U Got It Bad
"U Got It Bad" | ||||
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Atlanta, Georgia) | ||||
Genre | R&B[1][2][3] | |||
Length | 4:07 | |||
Label | ||||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) |
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Usher singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"U Got It Bad" on YouTube |
"U Got It Bad" is a song by American singer Usher. It was released through Arista Records as the second official single from his third studio album 8701 (2001). It was written by Usher, Jermaine Dupri and Bryan-Michael Cox, and produced by Dupri, with Cox credited as co-producer. Released in the United States on August 21, 2001, "U Got It Bad" is an R&B ballad that, according to MTV, incorporates "digi-coustic" guitars, a "slow-burning bass line" and "sex funk" drums. The lyrics notably contain some quick direct allusions to other soul music ballads, mainly Maxwell's "Fortunate" and Prince's "Adore".
"U Got It Bad" was released to generally favorable reviews from critics. It became Usher's third song to top the US
Background and writing
"U Got It Bad" was written by Usher,
The lyrics to the song were, according to Dupri, inspired by a true story after he and Usher had been 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, which prompted 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." This ignited the inspiration for the song, and once Usher had left, Dupri started writing its lyrics, with the notion that it was going to be a big hit. Once Usher had returned to the studio, Dupri shared the story of the song with him.[6]
Composition and release
"U Got It Bad" is an
The Neptunes-produced track, "I Don't Know", was initially intended as the album's second single.[1] Rapper P. Diddy was to direct its music video in Los Angeles in July 2001.[1] The song was receiving radio play prior to the release of 8701's first single "U Remind Me".[8] However, Usher instead released "U Got It Bad" as the album's second single, as it presents his own unique sound, "If you wanna know what a Usher record is, then ["U Got It Bad" is] it," while using both Michael Jackson and Bobby Brown as examples of artists who "solidified" their music through their own unique music.[9] "U Got it Bad" was released as a CD single in the US on December 18, 2001.[10]
Reception
"U Got It Bad" earned generally favorable reviews from music critics. NME called the song 8701's "stand-out track [that] deals with the spectre of first love with passion, honesty and some raw beats."[11] Kelefa Sanneh from The New York Times cited "U Got It Bad" as 2001's "best slow jam, coasting along on a double-time vocal line and a whisper of acoustic guitar."[12] Austin Williams from Vibe noted that "U Got It Bad" "isn't like most begging music that's celebrated. Though it certainly contains the fundamental elements of the subgenre – passionate singing, dramatic declarations of love, and a music video with a grand gesture of desperation – there's a generality to its writing that's preserved its resonance."[13]
"U Got It Bad" was nominated for several prizes, including the 2002 Soul Train Music Award for Best R&B/Soul Single – Male.[14] In 2002, it won the 2002 Teen Choice Love Song award,[15] and in 2003, the song was awarded an ASCAP Award for Publisher of the Year.[16] In 2016, Complex ranked the song number eight on their list of the 25 greatest Usher songs,[17] with editor Edwin Ortiz calling it a "slow-burning ballad meant to top anything Usher had released prior," further writing: "Whereas "Nice & Slow" delivered a slow jam vibe ripe for a late night rendezvous, "U Got It Bad" was the antithesis of an erotic fantasy, with Usher exploring a relationship he can't sensibly appreciate."[17] In 2021, American Songwriter ranked the song number five on their list of the 10 greatest Usher songs.[18]
Chart performance
"U Got It Bad" topped the US
Music video
A music video for "U Got It Bad" was directed by Canadian filmmaker
The visuals for follow-up single "U Don't Have to Call", filmed in February 2002, served as a continuation from "U Got It Bad".[24] At the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards, the video was nominated for Best Male Video and Best R&B Video.[25] It also received a Video of the Year nod at the 2002 BET Awards.[26] In 2018, Little X told Billboard: "This one was a little more personal. I was young and was kind of venting through my own life experience through the song. Usher and I were around the same age, and it was just one of those [videos] that really clicked. I think there was something special about that video, having a really young director with a really young artist making this thing happen together."[27]
The music video on YouTube has received over 305 million views as of May 2024.[28]
Track listing
4:03 | ||||
4. | "U Got It Bad" (Tee's Inhouse Club remix) |
| 6:00 | |
---|---|---|---|---|
5. | "U Got It Bad" (Tee's dub) |
| 6:00 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "U Got It Bad" (radio mix) |
|
| 4:03 |
4. | "U Got It Bad" (Tee's Inhouse Club remix) |
| 6:00 |
Notes
- ^[A] denotes co-producer
Sample credits
- "U Remind Me (remix)" contains samples from "The Message" as performed by Grandmaster Flash.
