Yeah! (Usher song)

Infobox Single
Name = Yeah!


Caption = UK CD 1 cover
Artist = Usher featuring Lil Jon and Ludacris
Album = Confessions
Released = January 27, 2004
Format = CD single, CD maxi single, digital download
Recorded = 2003
Genre = dance-pop, hip hop
Length = 4:10
Label = Arista
Writer = Lil jon, Sean Garrett, Patrick J. Que Smith, Ludacris, Robert McDowell, James Phillips, LaMarquis Jefferson
Producer = Lil Jon
Certification = Platinum (RIAA, ARIA)
Chronology = Usher singles
Last single = "U Don't Have to Call"
(2002)
This single = "Yeah!"
(2004)
Next single = "Burn"
(2004)
Misc = Extra chronology
Artist = Lil Jon
Type = singles
Last single = "Real Nigga Roll Call"
(2004)
This single = "Yeah!"
(2004)
Next single = "Salt Shaker"
(2004)Extra chronology
Artist = Ludacris
Type = singles
Last single = "Diamond in the Back"
(2004)
This single = "Yeah!"
(2004)
Next single = "Blow It Out"
(2004)

"Yeah!" is a song written by American songwriters and producers Lil Jon, Sean Garrett, Patrick J. Que Smith, Ludacris, Robert McDowell and James Elbert "LRoc" Phillips for Usher's fourth studio album "Confessions" (2004). The track was produced by Lil Jon which he combined crunk and R&B genres, triggering positive reviews from music critics. The song features Lil Jon and rapper Ludacris. It is Usher's biggest hit to date, as well as Ludacris's and Lil Jon's.

The song was released as the lead single from the album in early 2004, which reached number one on the "Billboard" Hot 100 for twelve weeks. It performed equally well on international music markets, topping several charts. The single was certified platinum in various countries and the song received awards.

The song ranks at #11 on "Billboard's All Time Top 100." [http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/specials/hot100/charts/top100-titles-20.shtml]

Background

After Usher thought his fourth studio album, "Confessions", was already finished, he submitted it to his label Arista Records in 2003. However, when Usher and the company's then-president Antonio "LA" Reid listened to the songs, they felt the album needed a lead single. Although they had "Burn", the first song created early in the making of the album, as waiting list, Usher had to make few more tracks.Cite news |last=Reid |first=Shaheem |title=The Road To Confessions: How Usher 'Shook A Million' |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1486094/20040331/usher.jhtml |work=MTV News |date=March 31, 2004 |accessdate=2008-03-02] Cite news |last=Reid |first=Shaheem |title=Usher: King Me – Part 3 |url=http://www.mtv.com/bands/u/usher/news_feature_052404/index3.jhtml |work=MTV News |accessdate=2008-03-02]

Usher went back to the studio and enlisted fellow Atlantians rapper-producer Lil Jon, alongside rapper-actor Ludacris, to produce songs for him. Lil Jon recalled: "He needed a single. They had 'Burn,' 'Burn' was hot, but they needed that first powerful monster. That's when I came in."

Several months before Lil Jon came into the production of "Confessions", he was commissioned by Jive Records to produce fifteen beats for rapper Mystikal. Mystikal would only choose two tracks which gave Lil Jon the chance to peddle the leftovers to other record labels. Beyond his awareness, Jive gave one of the tracks Mystikal passed on to hip hop artist Petey Pablo, who also records for the label. The track became Pablo's "Freak-a-Leek". At the same time, Lil Jon thought the track would not be used and gave the "Freak-a-Leek" beat to Usher for the original version of what became as "Yeah!". Lil Jon went to Pablo, who already heard the song similar beat to his own. Lil Jon tried to settle it with Jive by making another beat for Pablo; however, Pablo did not give up the track, considering it was already gaining responses from South radio. Lil Jon had to rework on the track and a new instrumental was employed for what became the present "Yeah!". The song was co-written by Sean Garrett, Patrick J. Que Smith, Ludacris, Robert McDowell and James Elbert "LRoc" Phillips.

Release

Though "Yeah!" was already created, everybody in the label was scared to decide whether it will be released as the lead single, considering they had "Burn" on queue. Usher's friend and former A&R rep Kawan "KP" Prather commented: "'Burn' being a great song is one thing, but it's one of them things where people said, 'It's strong, but can we make history with that?' At the end of the day, you want an event." Usher was also skeptical if "Yeah!" was the right choice after he envisioned R&B records.Cite news |last=Reid |first=Shaheem |title=Road To The Grammys: The Making Of Usher's Confessions |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1496656/20050207/usher.jhtml |work=MTV News |date= February 7, 2005 |accessdate=2008-03-02] He liked the song but he wanted not to follow the latest trend of Lil Jon's record.

