B-side Remix Length 3:06 | Format CD single, maxi | |
Released May 13, 2003 (2003-05-13) Genre R&B, dancehall, hip hop Label Universal, Straight Face | ||
"Never Leave You (Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh)" is a song by American recording artist Lumidee, released as the debut single on May 13, 2003 from her debut studio album, Almost Famous (2003).
Contents
Background
The original mix of the song was recorded by DJ Tedsmooth, a native of Spanish Harlem where she was raised, for DJ Tedsmooth's independent record label Straight Face. The song used the same instrumental and consent as Dirt McGirt and Nicole Wray's single Welcome Home. The song became the #1 requested song on many New York radio stations. The success resulted in many major record label offered deals to both Lumidee and DJ Tedsmooth. After signing with Universal the song remixed with guest appearances by Busta Rhymes and Fabolous.
This song gained popularity because of its slightly altered use of the already wildly popular Diwali riddim by then-up-and-coming dancehall producer Steven "Lenky" Marsden. "Diwali" was one of the most internationally successful dancehall rhythms of all time, garnering hits from Wayne Wonder ("No Letting Go"), T.O.K. ("Galang Gal"), Bounty Killer & Wayne Marshall "Sufferer", Elephant Man ("Elephant Message"), and Sean Paul ("Get Busy"). But since "Never Leave You" was an R&B song by an R&B singer over a dancehall riddim, sound system selectors, club DJs and urban market radio stations immediately took notice of this unique factor and started playing it heavily and regularly, mixing it in with the other songs on the rhythm. It remains the most successful song of Lumidee's career so far regarding chart positions and her only hit to date. The song was most successful in Europe, reaching #1 in five countries. It peaked at #1 in Belgium, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands and Switzerland in August–September 2003. It also charted at #2 in the United Kingdom. Nevertheless, the song peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in her own country. Never Leave You also did well in International charts to reach #1 in Eurochart Hot 100 Singles.
"Never Leave You" was incorporated into the 2010 re-release of the Diwali riddim album on Greensleeves/VP Records. Other songs derived from the Diwali riddim, along with Sean Paul's "Get Busy," which was a late entry that never made the original release.
The song was also used multiple times in the 2004 film Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen, which starred Lindsay Lohan.
Composition
"Never Leave You (Uh Ooh, Uh Ooh)" is an R&B song written by Lumidee Cedeño, Teddy "Tedsmooth" Mendez and Eddie Perez, and features a prominent dancehall reggae riddim called "Diwali" written by Steven "Lenky" Marsden. although it is slightly altered from the original riddim.
Belgian artist Luc Van Acker made allegations that the song resembles "Zanna," a song he wrote. However, in an interview he said Belgian anti-piracy agency SABAM advised him not to waste money on a lawsuit.
Music video
The music video of "Never Leave You (Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh)" was directed by Nzingha Stewart and it features American actor J.D. Williams as Lumidee's love interest.
Chart performance
In the United States, "Never Leave You (Uh Ooh, Uh Ooh)" debuted at number 61 on the Billboard Hot 100. In the United Kingdom, the single debuted at number two on the UK Singles Chart on August 3, 2003 (for the week ending date August 9, 2003), beaten to top by Blu Cantrell and Sean Paul's "Breathe". The song reached the top spot on Billboard's European Hot 100, after it jumped from number three to number-one in the Netherlands and number seven to number three in Germany. Due to the increase of radio plays for the song, it ascended up the chart from number 10 to number five on the Billboard Hot 100.
Track listings
Official versions
- "Never Leave You (Uh-Oooh!)" [Original Mix] - 3:06
- "Never Leave You (Uh-Oooh!)" (Album Version) / [Main] - 3:33
- "Never Leave You (Uh-Oooh!)" [Anthony Acid & DJ Skribble Remix (Radio Cut)] - 3:44