 Top Songs [14], which is compiled by sales data. It was also named the 15th most successful song from 2000 to 2009, on the Billboard Hot 100 Songs of the Decade.[1]

Background and writing

The lyrics to the song were inspired by a true story. According to Jermaine Dupri, he and Usher were in the studio trying to record some music for the album, but Usher was continually distracted by a girl he had brought into the studio. Following an argument, the girl left. A while later, they started on talking on the phone, prompting Dupri to kick Usher out of the studio telling him, “We’re going to do this [session] later on. You got it completely too bad right now. You got it bad.” After Usher left, Dupri started writing the lyrics to the song, knowing it was going to be a big hit. Once Usher had returned to the studio, Dupri shared the story of the song with him.[2] "I knew the record would be successful," Usher said, "but I never knew it would do what it's done for me. Me and Jermaine [Dupri] make hit records together. I found my niche. He was there to listen and catch that record right on time."[3]

Composition and theme

“U Got It Bad” is a slow jam,[4] combining R&B and ballad genres. It is composed in the key of B minor.[5] Bryan-Michael Cox worked on the melody, initiating the track musically, while Dupri wrote the lyrics and developed the production concept.[6]

The song mirrors the feeling of longing and desire that people go through when they’re in a relationship, specifically, how a love jones can change a person’s life.[7] Like most Usher songs, this song is constructed in the traditional verse-chorus form. The song starts with Usher crooning, setting the heartfelt tone that resonates in the music, readying the audience for the first verse, before progressing to the chorus. Following the chorus is the second verse and bridge, before the chorus is sung again.

The lyrics "Fortunate to have you girl.." sung in the second verse quote and follow the melody of Neo-soul singer Maxwell's 1999 song 'Fortunate'. [8]

Release

The Neptunes produced track, "I Don’t Know," was initially supposed to be the second single from the album. However, Usher felt that he needed to release "U Got It Bad" saying, “If you wanna know what a Usher record is, then ["U Got It Bad" is] it,” before adding, “I have my own sound now after this record.”[9] Thus, "U Got It Bad" was released as the second single from the album on September 4, 2001.

Reception

Critical reviews and awards

“U Got It Bad” received universal praise from critics and fans alike. Usher described the song as perhaps the biggest fan favorite on his album, 8701.[10] The release of the song prompted even more fans to buy his album, as 8701 rose from #23 to #8 on the Billboard 200 during a 3 week span following the release of the record.[11]

The song won the 2002 Teen Choice Love Song award.[12]

Chart performance

The single hit number one on December 15, 2001 but remained for only one week after being temporarily replaced by Nickelback's "How You Remind Me". "U Got It Bad" then returned to the number one spot on January 19, 2002 and spent five more weeks at the top of the chart. The only solo male artist to top the Hot 100 in 2001, Usher accomplished the feat twice with "U Remind Me" and "U Got It Bad’s" ascensions to the top of the charts. Popular demand for the record allowed for U Got It Bad to set the all-time record on the Billboard Hot 100 Audience Chart with 149,858,700 listeners for the week of January 8.[13]

Music Video

The music video for "U Got It Bad" was directed by Little X, who later also directed Usher's smash hit Yeah!. TLC's Chilli played the female lead, sparking rumors of a real life relationship between the two.

The video starts with Usher tossing and turning in bed, troubled by the thought of his ex-girlfriend. After awakening, he turns on the TV, only to see his ex on every station. The video proceeds to introduce flashbacks of happier times between the two, suggesting that he still longs for his ex. In his desperation to find her, he braves the rain, bursting into her trailer to apologize to and reconcile with her. However, this is revealed to be his imagination, and instead of opening the door of the trailer, he walks away ashamed. Disgusted, he makes his way home and lays in his bed, alone.

Impact

The popularity and success of this song, propelled Usher to the forefront of the music industry after a 2 year hiatus. Once thought to be washed up,[14] Usher instead developed into a superstar, creating his own unique, identifiable sound. This monumental achievement paved the way for the success of his smash hit album Confessions. Phillip Phillips performed this song on American Idol on April 18,2012.

Track listings

UK CD: 1

  1. "U Got It Bad" (Radio Mix)
  2. "U Remind Me" (Remix - Featuring Method Man & Blu Cantrell)
  3. "U R the One" (Radio Mix)
  4. "U Got It Bad" (CD-Rom Video)

UK CD: 2

  1. "U Got It Bad" (Soulpower Remix)
  2. "U Got It Bad" (Tee's UK R&B Remix)
  3. "U Got It Bad" (Tee's Latin Radio Remix)
  4. "U Got It Bad" (Tee's Dub Remix)

Charts

Chart procession and succession

Preceded by Billboard Hot 100 number one single (first run)
December 15, 2001 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
"How You Remind Me" by Nickelback
 Billboard Hot 100 number one single (second run)
January 19, 2002 – February 16, 2002 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
"Family Affair" by Mary J. Blige
 Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs number one single
November 17, 2001 – December 29, 2001

References

  1. ^ Hot 100 Decade Songs
  2. ^ [1]
  3. ^ [2]
  4. ^ [3]
  5. ^ [4]
  6. ^ [5]
  7. ^ [6]
  8. ^ [7]
  9. ^ [8]
  10. ^ [9]
  11. ^ [10]
  12. ^ [11]
  13. ^ [12]
  14. ^ [13]
  15. ^ "Usher – U Got It Bad". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  16. ^ "Usher – U Got It Bad" (in French). Les classement single.
  17. ^ "Usher – U Got It Bad" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  18. ^ "Usher – U Got It Bad". Top 40 Singles.
  19. ^ "Usher – U Got It Bad". Singles Top 100.
  20. ^ "Usher – U Got It Bad". Swiss Singles Chart.
  21. ^ "Usher: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
  22. ^ "Usher Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  23. ^ "Usher Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.
  24. ^ http://www.billboard.com/specials/hot100/charts/top100-titles-00.shtml
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