Don't Waste My Time (Usher song)
"Don't Waste My Time" is a song by American singer Usher. It features vocals from British singer-songwriter Ella Mai. The song was first uploaded to SoundCloud on November 19, 2019, although it was officially released by RCA Records on December 13, 2019 to online music stores and streaming services. It serves as the lead single from Usher's upcoming ninth studio album Confessions 2.[1] The song was written by Usher, Ella Mai, Vedo, Jermaine Dupri, Bryan Michael-Cox, while production was handled by the latter two. The song takes inspiration in part from "I Like the Way (The Kissing Game)" (1990) by American R&B quintet Hi-Five and "Show You the Way to Go" (1976) by American family group the Jacksons.
"Don't Waste My Time" | ||||
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Single by Usher featuring Ella Mai | ||||
from the album Confessions 2 | ||||
Released | December 13, 2019 | |||
Recorded | 2019 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 3:20 | |||
Label |
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Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) | ||||
Usher singles chronology | ||||
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Ella Mai singles chronology | ||||
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Background and release
Usher has been in the studio working on the sequel to Confessions.[2] In March 2019, he posted a picture of himself in the studio next to a whiteboard with the words "Confessions 2" and a blurred out tracklisting. The following day Jermaine Dupri, who produced the original Confessions went live on Instagram and previewed new music. This is following his last collaborative album A, with Zaytoven. YouKnowIGotSoul exclusively premiere 'Don't Waste My Time" through SoundCloud.[3] It was released for digital download on iTunes, Amazon, Google Play and online streaming services, Tidal, Apple Music, Spotify, and YouTube on December 13, 2019.
Music video
The music video for "Don't Waste My Time" was directed by LeSean Harris. It was released on March 25, 2020.[4] It features cameos from Snoop Dogg, Jamie Kennedy, Eric Bellinger, Jermaine Dupri, Evan Ross, Christian Combs, and Justin Combs [5]
Live performances
Usher, Ella Mai, and Jermaine Dupri performed the song for the first time performed the song on BET's SOS: Saving Ourselves - A BET Covid 19 Relief Special, benefiting African American Communities Impacted By Coronavirus on April 22, 2020.[6]
Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from Tidal.[7]
- Usher – vocals, lyrics
- Ella Mai – vocals, lyrics
- Jermaine Dupri – lyrics, production, mixing engineer
- Bryan-Michael Cox – lyrics, production
- Wilbard "VEDO" McCoy III – lyrics
- Christopher Allen Jones – lyrics
- Colin Leonard – mastering engineer
- Bill Zimmerman – assistant engineer
- Phil Tan – mixing engineer
Charts
Chart (2019–2020) | Peak position |
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New Zealand Hot Singles (Recorded Music NZ)[8] | 19 |
South Africa (Radio Monitor)[9] | 49 |
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[10] | 7 |
US Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[11] | 43 |
US R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay (Billboard)[12] | 12 |
US Adult R&B Songs (Billboard)[13] | 1 |
References
- Samuels, Keithan (April 10, 2020). "Usher Releases New Song 'SexBeat' Featuring Lil Jon and Ludacris". Rated R&B. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
- "Usher Collaborated With Ella Mai, and It's as Smooth as You'd Expect: Listen". Billboard. Retrieved 2020-01-07.
- "Usher & Ella Mai Come Together For New Song "Don't Waste My Time" (Exclusive Premiere) - YouKnowIGotSoul.com". 2019-11-19. Retrieved 2019-12-15.
- https://www.vibe.com/2020/03/usher-keeps-the-party-rocking-in-dont-waste-my-time-video-with-ella-mai
- https://www.complex.com/music/2020/03/usher-and-ella-mai-dont-waste-my-time-video
- https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/9363679/bet-covid-19-relief-special-recap
- "Don't Waste My Time". Tidal. December 13, 2019. Retrieved December 13, 2019.
- https://nztop40.co.nz/chart/hotsingles?chart=4800
- http://www.radiomonitor.com/airplay-chart/south_africa-all_radio_(fri_to_thu_by_rams)
- "Usher Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 9, 2020.
- "Usher Chart History (Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
- "Usher Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved December 25, 2019.
- "Usher Chart History (Adult R&B Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 25, 2019.