"U Got It Bad" is a song by American singer Usher, released through Arista … Read Full Bio ↴"U Got It Bad" is a song by American singer Usher, released through Arista Records as the second single from his third studio album 8701 . It was written by the singer, Jermaine Dupri and Bryan-Michael Cox, and co-produced by the former two. It was released in the United States on August 21, 2001. "U Got It Bad" is an R&B ballad that, according to MTV, incorporates "digi-coustic" guitars, a "slow-burning bass line" and "sex funk" drums. The lyrics notably contain some quick direct allusions to other soul music ballads, mainly Maxwell's "Fortunate" and Prince's "Adore".

"U Got It Bad" topped the US Billboard Hot 100 for one week before being replaced for four weeks by Nickelback's "How You Remind Me". "U Got It Bad" then returned to number one, going on to stay atop for five consecutive weeks. With the song and previous single "U Remind Me", Usher was the only solo male act to have a number-one hit on the Hot 100 in 2001. The accompanying music video features TLC's Chilli as Usher's love interest.

U Got It Bad
usher Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Oh, no, no, no, no, no
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

Said you act like you're ready
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

Overall Meaning

In "U Got It Bad," Usher sings about being in love with someone who holds a powerful influence over him. The opening lyrics, "When you feel it in your body / You found somebody who makes you change your ways," suggest that he has met someone who has inspired romance and, as a result, he's experiencing a range of emotions, such as confusion and longing. He admits that, like many people who have fallen in love, he's feeling variations of anxiety and paranoia in the first verse.

Line by Line Meaning

Oh, no, no, no, no, no
Expressing disbelief about a situation.

No, no, no, no, no, no, no
Repeating disbelief further.

Ooh
Exclaiming the feeling of intense emotions.

When you feel it in your body
Describing the feeling of love in a physical manner.

You found somebody who makes you change your ways
Meeting someone who transforms and influences one's behavior.

Like hanging with your crew
Enjoying one's company with friends.

Said you act like you're ready
Claiming one's readiness for a relationship.

But you don't really know
Admitting a lack of experience or knowledge about the subject.

And everything in your past, you wanna let it go
Wishing to move on from past experiences for a fresh start.

I've been there, done it, fucked around
Speaking from personal experience of living a promiscuous lifestyle.

After all that, this is what I found
Realizing the negative effects of past actions and behavior.

Nobody wants to be alone
Acknowledging a universal fear of loneliness.

If you're touched by the words in this song
Suggesting empathy from the listener towards the lyrics and artist.

Then maybe
Expressing optimism or hopefulness.

You got it, you got it bad
Naming the condition of intense, uncontrollable love and attraction.

When you're on the phone
Describing behavior that comes with this condition - repeatedly calling a loved one.

Hang up and you call right back
Continually calling the loved one.

If you miss a day without your friend
Feeling the negative effects of even a short separation from the loved one.

Your whole life's off track
Exaggerating the effects of missing the loved one.

You know you got it bad when you're stuck in the house
Becoming so engrossed in thoughts of the loved one that one neglects other aspects of life.

You don't wanna have fun
Feeling unmotivated to engage with other activities.

It's all you think about
Being unable to focus on anything else but thoughts of the loved one.

You got it bad when you're out with someone
Seeing the negative effects of this condition on one's interactions with others.

But you keep on thinkin' bout somebody else
Focusing on thoughts of the loved one even in the presence of others.

When you say that you love 'em
Expressing one's feelings of love towards the loved one.

And you really know
Being confident and true in one's feelings of love.

Everything that used to matter, it don't matter no more
Realizing one's priorities have shifted towards the loved one above all else.

Like my money, all my cars
Listing material possessions that are no longer as important as the loved one.

(You can have it all and)
Offering everything to the loved one.

Flowers, cards and candy
Listing romantic gestures to show affection to the loved one.

(I do it just 'cause I'm)
Explaining the motivation behind these gestures - simply because of one's feelings.

Said I'm fortunate to have you girl
Expressing gratitude and appreciation towards the loved one.

I want you to know
Asserting the importance of conveying these feelings to the loved one.

I really adore you
Expressing strong feelings of love and admiration for the loved one.

All my people that know what's going on
Acknowledging others who can recognize and empathize with one's situation.

Look at your mate, help me sing my song
Inviting the loved one to participate in one's feelings and emotions.

Tell her I'm your man, you're my girl
Affirming one's relationship with the loved one for others to understand.

I'm gon' tell it to the whole wide world
Expressing pride and devotion towards the loved one.

Ladies say I'm your girl, you're my man
Encouraging others to claim their relationship with their loved one.

Promise to love you the best I can
Making a vow to love and cherish the loved one to the best of one's ability.

Everyone of y'all are just like me
Identifying with and relating to the listener, suggesting a common experience.

It's too bad that you can't see
Pitying those who may not be able to recognize their condition of intense love and attraction.

That you got it bad, hey
Reiterating the condition of intense, uncontrollable love and attraction.

You got it, you got it bad
Naming the condition of intense, uncontrollable love and attraction once again.