Today (March 23) marks the 17th anniversary of the release of Usher’s fourth studio album Confessions. The critically acclaimed project featured several hit songs, including “Burn,” “Superstar,” “My Boo,” “Bad Girl,” “Confessions,” “Caught Up.” and “Yeah!,” with the latter track becoming the biggest hit of Usher’s career, topping the Billboard Hot 100 chart for twelve consecutive weeks.
Confessions peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart and won a Grammy award for Best Contemporary R&B Album. On Nov. 7, 2008, the album was certified diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), meaning over 10 million units were sold worldwide.
Fans are taking to social media to remember what many have called the greatest R&B album of all time. Twitter user @Silver_dat1gurl wrote, “This album hits even [harder] now than it did 17 years ago. One of my favorite R&B albums of all time. Favorite Songs: ‘Superstar,’ ‘Confessions 1&2,’ ‘That’s What’s It’s Made For,’ ‘Seduction,’ ‘Truth Hurts,’ ‘Throwback’ and ‘Can U Handle It?’ #Usher.”
“There have been a lot of debates on here over the years about which album is Usher’s best: 8701 or Confessions,” tweeted @RVAReid. “Confessions is Usher’s magnum opus.”
Social media user @rnbtommy wrote, “After Usher’s Confessions album went diamond back in 06/07, no one else was able to go diamond. It took half a decade and Adele dropping one of the best-selling albums of all time to go diamond again.”
“Usher owned 2004, he had songs for every situation,” tweeted @kelvinlouhe. “‘Lovers and Friends’ was the song you played when you on your way to cheat on your girl. ‘Confessions Pt. 2’ was the song you played when you on your way to apologize and get her back.”
“Confessions is the reason not a soul can go against Usher in a Verzuz. Nigga can play the whole album and it’s a wrap,” tweeted @Stackavellii_.
Take a trip down memory lane and listen to Confessions below on TIDAL.