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 Happened To U
Usher Lyrics
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What happened to you yeah
From the beginning I knew what I was getting
But I was with it, and I'll admit that
She was clear it was a kinda thing
It wouldn't be easy for me to let it go
For my time I got money, but money don't buy time
I got a head, some got left behind
And in no time, I hear, money, clothes, fancy cars
Big old cribs, platinum on the wall, seven Grammys
Sold out concerts, damn I've been working hard
Private jets to France, many women
I didn't have a ball
You can say I've made it
But I'm faded 'cause I miss you
Can we go back
But the issue is time we can't get back (no, no)
What happened to you, yeah, come back
'Cause I miss you, can we go back
What happened to you (you, you)
I'm happy for you (you, you)
Did what I wanted, freaked all the honeys
I stayed only mine, mind was on the money
Had whatever, whenever, heart throb forever
Black, young, and clever
When you give it up, you get it on
Love would be the only reason to look back
And once you turn it on, you can't turn it off
But picture me complaining with all this
Money, clothes, fancy cars
Big old cribs, platinum on the wall, seven Grammys
Sold out concerts damn I've been working hard
Private jets to France, many women
I didn't have a ball
You can say I've made it
But I'm faded 'cause I miss you
Can we go back (one too many, one too many)
But the issue is time we can't get back
What happened to you, yeah, come back (oh, baby)
'Cause I miss you, can we go back (jey)
What happened to you, you (you, you)
I'm happy for you
What sense does it make to have everything and nothing
At the same time
Where are you
I need you, yeah
I'm looking for you
Girl, come and share all this
Money, clothes, fancy cars
Big old cribs, platinum on the wall, seven Grammys
Sold out concerts damn I've been working hard
Private jets to France, many women
I didn't have a ball
You can say I've made it
But I'm faded 'cause I miss you
Can we go back (one too many, two at a time)
But the issue is time we can't get back (no, no)
What happened to you, yeah, come back (oh baby, back)
'Cause I miss you, can we go back (hey)
What happened to you, you (you, you)
I'm happy for you (you, you) wherever you are
What happened to you
Wherever you are, girl (things changing time)
Wherever you are (still the same old you)
Wherever you are, girl
Wherever you are (I miss you
The song "What Happened To U" by Usher is a nostalgic reflection of the singer's past relationship with a woman whom he misses dearly. The lyrics describe Usher's journey to fame and riches and how he lost touch with his former lover as he became more successful. The line "When you give it up, you get it on" refers to the idea that once you let go of someone or something, you open yourself up to new experiences and opportunities. Usher admits that he knew what he was getting into in the beginning of his relationship but was willing to go along with it anyway. He acknowledges that it was difficult for him to let go of the relationship and that no amount of money or fame can buy back lost time.
As the song continues, Usher lists his achievements, such as seven Grammys and private jets to France, but admits that he still feels unfulfilled without his former lover. He wonders why he feels like he has everything but still has nothing at the same time. The chorus repeats the lines "What happened to you, come back, 'cause I miss you, can we go back," expressing Usher's hope that his former lover will return to him. The song ends with Usher acknowledging that he is happy for his former lover wherever she is.
Overall, "What Happened To U" is a poignant reflection on lost love and the cost of fame and fortune, and how it can leave one feeling empty without the people who matter most.
Line by Line Meaning
When you give it up, you get it on
When you let go of your desires and focus on what really matters in life, you will find love and happiness.
What happened to you yeah
What caused you to leave me and separate us from the love we once had?
From the beginning I knew what I was getting
I knew from the start what kind of relationship we had, but I still wanted to be with you.
But I was with it, and I'll admit that
I chose to stay in the relationship even though it was not perfect and it hurt me.
She was clear it was a kinda thing
She made it clear that our relationship was not serious and was only temporary.
It wouldn't be easy for me to let it go
Even though I wanted to move on, it was still difficult for me to forget and move past our relationship.
For my time I got money, but money don't buy time
I traded my time for money, but I realized that no amount of money can bring back the time I lost with you.
I got a head, some got left behind
I succeeded in my career, but I also left some important people behind, including you.
The world is yours, just sign this dotted line
I had the opportunity to achieve anything I wanted, but it came at a cost of sacrificing my personal life and relationships.
And in no time, I hear, money, clothes, fancy cars
After achieving success, people only talk about my material possessions and not my personal life or relationships.
Big old cribs, platinum on the wall, seven Grammys
My success is measured by the number of awards and material possessions that I have acquired.
Sold out concerts, damn I've been working hard
I have worked hard to become successful and achieve my dreams, but I sacrificed my personal life for my career.
Private jets to France, many women
I had access to luxury and women, but I realized that none of those things could fill the emptiness that I feel without you.
I didn't have a ball
Even though I have achieved everything I wanted, I am not truly happy because you are not with me.
You can say I've made it
I have achieved success in my career and have everything I thought I wanted, but it means nothing without you.
But I've faded 'cause I miss you
Even though I have achieved success, I feel empty and faded because I am without you.
Can we go back
Can we go back to the time when we were together and happy?
But the issue is time we can't get back
The biggest obstacle to us being together again is that we can never get back the time we lost.
What sense does it make to have everything and nothing
It does not make sense to have everything in your career and material possessions, but nothing in your personal life and relationships.
At the same time
Even though I have achieved everything, I still feel like I have nothing without you.
Where are you
I am lost without you and cannot find true happiness.
I need you, yeah
I need you in my life to be truly happy and fulfilled.
I'm looking for you
I am searching for you and trying to find a way to be with you again.
Girl, come and share all this
Come back to me and share in the success and wealth that I have achieved, but more importantly, share in my love for you.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Eric Bellinger, Mark Dwayne Debarge, Etterlene Jordan, Usher Raymond, Noah Shebib
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind