"So Sick"
Single by Ne-Yo
from the album In My Own Words
ReleasedNovember 21, 2005 (2005-11-21)
GenreR&B
Length3:27
LabelDef Jam
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Stargate
Ne-Yo singles chronology
"Stay"
(2005) 		"So Sick"
(2005) 		"Back Like That"
(2006)

"So Sick" is a song by American singer-songwriter Ne-Yo, written alongside Norwegian production duo Stargate for Ne-Yo's debut studio album, In My Own Words (2006). Produced by Stargate, the song was released as the second single from the album on November 21, 2005, and received favorable reviews from music critics. "So Sick" peaked at number one on both the US Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart. In Europe, the single topped the Eurochart Hot 100 and entered the top 20 in 10 countries, including Denmark, Hungary, Ireland, Norway, and Switzerland. In Australasia, the single reached number two in New Zealand and number four in Australia.

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 early 2005.[1] 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) for which they produced six songs, including "So Sick".[2]

While Eriksen and Hermansen composed the music for the song, Ne-Yo penned 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.[1] Ne-Yo later confirmed that he got the idea for the song from a former girlfriend: "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."[1][3]

Reception

"So Sick" received generally positive responses from contemporary music critics. Bill Lamb of About stated that the smooth instrumental of the song makes it stand out and appropriate to listen during the mid-winter season. He was pleased with Ne-Yo's vocals but noted that "more emotional involvement would have made his performance more memorable", calling them "restrained".[4] A review from Contactmusic.com echoed the latter's comment, saying that his vocal rendition is "stunning", while complimenting the Stargate production, defining it as a "melodic masterpiece".[5]

Music video

The music video for "So Sick" was filmed in various locations throughout Aspen, Colorado[1]

The music video for "So Sick" was directed by Hype Williams and filmed in Aspen, Colorado.[1] Shot in the snow as well as inside a mansion, Ne-Yo commented on filming: "The house we rented out was ridiculous. The walls turned, and there were heated floors. It was crazy."[1] It saw heavy rotation on music video networks BET and MTV.[1]

Two music videos were shot for the song, the discarded version featured an urban imagery different to the winter-snow scenario of the original one.[6]

Remixes

This section does not cite any sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (March 2023) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)

There are five "So Sick" remixes. The official remix was produced by Trackmasters and features rap vocals 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. There is also a remix with rapper Joe Budden. Another remix is sung by Patrick Stump from Fall Out Boy, who has also been known to cover the song.

Track listings

UK CD single[7]
No.TitleLength
1."So Sick" 
2."Sign Me Up" 
European 12-inch single[8]
No.TitleLength
1."So Sick" (album version) 
2."So Sick" (instrumental) 
3."Get Down Like That" (remix) 
Australian and New Zealand CD single[9]
No.TitleLength
1."So Sick" 
2."So Sick" (instrumental) 
3."Sign Me Up" 
4."So Sick" (video) 

Charts

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[52] Gold 35,000^
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[53] Platinum 90,000‡
Germany (BVMI)[54] Gold 150,000‡
Japan (RIAJ)[55]
Ringtone 		2× Platinum 500,000*
Japan (RIAJ)[56]
Full-length ringtone 		Gold 100,000*
United Kingdom (BPI)[57] 2× Platinum 1,200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[58] Gold 500,000*
United States (RIAA)[59]
Mastertone 		Platinum 1,000,000*
Streaming
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[60] Gold 900,000†

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
† Streaming-only figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States November 21, 2005
Def Jam [61]
December 19, 2005 Contemporary hit radio [62]
January 30, 2006 Urban adult contemporary radio [63]
United Kingdom March 20, 2006 CD [64]
Australia April 10, 2006 [65]

