"Think of You" is a song by American musician Usher. It was co-written by Usher alongside LaFace Records labelmate Donell Jones and Bad Boy singer Faith Evans for his self-titled debut album (1994). The song samples a groove from the instrumental track "Tidal Wave" (1975) by American jazz musician Ronnie Laws, also featuring vocals from rapper Biz Markie's "Just Rhymin' With Biz" (1987). Lyrically, "Think of You" finds the protagonist going through a breakup and dealing with conflicting feelings about his ex.
| "Think of You" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Single by Usher | ||||
| from the album Usher | ||||
| Released | November 10, 1994 | |||
| Length | 3:45 (album mix) | |||
| Label | ||||
| Songwriter(s) | ||||
| Producer(s) | ||||
| Usher singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Think Of You" on YouTube | ||||
The song was released as the album's second single in November 1994 and emergd as Usher highest-charting song up to then: It became his first top ten hit on the US Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart, reaching number eight, while also peaking at number 58 on the Billboard Hot 100, and at number 70 on the UK Singles Chart. The song's accompanying music video, directed Hype Williams, features a young Taral Hicks and depicts Usher dancing and performing against an industrial backdrop.
Background
edit"Think of You" was written by Usher along with labelmates Donell Jones and Faith Evans.[1] Production was overseen by Chucky Thompson and Sean "Puffy" Combs.[1] The song contains a sample from the 1975 instrumental "Tidal Wave" by American jazz musician Ronnie Laws.[1] It further samples the vocals "yes, yes y'all [...] to the beat y'all" from rapper Biz Markie's 1987 Big Daddy Kane collaboration "Just Rhymin' With Biz." Markie is credited as a special guest on the track.[1]
Thompson later commented on the creation of the song: "I did a record for Usher called "Think of You" and [Evans] came in and wrote, Donell Jones wrote. I actually made that record before I met Puff as well. When I sent it up there, I had no idea what was gonna happen to it. He just had writer sessions or whatever, next thing I know they pressed play and here comes "Think of You"."[2] In 2023, Usher further remarked that "Can U Get Wit It" was "cool. But "Think of You" was "okay, I’ve got enough to hook. I got enough skin in the game to stay. They can’t get rid of me yet." You know what I’m saying?"[3]
Music video
editA music video for "Think of You" was directed by Hype Williams. It features a young Taral Hicks that Usher is singing to.[4]
Track listing
editAll tracks written by Usher Raymond, Donell Jones, and Faith Evans.
| No. | Title | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Think of You" (album version) | 3:48 | |
| 2. | "Think of You" (So So Def remix) |
| 3:45 |
| 3. | "Think of You" (So So Def extended mix) | 5:10 | |
| 4. | "Think of You" (album instrumental) |
| 3:48 |
| 5. | "Think of You" (Bad Boy remix) |
| 4:16 |
Notes
Credits and personnel
editCredits lifted from the liner notes of Usher.[1]
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Charts
edit
Weekly chartsedit
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Year-end chartsedit
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Release history
edit| Region | Date | Format(s) | Label(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | November 10, 1994 |
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LaFace | [citation needed] |
| United Kingdom | March 6, 1995 |
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[12] |
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f "Usher, Think of You (CD, Maxi-Single)". cdandlp.com. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
- ^ "Chucky Thompson Talks Creating Faith Evans' Debut "Faith" and the History Behind the Notorious B.I.G.'s "Big Poppa" (Part 2)". youknowigotsoul.com. June 1, 2011. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
- ^ Abraham, Mya (August 5, 2023). "Outtakes From Our Conversation With Usher". Vibe. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
- ^ "Usher: Think of You". IMDb. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
- ^ "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
- ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 2, 2022.
- ^ "Usher Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
- ^ "Usher Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
- ^ "Usher Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
- ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 1995". Billboard. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
- ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. March 4, 1995. p. 31.