You Make Me Wanna...

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Usher wrote "You Make Me Wanna..." with Jermaine Dupri and Manuel Seal, who also produced and played musical instruments on the tune. Phil Tan was in charge of recording the song at the Krosswire Studio, in Atlanta, Georgia in 1996. Tan and Dupri mixed the record with assistance from John and Brian Frye at Studio LaCoCo, in Atlanta, Georgia.{{cite AV media notes |title=My Way |year=1997 |type=CD liner |publisher=LaFace Records}} "You Make Me Wanna..." draws from the genres of R&B, soul and pop, and heavily utilizes the acoustic guitar,{{cite web|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-83943339.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105171045/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-83943339.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 5, 2012 |title=Sound Check (L.A. Life) |date=October 3, 1997 |newspaper=New York Daily News |access-date=March 4, 2011}}{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/1999/may/16/life1.lifemagazine2 |title=The colour of money |first=Dom |last=Phillips |newspaper=The Observer |date=May 16, 1999 |access-date=March 10, 2011}} while also incorporating hi-hat and bell instrumentation. According to Universal Music Publishing Group's sheet music published at Musicnotes.com, "You Make Me Wanna..." is written in the key of C Minor with a moderate tempo of 88 beats per minute. Usher's voice extends from the low note of B{{music|flat}}₃ to the high note of C₆.{{cite web |url=http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtdFPE.asp?ppn=MN0041247 |title=Usher – You Make Me Wanna... – Digital sheet music|date=January 15, 2002 |publisher=Musicnotes.com. Universal Music Publishing Group |access-date=November 29, 2010}} The song{{AllMusic|class=album|id=my-way-r312770|label=My Way|first=Stephen Thomas |last=Erlewine|access-date=November 29, 2010}} has a basic sequence of Cm–Fm₇–A{{music|flat}}–G–G/B as its chord progression. "You Make Me Wanna" is about a love triangle where a man is torn between his current relationship and his feelings for a close friend. He realizes that he wants to leave his current partner for this friend, as they have a deeper emotional connection. The song explores themes of desire, temptation, and confusion in relationships.

"You Make Me Wanna..." was distributed by LaFace Records and Arista Records. In the United States, it was serviced to rhythmic contemporary radio on July 15, 1997.{{cite magazine |title=New Releases |magazine=Radio & Records |issue=1205 |page=48 |date=July 11, 1997}} The song was then released via maxi single on August 5, 1997.{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B000007RNU |title=You Make Me Wanna [Maxi, Import] |publisher=Amazon.ca |access-date=March 5, 2011}}{{cite web |author=Usher |url=https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B00000DV4L |title=You Make Me Wanna [Single, Maxi, Import, From US] |publisher=Amazon |access-date=March 5, 2011}} On September 9, 1997, the track was added to US contemporary hit radio.{{cite magazine |title=New Releases |magazine=Radio & Records |issue=1213 |page=39 |date=September 5, 1997}} "You Make Me Wanna..." was released via cassette single, CD single, and 12-inch vinyl in the UK on January 19, 1998.{{cite magazine |title=New Releases: Singles |magazine=Music Week |page=35 |date=January 17, 1998}} The vinyl was made available in the US on April 24, 2001.{{cite web |author=Usher |url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000057Z66 |title=You Make Me Wanna [Vinyl] |publisher=Amazon |access-date=March 2, 2011}} Unauthorized copies of the song were distributed in Europe before its release, due to its popularity.{{cite web |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1077/is_n10_v53/ai_20971230/ |title=Usher! Backstage with the hottest teenager in music |first=Kevin |last=Chappell |magazine=Ebony |issn=0012-9011 |date=August 1998}} "You Make Me Wanna..." serves as the opening track to Usher's second studio album, My Way, while an extended version concludes the album.{{cite web |author=Usher |url=https://itunes.apple.com/au/album/my-way/id250501614 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111213735/https://itunes.apple.com/au/album/my-way/id250501614 |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 11, 2012 |title=My Way |publisher=iTunes Store |access-date=March 5, 2011}}

BBC Music's Christian Hopwood stated that "You Make Me Wanna..." had "universal appeal".{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/wxmq |title=Usher 8701 Review |first=Christian |last=Hopwood |publisher=BBC Music |date=November 20, 2002 |access-date=March 5, 2011}} Larry Flick from Billboard wrote, "Vocally strumming his notes as gently and powerfully as the guitar player who accompanies him, Usher makes no enemies by professing an attraction to a friend while being involved with another. The track promises to be a hit among all generations and genders as his loyal young female fan base will eagerly jump aboard. Older women will easily fall prey to the very thought of his musings, while men now have an interesting avenue to express similar feelings."{{cite magazine|author= Flick, Larry|author-link= Larry Flick|title= Reviews & Previews: Singles |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/90s/1997/Billboard-1997-08-02.pdf |magazine= Billboard |date= August 2, 1997 |page= 79 |access-date= December 5, 2020}} Robert Christgau noted "You Make Me Wanna..." as one of the best tracks from My Way.{{cite web|url=http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?name=Usher |title=Usher |first=Robert |last=Christgau |author-link=Robert Christgau |access-date=March 13, 2011}} Entertainment Weekly{{'s}} Whitney Pastorek gave it an A− rating, and complimented its minimal production. The Daily News reviewer called the single "very wonderful". British Music Week gave the single five out of five, remarking that it "looks set to crash into the mainstream".{{cite magazine|first=|last=|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1998/Music-Week-1998-01-10.pdf|title=Reviews: Singles|magazine=Music Week|date=January 10, 1998|page=14|access-date=August 31, 2023}} The magazine's Alan Jones praised it as "a superbly sublime and soulful semi-acoustic debut which recalls similarly styled singles from Tony Rich and Babyface. It actually has a very complex vocal, with Usher singing in and around the gaps on his own chorus. A very promising cuitain-raiser."{{cite magazine|first=Alan|last=Jones|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1997/Music-Week-1997-12-20.pdf|title=Talking Music|magazine=Music Week|date=December 20, 1997|page=13|accessdate=September 25, 2022}} According to Ann Powers of The New York Times, the song "put the spice back in the word 'relationship'."{{cite web |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CE4DA1230F937A35752C1A961958260 |title=Critic's Choice/Pop CD's; Take a Little Sass, Add Sunshine |first=Ann |last=Powers |work=The New York Times |date=November 4, 1997 |access-date=March 2, 2011}} David Fricke from Rolling Stone said it is one thing: "tiptoe love funk with a spare, gangsta air and Usher doing overdubbed ensemble singing like a one-man Blackstreet."Fricke, David (December 25, 1997-January 8, 1998). "The year in recordings". Rolling Stone. Issue 776/777. When reviewing My Way, Ian Hyland from Sunday Mirror stated that, "Tracks like 'You Make Me Wanna...', 'Nice And Slow' and 'Slow Jam' should put you in the mood".{{cite news|title=Best albums |first=Ian |last=Hyland |work=Sunday Mirror |publisher=Trinity Mirror |date=February 8, 1998}} A writer for The Vindicator wrote, "The song is a melodic blend of Usher's smooth, youthful voice and a strong, upbeat rhythm track. Billy Johnson Jr. of Yahoo! Music commended the production on "You Make Me Wanna...", along with that of "Nice and Slow" and "My Way", the second and third singles from My Way, respectively.{{cite web|url=http://ca.music.yahoo.com/read/review/12029418 |title=Usher Reviews |publisher=Yahoo! Music |first=Billy Jr. |last=Johnson |date=16 September 1997 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718133806/http://ca.music.yahoo.com/read/review/12029418 |archive-date=18 July 2011 |access-date=March 4, 2011 |url-status=dead }} On Valentine's Day 2004, VH1 listed the song at number six on its "Top 10 Sexy Tunes" for the holiday.{{cite web|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_6783/is_2004_Feb_14/ai_n28179815/ |title=Top 10 Sexy Tunes For Valentine's Day |work=Evening Chronicle |publisher=Trinity Mirror |date=February 14, 2001}}

