"Numb" | ||||||||||||
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Single by Usher | ||||||||||||
from the album Looking 4 Myself | ||||||||||||
Released | August 21, 2012 | |||||||||||
Recorded | Silent Sound Studios (Atlanta, Georgia) and Glenwood Place Studios (Burbank, California) |
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Genre | Dance-pop, electro-pop, euro disco | |||||||||||
Length | 3:46 | |||||||||||
Label | RCA Records | |||||||||||
Writer(s) | Alessandro Lindblad, Axel Hedfors, Klas Åhlund, Ryon Lovett, Sebastian Ingrosso, Steve Angello, Terry Lewis, Usher Raymond IV | |||||||||||
Producer | Lindblad, Åhlund, Axwell, Ingrosso, Angello | |||||||||||
Usher chronology | ||||||||||||
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"Numb" is a song recorded by American recording artist Usher for his seventh studio album Looking 4 Myself (2012). It was written by Alessandro Lindblad, Axel Hedfors, Klas Åhlund, Ryon Lovett, Sebastian Ingrosso, Steve Angello, Terry Lewis and Usher himself. The production of the song was helmed by Lindblad, Åhlund, Axwell, Ingrosso and Angello; the latter three are better known by their stage name Swedish House Mafia. After their joined performance at the 2011 American Music Awards, Usher and Swedish House Mafia managed to start working on recording sessions for Usher's seventh studio album in Atlanta. RCA Records solicited "Numb" to contemporary hit radio stations on August 21, 2012 in the United States.
"Numb" is a dance-pop, electro-pop and euro disco song with R&B elements which contains revolutionary pop music influences. Lyrically, it is "an inspirational song about finding one’s destiny, and becoming numb to the negativity and just following your dreams".[1] The song received generally positive acclaim from contemporary music critics with many of them praising its club-oriented production and labeling it as a potential single release. Upon the release of Looking 4 Myself, "Numb" debuted at number 40 on the South Korea Gaon International Chart, with sales of 7,195 digital copies.
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Background
![](https://web.archive.org/web/20120904130436im_/http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/32/Swedish_house_mafia_2.jpg/220px-Swedish_house_mafia_2.jpg)
In an 2009 interview with People Magazine, Usher, whose private life has been highly documented after filing for divorce from wife Tameka Foster, told that his sixth studio album will be, "racy, risky and edgy, and sometimes about personal experiences."[2] In March, 2010, he released the album under the title Raymond v. Raymond.[3] Upon its release, Raymond v. Raymond received generally mixed reviews from music critics, who were ambivalent towards its songwriting and themes.[4][5] However, the album was commercial success and peaked at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart, with sales of 329,000 for its first week.[6] In November, 2011, Usher revealed that for his next album he is working on a new type of music which he has depicted as "revolutionary pop", which combines different genres to form a new sound.[7] His seventh studio album Looking 4 Myself was released on June 8, 2012 worldwide and received generally positive reviews from contemporary music critics.[8][9] American singer-songwriter and record producer Rico Love was interviewed by Tyler McDermott of Billboard, where he spoke about his relationships with artists and experiences. He commented on how Usher wanted to do things differently on the album compared to his previous efforts, saying: "What he wanted to do [on Looking 4 Myself] was explore himself musically. He stepped outside of what was safe and normal. He wanted to make an album that expressed where he was going sonically and not just where he's been for the past 12 to 15 years."[10] In an interview for MTV News, Usher stated that Looking 4 Myself is "the most artistic of an album" he has ever had in history.[11] When questioned by Reuters during an interview regarding the latter quote, and how this project was different, Usher explained that he felt he was near a 'rebirth' and that prior to Looking 4 Myself, he felt restricted and conformed to a specific standard. He said to himself "I gotta go with what I feel and hopefully people will follow me".[12]
Production and release
"It was a lot and they're three different DJs but when they come together, they are a production conglomerate. So tryna get them together at the same time, when I was in Atlanta, we made the most of our time and we cranked out two records"
