U Remind Me

"U Remind Me" was written by Edmund "Eddie Hustle" Clement and his sister Anita McCloud and planned to be recorded by Clement's Hustle Child at one time or another.{{cite web|first=Gary|last=Eskow|url=https://www.bmi.com/news/entry/20010828eddie_hustle_eddie_hustle|title=Eddie Hustle |website=BMI.com |date=August 27, 2001|access-date=July 25, 2023}} When his manager Mark Pitts, then vice president of A&R at Arista Records, began shopping their demo of the song, it fell into the hand of L.A. Reid who thought it would be an excellent song for Usher's third studio album. While Clement acknowledged that it was "tough to let the song go," Reid guaranteed them the song would be selected as the album's first single from 8701, and sent the track to Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis to revamp parts of it.{{cite web|first=Shaheem |last=Reid|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/dga8ye/jimmy-jam-terry-lewis-visit-house-of-usher |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809045942/https://www.mtv.com/news/dga8ye/jimmy-jam-terry-lewis-visit-house-of-usher |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 9, 2022 |title=Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis Visit House Of Usher|website=MTV.com |date=June 12, 2001|access-date=July 25, 2023}} In an interview with MTV News, Jimmy Jam commented: "It wound up being the perfect song for Usher. The beat and all that was already cool. All we did was try to bring the vocal up to par. I wanted people to hear Usher sing and go, 'This boy can sing. He's a singer.' We already know he can dance, and he's got the style and that whole thing. But I want people to just go, 'He can sing'."

"U Remind Me" is a contemporary R&B song written in the key of G-flat major, and is set in common time with a moderate tempo of 92 beats per minute. The song follows the chord progression of E{{music|flat}}m₇-A{{music|flat}}m₇-B{{music|flat}}m₇, and the piano ranges from the low note of E{{music|flat}}₂ to the high note of A{{music|flat}}₅, while Usher's vocal range stretches from B{{music|flat}}₂ to A{{music|flat}}₅.{{cite web| url=http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtdVPE.asp?ppn=MN0040325 |title=U Remind Me |publisher=Musicnotes.com. Windswept Holdings, LLC |access-date=November 29, 2010}} The song's lyrics are based on meeting a woman who reminds the singer of an ex-girlfriend, and therefore cannot comfortably date her.{{cite web|url=http://www.aolradioblog.com/2010/01/18/top-usher-songs/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100126060639/http://www.aolradioblog.com/2010/01/18/top-usher-songs/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=January 26, 2010 |title=Top 10 Usher Songs |first=Boonsri |last=Dickinson |publisher=AOL Radio. AOL |year=2010 |access-date=November 29, 2010}}

"U Remind Me" earned largely positive reviews form music critics. Billboard called the song a "return to form" for Usher, further describing it as a "laid-back, catchy summertime head-nodder. Trading his trademark quick-fire rap/sung delivery for some straight-up riffing and singing, this should earn Usher respect at R&B radio and beyond, helping him keep step with the no-frills old school production that."{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DRQEAAAAMBAJ |title=Reviews & Previews: Singles |magazine=Billboard |date=June 2, 2001 |access-date=July 25, 2023}} Sal Cinquemani from Slant called the song a "smash" with an" "instantly recognizable hook and admirable exploration of a conflicted emotional terrain."{{cite web|first=Sal|last=Cinquemani|url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/usher-8701/|title=Review: Usher, 8701 |website=Slant Magazine |date=August 4, 2001|access-date=July 25, 2023}} James Poletti of Yahoo! Music noted the song as the best track on 8701, dubbing it the 2001 version of Craig David's "Fill Me In".{{cite web|url=http://uk.launch.yahoo.com/l_reviews_a/20923.html |title=Usher - 8701 Album Review |first=James |last=Poletti |publisher=Yahoo! Music. Yahoo! UK & Ireland |date=July 11, 2001 |access-date=November 29, 2010}} Allmusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine also chose it as a highlight from its parent album.{{cite web |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=8701-r544107|pure_url=yes}} |title=8701 - Usher |publisher=AllMusic. Rovi Corporation |first=Stephen Thomas |last=Erlewine |access-date=November 29, 2010}} NME called "U Remind Me" not "the most obvious follow-up to the storming "Pop Ya Colla," but you've got to give this one time to digest. Not quite a ballad, "U Remind Me" [...] is a intriguing tale about how, despite your obvious gorgeousness, Usher can't roll with you cos he's still suffering from a visit from the ghost of the ex."