The debate was over when Lil Jon leaked "Yeah!" to street DJs across the United States. After that, Usher opted "Burn" as the lead single of the album and was already looking for treatments of its accompanying music video. [Cite news |last=Reid |first=Shaheem |title=Usher To Share His Confessions In March |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1483836/20031219/usher.jhtml |work=MTV News |date=February 7, 2005 |accessdate=2008-03-02] The song was then not intended to be a proper single and only a teaser for Usher's fans after waiting for years.Cite news |title=Usher Lets Skeletons Out Of The Closet On Confessions |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1485074/20040217/usher.jhtml |work=MTV News |date=February 17, 2004 |accessdate=2008-03-02] However, it was changed when the responses of "Yeah!" were favorable. "Yeah!" was released as the first single and "Burn" was pushed as its follow-up. The single was released in the United States on January 27, 2004 as a CD single and 12" single. [Cite web |title=Yeah [US 12"] |url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/discography/more.jsp?JSESSIONID=yXMgHLZhnNlcYT25LkN4JRxX0L86bvbRT75QRT1cMqdQnDLD1bxQ!2009836834&tp=singles&pid=36758&aid=619830 |work=Billboard |publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc |accessdate=2008-03-03] In the United Kingdom, it was released as a CD single, containing the album and instrumental version of the song, and two unreleased material from the album, "Red Light" and "Sweet Lies". [Cite web |title=Yeah [UK CD] |url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/discography/more.jsp?tp=singles&pid=36758&aid=625531
work=Billboard |publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc |accessdate=2008-03-03]

Red Light

Red Light is one of the third tracks on the UK CD 1. The music was not released as a single, but Usher released a music video that can be seen on YouTube.com.

Reception

"Yeah!" was lauded by contemporary critics for its production. Jem Aswad of "Entertainment Weekly" called it "irresistibly crunked-out", adding, "ensuing track glides smoothly between club-friendly hip-hop soul and ballads."Cite web |last=Aswad |first=Jem |title=Confessions (2004): Usher |url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,602386,00.html |work=Entertainment Weekly |publisher=Entertainment Weekly and Time Inc. |date=March 26, 2004 |accessdate=2008-03-02] Laura Sinagra "Rolling Stone" commented that the song "creates sensual panic by combining Usher's jumpy attacks with Jon's sublime, frayed beats." [Cite web |last=Sinagra |first=Laura |title=Usher: Confessions |url=http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/usher/albums/album/5165180/review/5944284/confessions |publisher=Rolling Stone |accessdate=2008-03-02] Jon Caramanica of "Blender" noted that "Yeah!" is the first song to mix "mainstream R&B and menacing Southern crunk."Cite web |last=Caramanica |first=Jon |title=Usher: Confessions |url=http://www.blender.com/guide/reviews.aspx?id=1993 |work=Blender |publisher=Alpha Media Group Inc. |accessdate=2008-03-02] Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine the song has brought Usher to a "whole new level of crunk." [Cite web |last=Sal Cinquemani |first=Sal |title=Usher: Confessions |url=http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/music_review.asp?ID=431 |publisher=Slant Magazine |date=2004 |accessdate=2008-03-02] Andy Kellman of Allmusic described the song a "crunk-meets-R&B foundation" which features an "instantly addictive eight-note keyboard vamp".Cite web |last=Kellman |first=Andy |title=Confessions: Usher |url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:anfoxqlald6e |work=Allmusic |publisher=Macrovision Company |accessdate=2008-03-03] He added that because it is "absorbing", Ludacris' voice cannot be noticed that much. Matt Cibula of Popmatters characterized the song a "full-fledged club über-crunk salacious" but he added that it fails to be a "club banger".Cite web |last=Cibula |first=Matt |title=Usher: By the Numbers! |url=http://www.popmatters.com/music/reviews/u/usher-confessions.shtml |work=Popmatters |date=April 6, 2004 |accessdate=2008-03-02] Steve Jones of "USA Today" referred to "Yeah!" a "club-rattling" song from a combination of "Atlanta's vibrant music scene", Lil Jon's "insistent beats" and Ludacris' "racy rhymes". [Cite web |last=Jones |first=Steve |title='Confessions' time: Usher continues his ascendancy |url=http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/reviews/2004-03-22-usher-confessions_x.htm |work=USA Today |publisher=Gannett Co. Inc |date=March 22, 2004 |accessdate=2008-03-03]

Critics complimented Usher for the song. Aswad called it the "grittiest song" Usher had sung for revealing his "newfound maturity". Caramanica said that it is "probably the scariest record — in a good way — he's ever made" and Usher "smartly shares the spotlight." Cibula stated that Usher's "smoove-ass" singing and Ludacris' presence contributes to the success of the single.

