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).
I Don't Know
Usher Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All my niggas, take a walk with me
You ain't gotta holla, you can talk with me
Just try to learn where my thoughts can be and how I stack figures
Learn why I'm real, still that nigga
I get money, I ain't gotta do a crime
Shit, I hit dimes, what I need with a nine
We got nothing but heat here, beware, we here
What's my name? Got chicks twisted, like, what's my game?
Pimp things still the same
I smash it, I don't harass it
Ma, I'm a baller, I score and pass it
Feel me, still be filthy
If making hits is a crime, I plead guilty
And this is what we came to do
Party, Diddy, Usher, game is through, come on
It's right around eleven o'clock
One of your girls just called
Asked you how you look, are you ready?
You tell her you look hot
Not to worry at all
Niggas will be shook, y'all doing it heavy
She's telling you she might change
But you tell her not to
She know that she looks stunning, it'll be fun
The club will be full of game
But none of that has got you
Me, I think you're running 'cause I'm the one
You see
I don't know what you came to do, girl
What you came to do tonight
But I came to party oh
I don't know what you came to do, girl
What you came to do tonight
But I came to party
You're probably thinking to yourself, what's the occasion?
And believe me, girl, I don't do sex for fun
The perfect gentleman in every situation
And the only thing that's missing is the one
Is it you?
I don't know what you came to do, girl
What you came to do tonight
But I came to party
I don't know what you came to do, girl
What you came to do tonight
But I came to party
Sing it (la, la, la)
Ghetto girls (la, la, la)
Suburban girls (la, la, la)
International girls, you smell me? (la, la, la, la)
(La, la, la)
Ghetto girls (la, la, la)
Suburban girls (la, la, la)
International girls, you smell me? (la, la, la, la)
Had to take the time
To open up your mind
That's exactly what you are: open
You got the mesmerizing grind
Your shape should be a crime
Damn baby you're a star, you're smoking
You're probably thinking to yourself, what's the occasion?
And believe me, girl, I don't do sex for fun
The perfect gentleman in every situation
And the only thing that's missing is the one
Is it you?
I don't know what you came to do, girl
What you came to do tonight (what you came to do)
But I came to party
I don't know what you came to do, girl
What you came to do tonight
But I came to party
Sing it (la, la, la)
Ghetto girls (la, la, la)
Suburban girls (la, la, la)
International girls, you smell me? (la, la, la, la)
(La, la, la)
Ghetto girls (la, la, la)
Suburban girls (la, la, la)
International girls, you smell me? (la, la, la, la)
It's real serious
You're so fine, girl
At the end of the day, I'm going home with you
I don't know what you came to do, girl
What you came to do tonight (you're so fine, girl)
But I came to party (at the end of the day, I'm going home with you)
In "I Don't Know" by Usher, the artist encourages his listeners to walk with him as he takes them through his thoughts and how he stacks his money without having to engage in criminal activities. He urges people to learn about him first before judging him and acknowledges that he is good at picking up women but cannot see the reason why he should use a gun. In the second verse, Usher focuses on a woman who is getting ready to go out to the club with her friends. He tells her not to change cause she looks stunning; the club will be filled with guys that want to talk to her but she should know that she's running away from him since he's the one who she needs to be with. He further emphasizes that he doesn't know what she came there to do, but he came to party.
This song is essentially about having fun and enjoying life, as shown in the chorus "I don't know what you came to do, girl, but I came to party." It celebrates living in the moment and letting go of inhibitions.
Line by Line Meaning
Check this out, yeah yeah
Listen closely, pay attention
All my niggas, take a walk with me
My close friends, join me
You ain't gotta holla, you can talk with me
No need for calling out, we can just have a conversation
Just try to learn where my thoughts can be and how I stack figures
Understand my mindset and financial status
Learn why I'm real, still that nigga
Learn why I am authentic and still successful
I get money, I ain't gotta do a crime
I earn without resorting to illegal activities
Shit, I hit dimes, what I need with a nine
I date beautiful women, no need for a gun
Before y'all judge me, be clear
Don't make assumptions, understand me first
We got nothing but heat here, beware, we here
Our group has only talented people, be cautious, we are present
What's my name? Got chicks twisted, like, what's my game?
What is my identity? Confusing women to question my intentions
Pimp things still the same
My style and attitude have not changed
I smash it, I don't harass it
I engage in consensual sexual activity without force
Ma, I'm a baller, I score and pass it
I am skilled in basketball and share my success with others
Feel me, still be filthy
Understand me, I am still rich and successful
If making hits is a crime, I plead guilty
I acknowledge my success in creating popular music
And this is what we came to do
Our objective is to party
Party, Diddy, Usher, game is through, come on
Let's celebrate with music, featuring Diddy and Usher
It's right around eleven o'clock
It's close to 11 PM
One of your girls just called
One of your female friends just contacted you
Asked you how you look, are you ready?
Inquired about your appearance, preparedness
You tell her you look hot
You respond that you look attractive
Not to worry at all
Don't be concerned
Niggas will be shook, y'all doing it heavy
Men will feel intimidated, you are doing it big
She's telling you she might change
She is considering changing her appearance
But you tell her not to
You advise her not to change
She know that she looks stunning, it'll be fun
She already knows she is beautiful and it will be enjoyable
The club will be full of game
The nightclub will be full of competition for attention
But none of that has got you
You are not concerned about other men trying to impress her
Me, I think you're running 'cause I'm the one
I think you are interested in me and avoiding other men
It's real serious
The situation is important
You're so fine, girl
You are incredibly beautiful
At the end of the day, I'm going home with you
I expect to leave with you as my companion
You're probably thinking to yourself, what's the occasion?
You may be wondering why we are here
And believe me, girl, I don't do sex for fun
I do not engage in sexual activity without meaning or commitment
The perfect gentleman in every situation
I act appropriately and respectfully in all situations
And the only thing that's missing is the one
The only thing missing is the right partner for me
Is it you?
Are you the one for me?
Sing it (la, la, la)
Sing along with me
Ghetto girls (la, la, la)
Girls from urban areas
Suburban girls (la, la, la)
Girls from residential areas outside of urban centers
International girls, you smell me? (la, la, la, la)
Girls from different countries, do you understand me?
Had to take the time
It was necessary to pause
To open up your mind
To encourage you to be open-minded
That's exactly what you are: open
You are receptive and accepting
You got the mesmerizing grind
Your dance moves are captivating
Your shape should be a crime
Your physique is stunning
Damn baby you're a star, you're smoking
You are extraordinary and attractive
Sing it (la, la, la)
Sing along with me
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Chad Hugo, Faith Renee Evans, Pharrell L. Williams
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind