Hey Daddy (Daddy's Home)

Album: Raymond Vs Raymond (2009)
Charted: 24
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is the first official single from Usher's sixth studio album, Raymond Vs Raymond.
  • The song was written by long-term Usher collaborator Rico Love and features American rapper Plies. Rico Love was the first artist signed to Usher's label, US Records, a subsidiary of J Records. His other songwriting credits include "Sweet Dreams" for Beyoncé, "Shone" for Flo Rida and Keri Hilson's debut solo single, "Energy."
  • On his previous release, Here I Stand, the then married Usher mostly sung tunes about fidelity and fatherhood. Raymond Vs Raymond is an attempt to re-establish the newly single singer as an entertainer whose life revolves around beautiful girls and clubs. Rico Love explained to The Associated Press, "Art sometimes imitates life. He's single again. He's having fun, he's back out there, he's back on the scene. So, of course, the music reflects that."
  • This is one of six tracks that Rico Love contributed to Raymond Vs Raymond. The Miami-based R&B writer recalled to MTV News about collaborating with Usher: "We was going back and forth. He was like, 'Come to Atlanta.' I was like, 'Come to Miami where I'm comfortable, so there ain't no excuses. I wanna work with my people, my producers. Come down to Miami.' He came to Miami and the first song he did was 'There Goes My Baby.' We did a few other records and then came 'Hey Daddy.' I wrote it in Miami, played it for him in Atlanta and we cut it in Vegas. That was the sleeper. It came out so crazy."
  • Florida artist DJ Mixx filed a lawsuit in July 2012, claiming Usher and Rico Love pilfered one of his tunes for this song. Mixx said that in 2008 he created a musical composition titled "Let's Go." He added that he shopped the tune around looking for songwriters to add lyrics to the track, including Usher, but nothing really panned out. However, his track ended up on Usher's album Raymond v. Raymond as this song.
  • Though Rico Love has penned tunes for a number of leading artists, Usher is his favorite one to work with. He explained during a Reddit AMA: "It's just so easy to cut vocals with him because he gets it. He doesn't just sing the song - the diction, the way he translates what I write, following directions quickly, the words, he does it in a way melodically that is just incredible. He is the easiest person to work with."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Melanie

MelanieSongwriter Interviews

The singer-songwriter Melanie talks about her spiritual awakening at Woodstock, "Brand New Key," and why songwriting is an art, not a craft.

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.

Michael Franti

Michael FrantiSongwriter Interviews

Franti tells the story behind his hit "Say Hey (I Love You)" and explains why yoga is an integral part of his lifestyle and his Soulshine tour.

Tom Keifer of Cinderella

Tom Keifer of CinderellaSongwriter Interviews

Tom talks about the evolution of Cinderella's songs through their first three albums, and how he writes as a solo artist.

Lori McKenna

Lori McKennaSongwriter Interviews

Lori's songs have been recorded by Faith Hill and Sara Evans. She's performed on the CMAs and on Oprah. She also has five kids.

Stand By Me: The Perfect Song-Movie Combination

Stand By Me: The Perfect Song-Movie CombinationSong Writing

In 1986, a Stephen King novella was made into a movie, with a classic song serving as title, soundtrack and tone.