Chains

Album: Single release only (2015)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Usher recorded this track to raise awareness for the victims of racial injustice and police brutality. The R&B star worked with rapper Nas and singer-songwriter Bibi Bourelly on the tune. "In writing this song, I was motivated by the events involving prejudicial injustice that are still happening today," he said. "The reality is that racial bigotry diminishes the lives of too many people in our country. We have to come together as a country to solve these problems and this is one way I can contribute."
  • The song is accompanied by an innovative interactive visual experience dubbed 'Don't Look Away,' which uses a camera with facial recognition technology to allow viewers to look into the eyes of the unarmed victims. The video stops playing when it senses the viewer has stopped staring directly at the screen.
  • Usher, Nas and Bibi Bourelly debuted the song live on October 20, 2015 at the TIDAL X: 10/20 event, a charity concert held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn that celebrated Tidal's one millionth subscriber.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Hawksley Workman

Hawksley WorkmanSongwriter Interviews

One of Canada's most popular and eclectic performers, Hawksley tells stories about his oldest songs, his plentiful side projects, and the ways that he keeps his songwriting fresh.

Bill Medley of The Righteous Brothers

Bill Medley of The Righteous BrothersSongwriter Interviews

Medley looks back on "Unchained Melody" and "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" - his huge hits from the '60s that were later revived in movies.

John Parr

John ParrSongwriter Interviews

John tells the "St. Elmo's Fire (Man In Motion)" story and explains why he disappeared for so long.

Pam Tillis

Pam TillisSongwriter Interviews

The country sweetheart opines about the demands of touring and talks about writing songs with her famous father.

Alan Merrill of The Arrows

Alan Merrill of The ArrowsSongwriter Interviews

In her days with The Runaways, Joan Jett saw The Arrows perform "I Love Rock And Roll," which Alan Merrill co-wrote - that story and much more from this glam rock pioneer.

We Will Rock You (To Sleep): Pop Stars Who Recorded Kids' Albums

We Will Rock You (To Sleep): Pop Stars Who Recorded Kids' AlbumsSong Writing

With the rise of Kindie rock, more musicians are embracing their inner child with tunes for tots - here, we look at pop stars who recorded kids' albums.