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).
Next Contestant
Usher Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You got every man you pass by
Trying to holla at you
Baby, you ain't even choosing
And that's just what I like about you
You're interesting
I want to be your next contestant
'Cause I know it takes much more
Than what's your sign or damn you're fine
Look like you havin a good time, baby
(I'm not gon' let you leave me standing here)
Wondering what it would have been like if
I'da said it ain't a thang
But first I gotta know your name
She said I gotta play the game (the game)
If I wanna be the next contestant
(contestant)
She can point me in the right direction
Now she got me so interested
(got me so interested)
Guess I gotta play the game
If I wanna be the next contestant
(next contestant)
Ooh baby, I'ma come on down
Baby, you're a star tonight 'cause you
Got a smile that's so incredible
Plus you doing everything I like
And lady, you know I'm your type
I should be the one you're next to
Ooh I want you
Know you see it girl, don't fight it, no
(So I'ma tell you what you wanna hear)
Girl I know it takes much more
Than what's your sign or damn you're fine
Look like you having a good time, baby
(I'm not gon' let you leave me standing here)
Wondering what it would have been like if
I'da said it ain't a thang
But first I gotta know your name
She said I gotta play the game (the game)
If I wanna be the next contestant
(contestant)
She can point me in the right direction
Now she got me so interested
(got me so interested)
Guess I gotta play the game
If I wanna be the next contestant
(next contestant)
Ooh baby, I'ma come on down
(It's my turn at the wheel to spin
And I know you looking at
Me wondering what's my bid, baby)
I was thinking we could chop it up
And later on we can run away, yea yeah
(So interested, who will she pick
I gotta be the one to win)
But in order to get her name
And let the info exchange
She said I gotta play the game
If I wanna be the next contestant
(contestant)
She can point me in the right direction
Now she got me so interested
(got me so interested)
Guess I gotta play the game
If I wanna be the next contestant
(next contestant)
Ooh baby, I'ma come on down
The lyrics of Usher's song "Next Contestant" convey the singer's fascination with a woman who has caught his attention. He admires her ability to attract the attention of every man she passes by, but he appreciates that she isn't easily swayed by their advances. He finds her captivating and desires to become her next romantic partner.
Usher acknowledges that simply complementing her appearance or making small talk won't be enough to win her over. He understands that he must go beyond superficial gestures and truly get to know her. He doesn't want to be left wondering what could have been if he had taken a chance. However, he realizes that the woman expects him to prove himself by playing the "game" of romantic pursuit.
The singer believes that the woman he desires is a shining star, mentioning her incredible smile and the fact that she embodies all his preferences. He firmly believes that he should be the one standing next to her. Usher acknowledges the woman's hesitations but urges her to embrace their connection instead of fighting it. He insists that he genuinely sees her as someone special and wants to be with her.
Usher imagines engaging in a deeper conversation with her and eventually running away together. He desires to win her over and impress her enough to exchange personal information. Usher is willing to play the "game" she expects as he sees her as the ultimate prize. He acknowledges that to become the next contestant and secure her affection, he must follow her rules and take part in the romantic pursuit.
Overall, the lyrics of "Next Contestant" express Usher's infatuation with a captivating woman and his willingness to play the game of love to win her over and be by her side.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby, look what you doing
I've noticed how you're captivating everyone's attention
You got every man you pass by
Every man tries to get your attention when you walk by
Trying to holla at you
They attempt to impress you and catch your interest
Baby, you ain't even choosing
But you haven't yet picked anyone
And that's just what I like about you
That's what I find intriguing and appealing about you
You're interesting
You have a fascinating personality
I want to be your next contestant
I desire to be the one you choose to pursue a relationship with
(So I'ma tell you want you wanna hear)
I will say whatever you want me to say
'Cause I know it takes much more
Because I understand that it requires more than just superficial qualities
Than what's your sign or damn you're fine
Than asking about your zodiac sign or complimenting your appearance
Look like you havin a good time, baby
Seems like you're enjoying yourself
(I'm not gon' let you leave me standing here)
I won't allow you to go without giving me a chance
Wondering what it would have been like if
Thinking about how things would have turned out if
I'da said it ain't a thang
I had dismissed the situation
But first I gotta know your name
But first, I need to know your name
She said I gotta play the game (the game)
You told me I have to go through the process of pursuing you
She can point me in the right direction
You can guide me on how to approach you
Now she got me so interested
Now I'm deeply intrigued by you
Guess I gotta play the game
I suppose I have to participate in this pursuit
Ooh baby, I'ma come on down
I'm willing to take a chance and join the competition for your affection
Baby, you're a star tonight 'cause you
Tonight, you're the center of attention because
Got a smile that's so incredible
Your smile is extremely captivating
Plus you doing everything I like
Additionally, you engage in activities that I find appealing
And lady, you know I'm your type
And you're aware that I fit your preferences
I should be the one you're next to
I believe I should be the person you choose to be close to
Ooh I want you
Oh, I desire to have you
Know you see it girl, don't fight it, no
I know you recognize the connection between us, so don't resist it
(So I'ma tell you what you wanna hear)
I will say things that will please you
Girl I know it takes much more
I understand that it requires more than just surface-level qualities
Than what's your sign or damn you're fine
Than just asking about your zodiac sign or complimenting your appearance
Look like you having a good time, baby
Seems like you're enjoying yourself
(I'm not gon' let you leave me standing here)
I won't allow you to walk away without giving me a chance
Wondering what it would have been like if
Thinking about how things would have turned out if
I'da said it ain't a thang
I had dismissed the situation
But first I gotta know your name
But first, I need to know your name
She said I gotta play the game (the game)
You told me I have to go through the process of pursuing you
She can point me in the right direction
You can guide me on how to approach you
Now she got me so interested
Now I'm deeply intrigued by you
Guess I gotta play the game
I suppose I have to participate in this pursuit
Ooh baby, I'ma come on down
I'm willing to take a chance and join the competition for your affection
(It's my turn at the wheel to spin
Now it's my opportunity to take control
And I know you looking at
And I'm aware that you're observing
Me wondering what's my bid, baby)
To see what approach or offer I will make
I was thinking we could chop it up
I was considering having a conversation with you
And later on we can run away, yea yeah
And afterwards, we can escape together
(So interested, who will she pick
Feeling intrigued, who will be your choice
I gotta be the one to win)
I need to be the person who wins your affection
But in order to get her name
However, in order to know your name
And let the info exchange
And allow our information to be shared
She said I gotta play the game
You told me I have to participate in this pursuit
If I wanna be the next contestant
If I wish to be the candidate for your affection
(contestant)
She can point me in the right direction
You can guide me towards the correct approach
Now she got me so interested
Now I find myself deeply fascinated by you
(got me so interested)
Guess I gotta play the game
I suppose I have to participate in this pursuit
If I wanna be the next contestant
If I desire to be the chosen one
(next contestant)
Ooh baby, I'ma come on down
Oh darling, I'm willing to take a chance and compete for your affection
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Laranda Richardson
Loving the sound. A true Usher fanatic, always!
Wesley Morris
Song is old but still dope
TheYellowBrickRoadTV
Man this still 🔥🔥🔥. This would still do numbers on iTunes.
Doreen Beckett
Nice song! Love the music
Husniyyah Akhtab
This song is from 2011. I love it so much.
Jenny Tindal
Stay strong 😉you are usher!!!
Only God can break you.
Tevin Thomas
This is amazing!!!
jane jones
Usher next contestant has pop to it. l like it
Debby Hewitt
Love my #UsherBaby 💯❤
Channelle Pender
Yes I love it