Top 20 Usher Songs
#20: “Moving Mountains”
Here I Stand (2008)
Is it any surprise we’re kicking this list off with a song about relationship problems? Few can write a song about being unlucky in love like Usher. And “Moving Mountains” is a behemoth of a ballad. Over rattling drums and bass and delicate keys, Usher croons about a romance gone south. Though this obviously wasn't his first time tackling this subject, the passion he sings with makes you feel his heartbreak fully. And the electronic flourishes are tastefully incorporated, accentuating Usher without overpowering him. If you know what it’s like to have someone you love turn into a stranger, this song should resonate.
#19: “I Don't Mind” feat. Juicy J
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UR (2015)
It’s not unfair to assume that a song about an exotic dancer featuring hip-hop legend Juicy J is going to be a bit on the crass side. But while “I Don’t Mind” might not exactly be a feminist anthem, it is surprisingly sweet. Usher tells his main squeeze that he doesn’t judge or feel insecure about her line of work, because he’s confident in the strength of their bond. He also acknowledges that it would be hypocritical for him to get upset, given that he met her when she was performing. Juicy J's verse brings some different energy but the core message stays intact. We don’t mind hearing this song at the club.
#18: “Hey Daddy (Daddy's Home)”
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Raymond v. Raymond (2010)
Usher was ahead of the curve on the “daddy” trend. This banger, from his "Raymond v. Raymond" album has it twice in the title and plenty more times in the lyrics. You don't need to pay very close attention to the lyrics to know that this is a song about sex. But Usher knows how to make a steamy song in a way few others can match. Steamy but not smutty and erotic but not distasteful, “Hey Daddy” is a song that could fall apart in the wrong hands. Fortunately, it’s in Usher’s hands. And they know how to handle such sensitive subject matter.
#17: “Think of You”
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Usher (1994)
Many pop stars, even the biggest ones, need some time to find their footing in the industry. But Usher established his voice early, and his second single is a perfect example of that. Released when he had just turned 16, “Think of You” is a song brimming with confidence. Usher’s vocals shine as he sings to an ex about how much he misses her. In other words, it's a classic R&B song. But he nails the charisma and presence needed to make this subject matter feel fresh. It would be an impressive effort by a 20-something, let alone a teenager. Though this song doesn’t fully indicate Usher’s eventual superstardom, it does suggest he’s destined for big things.
#16: “More”
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More (2010)
An event like the NBA All-Star Game deserves a song that’s as hype as possible. And on “More,” Usher delivers all that and well, more, on this heater. Performed at the 2010 iteration of the game, it’s the kind of track arenas are made for. Usher projects his signature voice with pure swagger as he sings about just how driven he is. And the triumphant production is the perfect match in terms of energy. Though the passion is already off the charts on the original mix, the RedOne Jimmy Joker remix turns things up even further. IF there’s one thing we can count on Usher doing, it’s giving us more than we were anticipating.
#15: “My Way”
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My Way (1997)
No, this isn't a rendition of the classic ballad, made famous by Frank Sinatra. Instead, it’s another example of a young Usher showing just how much flair he has. How much? Well, he tells the boyfriend of his new beau about how much better he is at providing satisfaction. Jermaine Dupri, who produced the track, also provides an uncredited guest verse that furthers the fearless taunting. We can’t claim that the concept behind “My Way” is particularly ethical or mature. But Usher’s audacity and the catchy beat are just impossible to resist. Now, can you imagine Sinatra’s version?
#14: “U Don't Have to Call” (2001)
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8701
Few singer-producer combinations are more enticing than Usher plus The Neptunes. Even before Usher has fully kicked into gear, Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo’s unmistakable sound marks this hit as a keeper. Written by Williams, “U Don’t Have to Call '' is an Usher two-for-one: both a breakup song and a club song. After being dumped, he decides that, rather than wallow in self-pity, he’s going to go out and have some fun. Usher avoids coming across as bitter or vindictive towards the other person. Though he might still be in pain, he knows that time heals all wounds, particularly a broken heart.
#13: “Caught Up” (2004)
Confessions
If you were paying any attention to music in 2004, you remember how much of a blockbuster Usher’s “Confessions” album was. But while “Caught Up” might not have the same legacy as its chart-topping brethren, it’s still one hell of a song. Emphasizing the album's theme of infidelity, Usher and the urgent production puts you in his shoes and in the moment. A sudden burst of infatuation finds him not thinking straight. He can't explain what exactly is happening or why. All he knows is that he's enchanted, despite his better judgment. Once again, Usher deftly manages to make a theoretically unsympathetic narrator bearable. Probably because we’re so “caught up” in how good this sounds.
#12: “Love in this Club” feat. Young Jeezy (2008)
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Here I Stand
Inspired by Sin City and written specifically for the ladies, this slow jam was the first single from Usher’s fifth studio album. After all, the female fan base had dipped significantly upon Usher’s marriage to Tameka Foster, but an opening line shout-out set the tone for the gentlest of club bangers. As if the singer’s voice didn’t provide enough sizzle, Young Jeezy was brought on to deliver rhymes that complimented the seducing vocals perfectly. Hitting number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, this successful tune proved that Usher still had it, even more than a decade after the release of his debut album.
#11: “Confessions Part II”
Confessions (2004)
Are you ready for some real talk, Mojoholics? Contrary to popular belief, this Jermaine Dupri-produced track wasn’t about Usher’s breakup with TLC’s Chilli but rather a character study about a cheating man with an insatiable appetite for sex. Usher confronts the realities of unplanned pregnancies, and the mental preparation that comes along with delivering the news to your girlfriend. In other words, “Confessions Part II” is an eloquent way of saying “Did I do that?” Stay safe, my friends.
#10: “U Remind Me”
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8701 (2001)
We’ve all been there: you meet somebody cool, and you like the way they look, but their face conjures up memories of a bad relationship. Such was the case in this Usher track when he delivered the awkward news to a potential flame. Lyrically, “U Remind Me” references a woman “on her creep” and how she was just sexing it up all over town. With then-girlfriend Chili in the song’s music video, the song won Usher his first of many Grammy Awards and found its way to number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
#9: “OMG” feat. will.i.am
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Raymond v. Raymond (2010)
Truly a jam for the millennial crowd, this song was written by Black Eyed Peas frontman will.i.am, who appears to drop a verse as well. The concept of “OMG” focuses on the club, and a particular honey that’s poppin’ and droppin’ like it’s nobody’s business. Although Usher isn’t exactly sophisticated when describing the woman’s appearance, one can’t blame him for losing his mind on the dance floor. Together, the tandem of Usher and will.i.am turned “OMG” into one of the most popular joints of 2010 and created another number one hit for the R&B superstar.
#8: “Nice and Slow”
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My Way (1997)
Usher was barely 18 years old when he recorded this rather provocative single. But he showed skill beyond his age. Equipped with a voice that would make Al Green blush and lyrical game comparable to Marvin Gaye, Usher released the ultimate foreplay song for a new generation. “Nice and Slow” is exactly that – nice and slow - and the tension builds as the singer prepares to get freaky. With a remarkable set of closing rhymes, Usher established a style that would make him a mainstay on sensuous slow jam playlists.
#7: “DJ Got Us Fallin’ in Love” feat. Pitbull
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Versus (2010)
Kicking off a new decade, this song referenced “the club” in the opening line and laid the foundation for another Usher banger. Sure, “DJ Got Us Fallin’ in Love” isn’t necessarily a lyrical masterpiece, but it was designed to keep your body movin’ long into the night. You got Usher hitting the high notes and then –BOOM – Pitbull arrives with his own unique style of rhyming. In the music video, Usher straight-up works the dance floor by getting his “krump” on, and you are bound to do the same when this song hits the speakers.
#6: “My Boo”
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“Confessions” (2004)
A duet with a singer as powerful as Usher is a hard ask for any performer. But if there’s anyone who’s up to the task, it’s Alicia Keys. On this number-one hit, Usher and Keys share and trade vocals as they sing from both sides of a lost romance. Both had already proven they knew how to make a poignant tune. And their forces combined results in a song so good, it makes us want a whole album of duets between them. Breaking up is hard to do, but songs like “My Boo” make it go down a bit easier.
#5: “Climax”
“Looking 4 Myself” (2012)
Though we were still Usher fans in 2012, we didn’t know if he was still capable of surprising us. That question was basically answered by “Climax,” which quickly entered the Usher canon. And even more than a decade later, it holds up amazingly well. A tender and daring song about a relationship in decline, "Climax" boasts both one of Usher's best vocal performances and some of the best production on any of his songs, courtesy of Diplo. Its sound was partially inspired by The Weeknd's breakout mixtape "House of Balloons." But Usher doesn’t sound like he’s chasing trends, only showing how seamlessly he can adapt to new eras.
#4: “U Got It Bad”
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8701 (2001)
Based on a conversation between Usher and his producer Jermaine Dupri, this sex funk single examines the effects of being sick with love. In the opening lyrics of “U Got it Bad,” Usher reveals the lessons learned from his mistakes before directly addressing the listeners. You might say this jam is a musical case study on being dependent on another in a relationship , as Usher details how one can just spiral out of control and quickly lose their cool. The singer’s ex-flame Chilli makes yet another appearance in the music video, as both parties clearly have it BAD.
#3: “Burn”
Little Triggers Burn
Confessions (2004)
Speaking of Chilli, the title of this slow jam references the unraveling of a once steamy relationship. By combining his own life experiences with those of his friends, Usher created a powerful breakup song with “Burn,” which earned him another Grammy nomination. Shot at the former Hollywood home of Frank Sinatra, Usher took cool to a new level while reflecting on his rather “chilly” love life. Just like ol’ blue eyes himself, Usher handled himself with class and just let this one burn.
#2: “You Make Me Wanna…”
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My Way (1997)
It’s been said that nice guys finish last, and of course, nice girls often do too. With this Billboard smash, Usher addressed the desire to leave your partner to start a new relationship. With a fresh beat from Jermaine Dupri, “You Make Me Wanna” introduced Usher to the world, and his equally fresh dance moves made him the next big thing in pop music. The lyrics are undeniably relatable and the music video was destined to become an MTV sensation. And so, the legend of Usher Raymond was born.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
“Good Good,” Coming House (2024)
The Lead Single From Usher's Latest Album Sees Him Alongside Newer Stars Summer Walker & 21 Savage
“Here I Stand,” Here I Stand (2008)
This Grammy-Nominated Ballad Earned Comparisons to Stevie Wonder Himself
“There Goes My Baby,” Raymond v. Raymond (2010)
A Great Showcase of Usher’s Falsetto
“Pop Ya Collar,” 8701 (2001)
If There Was Ever a Song That Called For Collar-Popping, It’s This One
“Dive,” Looking 4 Myself (2012)
We Absolutely Want to Dive Into This Chorus
#1: Yeah!” feat. Lil Jon and Ludacris
Confessions (2004)
Ursher, baby. Truly a pop song for the ages, this monster jam united crunk-tastic Lil’ Jon and the hip hop giant Ludacris. People simply lose all control when this song is played, and its enormous success led to a #2 ranking for Billboard’s most successful tracks of the decade. Lyrically, Usher sings about a shorty getting low, and Ludacris wraps up the joint with spectacular rhymes about milking cows and booty poppin '. Few jams bring the energy like “Yeah!,” which won the Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration. Usher Raymond – the definitive master of club bangers.
What Usher song do you have it bad for? Let us know in the comments!
