Usher Raymond IV (born October 14, 1978 in Chattanooga, Tennessee), known s… Read Full Bio ↴Usher Raymond IV (born October 14, 1978 in Chattanooga, Tennessee), known simply as Usher, is a Grammy Award winning American R&B singer-songwriter, producer and actor. He rose to fame in the late 90s, releasing the multi-platinum albums My Way and 8701. His success continued with the release of his 2004 album, Confessions, which has sold over 20 million copies worldwide, and earned Usher four American Music Awards and eight Grammy nominations. To date, he has sold approximately 40 million albums worldwide and has won five Grammy Awards. He released his debut album in 1994 and has since released 1997's My Way, 2001's 8701, 2004's Confessions and 2008's Here I Stand. His sixth studio album, Raymond v. Raymond, was released March 2010.

In 1990 Usher joined an R&B local quintet called the NuBeginnings, which was organized by local music svengali, Darryl Wheeler and then he decided to pursue a career in music. Aside from recording, Usher has ventured into business. He has established his own record label, US Records, and is a part owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers franchise. He has also dabbled in acting, with a recurring role on the teen sitcom Moesha, and roles in the films The Faculty (1998, with Josh Harnett) She's All That (1999, with Freddie Prinze, Jr.) and Texas Rangers (2001, with Ashton Kutcher).

His Mistake
Usher Lyrics

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Do I remind you of the pain
That he put you through, girl?
Is that the reason I'm to blame
Before I do it?

Is it because he, treated you badly
I always stand accused?
Protecting yourself, from somebody else

I'm not who's hurting you, girl

And it's killing me girl knowing you compare me to him
Always guilty before the sin
I can't win, I can't win no
I'll do anything to prove I love you
Baby girl but I refuse to
Pay for something I didn't do
I love you, girl
But I refuse to stay
Paying for his mistakes

He left a scar across your heart
I understand, girl
Don't let his wrongs tear us apart
'Cause girl, I'm your man

Just because he did
You swear I'm cheating
You think I just don't care
Why must I do time
For another man's crime
Girl, you know that ain't fair

And it's killing me girl knowing you compare me to him
Always guilty before the sin
I can't win, I can't win no
I'll do anything to prove I love you
Baby girl, but I refuse to
Pay for something I didn't do
I love you, girl
But I refuse to stay
Paying for his mistakes

I know he did you wrong
But tell me what does that have to do with me
Trying to show you something real
Figure out what is going on
Before you look up and I'll be gone

I'll do anything to prove I love you
Baby girl, but I refuse
To pay for something I didn't do, girl
I love you, and I love you I love you

I'll do anything to prove I love you
Baby girl, but I refuse
To pay for something I didn't do, no
I love you, girl

But I refuse to stay
Paying for his mistakes

Overall Meaning

In Usher's song "His Mistake," the singer speaks to a woman he is in love with who has been hurt by her past relationship. He asks her if he reminds her of the pain her ex-partner put her through and if that's why he's being blamed for everything he hasn't done. Usher acknowledges that the woman is protecting herself from someone else and that he is not the one hurting her. He expresses that he feels like he's being compared to her ex and is always guilty before he even does anything wrong, making it impossible for him to win her love.

Although Usher understands that her ex-partner left a scar on her heart and he promises to do anything to show her that he loves her, he refuses to pay for something he didn't do. He states that just because her ex treated her badly, it doesn't mean that he is cheating or that he doesn't care; and it's not fair that he has to do the time for another man's crime.

In the end, Usher tells the woman that he loves her and is willing to prove it in any way possible. However, he refuses to continue paying for her ex's mistakes and asks her to figure out what's going on before it's too late.

Line by Line Meaning

Do I remind you of the pain
Am I bringing up memories of his hurtful actions

That he put you through, girl
The things he did to you, my dear

Is that the reason I'm to blame
Am I at fault for his wrongdoings?

Before I do it...
Before I even make a mistake...

He left a scar across your heart
His actions caused emotional pain for you

I understand, girl
I comprehend your pain

Don't let his wrongs tear us apart
Don't let his actions affect our relationship

Cause girl I'm your man
I'm the one who's here for you

Just because he did
Simply because he committed those actions

You swear I'm cheating
You accuse me of infidelity

You think I just don't care
You believe I am indifferent to your feelings

Why must I do time
Why should I be punished

For another man's crime
For someone else's wrongdoing

Girl you know that ain't fair
You know that it's unjust

I know he did you wrong
I acknowledge his mistreatment of you

But tell me what does that have to do with me
But how does that involve me?

Trying to show you something real
I'm attempting to demonstrate genuine love

Figure out what is going on
Come to an understanding of the situation

Before you look up and I'll be gone...
Before I leave and it's too late for us

Baby girl but I refuse to
I won't

Pay for something I didn't do, girl
Be held accountable for actions I didn't commit

I love you, and I love you I love you
I love you, I truly love you

But I refuse to stay
I won't continue

Paying for his mistakes
Being punished for what he did

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Mikkel Eriksen, Tor Erik Hermansen, Usher Raymond, Shaffer Smith

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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