Recorded 2005 Length 3:27 | Genre R&B Label Def Jam | |
Released November 22, 2005 (US)
January 24, 2006 (re-release) Format 12"
CD
digital download | ||
"So Sick" is a song by American singer and songwriter Ne-Yo. The track was produced by Norwegian production team Stargate for Ne-Yo's debut studio album In My Own Words (2006). The song was released as the second single from the album.
Contents
"So Sick" was successful on charts worldwide, reaching number one in the United States and the United Kingdom. It's also Ne-Yo's biggest hit so far although the single also battled through controversy. It won the race to the UK number-one spot, scoring Ne-Yo his first UK number one and beating "Nature's Law" by Embrace which only reached number two due to a large count of legal download sales of "Nature's Law" which didn't register in the official charts. The song was featured in the video game Saints Row 2.
Background
Ne-Yo met Norwegian production team, Stargate, consisting of Mikkel S. Eriksen and Tor Erik Hermansen, in a hallway at Sony Music Studios on West 54th Street, New York City after the duo had settled there in the spring of 2005. After finding out they produced R&B-oriented tracks, among others, they started on writing songs for his debut studio album In My Own Words (2006). They produced six songs, including "So Sick".
Mikkel S. Eriksen and Tor Erik Hermansen of Stargate composed the music for the song, while Ne-Yo wrote the song's lyrics. "So Sick" centers on a character, who is tired of hearing love songs playing on the radio, as they remind him of his last relationship and breakup.
Ne-Yo has said he got the idea for the song from an old girlfriend he used to have. Ne-Yo told Billboard, "It's about the first time I fell in love with a girl in a way that I completely screwed it up. So it was a story that I didn't have to think really hard about putting it together. A lot of heartbreak went into that song, so that's why I think a lot of people dug it the way they did – because you can feel it."
Reception
"So Sick" received generally positive responses from contemporary critics. Bill Lamb of About stated that the smooth instrumental of the song makes it stand out and appropriate to listen during mid-winter season. He was pleased with Ne-Yo's vocals, but noted that "more emotional involvement would have made his performance more memorable", while calling "restrained". A review from Contactmusic.com echoed the latter's comment, saying that his vocal rendition is "stunning", while complimenting the production a "melodic masterpiece".
Music video
The video for "So Sick", directed by Hype Williams, saw heavy rotation on BET and MTV. Two versions of the song's video were shot. The original version of the music video ended up being scrapped for various reasons. The newer version appealed to the current weather conditions of the winter season with the video being filmed in the snowy mountains.
Covers and remixes
There are five "So Sick" remixes. The official remix was produced by Trackmasters and featured rap vocals performed by LL Cool J and sampled Michael Jackson's song, "Human Nature". This remix first appeared on LL Cool J's eleventh album, Todd Smith. One features Jin. Another remix features labelmate Jay Z. Another remix which is sung by Patrick Stump from Fall Out Boy has also been known to cover the song. In 2007, saxophonist Kim Waters covers the song on track one on You Are My Lady. There is also one with Tupac Shakur. There is also a version that uses the "Seasons" riddim.