"You Make Me Wanna..." won Usher the Billboard award for Pop Singer of the Year,{{cite web |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/entertainment/1999/11/09/1999-11-09_joining_the_class_struggle_r.html |title=Joining the Class Struggle R&B Superstar Plays the Leader of a School Revolt in 'Light It Up' |first=Denene |last=Miller |work=Daily News |date=November 9, 1999 |access-date=March 3, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120709145923/http://articles.nydailynews.com/1999-11-09/entertainment/18114908_1_police-harassment-movie-theater-deplorable |archive-date=July 9, 2012 }} and the Best R&B/Soul Single, Male category at the 1998 Soul Train Music Awards.{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_JQ8EAAAAMBAJ |quote=Best R&B Single you make me wanna. |title=Soul Train Awards |magazine=Billboard |publisher=Nielsen Business Media |date=May 13, 2000 |page=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_JQ8EAAAAMBAJ/page/n149 100]}} Radio station WQHT awarded it the title of Best R&B Song at its inaugural Hip Hop Awards.{{cite web |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/entertainment/1998/02/21/1998-02-21_hot-97_adds_awards_to_its_mi.html |title=Hot-97 Adds Awards to Its Mix; B.I.G. Named Top Artist |work=Daily News |first=David |last=Hinckley |date=February 21, 1998 |access-date=March 3, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629080327/http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/entertainment/1998/02/21/1998-02-21_hot-97_adds_awards_to_its_mi.html |archive-date=June 29, 2011 |url-status=dead }} The singer also received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for the song at the 40th Grammy Awards,{{cite news|url=http://articles.latimes.com/1998/jan/07/entertainment/ca-5628/3|title=Complete List of Academy Voter Picks|date=January 7, 1998|access-date=March 10, 2011|work=Los Angeles Times|archive-date=November 5, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105210229/http://articles.latimes.com/1998/jan/07/entertainment/ca-5628/3|url-status=dead}} but lost to {{nowrap|R. Kelly's}} {{nowrap|"I Believe I Can Fly"}}.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/02/26/arts/the-1998-grammy-award-winners.html |title=The 1998 Grammy Award Winners |work=The New York Times |date=February 26, 1998 |access-date=March 25, 2011}} In the 1997 Pazz & Jop critics' poll administered by The Village Voice, "You Make Me Wanna..." tied for thirtieth place in the singles category with Radiohead's "Paranoid Android".{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040417142831/http://villagevoice.com/specials/pazznjop/02/search_return.php?poll_year=1997&type=S&keyword= |archive-date=April 17, 2004 |url=http://villagevoice.com/specials/pazznjop/02/search_return.php?poll_year=1997&type=S&keyword= |title=Pazz & Jop 2002: Search |work=The Village Voice |access-date=May 30, 2015}}

"You Make Me Wanna..." debuted at number twenty-five on the Billboard Hot 100 on the chart dated August 23, 1997. The track peaked at number two for seven consecutive weeks, from October 25 to December 6, 1997. After seven weeks at number two, the song fell into number three, replaced at the runner-up spot by LeAnn Rimes' "How Do I Live", which had also spent seven weeks at number three. In November 1998, the song fell off the chart after forty-six charting weeks. On the Hot R&B Singles component chart, "You Make Me Wanna..." debuted at number four on August 23, 1997, before topping the chart two weeks later. In its first week of release, "You Make Me Wanna..." received 1,329 spins,{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2gkEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA20 |title=LaFace Goes Back to School for Usher's Sophomore Set |first=Shawnee |last=Smith |location=New York |page=20 |date=August 16, 1997 |volume=109 |issue=33 |magazine=Billboard |publisher=Nielsen Business Media |issn=0006-2510}} and by early October 1997, the song had made fifty million listener impressions on US R&B radio.{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=as1JAAAAIBAJ&pg=4720,8725197&hl=en |title=Rise of the house of Usher: Singer steps into manhood |work=The Vindicator |page=28 |date=November 12, 1997}} The record spent a total of eleven weeks atop the R&B/Hip Hop Songs, and seventy-one weeks within the chart's 100 positions.{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IxQEAAAAMBAJ&q=usher+%22you+make+me+wanna%22&pg=PA27 |title=The Rhythm Section |first=Minal |last=Patel |magazine=Billboard |publisher=Nielsen Business Media |issn=0006-2510 |date=July 7, 2001 |volume=113 |issue=27 |page=27}} "You Make Me Wanna..." stood as the song with the longest run on the genre chart by a male artist until K'Jon's "On the Ocean" lasted longer in 2010.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/959493/chart-beat-thursday-lady-antebellum-keha-hope-for-haiti-now |title=Chart Beat Thursday: Lady Antebellum, Ke$ha, 'Hope for Haiti Now' |first=Gary |last=Trust |magazine=Billboard |publisher=Prometheus Global Media |date=February 4, 2010 |access-date=March 4, 2011}} It also spent twenty-nine weeks on the Pop Songs chart, peaking at number seven. On September 3, 1997, "You Make Me Wanna..." received a gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), denoting 500,000 shipments, and later that month it was upgraded to platinum status for shipments exceeding one million copies.{{cite web|url=http://riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&artist=usher&title=You%20Make%20Me%20Wanna&perPage=25 |title=Gold & Platinum – Search Results |publisher=Recording Industry Association of America |accessdate=March 3, 2011}} Though its certification status was not further renewed, it ultimately went on to sell over two million copies domestically.{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iQ0EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA76 |title=Best-Selling Records of 1997 |magazine=Billboard|publisher=BPI Communications Inc.|date=January 31, 1998 |access-date=May 9, 2015 |page=76 |issn=0006-2510|volume=110|number=5}} The song ranked at number eighty-eight on the Billboard Hot 100 "All-Time Top Songs", published in July 2008.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/specials/hot100/charts/top100-titles-90.shtml |title=The Billboard Hot 100 All-Time Top Songs (90-81) |magazine=Billboard |publisher=Nielsen Business Media |access-date=March 5, 2011 |archive-date=February 26, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110226071002/http://www.billboard.com/specials/hot100/charts/top100-titles-90.shtml |url-status=dead }}

