So Sick

In today's world, So Sick has become a topic of great relevance and interest to a wide variety of people. From its impact on society to its implications on the industry, So Sick is a topic that continues to generate debate and reflection. As studies and research continue to reveal new facets of So Sick, its importance in our daily lives becomes evident. In this article, we will explore different aspects related to So Sick and its influence in various areas, with the aim of better understanding its scope and meaning today.

"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. 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".

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. 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."

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". 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".

Music video

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

The music video for "So Sick" was directed by Hype Williams and filmed in Aspen, Colorado. 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." It saw heavy rotation on music video networks BET and MTV.

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.

Remixes

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
No.TitleLength
1."So Sick" 
2."Sign Me Up" 
European 12-inch single
No.TitleLength
1."So Sick" (album version) 
2."So Sick" (instrumental) 
3."Get Down Like That" (remix) 
Australian and New Zealand CD single
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) Gold 35,000^
Denmark (IFPI Danmark) Platinum 90,000
Germany (BVMI) Gold 150,000
Japan (RIAJ)
Ringtone
2× Platinum 500,000*
Japan (RIAJ)
Full-length ringtone
Gold 100,000*
United Kingdom (BPI) 2× Platinum 1,200,000
United States (RIAA) Gold 500,000*
United States (RIAA)
Mastertone
Platinum 1,000,000*
Streaming
Denmark (IFPI Danmark) 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
December 19, 2005 Contemporary hit radio
January 30, 2006 Urban adult contemporary radio
United Kingdom March 20, 2006 CD
Australia April 10, 2006

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. The song was sampled by Pop Smoke for his 2021 song "Woo Baby" (featuring Chris Brown) contained in his second album Faith.

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