"Numb" was written by Alessandro Lindblad, Axel Hedfors, Klas Åhlund, Ryon Lovett, Sebastian Ingrosso, Steve Angello, Terry Lewis and Usher himself.[14] The production of the song was helmed by Lindblad, Åhlund, Hedfors, Angello and Ingrosso. Hedfors, Angello and Ingrosso also produced one more song from Looking 4 Myself entitled "Euphoria" under their stage name Swedish House Mafia.[14] Speaking to The BoomBox, Usher explained that he wanted to work with them ever since they both performed together at the 2011 American Music Awards. The group agreed to work with Usher, saying they would attempt to make it to Atlanta to start "moving the ball forward".[13] In an interview with MTV News, regarding the collaboration with Usher, Steve Angello stated that they met Usher couple years ago and did the American Music Awards together before recruiting in Ibiza. He further elaborated that they were in Atlanta for five days working on a music for the then upcoming album. Angello commented that Usher is a great artist and as a trio they like to work with somebody who they respect, than to rather work with "just big name".[15] Mark "Exit" Goodchild recorded the song Silent Sound Studios in Atlanta and Glenwood Place Studios in Burbank, while Jorge Velasco, Kory Aaron and Randy Warnken served as recording assistants.[14] It was mixed by Manny Marroquin at Larrabee Sound Studio, Universal City, with Chris Galland and Delbert Bowers serving as a mixing assistants. Natural done the vocal production of the song while the track's producers Lindblad, Åhlund, Hedfors, Angello and Ingrosso provided the complete instrumentation of "Numb".[14] RCA Records released the song for airplay to contemporary hit radio stations in the United States on August 21, 2012 as the fourth single from Looking 4 Myself.[16] "Numb" was solicited to US rhythmic radio on August 28, 2012.[17] It will be physically released as a CD single in Germany on October 26, 2012.[18]
Composition
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"Numb" is a dance-pop, electro-pop and euro disco song with R&B elements.[19][20][21][22] Lyrically, it is "an inspirational song about finding one’s destiny, and becoming numb to the negativity and just following your dreams".[1]
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"Numb" is a dance-pop, electro-pop and euro disco song with R&B elements and contains revolutionary pop music influences; it has a length of three minutes and 46 seconds.[8][19][20][21][22][23] According to Lewis Corner of Digital Spy both "Euphoria" and "Numb" "include the DJs' glimmering synths while he [Usher] croons in his coolly-controlled falsetto."[24] Jim Farber of The New York Daily News wrote that the songs which were produced by Swedish House Mafia propose a possible crossover point from electronica to R&B like Usher’s biggest hit "Yeah!" did from crunk to soul.[23]
Lyrically, it is "an inspirational song about finding one’s destiny, and becoming numb to the negativity and just following your dreams".[1] "Numb"'s lyrical message was described by Erika Ramirez of Billboard to simply be "Forget your troubles and fist-pump!".[25] The single opens with the lines, "They say life is a battlefield / I say bring it on" and its chorus consists of "Just go numb / You never know until you let go".[26] Ryan Hadfield of Consequence of Sound explained that Usher inadvertently describes the logic behind the musical ambition of Looking 4 Myself in "Numb", when he sings "Keep on doing the same old thing/Are you expecting change/Is that really insanity/Or just a loser’s game".[21]
Critical reception
In a review of Looking 4 Myself, Trent of The Lava Lizard wrote that "Numb" sounds like it is produced by French disk jockey David Guetta and according to him "all those Eurocentric club songs sound the same so don’t feel embarrassed if you guessed incorrectly."[27] DeeKay of SoulCulture commented that "even with the straightforward, hugely predictable electro-pop on the Swedish House Mafia-produced 'Numb' and 'Euphoria', Usher is operating at a level above his David Guetta and Red One-loving peers."[28] Meelz of ThisGoesIn concluded that "Numb" is a single quality track, "which we can see seeping through the radio in the latter half of 2012 – with the mantra of letting your problems go and dance."[29] The Lantern's Alex Antonetz wrote that both "Numb" and "Euphoria" are future Charlie Bear fare.[30] Trent Fitzgerald of PopCrush commented that the song is perfect for the clubs.[19] Ryan Hadfield of Consequence of Sound labeled "Numb" together with "Can't Stop Won't Stop" and "Sins of My Father" as essential tracks on Looking 4 Myself.[21] Andrew Unterberger of Popdust wrote that the single's production is appropriate for an Usher and Swedish House Mafia collaboration, though criticised its lack of originality. Despite this, Unterberger commended the song, writing "it does have the mind-numbing, body-activating effect the song is so explicitly searching for" and even though you can call it "an EDM cash-in [...] Usher was embracing club music way before most of his American pop star peers hopped on the bandwagon".[19]
