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).
Pop Ya Collar
usher Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Welcome, today, to the wonderful world of you
Now, check it, you have two options:
You can eat it or throw it away
See, it's a shame that when you're working hard and doing well
People hate you
Buying nothing else but the best for yourself
You gotta live for you and no one else
Don't let them make you feel
Like you're not being real
Just live how you wanna live
You gotta do for you
(Dig that)
If you work hard, play hard (dig that)
And do what you wanna do (dig that)
Just pop your collar, don't let what people say bother you (dig that)
You perpetrators, I got something to say (dig that)
You can eat it or throw it away (picture that)
You're just mad 'cause you're following in my trap
But can you dig that?
Hey, ladies (yeah)
Hey, fellas (yeah)
You know you're doing good 'cause they're jealous
They only hate you cause you're a go-getter
Pop your collar, don't let them sweat you
Hey, ladies (yeah)
Hey, fellas (yeah)
You know you're doing good 'cause they're jealous
They only hate you cause you're a go-getter
Pop your collar, don't let them sweat you
You can see me every week
Hanging out with a different girl sitting next to me
'Cause I'm not about to settle down right now
I gotta be free
Some of y'all fellas might be jealous
But y'all know that don't phase me
I just pop my collar, tip my hat
And turn my back on the ones that hated me
(Dig that)
Never going home alone (dig that)
If she follows, then you know it's on (dig that)
She use the pager, not the cellular phone (dig that)
I let her know I won't be around for long (dig that)
To all you haters, I got something to say (what's that?)
You can eat it or throw it away (picture that)
Stop hating, wishing, waiting
Anticipating for my heat to fade
Hey, ladies (yeah)
Hey, fellas (yeah)
You know you're doing good 'cause they're jealous
They only hate you cause you're a go-getter
Pop your collar, don't let them sweat you
Hey, ladies (yeah)
Hey, fellas (yeah)
You know you're doing good 'cause they're jealous
They only hate you 'cause you're a go-getter
Pop your collar, don't let them sweat you
I break my neck for the things I get
So much sweat, just so I can get that check
And I'm not gonna let nobody bring me down
Nobody's gonna steal the crown
Because I eat good, I live good
I rock good, my life good
If you got a lot and you're working for it
Pop your collar, don't be afraid to show it
Hey, ladies (yeah)
Hey, fellas (yeah)
You know you're doing good 'cause they're jealous
They only hate you 'cause you're a go-getter
Pop your collar, don't let them sweat you
Hey, ladies (yeah)
Hey, fellas (yeah)
You know you're doing good 'cause they're jealous
They only hate you 'cause you're a go-getter
Pop your collar, don't let them sweat you
Hey, ladies (yeah)
Hey, fellas (yeah)
You know you're doing good 'cause they're jealous
They only hate you 'cause you're a go-getter
Pop your collar, don't let them sweat you
Hey, ladies (yeah)
Hey, fellas (yeah)
You know you're doing good 'cause they're jealous
They only hate you 'cause you're a go-getter
Pop your collar, don't let them sweat you
Hey, ladies (yeah)
Hey, fellas (yeah)
You know you're doing good 'cause they're jealous
They only hate you 'cause you're a go-getter
Pop your collar, don't let them sweat you
Hey, ladies (yeah)
Hey, fellas (yeah)
You know you're doing good 'cause they're jealous
They only hate you 'cause you're a go-getter
Pop your collar, don't let them sweat you
In Usher’s song “Pop Ya Collar,” the lyrics talk about living for oneself and not letting haters bring one down. The lyrics suggest that no matter how successful a person is, there will always be those who are envious and try to bring them down. Usher suggests that an individual should live their life as they wish and not let criticism from others control them. The chorus of the song encourages people to pop their collars and not let others sweat them.
The lines “You can eat it or throw it away” suggest that people have the choice to take criticism to heart or to dismiss it entirely. The lyrics also suggest that haters will hate regardless of how successful someone is, and there is no point in trying to please them. The line “I break my neck for the things I get” suggests that Usher has worked hard to achieve his success and doesn’t plan to let anyone bring him down.
In summary, “Pop Ya Collar” is a song about living one's life with confidence, ignoring the naysayers, and not letting anyone control an individual's happiness or success.
Line by Line Meaning
Hello everybody
Greetings to all present
Welcome, today, to the wonderful world of you
Greetings to everyone and welcome to your unique world
Now, check it, you have two options:
You have a choice
You can eat it or throw it away
Accept or reject something
See, it's a shame that when you're working hard and doing well
Unfortunate that success comes with hatred
People hate you
Some will always dislike you
Buying nothing else but the best for yourself
You should strive for the best for yourself
They really hate you
Some hate that you want the best for yourself
You gotta live for you and no one else
You should prioritize yourself over others
Don't let them make you feel
Don't allow them to make you believe
Like you're not being real
That you are insincere
Just live how you wanna live
Live your life as you choose
You gotta do for you
Do what is best for yourself
If you work hard, play hard (dig that)
Succeed, enjoy the benefits and have fun
And do what you wanna do (dig that)
Pursue your desires
Just pop your collar, don't let what people say bother you (dig that)
Don't let others' opinions impact you, remain confident and carry yourself well
You perpetrators, I got something to say (dig that)
A message for those causing trouble
You can eat it or throw it away (picture that)
Accept or reject what is being presented
You're just mad 'cause you're following in my trap
You're only angry because you're envious of my success
Hey, ladies (yeah)
Salutations to the women present
Hey, fellas (yeah)
Salutations to the men present
You know you're doing good 'cause they're jealous
Jealousy shows you're doing well
They only hate you cause you're a go-getter
They resent you because you are ambitious
Pop your collar, don't let them sweat you
Remain confident, do not let others cause anxiety
You can see me every week
Observing me every week
Hanging out with a different girl sitting next to me
In the company of different women
'Cause I'm not about to settle down right now
I am not ready for a long-term commitment yet
I gotta be free
I need space and independence
Some of y'all fellas might be jealous
Some men may be envious
But y'all know that don't phase me
Jealousy doesn't affect me
I just pop my collar, tip my hat
I remain confident and respectful
And turn my back on the ones that hated me
I move away from those who dislike me
Never going home alone (dig that)
I am always accompanied
If she follows, then you know it's on (dig that)
If she pursues me, it's game on
She use the pager, not the cellular phone (dig that)
She communicates via pager
I let her know I won't be around for long (dig that)
I express that it is only temporary
To all you haters, I got something to say (what's that?)