"Yeah!" was nominated at the 2005 Grammy Awards for Record of the Year, and won the Best Rap/Sung Collaboration award. [Cite news |last=Jeckell |first=Barry |title=Kanye West Leads Grammy Nominees |url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000732823 |work=Billboard |publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc |date=December 7, 2004 |accessdate=2008-03-02] [Cite news |title= 47TH GRAMMY AWARDS WINNERS ANNOUNCED |url=http://www.ascap.com/eventsawards/awards/grammys/2005/index.html |publisher=ASCAP |accessdate=2008-03-02] At the 2005 Soul Train Music Awards, "Yeah!" was nominated for best R&B/Soul or Rap Dance Cut.Cite news |author=MTV News Staff |title=For The Record: Quick News On Usher, TLC, Ciara, Beck, Alice In Chains, C-Murder, Beyonce, Cher & More |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1496441/20050201/usher.jhtml |work=MTV News |date=February 1, 2005 |accessdate=2008-03-03]

Commercial acclaim

"Yeah!" charted well on various charts worldwide. The single debuted on the U.S. "Billboard" Hot 100 at number fifty-three on January 13, 2004, prior its physical release. [Cite web |title=Billboard Hot 100 |url=http://acharts.us/billboard_hot_100/2004/02 |publisher=αCharts |date=January 13, 2004 |accessdate=2008-03-02] Seven weeks after, it peaked on the chart at number one on March 2, staying there for twelve consecutive weeks. [Cite web |title=Billboard Hot 100 |url=http://acharts.us/billboard_hot_100/2004/09 |publisher=αCharts |date=March 2, 2004 |accessdate=2008-03-02] Cite web |title=Usher featuring Ludacris and Lil Jon - Yeah |url=http://acharts.us/song/368 |publisher=αCharts |accessdate=2008-03-02] "Yeah!" became Usher's fourth number-one single; Lil Jon's first; and second for Ludacris'. The single remained on Hot 100 for forty-five weeks. "Yeah!" became the most-played song in 2004. Nielsen Broadcast Data Systems placed the song on the top for getting 496,805 total plays, above Hoobastank's single "The Reason" with 489,976 spins. [Cite news |last=Vineyard |first=Jennifer |title=Usher's 'Yeah!' Was Most Played Song Of 2004 |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1495342/20050105/usher.jhtml |work=MTV News |date=January 5, 2005 |accessdate=2008-03-02] The single was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America on June 11, 2006 for reaching one million shipments. [Cite web |title=Gold and Platinum |url=http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=2&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=&artist=usher&format=&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2008&sort=Artist&perPage=25 |publisher=Recording Industry Association of America |accessdate=2008-03-02] "Yeah!" became the 2004's best-selling single in the United States. [Cite web |title=The Billboard Hot 100: 2004 |url=http://billboard.com/bbcom/charts/yearend_chart_display.jsp?f=The+Billboard+Hot+100&g=Year-end+Singles&year=2004 |work=Billboard |publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc |accessdate=2008-03-02]

Internationally, "Yeah!" received similar responses, topping many charts. The single reached number 1 in the Australia Singles Top 50, Austria Singles Top 75, Canadian Singles Chart, Denmark Singles Top 40, Dutch Top 40, France Singles Top 100, Germany Singles Top 100, Ireland Singles Top 50, New Zealand Top 40, Norway Singles Top 20, Swiss Singles Top 100, UK Singles Top 75 and World Singles Top 40. Overall, the single charted to different charts worldwide for a year, early in 2004 to early in 2005. [Cite web |title=Usher: Yeah |url=http://top40-charts.com/songs/full.php?sid=9066&sort=chartid |publisher=Top40-charts.com |accessdate=2008-03-02] The single was certified platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association for selling 70,000 units. [Cite web |title=ARIA Charts - Accreditations - 2004 Singles |url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-accreditations-singles-2004.htm |work=ARIA |publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association Ltd. |accessdate=2008-03-02] At the 2004 Year Ender charts, "Yeah!" became the twenty-eighth best-selling single in Australia. [Cite web |title=ARIA Charts - End Of Year Charts - Top 100 Singles 2004 |url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-end-of-year-charts-top-100-singles-2004.htm |work=Australian Recording Industry Association |accessdate=2008-03-02] It was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. On the United World Chart 2004 Year Ender, "Yeah!" was the second best-selling single for accumulating 6,257,000 points, behind Maroon 5's single "This Love" which garnered 7,791,000 points. [Cite web |title=United World Chart: Tracks - Countdown 2004 |url=http://www.mediatraffic.de/tracks-2004.htm |work=United World Chart |publisher=Media Traffic |accessdate=2008-03-03] On UWC's Top Achievements chart from 1999 to 2007, it placed as the thirtieth best-selling single. [Cite web |title=United World Chart: Top Achievements - Track, 1999-2007 |url=http://www.mediatraffic.de/top-track-achievements.htm |work=United World Chart |publisher=Media Traffic |accessdate=2008-03-03]

