Here I Stand (Usher song)

"Here I Stand" was written by Usher, Polow da Don, Adam Blackstone and Gerrell Gaddis, as well as Dre & Vidal, who also produced the track.[1] The song was recorded by Vincent Dilorenzo, with assistance from Geoff Rice, at Sony Music Studios, New York City and Zac Recording, Atlanta.[1] Dilorenzo also mixed the record, with assistance from Matt DeSando, at Studio 609, Philadelphia.[1] According to Josh Eells of Blender, "Here I Stand" was written for Tameka Foster,[2] whom Usher married in August 2007.[3] Composed before their engagement, "Here I Stand" was played at Usher and Foster's wedding, on Foster's request.[4][5] The tune is an assurance of sexual fidelity and commitment.[4][6] In an interview with MTV News, Usher stated, "If you listen to the words [of 'Here I Stand'], it is very heartfelt, simplistic, yet very soulful. ... It's a man's words to his woman: a vow to say that you are the one, and I'll be there for you."[5] A slow jam soul ballad,[2][7] "Here I Stand" has been compared to the work of Stevie Wonder by critics.[7][8] It was included on Usher's fifth studio album of the same name, released on May 13, 2008 by LaFace Records.[9]

The song was released to urban adult contemporary radio by LaFace and RCA Records on August 18, 2008,[10] serving as the fifth single from Here I Stand. Usher sang "Here I Stand" along with "Trading Places" and "What's Your Name" at the warmup concert for the 2008 National Football League Kickoff game on September 4.[11] Usher performed "Here I Stand" at Sony's keynote address at the 2009 Consumer Electronics Show.[12] The song was performed on his One Night Stand: Ladies Only Tour, with a slower tempo.[13]

Stevie Wonder (left) and Usher performing in 2009

Leah Greenblatt of Entertainment Weekly called "Here I Stand" a throwback to Stevie Wonder, and was disappointed that it was placed near the end of the parent album.[8] USA Today's Steve Jones noted the track as a highlight of the album.[14] Joshua Alston from The A.V. Club wrote that the song "lyrically and musically sounds more passionate and more adult than Usher ever has," and called it a "syrupy ballad".[15] However, Blender's Josh Eells called the "chivalrous" number "sweet but taxing, like looking at photos from someone else’s wedding,"[2] while Jim Farber of the Daily News wrote that "the [song's] melody fails [Usher]."[7] The song ranked at number one on AOL Radio's list of top Usher songs.[4] At the 51st Grammy Awards, "Here I Stand" was nominated for the Best Male R&B Vocal Performance award, but lost to Ne-Yo's "Miss Independent" from his 2008 album, Year of the Gentleman.[16]

Following its radio release, "Here I Stand" debuted on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs at number seventy-five on the issue dated September 20, 2008, and peaked at number eighteen on March 14, 2009. On July 18, 2009 it fell off the chart, having spent forty-three weeks on the chart.[17] "Here I Stand" entered the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles at number fourteen on the chart of December 17, 2008.[18] It peaked at number six on January 3, 2009, before it slipped off the chart the following week, having lasted four weeks there.[19] On February 7, 2009, the song appeared on the Hot 100 Airplay (Radio Songs) at number seventy-three,[20] but failed to reappear on the chart the next week. It re-entered one place higher, at number seventy-two, on March 14, 2009,[21] but again did not gain any traction, with no place achieved on the following chart.[22] However, it became his first number one hit on the Adult R&B Songs chart on December 6, 2008.[23]

Credits lifted from the liner notes of Here I Stand.[1]