Usher, the 45-year-old R&B sensation, has officially launched his “Past, Present, Future Tour.” And let’s just say, he’s packed more into one show than most of us have packed into a lifetime. After postponing his first few shows due to gasp an injury (I mean, haven’t we all pulled a muscle just looking at our sneakers?), Usher hit the stage like a man on a mission — a mission to make everyone else feel wildly out of shape.
The Comeback Tour of a Lifetime (or Several)
On Tuesday night (August 20), at the Capitol One Arena in Washington, D.C., Usher gave the performance of a lifetime—probably several lifetimes—by cramming more than 45 songs into a two-hour set. Yes, you read that right. Forty-five songs. Some of us can’t even stick with a playlist that long without hitting “skip.” But Usher? He’s over here serving up hit after hit like it’s an all-you-can-eat buffet of nostalgia.
While fans were busy Googling the lyrics to songs they hadn’t heard since flip phones were a thing, Usher was reminding us why he’s a legend. “I’m promoting a legacy,” he humbly bragged to USA Today. “Past, present, and future. I’ve been doing this long enough to celebrate my music from the moment I first sang ‘Yeah!’ to that time I… also sang ‘Yeah!’ for the millionth time.” Basically, Usher’s legacy could legally adopt most of us at this point.
30 Years of Music, and Not a Single Breath Lost
The setlist is a time machine, whisking fans through 30 years of Usher’s career—yes, 30 years, people. Let that sink in while you reapply your anti-aging cream. From his early days when pagers were the height of technology, to the present day, where he’s STILL hitting notes that most of us couldn’t even hit if we stubbed our toe on a coffee table.
And don’t worry, all the fan-favorites are there. Every. Single. One. Usher didn’t leave any song unturned. If you thought he forgot about that one obscure track you love, think again. Chances are he sang it, danced to it, and did a backflip in the middle of it while casually sipping a protein shake.
So What About That Setlist?
Well, buckle up, because it’s a lot. Scroll down to see if your favorite song made it into this marathon of melody and sweat. Just remember, this setlist is from the opening night, so if you’re seeing Usher later on the tour, who knows? He might switch it up. Or, you know, add another 45 songs for good measure.
Now excuse me while I go ice my knees just from reading this.
1. Coming Home
2. Hey Daddy (Daddy’s Home)
3. BIG
4. Call Me a Mack
5. Think of You
6. Can U Get Wit It
7. My Way
8. You Make Me Wanna…
9. 8701 (Interlude)
10. U Remind Me
11. U Don’t Have to Call
12. Caught Up
13. Yeah! (Shortened version)
14. Don’t Waste My Time
15. Love in This Club
16. Tell Me
17. Say What U Want
18. New Flame
19. Margiela
20. Party
21. Lil’ Freak
22. Lovers and Friends
23. Nice and Slow
24. U Got It Bad
25. Climax
26. Burn
27. Confessions Part II
28. Monstar
29. Euphoria
30. OMG
31. DJ Got Us Fallin’ in Love
32. Without You
33. Superstar
34. There Goes My Baby
35. I Need a Girl
36. I Invented Sex
37. Trading Places
38. Good Love
39. My Boo
40. I Don’t Mind
41. Throwback
42. Bad Girl
43. Good Kisser
44. Ruin
45. Peace Sign
46. Seduction
47. ENCORE: Good Good
48. ENCORE: Yeah! (Full version)