Here I Stand is Usher’s fifth album, and it was greatly inspired by his wife, son and the difficult relationship with his father. The title track was one of the ballads that captured his newfound romantic bliss. Dre and Vidal produced the song and shared writing credits with Usher, Polow Da Don, Adam Blackstone, and Gerrell Gaddis. Comparisons to Stevie Wonder were made because of the unadorned lyrics about love, the pacing and dreamy synth chords that recall Wonder’s ’70s output and his “Ribbon In The Sky” from the ’80s. The song was played at his wedding to Tameka Foster, to whom it was dedicated.
“Here I Stand” became Usher’s first number-one hit on the Adult R&B Songs chart and received a Grammy nomination for Best Male R&B Performance. Three different charts were graced by the song for most of 2008 and 2009 until it fell off completely. “Here I Stand” is now a recognized wedding song, and most Usher fans agree it is one of his most underrated compositions. Usher’s ninth studio album, Coming Home, is scheduled for release on February 11, 2024, the same day as his Super Bowl LVIII halftime performance. “Good Good” featuring Summer Walker and 21 Savage is the first single from the album.