Track listing
- Album version[8]
- "Numb" – 3:46
Credits and personnel
- Recording and mixing
- Recorded at Silent Sound Studios, Atlanta, Georgia; Glenwood Place Studios, Burbank, California; mixed at Larrabee Sound Studio, Universal City, California
- Personnel
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Credits adapted from the liner notes of Looking 4 Myself, RCA Records.[14]
Charts
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Upon the release of Looking 4 Myself, due to digital downloads, "Numb" entered the singles chart in South Korea. It debuted on the South Korea Gaon International Chart at number 40 on June 10, 2012, with sales of 7,195 digital copies.[31]
Chart (2012) | Peak position |
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South Korea Gaon International Chart[31] | 40 |
Release history
Country | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
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United States | August 21, 2012 | Contemporary hit radio | RCA Records | [16] |
August 28, 2012 | Rhythmic radio | [17] | ||
Germany | October 26, 2012 | CD single | [18] |
References
- ^ a b c Rose, Tichena. "Usher Album Review: 'Looking for Myself'". FWD Nation. http://www.fwdnation.com/2012/06/18/usher-album-review-looking-for-myself/. Retrieved August 10, 2012.
- ^ Dyball, Rennie (June 19, 2009). "Usher's Got Milk – and a New Album – Usher". People. Time Inc. (Time Warner). http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20286317,00.html. Retrieved July 3, 2012.
- ^ "Raymond v. Raymond by Usher". ITunes Store (US). Apple Inc. http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/raymond-v-raymond/id361405193. Retrieved July 3, 2012.
- ^ "Raymond v. Raymond (2010): Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. http://www.metacritic.com/music/raymond-v-raymond. Retrieved July 3, 2012.
- ^ Kellman, Andy. Review: Raymond v. Raymond. Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved on July 3, 2012.
- ^ Caulfield, Keith (April 7, 2010). "Usher Scores Third Straight No 1 on Billboard". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. http://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200#/news/usher-scores-third-straight-no-1-on-billboard-1004081058.story. Retrieved July 3, 2012.
- ^ Tang, Conni (July 11, 2011). "Usher Breaking Ground on New 'Revolutionary Pop' Album". Singersroom. http://www.singersroom.com/content/2011-11-07/Usher-Breaking-Ground-on-New-Revolutionary-Pop-Album/. Retrieved April 26, 2012.
- ^ a b c "Looking 4 Myself (Deluxe Edition) by Usher". ITunes Store (US). Apple Inc. http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/looking-4-myself-deluxe-version/id525185343. Retrieved July 3, 2012.
- ^ "Looking 4 Myself (2012): Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. http://www.metacritic.com/music/looking-4-myself. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
- ^ McDermott, Tyler (May 29, 2012). "Rico Love Talks Working With Diddy, Rick Ross & Usher's 'Looking 4 Myself' Album". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. http://www.billboard.com/column/the-juice/rico-love-talks-working-with-diddy-rick-1007070352.story#/column/the-juice/rico-love-talks-working-with-diddy-rick-1007070352.story. Retrieved June 3, 2012.
- ^ Vena, Jocelyn (May 3, 2012). "Usher Sports Neck Tattoo On 'Looking 4 Myself Cover'". MTV News. Viacom. http://www.mtv.ca/news/article.jhtml?id=42129. Retrieved May 5, 2012.
- ^ Ford, Sabrina (June 1, 2012). "Usher feels "near a rebirth" on new album". Reuters. Reuters Group. http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/01/entertainment-us-usher-music-idUSBRE8500NR20120601. Retrieved June 3, 2012.
- ^ a b Whaley, Natelege (July 3, 2012). "Usher Reveals Missing Swedish House Mafia Song, Refutes 'R&B Is Dead,' Talks New Album". The Boombox. AOL. http://www.theboombox.com/2012/07/03/usher-looking-4-myself/. Retrieved July 4, 2012.
- ^ a b c d e (inlay cover) Looking 4 Myself (inlay cover). Usher. RCA Records. 2012.