"U Remind Me" gained Usher his first Grammy Award, winning the category of Best Male R&B Vocal Performance at the 44th annual ceremony.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/76269/ushers-springsummer-tour-evolves |title=Usher's Spring/Summer Tour Evolves |magazine=Billboard |publisher=Nielsen Business Media |access-date=November 29, 2010}} Other nominees for the award were Case's "Missing You", Maxwell's "Lifetime", Brian McKnight's "Love of My Life" and Musiq Soulchild's "Love".{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/complete-list-of-grammy-nominees/ |title=Complete List Of Grammy Nominees |location=Los Angeles |publisher=CBS News. CBS Corporation |date=January 4, 2002 |access-date=November 29, 2010}} In 2010, Boonsri Dickinson of AOL Radio ranked "U Remind Me" as Usher's ninth-best song. In 2016, Complex ranked the song number six on their list of the 25 greatest Usher songs,{{cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/music/best-usher-songs/|title=The 25 Best Usher Songs|website=Complex|date=October 14, 2016|accessdate=March 29, 2022}} and in 2021, American Songwriter ranked the song number seven on their list of the 10 greatest Usher songs.{{cite web|url=https://americansongwriter.com/top-10-usher-songs/|title=Top 10 Usher Songs|first=Jacob|last=Uitti|website=American Songwriter|date=December 18, 2021|accessdate=March 29, 2022}}

A music video for "U Remind Me" was directed by Dave Meyers and filmed in Los Angeles in April 2001.{{cite web|first=Shaheem |last=Reid|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/3uglx8/usher-turns-u-into-8701 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814013440/https://www.mtv.com/news/3uglx8/usher-turns-u-into-8701 |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 14, 2022 |title=Usher Turns U Into 8701 |website=MTV.com |date=April 17, 2001|access-date=July 25, 2023}} The video features look-a-likes for singers Mýa, Brandy, and Tamia (actress Natashia Williams), while featuring the real Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas of girl group TLC at the end to show the theme of the women reminding him of his past relationships.{{cite web |url=http://www.nme.com/reviews/usher/5287 |title=Usher : U Remind Me |work=NME |publisher=IPC Media |date=June 22, 2001 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101017140810/http://www.nme.com/reviews/usher/5287 |archivedate=October 17, 2010 |access-date=November 29, 2010 |url-status=dead }} While subsequent videos for 8701 further singles were filmed by director Little X, the story in "U Remind Me" would be continued in "U Got It Bad" and "U Don't Have to Call," with Thomas reprising her role in both videos.{{cite web|first=Shaheem|last=Reid|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/1a21gg/p-diddy-usher-shoot-clip-for-the-not-about-jlo-song|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326083402/https://www.mtv.com/news/1a21gg/p-diddy-usher-shoot-clip-for-the-not-about-jlo-song|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 26, 2023|title=P. Diddy, Usher Shoot Clip For 'The-Not-About-J.Lo' Song|website=MTV.com|date=February 6, 2002|access-date=July 25, 2023}} The music video on YouTube has received over 100 million views as of May 2024.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bxau9B3jOHM Usher - U Remind Me (Official Music Video)].YouTube

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US CD single{{cite AV media notes|title=U Remind Me|others=Usher|year=2001|type=US CD single liner notes|publisher=Arista Records|id=07822-13992-2}}

1. "U Remind Me" (radio edit) – 4:08
2. "U Remind Me" (instrumental) – 4:26
3. Snippets from 8701

US 12-inch single 1{{cite AV media notes|title=U Remind Me|others=Usher|year=2001|type=US 12-inch single vinyl disc|publisher=Arista Records|id=07822-15024-1}}

:A1. "U Remind Me" (Illicit club mix) – 7:27

:A2. "U Remind Me" (Illicit acappella) – 4:44

:B1. "U Remind Me" (Pete & Vincent's club mix) – 6:44

:B2. "U Remind Me" (Pete & Vincent's dub mix) – 5:27

US 12-inch single 2{{cite AV media notes|title=U Remind Me|others=Usher|year=2001|type=US 12-inch single vinyl disc|publisher=Arista Records|id=07822-15038-1}}