Covers and samples

In 2020, Australian rapper The Kid Laroi released a reworking of the song called "Need You Most (So Sick)", from his debut mixtape, F*ck Love.[66] The song was sampled by Pop Smoke for his 2021 song "Woo Baby" (featuring Chris Brown) contained in his second album Faith.[67]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "How Ne-Yo Turned Getting Dumped Into A Top-10 Single". MTV News. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
  2. ^ Sisario, Ben (May 6, 2007). "Wizards in the Studio, Anonymous on the Street". The New York Times. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  3. ^ "So Sick by Ne-Yo Songfacts". songfacts.com. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
  4. ^ Lamb, Bill. "Ne-Yo - So Sick". About. About, Inc. Retrieved March 14, 2008.
  5. ^ "So Sick, Single Review". Contactmusic. Contactmusic.com Ltd. February 2, 2006. Retrieved March 14, 2008.
  6. ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: "Ne-Yo - So Sick (Alternate Version) (VIDEO)". YouTube.
  7. ^ So Sick (UK CD single liner notes). Ne-Yo. Def Jam Recordings. 2006. 9854185.((cite AV media notes)): CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  8. ^ So Sick (European 12-inch single sleeve). Ne-Yo. Def Jam Recordings. 2006. 9854186.((cite AV media notes)): CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  9. ^ So Sick (Australian & New Zealand CD single liner notes). Ne-Yo. Def Jam Recordings. 2006. 9852863.((cite AV media notes)): CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  10. ^ "Ne-Yo – So Sick". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
  11. ^ "Issue 841" ARIA Top 40 Urban Singles. National Library of Australia. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
  12. ^ "Ne-Yo – So Sick" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
  13. ^ "Ne-Yo – So Sick" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
  14. ^ "Ne-Yo – So Sick" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
  15. ^ "Ne-yo Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
  16. ^ "R&R Canada CHR/Pop Top 30" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1647. March 3, 2006. p. 57. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
  17. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – RADIO – TOP 100 and insert 200618 into search. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
  18. ^ "Ne-Yo – So Sick". Tracklisten. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
  19. ^ "Hits of the World – Eurocharts" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 118, no. 14. April 8, 2006. p. 73. Retrieved July 25, 2020.
  20. ^ "Ne-Yo – So Sick" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
  21. ^ "Ne-Yo – So Sick" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
  22. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
  23. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – So Sick". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
  24. ^ "Ne-Yo – So Sick". Top Digital Download. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
  25. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 15, 2006" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
  26. ^ "Ne-Yo – So Sick" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
  27. ^ "Ne-Yo – So Sick". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
  28. ^ "Ne-Yo – So Sick". VG-lista. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
  29. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
  30. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 200637 into search. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
  31. ^ "Ne-Yo – So Sick". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
  32. ^ "Ne-Yo: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  33. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
  34. ^ "Ne-Yo Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
  35. ^ "Ne-Yo Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
  36. ^ "Ne-Yo Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
  37. ^ "Ne-Yo Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
  38. ^ "Australian Web Archive Year End Charts 2006" (PDF). ARIA. Australian Web Archive. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 19, 2007. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
  39. ^ "ARIA Charts – End of Year Charts – Top 50 Urban Singles 2006". ARIA. Archived from the original on April 15, 2020. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
  40. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 2005 (Flanders)" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on October 17, 2013. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
  41. ^ "European Hot 100 Songs". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 14, 2007. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  42. ^ "Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 2006" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
  43. ^ "Rádiós Top 100 – hallgatottsági adatok alapján – 2006" (in Hungarian). Mahasz. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  44. ^ "Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 2006". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
  45. ^ "End of Year Charts 2006". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
  46. ^ "Swiss Year End Charts 2006". hitparade.ch. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
  47. ^ "End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 – 2006". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  48. ^ "2006 Urban Top 40" (PDF). Music Week. January 13, 2007. p. 26. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  49. ^ "Hot 100 Songs : May 31, 2016 – Billboard Chart Archive". Billboard.
  50. ^ "Year-End Charts – Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Titles – 2006". Billboard.biz. 2006. Archived from the original on October 3, 2012. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
  51. ^ "Rhythmic Songs – Year-End 2006". Billboard. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
  52. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2006 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved October 29, 2012.
  53. ^ "Danish single certifications – Ne-Yo – So Sick". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved September 14, 2021.
  54. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Ne-Yo; 'So Sick')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved May 1, 2018.
  55. ^ "Japanese ringtone certifications – Ne-Yo – So Sick" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved September 14, 2021. Select 2007年8月 on the drop-down menu
  56. ^ "Japanese ringtone certifications – Ne-Yo – So Sick" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved September 14, 2021. Select 2007年6月 on the drop-down menu
  57. ^ "British single certifications – Ne-Yo – So Sick". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  58. ^ "American single certifications – Ne-Yo – So Sick". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 14, 2021.
  59. ^ "American ringtone certifications – Ne-Yo – So Sick". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 14, 2021.
  60. ^ "Danish single certifications – Ne-Yo – So Sick". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  61. ^ "Going for Adds". Radio & Records. No. 1633. November 18, 2005. p. 23.
  62. ^ "Going for Adds". Radio & Records. No. 1640. January 13, 2006. p. 20.
  63. ^ "Going for Adds". Radio & Records. No. 1642. January 27, 2006. p. 24.
  64. ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. March 18, 2006. p. 31.
  65. ^ "The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 10th April 2006" (PDF). ARIA. April 10, 2006. p. 27. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 19, 2006. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
  66. ^ Higgins, Keenan (July 24, 2020). "The Kid LAROI Gets In His Feelings On Debut Album "F*CK LOVE"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  67. ^ "The True Meaning Behind 'Woo Baby' by Pop Smoke Featuring Chris Brown". July 28, 2021.
Categories