"Good Good" is a song by American singers Usher and Summer Walker and Atlanta-based rapper 21 Savage. In addition to the three artists, the track was written by Caleb Ishman, Rafael Ishman, Jaylyn Denaie Macdonald, Keith Thomas, Paul Dawson, Tauren Stovall, and producers Mel & Mus. It was released through Mega/Gamma on August 4, 2023, as the lead single from Usher's ninth studio album Coming Home (2024). In the United States, it peaked at number 25 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, becoming Usher's first top-40 hit since "No Limit" from his previous studio album Hard II Love (2016).
| "Good Good" | ||||
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| Single by Usher, Summer Walker and 21 Savage | ||||
| from the album Coming Home | ||||
| Released | August 4, 2023 | |||
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| Length |
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| Label | Mega/Gamma | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
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| Producer(s) | Mel & Mus | |||
| Usher singles chronology | ||||
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| Summer Walker singles chronology | ||||
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| 21 Savage singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Good Good" on YouTube | ||||
Background
editUsher told USA Today during a 2023 interview, that "Some of it is just that, growing through life experiences to figure out, and just because we're not 'good good' doesn't mean we can't be good with each other."[3] In an interview with People, he also stated:
"Good Good" is about being in a relationship with someone and ultimately letting them know like, "Yo, we don't have to be enemies." We might not be good good, meaning we may have not made it to forever, meaning we may not have been the relationship that was going to last forever in the way that you thought, but we can be good.[4]
Composition
editThe song was described for combining R&B, Atlanta bounce[2] and 2000s music elements.[1] It opens with the chorus and first verse from Usher, who addresses a failed relationship and wishes his ex-lover the best,[5][6] still holding love for her and hoping she finds her soulmate. In the second verse, Summer Walker offers a perspective from a woman, while in the third verse 21 Savage reminisces his past relationship and expresses willingness to support his ex in any way (including financially), even when they are no longer romantically involved.[6][7]
Critical reception
editAlexander Cole of HotNewHipHop commented the song has an "updated take on Usher's style that doesn't feel out of place", before writing "As for the featured guests on the track, they certainly make an impression. Summer Walker sounds great as always, all while 21 Savage continues his solid feature run. Overall, this is a great summer track that fans are going to be adding to their playlists in no time."[1]
Music video
edit
An official music video premiered on August 23, 2023. It pays tribute to the videos of Usher's songs "You Make Me Wanna..." and "Burn".[8] Directed by Warren Fu, it is mainly set on the Jackson Street Bridge,[8][9] where the three artists stand on in the opening scene,[10] and also features shots of other landmarks in Atlanta.[11][12] Dressed in a baggy, black hooded sweatsuit paired with wave cap, chains and gold teeth, Usher dances atop the bridge by himself in front of the city skyline and sunset.[10][12][13][14] He sings his verse in a dimly lit bedroom while dressed in a paisley suit, with two clones of himself appearing,[12][14][15] and wears a new outfit after an evening shot.[14] Summer Walker performs from her own bedroom,[13][15] laying across the bed in a blonde updo and silky outfit.[14] Like Usher, she is also joined by two clones[12] and changes her outfit after filming in the dark,[14] into a bathrobe and headwrap.[10] 21 Savage raps his verse at a dinner table in an empty restaurant as he eats with a mirror image of himself wearing an identical but red outfit appearing next to him, both of them dining on a seafood meal.[10][12][13][14][15]
The music video on YouTube has received over 90 million views as of July 2024.[16]
Artwork
editThe official artwork was created by Bellamy Brewster, it features Usher, clad in shades, and obscured behind a transparent veil.
Charts
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Weekly chartsedit
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Year-end chartsedit
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References
edit- ^ a b c Cole, Alexander (August 4, 2023). "Usher Teams Up With 21 Savage & Summer Walker For New Single "Good Good"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
- ^ a b Breihan, Tom (August 4, 2023). "Usher – "Good Good" (Feat. 21 Savage & Summer Walker)". Stereogum. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
- ^ Reed, Anika (August 4, 2023). "Usher talks new single 'Good Good,' Vegas residency: 'My 7 o'clock on the dot has changed'". USA Today. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
- ^ Avila, Daniela (August 4, 2023). "Usher Talks New Song 'Good Good' — and Weighs in on Keke Palmer and Boyfriend's Outfit Drama (Exclusive)". People. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
- ^ Bernstein, Elaina (August 4, 2023). "Usher Taps Summer Walker and 21 Savage For "Good Good"". Hypebeast. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
- ^ a b "Usher, Summer Walker & 21 Savage Connect To Show Us They're 'Good Good' With Their Ex". Soul Bounce. August 4, 2023. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
- ^ Samuels, Keithan (August 4, 2023). "Usher Releases New Song 'Good Good' Featuring Summer Walker and 21 Savage". Rated R&B. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
- ^ a b Trapp, Malcolm (August 23, 2023). "Usher Paid Homage To Himself In "Good Good" Video With 21 Savage And Summer Walker". Rap-Up. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
- ^ Abraham, Mya (August 23, 2023). "Usher Channels Past Videos For "Good Good" Visual With 21 Savage And Summer Walker". Vibe. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
- ^ a b c d Williams, Aaron (August 23, 2023). "Usher, Summer Walker, And 21 Savage Accept A Relationship's End In Their 'Good Good' Video". Uproxx. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
- ^ "Usher, Summer Walker & 21 Savage Hit The Streets Of Atlanta To Make Things 'Good Good'". Soul Bounce. August 23, 2023. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
- ^ a b c d e Bernstein, Elaina (August 23, 2023). "Usher Drops "Good Good" Video Featuring Summer Walker and 21 Savage". Hypebeast. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
- ^ a b c Mier, Tomás (August 23, 2023). "Usher, Summer Walker, and 21 Savage Are 'Good Good' in New Video". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f Folk, Antwane (August 23, 2023). "Usher Releases 'Good Good' Video Featuring 21 Savage and Summer Walker". Rated R&B. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
- ^ a b c Powell, Jon (August 23, 2023). "Usher, Summer Walker, and 21 Savage bring viewers to Atlanta for "Good Good" visual". Revolt. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
- ^ USHER, Summer Walker, 21 Savage - (Official Video).YouTube
- ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. August 14, 2023. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
- ^ "Usher Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
- ^ "Usher Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
- ^ "Usher Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 4, 2024.
- ^ "Usher Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved October 29, 2023.
- ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2023". Billboard. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
- ^ "Rhythmic Songs – Year-End 2023". Billboard. Retrieved November 23, 2023.