Cher Lloyd Says 'Want U Back' Single 'Explains Me'

GARDEN CITY, New York — Winning isn't everything — just ask One Direction. The boy band landed in third place on "The X Factor" U.K. back in 2010 but are proving that losing might have been the best thing that ever happened to them.

Following in their footsteps is spunky pop singer and rapper Cher Lloyd. Just like the guys, Lloyd competed in the seventh season of the British singing competition but came up short, landing in fourth place. Since then, she has had a #1 single and top-five album in the U.K. and has made her way to the U.S. with her catchy hit "Want U Back."

"I feel like 'Want U Back' explains me," Lloyd told on her way to a private performance and meet-and-greet. "It has a lot of attitude, but in a good way. It's cheeky, I'm quite cheeky, and it's young and it's fun."

The song has been certified gold and is dominating the airwaves here in the States due to its can't-get-it-out-of-your-head melody and unmistakable grunting.

"I was in the studio, and for some reason, I couldn't hit a particular note," Lloyd explained about the guttural noise. "I get really frustrated with myself when I can't do something, so I made the 'ugh' sound, and they kept it in."

Another thing the songstress has to thank for her growing popularity across the pond? Her hordes of adoring fans, or, as Lloyd likes to call them, "Bratz."

"They named themselves Bratz because they are Bratz in a good way," she explained. "They know what they want; they're going to get it. They're basically like me!"

Lloyd will be dropping her debut album Sticks + Stones Stateside in October, including never-before-heard tracks and a bonus version of "Want U Back" featuring Snoop Dogg.