The Best Thing
usher Lyrics

I mean, Ush' is this what it come to, man?
Usher starts by questioning if this is the only way left to deal with the situation.

This is how we gon' do it
He accepts that this is the path they are taking.

I mean, even grass grow baby, you know
Usher highlights the fact that growth is natural.

Seeds become plants
He compares growth to how seeds become plants.

Boys become men
He compares growth to how boys become men.

Want we gon' do?
Usher asks what they are going to do about it.

Let's lead the way, uh
He suggests that they take control of the situation and lead the way.

Wrapped around our girls like pashminas
Usher describes how they used to be inseparable with their girls.

What's my demeanor?
He questions what his behavior was like towards his girl.

The grass is always greener on the other side
He brings up the idea that things always seem better when they are out of reach.

To think of I cant give her a ring up
Usher realizes that he is unable to give his girl a ring.

I couldn't give a
He starts to realize that he couldn't give his girl anything that she wanted.

How could I give a finger?
He realizes that he couldn't even give a finger to her.

Let alone half baths and closets
Usher starts to realize that he couldn't even provide her with half the things she wanted.

So claustrophobic in fear of close objects
He was scared of being too close to anyone, including his girl.

Now it's sorta like two-car garages
He compares their relationship to two-car garages - they are physically together, but not emotionally.

It's like two broads menagin'
He compares their relationship to a threesome with two women, where he is only physically present.

You're the best, mama
He acknowledges that his girl is the best.

Is there any chance
Usher asks if there is any possibility.

That you remember me being more than just a horrible man?
He wonders if his girl remembers him as anything other than a terrible person.

And would you consider
He asks if she would think about.

Pullin' this trigger
Taking a chance on their relationship.

And taking a second shot at romance?
Usher proposes that they give love another try.

Oh, babe
He speaks affectionately to his girl.

I want the days when you were my girl
He confesses that he wants to be with her again like they were before.

And I was your man
He misses being the one that she chose to be with.

Know I took you for granted
He acknowledges that he didn't appreciate her enough when they were together.

But it wasn't 'til now I see how much I miss you
He realizes the value of his girl, now that she's gone.

Girl, I'm sorry that I ran the streets, actin' like a damn fool, yeah
He apologizes for his past behaviors and actions.

But for once, here goes the truth
He decides to be truthful with his girl.

I can't be fake I can't be phony
He decides to be truthful, genuine and real.

Actin' all hard, that's for homies that's lonely
He implies that only lonely people act tough.

I tried to flex, but I confess, that when you left you took the very best thing
He admits that he was trying to be someone he's not, but his girl leaving made him realize that she was the best thing.

The best thing that ever happened to me
He admits that his girl was the best thing that ever happened to him.

You took my best thing (yeah)
He says that his girl took the best thing he had.

The best thing that I ever seen
He admits that she was even better than anything he's ever seen.

You took the best thing (the best thing that I ever had, yeah)
He confirms again that she was the best thing he ever had.

And now all I feel is stress (oh-oh), 'cause when you left you took the very best
He stresses that he feels the pain of her leaving because she took the best thing he had.

Remember Mimi or Vita? Remember Isha or Eva?
He remembers his past relationships with other women.

I ain't got 'em no more, hey yes
He indicates that he is no longer with any of them.

Naomi or Jenny, the same outcome is chillin'
He realizes that he lost them all and ended up without any of them.

Girl, I let 'em all go
He admits that he lost all the other girls because he let them go.

No more trickin' and kissin' miscellaneous chicks
He admits that he kissed and fooled around with other women in the past.

Actin' like a jerk, woman I been to church
He realizes how wrong he was in treating women poorly and attempting to be something he's not.

And I talked to the bishop and he wanted me to share this with ya
He tells his girl that he spoke to the bishop for guidance and wants to share his thoughts with her.

How much I miss you
He shares with her how much he misses her.

Mama tried to told me
He mentions that his mother tried to advise him about his behavior.

Hovie Hov to slow it down
He refers to Jay-Z's advice to slow down.

You gon' lose your best thing
He realizes that he was going to lose the best thing he had.

If you keep gettin' round
He admits that being with multiple women was hurting his relationship with his girl.

Like PAC needed pot
He compares his addiction to women to Tupac's addiction to marijuana.

When you old to hold you down
He acknowledges that his girl was always there for him.

Ma forever young, was forever numb
He acknowledges his girl's youthfulness and realization of what he was doing wrong.

Sorry states are sorry done
He realizes that he can't undo the hurt he caused.

Your million and all of them
He acknowledges that his girl was one in a million and he lost her.

All of 'em was funny time
He realizes that he messed up with all the women he's been with.

It wasn't you, it was him
He clarifies that his girl wasn't the problem, he was.

School me once, school me twice
He acknowledges that he made mistakes even after learning from them.

Three times, I was dumb
He admits that he was foolish for making the same mistake multiple times.

Now it's so plain to see to me
He realizes now how obvious it was that his girl was the best thing he had.

I got the one
He recognizes that he already had the right person, his girl.

You the best, mama
Usher reaffirms that his girl is the best thing that ever happened to him.

I can't be fake I can't be phony
He repeats that he can't live a false life anymore.

Actin' all hard that's for homies that's lonely
He reiterates that pretending to be someone he's not is only for lonely people.

I tried to flex, but I confess, that when you left you took the very best thing
He confesses again that losing his girl made him realize what a great thing he had and that he lost it.

The best things that ever happened to me (happened to me)
He repeats that his girl was the best thing that ever happened to him.

You took my best thing (you took the best of me)
He admits that his girl took everything good from him.

The best thing that I ever seen
He reiterates that his girl was the best thing he ever laid his eyes on.

You took the best thing (ooh-ooh)
He acknowledges again that his girl took the best thing from him.

The best thing that I ever had (ooh-whoa-oh)
He accepts that his girl was the best thing he ever had.

And now all I feel is stress (ayy)
He admits that he's now under a lot of pressure.

'Cause baby, when you left you took the very best
He explains the reason behind his pressure - that he lost the best thing he ever had.