"
U Got It Bad" is a song by American recording artist
Usher, released through
Arista as the second single from his third studio album,
8701 (2001). It was written by Usher,
Jermaine Dupri and
Bryan-Michael Cox, and produced by the former and co-produced by the latter. It was released as a
CD Single in the US on September 4, 2001. "U Got It Bad" is an
R&B ballad that, according to
MTV, incorporates "digi-coustic" guitars, a "slow-burning bass line" and "sex funk" drums. The lyrics notably contain some quick direct allusions to other
soul music ballads, mainly
Maxwell's "
Fortunate", and
Prince's "
Adore".