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).
Looking 4 Myself
Usher Lyrics
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Counting every step (step, step)
Hoping that the next one
Brings me closer to the man I was
'Cause I was way better
Maybe it's because
We were together
And I still can't find me
That's right, I'm looking for myself
Who am I, someone remind me
I'm looking for myself
All my life I'm searching
I said I'm looking for myself
And somehow I ran right into
You (looking for myself)
You (I, I I, I I I)
You (looking for myself)
And somehow I ran right into you
Escapin' on the tightrope
Trying not to fall
If I don't keep my balance
I know, I will lose it all
I, I should have known better, yeah
And it's all my fault, yeah
That we're not together
I said I'm looking for myself (for myself)
And I still can't find me
That's right, I'm looking for myself (for myself, yeah)
Who am I, someone remind me
I'm looking for myself
All my life I'm searching
I said I'm looking for myself (looking)
And somehow I ran right into
You (looking for myself)
You (I, I I, I I I) (?)
You (looking for myself) hey, yeah
And somehow I ran right into you, girl
I was on a journey
Tryin' to figure out who I really was
Then I realized that
When you're not here
Half of me is gone
So in order for me to find me
I had to find you, you know
(You) and I got a funny feeling that
You want more, you are (you)
Unless you find me (you)
It's like, you look in the mirror
And you see the person that you truly love
I said I'm looking for myself (I'm looking)
And I still can't find me (still, can't, who am I)
That's right, I'm looking for myself (said I'm looking)
Who am I, someone remind me
I'm looking for myself (looking)
All my life I'm searching (searching for myself)
I said I'm looking for myself
And somehow I ran right into (turn the lights on)
You (looking for myself)
You (I, I I, I I I)
You (looking for myself) hey, yeah
And somehow I ran right into you, girl
You, (hey, looking for myself)
You (I, I I, I I I, looking)
You (looking for myself) hey, yeah
And somehow I ran right into you
The lyrics to Usher featuring Luke Steele's song "Looking 4 Myself" speak to the journey of self-discovery and the role that relationships can play in that process. The singer is walking with his head down and counting every step, hoping that each one will bring him closer to the person he used to be, the "way better" version of himself that he believes he once was. He reflects on the fact that he and his partner are no longer together and wonders if that might be the reason that he feels lost and is struggling to find himself. He admits that he still can't find himself, and is looking for someone to remind him of who he is. Suddenly, he runs into a woman, and the song suggests that this encounter might be the key to him finding himself again.
The song talks about the singer's attempts to stay balanced on a "tightrope" and avoid falling, both physically and emotionally. He acknowledges that he should have known better than to let his relationship with his partner fall apart, and that it's his fault that they aren't together anymore. Despite this, he still feels that he is searching for something -- himself -- and that he needs help in finding it. He believes that he has to find the woman he has just met in order to find himself again.
Ultimately, the song is about the transformative power of human connection, and the ways in which relationships can help us to find ourselves. The singer's journey of self-discovery is not a solitary one; rather, it is intimately tied to the people he meets along the way. The song suggests that sometimes, in order to find ourselves, we need to lose ourselves in others.
Line by Line Meaning
Walking with my head down
Feeling lost and low
Counting every step
Trying to measure progress
Hoping that the next one
Anticipating a positive change
Brings me closer to the man I was
Helping me become the person I once was
'Cause I was way better
Because I used to be a better version of myself
Maybe it's because
Perhaps the reason behind my struggle is that
We were together
I miss being with someone who made me feel good about myself
I said I'm looking for myself
I feel lost and confused about my identity
And I still can't find me
My search has been unsuccessful so far
That's right, I'm looking for myself
I am on a journey to discover who I truly am
Who am I, someone remind me
I need help in rediscovering my identity
All my life I'm searching
This has been a lifelong journey
And somehow I ran right into
Unexpectedly, I found
You
You, the person who brings me happiness and comfort
(Looking for myself)
I, I I, I I I
And somehow I ran right into you
Meeting you was the happy accident I needed
Escapin' on the tightrope
Feeling like I'm walking a fine line
Trying not to fall
Trying to avoid hitting rock bottom
If I don't keep my balance
If I don't stay focused
I know, I will lose it all
I am at risk of losing everything
I, I should have known better
I regret choices that led me here
And it's all my fault
I take full responsibility for my situation
I was on a journey,
I've been on a personal quest
Tryin' to figure out who I really was
Trying to understand my true self
Then I realized that,
I had an epiphany
When you're not here,
Without you in my life
Half of me is gone
A huge part of me is missing
So in order for me to find me,
I need to be with you to find myself
I had to find you
Reconnecting with you was necessary for my journey of self-discovery
You know
(You)
And I got a funny feeling that
I have a strong intuition that
You want more, you are
You are the missing piece I need to feel complete
Unless you find me
I need to be found by you
It's like, you look in the mirror
It's like when you look in the mirror
And you see the person that you truly love
You see the person who makes you feel complete
Hey, looking for myself
And somehow I ran right into you
Connecting with you was the perfect accident on my path of self-discovery
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Richard Butler, Eric Goudy, Earl Hood, Pierre Medor
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind