When it comes to defining the sound of modern R&B, few names carry as much weight as Usher Raymond IV. The American singer-songwriter and dancer has spent over two decades shaping the global music landscape, earning multiple Grammy Awards and building one of the most loyal fanbases in pop and R&B history. If you are looking for the best Usher songs of all time to add to your playlist, you have come to the right place — this definitive list covers his greatest hits and some of his most exciting new releases. Whether you are discovering his music for the first time or revisiting your favorite anthems, these tracks represent the very best of what Usher has to offer. You can also explore more iconic songs across every genre on GlobalMusicVibe to keep your music journey going.
A Brief Look at Usher’s Legacy
Born in Dallas, Texas in 1978 and raised in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Usher Raymond IV signed his first record deal with LaFace Records as a teenager and released his debut album in 1994. His breakthrough came with the 1997 album My Way, which established him as a serious force in R&B, and he went on to achieve global superstardom with the record-shattering Confessions in 2004. His studio albums — from 8701 to Here I Stand and Raymond v. Raymond — have each pushed the boundaries of R&B while incorporating pop, hip-hop, and electronic influences. Beyond his studio work, Usher is known for his extraordinary live performances, his acclaimed Super Bowl Halftime Show appearance in 2024, and his continued relevance as one of the most versatile artists of his generation.
Yeah!
“Yeah!” is arguably the song that cemented Usher as one of the biggest names in pop and R&B history. Released as the lead single from his landmark album Confessions, the track features Lil Jon and Ludacris and was produced by Lil Jon himself, delivering a crunk-infused, bass-heavy sound that dominated radio airwaves worldwide. The song spent 12 consecutive weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming one of the best-selling singles of the 2000s and a defining anthem of an entire decade.
U Got It Bad
“U Got It Bad” is one of Usher’s most emotionally resonant ballads, taken from his critically acclaimed album 8701. The song showcases his vocal vulnerability in a way few tracks in his catalog do, exploring the feeling of being hopelessly in love with someone even when the relationship is complicated. It reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and remained there for six weeks, becoming one of the defining love songs of the early 2000s.
Burn
“Burn” is a soulful mid-tempo ballad from the Confessions album that sees Usher grappling with the painful decision to end a long-term relationship. The production by Jermaine Dupri and Bryan-Michael Cox gives the song a timeless quality that still resonates with listeners today. The track spent seven weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 and was a commercial and critical triumph that demonstrated Usher’s ability to blend emotional depth with mainstream appeal.
Confessions Part II
“Confessions Part II” is the raw, narrative-driven centerpiece of the Confessions album, in which Usher tells the story of an infidelity and its consequences with unflinching honesty. The song was widely interpreted as autobiographical, which only added to its cultural weight and emotional impact upon release. It debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, making Usher one of the few artists at the time to have multiple chart-toppers from the same album simultaneously.
My Boo
“My Boo” is a duet with Alicia Keys from the Confessions album and remains one of the most beloved R&B collaborations of the 2000s. The song captures the bittersweet feeling of reconnecting with a first love, and the chemistry between Usher and Alicia Keys elevates the track to something truly special. It reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned the duo widespread praise for their vocal harmonies and natural chemistry throughout the recording.
Nice And Slow
“Nice & Slow” was a major turning point in Usher’s career, marking his transition from teen pop idol to a mature R&B artist with serious sex appeal and songwriting depth. Released from his second studio album My Way, the track became his first number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100, where it stayed for eight weeks. The song’s silky production and smooth vocal delivery established the sensual, laid-back style that would go on to define much of his later work.
U Remind Me
“U Remind Me” is a standout track from 8701 that earned Usher his first Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance. The song tells the story of a new romance that keeps reminding the narrator of a painful past relationship, creating a complex emotional tension that resonated deeply with fans. Its polished production and deeply personal lyrics helped solidify Usher’s reputation as one of the most emotionally intelligent artists of his generation.
Love In This Club
“Love in This Club,” featuring Young Jeezy, was the lead single from Usher’s Here I Stand album and immediately topped charts around the world upon its release. The song blends classic R&B sensibility with contemporary club energy, creating a seductive anthem that quickly became a staple on dance floors everywhere. It debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, making it Usher’s fastest-rising single to the top spot at the time of its release.
OMG
“OMG” featuring will.i.am marked a bold new direction for Usher, embracing an electro-pop and dance-influenced sound that expanded his audience globally. The song became a massive international hit, debuting at number one in multiple countries and showcasing Usher’s ability to reinvent himself while maintaining his signature charisma. Produced by will.i.am, “OMG” was praised for its infectious energy and cemented Usher’s relevance in an era where dance-pop dominated the mainstream charts.
DJ Got Us Fallin’ In Love
“DJ Got Us Fallin’ In Love” featuring Pitbull is one of the standout club anthems from the Raymond v. Raymond era, built around an irresistible hook and an energetic, danceable production. The track captures the euphoric feeling of a chance romantic encounter on the dance floor, with Pitbull’s verses adding a confident swagger that perfectly complements Usher’s smoother vocal delivery. The song became a global dance hit and reinforced the cross-genre appeal that Usher had been building throughout his career.
There Goes My Baby
“There Goes My Baby” is a sentimental tribute to classic soul music from the Raymond v. Raymond album, and it won Usher the Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance in 2011. The song’s production channels the warm, orchestral arrangements of the Motown era while updating the sound for a modern audience, demonstrating Usher’s deep roots in and respect for R&B history. Its heartfelt lyrics and polished delivery made it one of the most universally beloved tracks of his entire catalog.
Hey Daddy
“Hey Daddy (Daddy’s Home)” is a smooth, confident track from Raymond v. Raymond that highlighted Usher’s ability to blend quiet storm R&B with modern production sensibilities. The song features a relaxed groove and playful lyricism that made it a fan favorite from the album, even if it flew slightly under the radar compared to the bigger singles. Its understated charm is a testament to the depth of the Raymond v. Raymond album, which remains one of the strongest projects of Usher’s career.
Bad Girl
“Bad Girl” from the Confessions album is a fan-favorite deep cut that showcases the more playful and seductive side of Usher’s persona. The track’s funky, groove-driven production gave it an irresistible energy that stood out within an already stacked album tracklist. Though it was not a lead single, “Bad Girl” has endured as a beloved fan selection and a prime example of the sonic range that made Confessions one of the greatest R&B albums ever recorded.
U Don’t Have To Call
“U Don’t Have to Call” from 8701 is a sharp, assertive breakup record that showed a different side of Usher’s personality — confident and unbothered in the face of a failing relationship. The track reached number four on the Billboard Hot 100 and received significant radio airplay, earning Usher his second Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance. Its cool-headed attitude and crisp production gave it a timeless appeal that still holds up decades after its release.
Can U Handle It?
“Can U Handle It?” from Confessions is a slow-burning, sensual R&B track that leans fully into the seductive persona Usher had cultivated across his career. The production creates an intimate atmosphere that makes the song feel both personal and cinematic, drawing the listener into Usher’s world with ease. It stands as one of the most compelling slow jams on the Confessions album and a key example of how Usher mastered the art of building tension through music. If you want to experience the full depth of tracks like this one, our headphone comparison guide can help you find the perfect pair for immersive listening.
I Don’t Mind
“I Don’t Mind” featuring Juicy J came from Usher’s I Don’t Mind EP and became one of his most talked-about releases of the mid-2010s. The song broke from conventional R&B norms with its unapologetically direct subject matter, which sparked significant conversation and debate across social media and music journalism. Its catchy hook and confident delivery kept it on the charts for an extended run, and it introduced Usher to a newer generation of listeners who responded strongly to its boldness.
No Limit
“No Limit” featuring Young Thug from the Hard II Love album is a hypnotic, trap-influenced R&B track that showed Usher’s willingness to evolve alongside contemporary music trends. The song’s production bridges the gap between classic R&B smoothness and the modern Atlanta sound, resulting in something that felt both fresh and distinctly Usher. It was praised by critics for its creative risk-taking and demonstrated that even after two decades in the industry, Usher was still capable of pushing his artistry into new territory.
Good Good
“Good Good” is one of Usher’s most celebrated recent releases, taken from his 2024 album Coming Home, and it became an instant cultural moment thanks to its candid and self-aware storytelling. The track features Summer Walker and 21 Savage and reflects on the dynamics of relationships with a maturity and perspective that only comes from lived experience. It earned widespread critical acclaim and chart success, proving that Usher’s ability to connect with audiences through authentic emotional storytelling remains as strong as ever.
Standing Next To You
“Standing Next to You” is Usher’s reimagining of the Jung Kook track, updated with his signature R&B flair as part of the Coming Home era. The song blends nostalgia for classic pop and R&B with modern production techniques, creating something that feels both timeless and utterly contemporary. Released as part of the creative wave surrounding the Coming Home album, it highlighted Usher’s cross-genre versatility and his ability to reinterpret existing work through his own distinct artistic lens. For the best way to enjoy new releases like this one, browse our earbud comparison guide for top-rated options.
Superstar
“Superstar” is an elegant, piano-led ballad from Confessions that sees Usher expressing profound admiration for someone he idolizes, making it one of the most tender and intimate tracks in his discography. The song strips away the gloss of big-budget production in favor of raw emotional honesty, relying almost entirely on Usher’s vocal performance to carry its weight. It has become a fan favorite at live performances and a reminder that beneath all the flashy anthems and club hits, Usher is, at his core, an extraordinary vocal storyteller.
Why Usher’s Music Stands the Test of Time
Across nearly three decades of recording, Usher has proven himself to be far more than just a hitmaker. His ability to evolve with the times while staying true to the emotional core of R&B is what separates him from the vast majority of his peers. From the teenage sincerity of My Way to the adult confessional depth of Confessions and the boldly experimental Hard II Love, his catalog is a masterclass in artistic growth and reinvention. The songs on this list represent not just chart statistics but genuine moments of cultural connection that defined how millions of people understood love, desire, loss, and joy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Usher’s most successful song of all time?
“Yeah!” featuring Lil Jon and Ludacris is widely considered Usher’s most commercially successful song of all time. It spent 12 weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and became one of the best-selling singles of the 2000s, helping turn Confessions into a record-breaking album. The track remains one of the most recognizable R&B and hip-hop crossover songs ever recorded.
How many number-one hits does Usher have?
Usher has had numerous number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100 throughout his career, including “Yeah!,” “Burn,” “Confessions Part II,” “My Boo,” “Nice & Slow,” “U Got It Bad,” “Love in This Club,” and “OMG,” among others. His dominance on the charts across multiple decades places him among the most commercially successful artists in the history of the Billboard charts. Few artists can match his consistency in reaching the top spot across such a long and varied career.
What albums are considered Usher’s best work?
Confessions (2004) is almost universally regarded as Usher’s greatest achievement, featuring multiple number-one singles and selling over 20 million copies worldwide. 8701 (2001) is also widely praised for its emotional depth and vocal performances, earning Usher his first Grammy Awards. Raymond v. Raymond (2010) and the more recent Coming Home (2024) are also considered highlights of his later career.
Has Usher released new music recently?
Yes, Usher released his ninth studio album Coming Home in 2024, which was met with strong critical reception and featured notable singles including “Good Good” with Summer Walker and 21 Savage. The album arrived around the time of his widely praised Super Bowl Halftime Show performance, reigniting global interest in his career. Coming Home demonstrates that Usher remains one of the most vital and relevant voices in contemporary R&B.
What genre is Usher known for?
Usher is primarily known for R&B and pop, but his music has consistently incorporated elements from hip-hop, funk, soul, dance, and electronic music throughout his career. His versatility across genres is one of the key reasons he has been able to maintain commercial success and critical relevance for nearly three decades. He is widely considered one of the defining artists of contemporary R&B and a foundational figure in shaping the sound of the genre during the 2000s.