Charts
Weekly charts
|
Year-end charts
Decade-end charts
All-time chart
|
Certifications and sales
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[66] | 2× Platinum | 140,000‡ |
New Zealand (RMNZ)[67] | Gold | 5,000* |
United Kingdom (BPI)[68] | Platinum | 600,000‡ |
United States (RIAA)[69] Digital |
5× Platinum | 5,000,000‡ |
United States (RIAA)[69] Mastertone |
Gold | 500,000* |
United States (RIAA)[70] Video single |
Gold | 25,000^ |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |
Release history
Region | Date | Format(s) | Label(s) | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
United States | August 21, 2001 |
|
[71] | |
September 18, 2001 | Rhythmic contemporary radio
|
[72] | ||
United Kingdom | October 8, 2001 |
|
[73] | |
Sweden | October 22, 2001 | CD | [74] | |
United States | October 30, 2001 | Contemporary hit radio | [75] | |
Australia | December 3, 2001 | CD | [76] | |
United States | January 18, 2002 | Hot adult contemporary radio
|
[77] |
See also
- List of Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles of 2001
- List of number-one R&B singles of 2001 (U.S.)
References
- ^ Viacom. Retrieved November 7, 2010.
- ^ a b "Top Ten Usher Songs". PopCrush. July 6, 2012. Retrieved August 12, 2013.
- ^ Sony/ATV Music Publishing. Retrieved August 3, 2013.
- ^ a b c 8701 (CD liner). Usher. Arista Records. 2001. 74321 87471 2.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - Complex. Complex Mediaa. Retrieved August 12, 2013.
- ISBN 0823076776. Retrieved August 3, 2013.
- ^ a b c d Anderson, Kyle (September 12, 2010). "Usher Makes The Top Of The Hot 100 Look 'Bad': Wake-Up Video". MTV News. Viacom. Archived from the original on June 28, 2013. Retrieved August 12, 2013.
- ^ Reid, Shaheem (April 18, 2001). "Usher Turns U Into 8701". MTV News. Viacom. Retrieved August 12, 2013.
- ^ "Usher Rolls With 'U Got It Bad' As Next Single". Top40-Charts.com. August 10, 2001. Retrieved August 12, 2013.
- ^ a b "U Got It Bad: Music". Amazon. Retrieved August 12, 2013.
- ^ "Usher: 8701". NME. September 12, 2005. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
- ^ Sanneh, Kelefa (June 17, 2002). "POP REVIEW; Turning the Outdoors Into the House of Usher". The New York Times. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
- ^ Williams, Austin (April 21, 2022). "Singers Just Don't Beg Like Usher On 'U Got It Bad' Anymore". Vibe. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
- QC Times. February 8, 2002. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
- ^ "2002 Teen Choice Award Winners". AllYourTV.com. Archived from the original on April 3, 2007. Retrieved August 13, 2013.
- ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved August 13, 2013.
- ^ a b "The 25 Best Usher Songs". Complex. October 14, 2016. Retrieved March 28, 2022.
- ^ Uitti, Jacob (December 18, 2021). "Top 10 Usher Songs". American Songwriter. Retrieved March 28, 2022.
- ^ ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved August 13, 2013.
- ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved August 12, 2013.