"You Make Me Wanna..." entered the UK Singles Chart at number one, on the chart dated January 31, 1998.{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/19980125/7501/ |title=Archive Chart |date=January 31, 1998 |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=March 4, 2011}} That same week the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) awarded the song a silver certification for shipping 200,000 units. It only spent one week on top of the chart, being replaced by Aqua's "Doctor Jones".{{cite web |url=http://www.theofficialcharts.com/all-the-number-ones-singles-list/_/1998/ |title=All the Number One Singles |year=1998 |publisher=The Official Charts Company |access-date=March 4, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100708194155/http://www.theofficialcharts.com/all-the-number-ones-singles-list/_/1998 |archive-date=July 8, 2010 }} "You Make Me Wanna..." slipped off the chart in May 1998, having had thirteen charting weeks. The BPI has since re-certified the single gold for shipping over 400,000 copies. The song entered the Canadian Singles Chart at number eighty-six on November 10, 1997.{{cite journal |url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.7911&type=1&interval=20&PHPSESSID=m89iq841abagb37ld9c0fdc1f3 |title=Top Singles |journal=RPM |volume=66 |issue=10 |date=November 10, 1997 |access-date=March 5, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021172753/http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.7911&type=1&interval=20&PHPSESSID=m89iq841abagb37ld9c0fdc1f3 |archive-date=October 21, 2012 |url-status=dead }} It peaked at number six, lasting twenty-two weeks in the chart.{{cite journal |url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.3538&type=1&interval=20&PHPSESSID=m89iq841abagb37ld9c0fdc1f3 |title=Top Singles |journal=RPM |volume=67 |issue=5 |date=April 27, 1998 |access-date=March 5, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021172811/http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.3538&type=1&interval=20&PHPSESSID=m89iq841abagb37ld9c0fdc1f3 |archive-date=October 21, 2012 |url-status=dead }} In Europe, the song reached the top twenty in France, Germany, Norway and Switzerland, and peaked at number seven in the Netherlands.{{cite web |url=https://www.top40.nl/usher/usher-you-make-me-wanna-remix-12986 |title=Usher – You Make Me Wanna |website=Dutch Top 40 |publisher=Radio Veronica |lang=nl |access-date=April 15, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408123045/https://www.top40.nl/usher/usher-you-make-me-wanna-remix-12986 |archive-date=April 8, 2019 |url-status=live}} It spent sixteen weeks in the Australian Singles Chart, climaxing at number six, and was certified Platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), having sold 70,000 copies.{{Cite web|url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/SinglesAccreds2018.htm|title=SinglesAccreds2018|website=www.aria.com.au}} "You Make Me Wanna..." reached number fifteen on the New Zealand Singles Chart, occupying twenty-six weeks in the chart. The Recording Industry Association of New Zealand certified the song gold.