Music video

Mr. X, formerly Little X, had previously captured videos for Usher's single "U Don't Have to Call" and "U Got It Bad". Mr. X was inspired with the treatment of laser beams after listening to the song.Cite news |last=Kaufman |first=Gil |title=Usher's 'Yeah!' A Nod To That Other Laser-Filled Video: VMA Lens Recap |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1490522/20040824/usher.jhtml |work=MTV News |date=August 24, 2004 |accessdate=2008-03-05] He felt the sound was a laser beam for him, referring to the beat as "distinctive". Usher and Mr. X combined ideas to create a dance video for "Yeah!". The treatment was accompanied of how Usher wanted to be portrayed in the video, particularly showcasing his dance moves.

The music video was filmed in a vacant art gallery in Los Angeles over two days. When the shooting started, Mr. X recalled Michael Jackson's "low-tech" and "laser-flashing" 1979 "Rock With You" video, and used it as a reference. Forty extras were commissioned to dance with Usher, and two ladies to tempt him in different scenes. They went through photo browsing and phone calling, opting for Destiny, a friend of Mr. X, who seduces Usher in the club ala Marilyn Monroe wardrobe to complement the lyrics. Usher's other would-be seductress is portrayed by model Melyssa Ford. Lil Jon acted as an assistant director during the sessions. Usher took charge of his ideas on his wardrobe and choreography, with additional routines, specifically the Rockaway and the thunderclap, which Mr. X learned from Jamaica. The Rockaway influenced Fat Joe and Terror Squad's "Lean Back" video.

Usher's dancing in front of the green and blue laser beams is prominently featured throughout the video. Lil Jon and Ludacris appeared on the video as well. Ludacris protégé Chingy also appears near the end of the video, holding up his chain which shows his name. Sean "Diddy" Combs' former assistant, Farnsworth Bentley, made a cameo at the end of the video as well, when he was in Los Angeles and Mr. X begged him to dance in the video with his violin.

The music video debuted on MTV's "Total Request Live" at number ten on February 19, 2004.Cite web |title=TRL Debuts |url=http://host17.hrwebservices.net/~atrl/trlarchive/db.html |publisher=Popfusion |accessdate=2008-03-03] "Yeah!" topped the countdown, and retired on May 3 at number six after appearing on the countdown for fifty days. [Cite web |title=TRL Number Ones |url=http://host17.hrwebservices.net/~atrl/trlarchive/no.html |publisher=Popfusion |accessdate=2008-03-03] [Cite web |title=TRL Hall of Fame |url=http://host17.hrwebservices.net/~atrl/trlarchive/rd.html |publisher=Popfusion |accessdate=2008-03-03] "Yeah!" became one of the most successful music video by Usher, alongside "Confessions Part II", which also remained for fifty days. At the 2005 Soul Train Music Awards, the video was nominated for Michael Jackson Award for best R&B/Soul or Rap Music Video.

Track listing

;UK CD 1
# "Yeah!" (featuring Lil Jon and Ludacris) – 4:10
# "Red Light" (Smith, Patrick J Que/Smith, Jonathan/Hilson, Keri/McDowell, Robert/Garrett, Sean) – 4:48
# "Yeah!" (Reggaeton remix)

;UK CD 2
# "Yeah!" – 4:10
# "Red Light" – 4:48
# "Sweet Lies" (Williams, Pharrell/Hugo, Chad) – 4:09
# "Yeah!" (Instrumental) – 4:09

Charts

succession box
before = "Cha Cha Slide" by DJ Casper
title = UK Singles Chart number-one single
years = March 27, 2004 – April 9, 2004
after = "5 Colours in Her Hair" by McFlysuccession box one to two
before = "Toxic" by Britney Spears
title1 = ARIA (Australia) number-one single
years1 = March 28, 2004
after1 = "Fuck It (I Don't Want You Back)" by Eamon
title2 = United World Chart number-one single
years2 = April 24, 2004 – June 12, 2004
after2 = "I Don't Wanna Know"
by Mario Winans featuring P. Diddy and Enyasuccession box two to two
before = "Si demain... (Turn Around)"
by Bonnie Tyler and Kareen Antonn
title1 = Belgian (Wallonia) Ultratop 40 number-one single
years1 = April 10, 2004 – May 8, 2004
title2 = French (SNEP) number-one single
years2 = April 11, 2004
after = "Dragostea din tei" by O-Zonesuccession box
before = "Fuck It (I Don't Want You Back)" by Eamon
title = RIANZ (New Zealand) number-one single (first run)
years = April 18, 2004 – April 19, 2004
after = "My Band" by D12succession box
before = "In da Club" by 50 Cent
title = "Billboard" Hot 100 number-one single of the year
years = 2004
after = "We Belong Together" by Mariah Carey

References