:A1. "U Remind Me" (remix featuring Method Man and Blu Cantrell—radio mix) – 3:56

:A2. "U Remind Me" (album version) – 4:27

:B1. "U Remind Me" (club mix) – 3:55

:B2. "U Remind Me" (instrumental) – 3:56

:B3. "U Remind Me" (club mix acappella) – 3:39

European CD single and UK cassette single{{cite AV media notes|title=U Remind Me|others=Usher|year=2001|type=European CD single liner notes|publisher=Arista Records, BMG|id=74321 85876 2}}{{cite AV media notes|title=U Remind Me|others=Usher|year=2001|type=UK cassette single sleeve|publisher=Arista Records, BMG|id=74321 86338 4}}

1. "U Remind Me" (radio edit) – 4:27
2. "I Don't Know" (featuring P. Diddy) – 4:27

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UK CD single{{cite web|url=http://www.mattscdsingles.com/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_Usher_558.html#a14946|title=Usher – U Remind Me|publisher=Matt's CD Singles|access-date=November 29, 2010}}{{cite AV media notes|title=U Remind Me|others=Usher|year=2001|type=UK CD single liner notes|publisher=Arista Records, BMG|id=74321 86338 2}}

1. "U Remind Me" (radio edit) – 4:27
2. "I Don't Know" (featuring P. Diddy) – 4:27
3. "TTP" – 3:38
4. "U Remind Me" (video)

UK 12-inch single{{cite AV media notes|title=U Remind Me|others=Usher|year=2001|type=UK 12-inch single sleeve|publisher=Arista Records, BMG|id=74321 86338 1}}

1. "U Remind Me" (radio edit) – 4:27
2. "I Don't Know" (featuring P. Diddy) – 4:27
3. "TTP" – 3:38

Australian CD single{{cite AV media notes|title=U Remind Me|others=Usher|year=2001|type=Australian CD single liner notes|publisher=Arista Records|id=74321 85877 2}}

1. "U Remind Me" (radio edit) – 4:27
2. "U Remind Me" (instrumental) – 4:26
3. "I Don't Know" (featuring P. Diddy) – 4:27
4. "TTP" – 3:38

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Credits are lifted from the European CD single liner notes.

Studio

• Recorded at Tree Sound Studios (Norcross, Georgia, US)

Personnel

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• Anita McCloud – writing
• Edmund "Eddie Hustle" Clement – writing (as Edmund Clement), production
• Usher – vocals
• Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis – production
• John Frye – recording
• Mark Rains – recording, Pro Tools
• Warren Bletcher – recording assistant
• Brad Todd – recording assistant
• Kevin "KD" Davis – mixing
• Steve Baughman – mixing assistant
• Gravillis Inc. – art direction
• DL Warfield – art direction
• Courtney Walter – artwork design
• Christian Lantry – photography
• Eric Archibald – styling

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{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications and sales for "U Remind Me"}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2001|certyear=2018}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Belgium|type=single|artist=Usher|title=U Remind Me|award=Gold|relyear=2001|certyear=2001|access-date=August 17, 2022}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|type=single|artist=Usher|title=U Remind Me|award=Gold|relyear=2001|certyear=2021|id=10887|accessdate=January 4, 2022}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|type=single|artist=Usher|title=U Remind Me|award=Gold|relyear=2001|id=2001-08-24|source=newchart|access-date=November 20, 2024|certyear=2001}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Sweden|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=2001|certyear=2002|access-date=July 3, 2019}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Usher|title=U Remind Me|award=Platinum|relyear=2001|certyear=2020|id=10135-1290-1|access-date=October 6, 2020}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|artist=Usher|title=U Remind Me|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2001|certyear=2024|access-date=February 9, 2024}}

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• List of Hot 100 number-one singles of 2001 (U.S.)
• R&B number-one hits of 2001 (USA)

{{Reflist}}

{{Usher singles}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2001 singles

Category:2001 songs

Category:Arista Records singles

Category:Bertelsmann Music Group singles

Category:Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles

Category:Music videos directed by Dave Meyers (director)

Category:Usher (musician) songs