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).
You Got It Bad
Usher Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No, no, no, no, no, no, no
Ooh
When you feel it in your body
You found somebody who makes you change your ways
Like hanging with your crew
But you don't really know
And everything in your past, you wanna let it go
I've been there, done it, fucked around
After all that, this is what I found
Nobody wants to be alone
If you're touched by the words in this song
Then maybe
You got it, you got it bad
When you're on the phone
Hang up and you call right back
You got it, you got it bad
If you miss a day without your friend
Your whole life's off track
You know you got it bad when you're stuck in the house
You don't wanna have fun
It's all you think about
You got it bad when you're out with someone
But you keep on thinkin' 'bout somebody else
You got it bad
When you say that you love 'em
And you really know
Everything that used to matter, it don't matter no more
Like my money, all my cars
(You can have it all and)
Flowers, cards and candy
(I do it just 'cause I'm)
Said I'm fortunate to have you girl
I want you to know
I really adore you
All my people that know what's going on
Look at your mate, help me sing my song
Tell her I'm your man, you're my girl
I'm gon' tell it to the whole wide world
Ladies say I'm your girl, you're my man
Promise to love you the best I can
See I've been there, done it, fucked around
After all that, this is what I found
Everyone of y'all are just like me
It's too bad that you can't see
That you got it bad, hey
You got it, you got it bad
When you're on the phone
Hang up and you call right back
You got it, you got it bad
If you miss a day without your friend
Your whole life's off track
You know you got it bad when you're stuck in the house
You don't wanna have fun
It's all you think about
You got it bad when you're out with someone
But you keep on thinkin' bout somebody else
You got it bad
You got it, you got it bad
When you're on the phone
Hang up and you call right back
You got it, you got it bad
If you miss a day without your friend
Your whole life's off track
You know you got it bad when you're stuck in the house
You don't wanna have fun
It's all you think about
You got it bad when you're out with someone
But you keep on thinkin' 'bout somebody else
Usher’s song, “You Got It Bad,” describes the feeling of falling deeply in love with someone and the way that it changes your behavior and priorities. It begins with a hesitant “no” from Usher, suggesting that he’s been hurt in the past and is wary of opening himself up to someone new. However, when he finds the right person, he’s willing to change his ways and let go of his past mistakes.
Usher uses vivid imagery to describe the all-consuming nature of love. He talks about being unable to focus on anything else but the person he’s with, even when he’s with someone else. His behavior becomes obsessive – he can’t stand to be away from his partner for even a day, and he’s constantly calling and texting them. However, he also acknowledges that this behavior is not necessarily healthy, and that it’s important to maintain a balance between love and other aspects of life.
The chorus of “You Got It Bad” is extremely catchy and memorable, with its repetition of the phrase “you got it bad.” This phrase has since become a popular saying in its own right, and is often used to describe someone who is head-over-heels in love.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, no, no, no, no, no
Expressing disbelief or distress
No, no, no, no, no, no, no
Continuing to express disbelief or distress
Ooh
Exclamation of pleasure or excitement
When you feel it in your body
Recognizing a physical response to emotions
You found somebody who makes you change your ways
Acknowledging the influence of a new romantic partner
Like hanging with your crew
Referencing the loss of time spent with friends due to new relationship
Said you act like you're ready
Stating the assumption of readiness for a relationship
But you don't really know
Admitting uncertainty in one's own preparedness
And everything in your past, you wanna let it go
Expressing a desire to move on from past experiences and mistakes
I've been there, done it, fucked around
Admitting to past relationship mistakes
After all that, this is what I found
Reflecting on lessons learned from past relationships
Nobody wants to be alone
Acknowledging the desire for companionship
If you're touched by the words in this song
Suggesting that the listener may relate to the lyrics and emotions expressed
Then maybe
Proposing the possibility of a shared experience
You got it, you got it bad
Describing the feeling of being consumed by love
When you're on the phone
Obsessively calling or texting a romantic partner
Hang up and you call right back
Continuing to communicate despite not receiving an immediate response
If you miss a day without your friend
Feeling incomplete or lost without a romantic partner
Your whole life's off track
Exaggerating the impact of the relationship on one's daily life
You know you got it bad when you're stuck in the house
Isolating oneself in order to dwell on the relationship
You don't wanna have fun
Losing interest in activities previously enjoyed
It's all you think about
Being fixated on thoughts of the romantic partner
You got it bad when you're out with someone
Feeling guilty or disloyal while spending time with someone who is not the romantic partner
But you keep on thinkin' 'bout somebody else
Continuing to focus on thoughts of the romantic partner even when with others
When you say that you love 'em
Expressing love for the romantic partner
And you really know
Confident in the authenticity of one's feelings
Everything that used to matter, it don't matter no more
Prioritizing the romantic partner above all else
Like my money, all my cars
Acknowledging the futility of material possessions
(You can have it all and)
Offering material possessions to the romantic partner
Flowers, cards and candy
Expressing love through traditional gestures
(I do it just 'cause I'm)
Emphasizing the authenticity of romantic feelings
Said I'm fortunate to have you girl
Expressing gratitude for the romantic partner
I want you to know
Wanting the romantic partner to be aware of one's genuine feelings
I really adore you
Expressing strong feelings of affection and admiration
All my people that know what's going on
Addressing those who understand the emotional turmoil of being in love
Look at your mate, help me sing my song
Encouraging couples to relate to and enjoy the song together
Tell her I'm your man, you're my girl
Asserting one's commitment to the romantic partner
I'm gon' tell it to the whole wide world
Willingness to proclaim love for the romantic partner publicly
Ladies say I'm your girl, you're my man
Encouraging female listeners to reciprocate the sentiment with their partners
Promise to love you the best I can
Committing to giving one's all in the relationship
Everyone of y'all are just like me
Acknowledging the universality of the experience of being consumed by love
It's too bad that you can't see
Expressing sympathy for those who have not experienced such intense emotions
That you got it bad, hey
Reiterating the central message of the song
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Missing Link Music, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Usher Raymond, Jermaine Dupri Mauldin, Bryan Michael Paul Cox
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@JoeBucks
Who's here after his Super Bowl performance ???
@scottbaker6089
Absolutely!
@teehall3825
👋🏾
@Gangfrench76
Lol
@dlnrlrosemary7777
👋
@beatrizrivas738
Me
@lillimclean8057
If you are here in June 2021 I respect you and you have great taste in music (edit) I can’t believe I got 13k likes 😭 this song is still amazing to this day.
@atiepibushie2064
Relaxing soul full music was only made in this era. We can’t help but always come back
@stevegilkey5222
Thanks 👍
@Triggapulla561
I’m here and we gonna stay