- ^ "Swedish House Mafia Produce 'Numb & Euphoria' For Usher". MTV News. Viacom. http://www.mtv.com/videos/news/791038/swedish-house-mafia-produce-numb-euphoria-for-usher.jhtml. Retrieved August 3, 2012.
- ^ a b "R&R :: Going for Adds :: CHR/Top 40". Going for Adds. Radio and Records. http://gfa.radioandrecords.com/publishGFA/GFANextPage.asp?sDate=08/21/2012&Format=1. Retrieved August 10, 2012.
- ^ a b "Top 40/Rhythmic-Crossover > Future Releases". AllAccess. http://www.webcitation.org/69vQZUfgh. Retrieved August 18, 2012.
- ^ a b "VÖ-Vorschau". Beatblogger.de. http://www.beatblogger.de/vo-vorschau/. Retrieved August 31, 2012.
- ^ a b c d Fitzgerald, Trent. "Usher, ‘Looking 4 Myself’ – Album Review". PopCrush. http://popcrush.com/usher-looking-4-myself-album-review/. Retrieved July 4, 2012.
- ^ a b Maerz, Mellissa. "Looking 4 Myself review". Entertainment Weekly. Time Inc. http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20601576,00.html. Retrieved August 10, 2012.
- ^ a b c d Hadfield, Ryan (June 15, 2012). "Usher – Looking 4 Myself". Consequence of Sound. http://consequenceofsound.net/2012/06/album-review-usher-looking-4-myself/. Retrieved July 4, 2012.
- ^ a b DeeKay (June 7, 2012). "Usher – Looking 4 Myself". SoulCulture. http://www.soulculture.co.uk/reviews/usher-looking-4-myself-album-review/#axzz22nLzgEZF. Retrieved August 10, 2012.
- ^ a b Farber, Jim (June 12, 2012). "Album Review: Usher, 'Looking 4 Myself'". The New York Daily News (Mortimer Zuckerman). http://articles.nydailynews.com/2012-06-12/news/32199769_1_usher-rico-love-electronica. Retrieved August 6, 2012.
- ^ Corner, Lewis (June 11, 2012). "Usher: 'Looking 4 Myself' – Album review". Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi Médias. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/albumreviews/a386499/usher-looking-4-myself-album-review.html. Retrieved August 3, 2012.
- ^ Ramirez, Erika (June 8, 2012). "Usher's 'Looking 4 Myself': Track-By-Track Review". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. http://www.billboard.com/column/the-juice/usher-s-looking-4-myself-track-by-track-1007269352.story#/column/the-juice/usher-s-looking-4-myself-track-by-track-1007269352.story. Retrieved August 10, 2012.
- ^ Unterberger, Andrew (June 5, 2012). "Usher's 'Looking 4 Myself' Reviewed: 'Numb' (feat Swedish House Mafia & Alesso". Popdust. http://popdust.com/2012/06/05/usher-looking-4-myself-numb-new-leak-review/. Retrieved August 10, 2012.
- ^ Trent. "Album Review: Usher – 'Looking 4 Myself'". The Lava Lizard. http://thelavalizard.com/2012/06/album-review-usher-looking-4-myself/. Retrieved August 10, 2012.
- ^ DeeKay (June 7, 2012). "Usher – ‘Looking 4 Myself’ – Album Review". SoulCulture. http://www.soulculture.co.uk/reviews/usher-looking-4-myself-album-review/#ixzz238um9nZt. Retrieved August 10, 2012.
- ^ Meelz (June 13, 2012). "Usher 'Looking 4 Myself' – Album Review". ThisGoesIn. http://www.thisgoesin.com/2012/06/usher-looking-4-myself-album-review/. Retrieved August 10, 2012.
- ^ Antonetz, Alex (June 13, 2012). "Review: Usher finds new identity with ‘Looking 4 Myself’". The Lantern. The Ohio State University. http://www.thelantern.com/a-e/review-usher-finds-new-identity-with-looking-4-myself-1.2877626#.UCT3CSLzdeS. Retrieved August 10, 2012.
- ^ a b "South Korea Gaon International Chart (Week, June 10, 2012 to June 16, 2012)" (in Korean). Gaon Chart. http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/online/download/list.gaon. Retrieved July 3, 2012.
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