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).
12. Secret Garden
usher Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fight until the needle call always when the needle calls
So you hustle ?til the pain grows to strong
So you hustle ?til the pain grows
Fight until the needle call always when the needle calls
So you suffer ?til the pain goes to long
Left the city just to save myself
It?s down in Santa Monica, where the wind blows strong
And the saltwater washes you clean
Walking through the dollar store
Isle five, head down, daydream looking up and there you are
Hey girl what you are you doing out here
It?s been a long time now
Go for coffee then we talk, talk reminisce
Talk, talk on and on
All about the things we missed
But always just behind the smile
You got the same sad eyes
In your secret garden there is no one
Who gets the key to your heart
Your poison flowers survived for hours
But now they?re tearing you up
And we all change, we all decay
When our hearts are broken down
Take a weekend take a week
Falling fast I?m falling deep here we go
It?s just like it was before
No matter what I do or what I say
You?ll never let me in
You?ve been working out in Hollywood
Easy money, fucked up job back on the street
We both know it?s no good
But every night you?re heading there
You?ve got the same sad eyes
In your secret garden there is no one
Who gets the key to your heart
Your poison flowers survived for hours
But now they?re tearing you up
And we all change, we all decay
When our hearts are broken
And finding ways to face the day
When our hearts are broken down
So cold so sickly twisted beautiful
And time will not be kind
Your cancer grows so deep inside of you
And I cannot rewind
David Usher: Lead vocals; backing vocals
Jonathan Gallivan: Electric guitars; acoustic guitars; backing vocals
Kevin Young: Wurlitzer; synths; keys; backing vocals
Steve Zsirai: Bass guitar
Chris Taylor-Munro: Drums; percussion
Usher's song "Secret Garden" tells the story of a woman who is struggling with drug addiction, and the singer's failed attempts to help her. The lyrics describe her desperation to escape from the pain of her addiction, and her eventual death from cancer.
The first stanza describes her cycle of addiction, where she hustles to get by, fights the urge to use drugs, and suffers until the pain goes away. She left the city and went to Santa Monica in search of peace, but still struggles with her addiction. In the second stanza, she runs into the singer while shopping and they catch up on old times. Although she seems fine on the surface, her eyes betray a deep sadness that the singer recognizes.
The chorus of the song describes the woman's "secret garden" – the place where she keeps her deepest pain hidden away. The singer can see that she's struggling with something, but he doesn't have the key to her heart. Even as she falls deeper into her addiction, the singer tries to connect with her, but she remains closed off. In the final stanza, the woman's drug use catches up with her, and she becomes sick with cancer. The singer laments that he cannot turn back time and save her from herself.
Overall, "Secret Garden" is a poignant portrait of addiction and its destructive effects. The lyrics are powerful and emotive, and Usher's delivery is earnest and soulful.
Line by Line Meaning
So you hustle ?til the pain grows
You work hard until your exhaustion becomes unbearable
Fight until the needle call always when the needle calls
You persist in your struggles and challenges that arise unexpectedly
So you hustle ?til the pain grows to strong
You put in effort until the pain is too much to bear
So you suffer ?til the pain goes to long
You endure the pain for too much time
Left the city just to save myself
You left the city to preserve your well-being
Headed west, looking for that ocean breeze
You went west in search of a relaxing break
?t?s down in Santa Monica, where the wind blows strong
You found the strong wind breeze in Santa Monica
And the saltwater washes you clean
The saltwater helps you feel refreshed
Walking through the dollar store
You are browsing through a discount store
Isle five, head down, daydream looking up and there you are
You are daydreaming and you suddenly notice someone
Hey girl what you are you doing out here
You approach the person you noticed in the store
?t?s been a long time now
It's been a while since you last saw them
Go for coffee then we talk, talk reminisce
You suggest meeting for coffee and talking about old times
But always just behind the smile
Despite their smile, there's something unsettling about them
You got the same sad eyes
Their eyes reveal their sadness
In your secret garden there is no one
In your private thoughts, you keep everyone away
Who gets the key to your heart
No one can unlock your heart
Your poison flowers survived for hours
You poisonous lifestyle habits live for some time
But now they?re tearing you up
Now they are causing you harm
And we all change, we all decay
We all transform and deteriorate over time
When our hearts are broken down
When we experience emotional pain and struggles
Take a weekend take a week
Take a short or extended break
Falling fast I?m falling deep here we go
You're falling in love fast and deep
?ou?re heading there. You?ve got the same sad eyes
You keep going to a place that causes you harm and sadness
And time will not be kind
Time will not be gentle on you
Your cancer grows so deep inside of you
Your troubles are consuming you
And I cannot rewind
You can't turn back time to change your past mistakes
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Love Music
Good vocals but the original will always be better. I love El Debarge and Al B. Sure <3
JazzMaster43
I like this version also..it's the beats and there super sounding voices that make this song so good. Bring it out tomorrow and you've got a hit..
maintenanceman101
this is alright for what it is , these folk version of a masterpiece.
Arthur Jankins
This was an answer to the prayer of all those that have been waiting so patiently to do the Running Man to this song! So, to those hating on this, please stop!
Mynaah Bianco
Usher + Robin Thick= PERFECTION!
dadorkman
this version is cool, it didnt need to be sped up though
Jujuan Christopher
That's Tevin Campbell at the end!!!! :) Good to hear his voice!
sun shyne
THIS GOES HARD
sultryentertainment
Very nice remix, entire cd is excellent. You have to appreciation the talents of Quincy Jones to understand the Bossa. He's not trying to say anyone sings it better just adding the new hot artists to his old music with a musical twist of jazz, house music hip hop, etc.. I love the remix, he's a muscial genius. We are in 2011 time for change and need a way to bring R&B back. It's been suffering for some years. This is fun, you can dance or ride to.
NewJackSwing13
I think this was a demo for the version they eventually did with also tyrese, tevin Campbell and ll cool j