A message for my detractors
Stop hating, wishing, waiting
Stop hating, hoping and expecting
Anticipating for my heat to fade
Expecting my success to dwindle
I break my neck for the things I get
I work hard for my accomplishments
So much sweat, just so I can get that check
I put in a lot of effort for financial compensation
And I'm not gonna let nobody bring me down
I won't allow anyone to discourage me
Nobody's gonna steal the crown
No one will take away my success
Because I eat good, I live good
I am well-provided for
I rock good, my life good
I am successful in multiple areas of my life
If you got a lot and you're working for it
If you have plenty and have earned it
Pop your collar, don't be afraid to show it
Be confident in your achievements and show them off
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Kandi Burruss, Kevin Jerome Briggs, Usher Raymond
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@aimeysullivan1695
Pop Ya Collar
Usher
Hello everybody
Welcome, today, to the wonderful world of you
Now, check it, you have two options:
You can eat it or throw it away
See, it's a shame that when you're working hard and doing well
People hate you
Buying nothing else but the best for yourself
They really hate you
You gotta live for you and no one else
Don't let them make you feel
Like you're not being real
Just live how you wanna live
You gotta do for you
If you work hard, play hard (dig that)
And do what you wanna do (dig that)
Just pop your collar, don't let what people say bother you (dig that)
You perpetrators, I got something to say (dig that)
You can eat it or throw it away (picture that)
You're just mad 'cause you're following in my trap
But can you dig that?
Hey, ladies (yeah)
Hey, fellas (yeah)
You know you're doing good 'cause they're jealous
They only hate you cause you're a go-getter
Pop your collar, don't let them sweat you
Hey, ladies (yeah)
Hey, fellas (yeah)
You know you're doing good 'cause they're jealous
They only hate you cause you're a go-getter
Pop your collar, don't let them sweat you
You can see me every week
Hanging out with a different girl sitting next to me
'Cause I'm not about to settle down right now
I gotta be free
Some of y'all fellas might be jealous
But y'all know that don't phase me
I just pop my collar, tip my hat
And turn my back on the ones that hated me
Never going home alone (dig that)
If she follows, then you know it's on (dig that)
She use the pager, not the cellular phone (dig that)
I let her know I won't be around for long (dig that)
To all you haters, I got something to say (what's that?)
You can eat it or throw it away (picture that)
Stop hating, wishing, waiting
Anticipating for my heat to fade
Hey, ladies (yeah)
Hey, fellas (yeah)
You know you're doing good 'cause they're jealous
They only hate you cause you're a go-getter
Pop your collar, don't let them sweat you
Hey, ladies (yeah)
Hey, fellas (yeah)
You know you're doing good 'cause they're jealous
They only hate you 'cause you're a go-getter
Pop your collar, don't let them sweat you
I break my neck for the things I get
So much sweat, just so I can get that check
And I'm not gonna let nobody bring me down
Nobody's gonna steal the crown
Because I eat good, I live good
I rock good, my life good
If you got a lot and you're working for it
Pop your collar, don't be afraid to show it
Hey, ladies (yeah)
Hey, fellas (yeah)
You know you're doing good 'cause they're jealous
They only hate you 'cause you're a go-getter
Pop your collar, don't let them sweat you
Hey, ladies (yeah)
Hey, fellas (yeah)
You know you're doing good 'cause they're jealous
They only hate you 'cause you're a go-getter
Pop your collar, don't let them sweat you
Hey, ladies (yeah)
Hey, fellas (yeah)
You know you're doing good 'cause they're jealous
They only hate you 'cause you're a go-getter
Pop your collar, don't let them sweat you
Hey, ladies (yeah)
Hey, fellas (yeah)
You know you're doing good 'cause they're jealous
They only hate you 'cause you're a go-getter
Pop your collar, don't let them sweat you
Hey, ladies (yeah)
Hey, fellas (yeah)
You know you're doing good 'cause they're jealous
They only hate you 'cause you're a go-getter
Pop your collar, don't let them sweat you
Hey, ladies (yeah)
Hey, fellas (yeah)
You know you're doing good 'cause they're jealous
They only hate you 'cause you're a go-getter
Pop your collar, don't let them sweat you
@shylemon2224
This was a number 1 hit on UK RnB charts and number 2 in the UK singles charts. It also did great in other countries too! Great song with so much energy
@oscarosei1985
I'm not surprised it did well in the UK it sounds very like the UK sound at that time which was big on garage and house music
@bryanbarthlow3961
Usher's most underrated song
@gerdgrubel902
agree.
@tvbuu
Facts
@blp_savage_8672
Yes
@xokyungmeiox7502
Yup! I love this tbh it's my fave from the album
@jacobsober1158
Bryan Barthlow yup
@itsstizzychid5206
WHY ISN'T THIS ON SPOTIFY literally his best song imo
@PeteMcCorvey
It think it's because when it came out it was originally considered a flop.