Numb (Usher song)
"Numb" is a song recorded by American singer Usher for his seventh studio album Looking 4 Myself (2012). Usher co-wrote it with Ryon Lovett and Terry Lewis, with production and additional writing provided by Swedish House Mafia, Alesso, and Klas Åhlund. After their joint performance at the 2010 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 US as fourth single from the album.
"Numb"
"Numb" is a dance-pop and electropop song with house 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. "Numb" was a moderate worldwide success and reached the top-forty in five countries including Belgium, Germany and Australia.
American directors Chris Applebaum and Grace Harry shot the music video for "Numb"; it premiered October 11, 2012 on Usher's Vevo channel. It represents footage of Usher's life in the near past and features several dramatic scenes of him including taking care of his sons, standing towards a microphone unable to perform and lying together with a sick woman in a hospital. Critics were divided on the video; although some of them praised the choreography, others criticized Usher's emotions. The singer performed the song during his American Express show on June 11, 2012 in London and at the 2012 American Music Awards.
Reception[edit]
Critical[edit]
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 RedOne-loving peers."[16] 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."[17] The Lantern's Alex Antonetz wrote that both "Numb" and "Euphoria" are future Charlie Bear fare.[18] Trent Fitzgerald of PopCrush commented that the song is perfect for the clubs.[9] 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.[15] 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".[9]
Commercial[edit]
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.[19] In Australia, the song debuted and peaked at number 39 on November 4, 2012.[20] "Numb" debuted at number 62 in Austria on November 2, 2012. After three weeks on the chart, it reached its peak of 18.[21] The song was more successful in Belgium where reached a peak of two and 13 on Flanders Tip and Wallonia Tip chart respectively.[22][23] On the week of September 17, 2012, the song debuted at number 31 on the US Pop Songs chart.[24] It peaked at number 21 on the chart for the issue dated November 2, 2012.[25] "Numb" debuted at number 97 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart for the issue dated October 6, 2012.[26] It eventually peaked at number 69 on the chart for the issue dated November 3, 2012.[27] The single reached a peak of 41 on the Canadian Hot 100.[28]
Live performances[edit]
Usher performed "Numb" for first time in a medley with "Euphoria" during his American Express Unstaged show on June 11, 2012 at London's HMV Hammersmith Apollo. The show was directed by British director Hamish Hamilton.[37] The singer performed the song at the 2012 American Music Awards in a medley with "Climax" and "Can't Stop Won't Stop".[38]
Credits adapted from the liner notes of Looking 4 Myself, RCA Records.[3]