- ^ "Usher's 'U Got It Bad' Sets All-Time 1-Week Audience Chart Record With 149.85 Million Listeners, and Returns to #1". Arista Records through PR Newswire. Retrieved August 12, 2013.
- ^ Reid, Shaheem (October 11, 2001). "Usher Lets Fans Title Upcoming Tour". MTV News. Viacom. Retrieved August 12, 2013.
- ^ a b "9 of Usher's most cinematic music videos". revolt.tv. June 27, 2020.
- MTV.com. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
- ^ "2002 MTV Video Music Award nominees". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved August 13, 2013.
- ^ "Aaliyah Tops BET Awards Nominations". Billboard. May 15, 2002. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
- ^ "Director X Breaks Down His Signature Videos For Rihanna, Drake, Sean Paul and More". Billboard. July 25, 2023.
- ^ Usher - U Got It Bad (Official Video).YouTube
- ^ "Usher – U Got It Bad". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
- ^ "Issue 633" ARIA Top 40 Urban Singles. National Library of Australia. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
- Ultratip.
- ^ "Usher – U Got It Bad" (in French). Ultratop 50.
- ^ "Usher Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs)". Billboard. June 10, 2018.
- ^ "Top Lista Hrvatskog Radija". Croatian Radiotelevision. Archived from the original on February 9, 2002. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
- ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. October 27, 2001. p. 15. Retrieved June 11, 2018.
- Les classement single.
- ^ "Usher – U Got It Bad" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
- ^ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Usher". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 25, 2020.
- ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 44, 2001" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
- ^ "Usher – U Got It Bad" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
- ^ "Usher – U Got It Bad". Top 40 Singles.
- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 10, 2018.
- ^ "Usher – U Got It Bad". Singles Top 100.
- ^ "Usher – U Got It Bad". Swiss Singles Chart.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
- ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 10, 2018.
- ^ "Usher Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
- ^ "Usher Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.
- ^ "Usher Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard.
- ^ "Usher Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard.
- ^ "UK Official Singles Downloads Chart on 16 February 2024". Official Charts. February 16, 2024. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
- ^ "The Official UK Singles Chart 2001" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
- ^ "The Year in Music 2001: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 113, no. 52. December 29, 2001. p. YE-44.
- Airplay Monitor. Vol. 9, no. 51. December 21, 2001. p. 48.
- ^ "ARIA Top 100 Singles for 2002". ARIA. Retrieved June 5, 2021.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – End of Year Charts – Urban Singles 2002". ARIA. Archived from the original on April 15, 2020. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
- ^ "Canada's Top 200 Singles of 2002 (Part 2)". Jam!. January 14, 2003. Archived from the original on September 6, 2004.
- ^ "Swiss Year-End Charts 2002" (in German). Retrieved December 2, 2018.
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- ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs: 2002". Billboard. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
- ^ "Most-Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs of 2002". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 10, no. 51. December 20, 2002. p. 12.
- ^ "Most-Played Rhythmic Top 40 Songs of 2002". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 10, no. 51. December 20, 2002. p. 22.
- ^ "The Year in Music 2002: Hot Top 40 Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 114, no. 52. December 28, 2002. p. YE-97. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
- ^ "The Decade in Music: Hot 100 Songs" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 121, no. 50. December 19, 2009. p. 158. Retrieved June 5, 2021.
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- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2018 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.
- ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Usher – U Got It Bad". Recorded Music NZ.
- ^ "British single certifications – Usher – U Got It Bad". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
- ^ a b "American single certifications – Usher – U Got It Bad". Recording Industry Association of America.
- ^ "American videosingle certifications – Usher – U Don't Have to Call / U Got It Bad". Recording Industry Association of America.
- ^ "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1415. August 17, 2001. p. 56. Retrieved June 5, 2021.
- ^ "Crossover Nation: New Releases - Going For Adds 9/18" (PDF). Hits. September 7, 2001. p. 62. Retrieved January 14, 2024 – via World Radio History.
- ^ "New Releases – For Week Starting October 8, 2001: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. October 6, 2001. p. 31. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
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