The accompanying music video for "You Make Me Wanna..." was directed by Bille Woodruff.{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.ca/music/video_browse_play.jhtml?vid=59552&aid=1270 |title=Usher - You Make Me Wanna |publisher=MTV. CTVglobemedia |access-date=November 28, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706185858/http://www.mtv.ca/music/video_browse_play.jhtml?vid=59552&aid=1270 |archive-date=July 6, 2011 |url-status=dead }} It starts with Usher sitting in an orange wall recess, reaching for a guitar, before cutting to a scene of him standing in a white-and-purple circular room, wearing an open shirt. It moves to a blue backdrop where Usher advances, flanked by four dancers. The scene is replaced by five clones of Usher dancing and sitting on chairs.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.ew.com/article/2006/09/12/hello-spice-girls-rating-hits-sept-97 |title=Chart Flashback |first=Whitney |last=Pastorek |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=September 12, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070106110012/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,1533782,00.html |archive-date=January 6, 2007 |url-status=live |access-date=March 13, 2011}}{{cite magazine|url=http://www.popmatters.com/music/videos/u/usher-udonthave.html |title=Usher: U Don't Have to Call |first=Cynthia |last=Fuchs |magazine=PopMatters |access-date=March 5, 2011}} The video continues with the singer performing dance routines throughout; interspersed are scenes of Usher singing the song on a background of blue pipes. Toward the end of the video, he takes off his shirt in the circular room, and finally Usher and his backup dancers step out of their shoes and walk away.{{cite journal|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CywEAAAAMBAJ&q=usher+%22you+make+me+wanna%22&pg=PA87 |title=Super man child|first=Andréa |last=Duncan |journal=Vibe |publisher=InterMedia Partners |volume=6 |issue=1 |page=86 |date=February 1998}}

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• Maxi-single

1. "You Make Me Wanna..." – 3:39
2. "You Make Me Wanna..." (JD remix) – 3:39
3. "You Make Me Wanna..." (Lil' Jon's Eastside Remix) – 3:58
4. "You Make Me Wanna..." (Timbaland Remix) – 4:26
5. "You Make Me Wanna..." (instrumental) – 3:17
6. "You Make Me Wanna..." (Lil Jon's Eastside remix instrumental) – 3:57

• CD single{{cite web |author=Usher |url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000009G8H |title=You Make Me Wanna Pt. 2 |publisher=Amazon |access-date=November 29, 2010}}

1. "You Make Me Wanna..."
2. "You Make Me Wanna..." (Tuff Jam Classic Garage Mix)
3. "You Make Me Wanna..." (Tuff Jam Classic Garage instrumental)
4. "You Make Me Wanna..." (Tuff Jam UVM Dub Mix)
5. "You Make Me Wanna..." (instrumental Dub Mix)

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• 12-inch vinyl{{cite AV media notes |author=Usher |title=You Make Me Wanna (Remix) |date=1997 |type=12-inch vinyl back cover |publisher=LaFace Records and Arista Records}}

1. "You Make Me Wanna..." – 3:39
2. "You Make Me Wanna..." (JD's Remix) – 3:39
3. "You Make Me Wanna..." (Lil' Jon's Eastside Remix) – 3:58
4. "You Make Me Wanna..." (Timbaland Remix) – 4:26
5. "You Make Me Wanna..." (a cappella) – 3:39
6. "You Make Me Wanna..." (instrumental) – 3:17

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{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications and sales for "You Make Me Wanna..."}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|title=|artist=|type=single|award=Platinum|certyear=2018|refname="ARIAcert"}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|artist=Usher|title=You Make Me Wanna|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=1997|relmonth=08|id=1998-04-10|source=newchart|access-date=2024-11-20|refname="RIANZcert"}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=Usher|title=You Make Me Wanna|type=single|award=Platinum|relyear=1998|certyear=2020|id=8418-1290-1|refname="BPIcert"}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|artist=Usher|title=You Make Me Wanna...|type=single|award=Platinum|number=3|salesref=|relyear=1997|certyear=2024|access-date=February 10, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|noshipments=true|streaming=true}}

• List of number-one singles from the 1990s (UK)
• List of number-one R&B singles of 1997 (U.S.)
• List of Billboard Rhythmic number-one songs of the 1990s
• List of RPM number-one dance singles of 1997

{{Reflist}}

{{Usher singles}}

{{Good article}}

Category:1997 singles

Category:1997 songs

Category:Arista Records singles

Category:LaFace Records singles

Category:Music videos directed by Bille Woodruff

Category:Song recordings produced by Jermaine Dupri

Category:Songs written by Jermaine Dupri

Category:Songs written by Manuel Seal

Category:Songs written by Usher (musician)

Category:UK singles chart number-one singles

Category:Usher (musician) songs