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).

What's Going On
Usher Lyrics

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Mother, mother
There's too many of you crying
Brother, brother, brother
There's far too many of you dying
You know we've got to find a way
To bring some lovin' here today, yea

Father, father

We don't need to escalate
You see, war is not the answer
For only love can conquer hate
You know we've got to find a way
To bring some lovin' here today

Picket lines and picket signs
Don't punish me with brutality
Talk to me, so you can see
Oh, what's going on
What's going on
Ya, what's going on
Ah, what's going on

In the mean time
Right on, baby
Right on
Right on

Father, father, everybody thinks we're wrong
Oh, but who are they to judge us
Simply because our hair is long
Oh, you know we've got to find a way
To bring some understanding here today
Oh

Picket lines and picket signs
Don't punish me with brutality
Talk to me
So you can see
What's going on
Ya, what's going on
Tell me what's going on
I'll tell you what's going on - Uh

Right on baby
Right on baby

Overall Meaning

In "What's Going On," Usher addresses the injustices of police brutality and racial inequality that Black people have endured for several generations. He starts off by addressing the mothers and brothers who have lost their loved ones and urges them to find a way to bring love into this world. He also addresses the fathers, reminding them that violence won't solve anything and that only love can conquer hate. Usher implores everyone to find a way to come together and for people to communicate their struggles and issues instead of resorting to violence, using picket signs as an example of non-violent protesting.

The song was initially written in 1971 by Marvin Gaye, inspired by a police brutality incident and consisting of just the first two verses of Usher's version. It was a political and social statement at the time of its release, and it resonated with people who were equally frustrated with the state of the world. Despite its decades-old message, the lyrics are still relevant and significant today, especially given the recent rise in racial tensions and movements like Black Lives Matter.

Line by Line Meaning

Mother, mother There's too many of you crying Brother, brother, brother There's far too many of you dying You know we've got to find a way To bring some lovin' here today, yea
Usher is addressing the various people who are suffering, and their loved ones who are grieving for them. He acknowledges that there are too many people crying and dying, and he implores everyone to start taking action to bring love into the world.

Father, father We don't need to escalate You see, war is not the answer For only love can conquer hate You know we've got to find a way To bring some lovin' here today
Usher addresses the fathers, encouraging them not to escalate conflicts that may result in war. He states that the solution is not violence, as only love can conquer hate. He urges everyone to work together to bring love and peace to the world.

Picket lines and picket signs Don't punish me with brutality Talk to me, so you can see Oh, what's going on What's going on Ya, what's going on Ah, what's going on
Usher is referencing protests, and how they can sometimes result in violence against the protestors. He implores those in power to talk to the protestors so that they can understand what the issue is, instead of using force. He wants to know what is happening, what the issue is, so that they can work together to bring love and understanding to the situation.

In the mean time Right on, baby Right on Right on
Usher is encouraging everyone to stick with it and stay strong while they work towards positive change. He exclaims 'Right on, baby' as a way of acknowledging the hard work that everyone is doing.

Father, father, everybody thinks we're wrong Oh, but who are they to judge us Simply because our hair is long Oh, you know we've got to find a way To bring some understanding here today Oh
Usher recognizes that many people doubt those working for change, or those who may look different. He questions why others are so quick to judge based on things like appearance, and calls for understanding and acceptance for all. He asks everyone to work together to find common ground.

Picket lines and picket signs Don't punish me with brutality Talk to me So you can see What's going on Ya, what's going on Tell me what's going on I'll tell you what's going on - Uh Right on baby Right on baby
Usher repeats the earlier lines, emphasizing the importance of communication and understanding. He wants everyone to work together toward positive change, and encourages everyone to stay strong and keep fighting for what is right.

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, O/B/O DistroKid, Capitol CMG Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Alfred W Cleveland, Marvin P Gaye, Renaldo Benson

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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