Ne-Yo steps up the raunch factor
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Generous … Ne-Yo says Beyonce deserved a co-writing credit on Irreplacable for adding harmonies, despite him wrting all the lyrics. Picture: AP.
Source: AP
MOST musicians have a love/hate relationship with social media.
On one hand, it’s good for business. They can flog their latest wares directly to interested fans.
On the other, it provides haters direct access to raise issues.
One song on Ne-Yo’s sixth album, Nonfiction, has caused some digital drama.
The track Story Time sees Ne-Yo trying to convince his girlfriend to have a threesome. When she jokes about bringing another man in, Ne-Yo sings, from the point of view of his lady, “Oh, okay so another girl is fine, but when I mention another dude you’re lookin’ like you wanna punch me in the eye.”
Online some people are asking why he put a threat of violence in the song.
“People take stuff way too seriously these days,” he says.
“It’s a playful song. It’s not that serious. I don’t know where everybody lost their sense of humour but they need to get it back. They’re making a way big deal out of something that’s not that big a deal. At all.
“People like to look for something to be mad about so they have something to tweet.
“Tweet a photo of your dog. Tweet about your favourite colour. Stop blowing things out of proportion.”
A positive of social media? Ne-Yo asked fans to provide some real life stories for inspiration for the lyrics of Nonfiction, which cover everything from romance to infidelity and threesome attempts.
Going strong … Ne-Yo says he’s grateful to still have a career after ten years in a tough business. Picture: Supplied.
Source: Getty Images
“For this album I had to step back and look at the business right now,” Ne-Yo says.
“We’re in a climate where a cat might get one song, if he’s lucky he gets a full album and next year the guy’s gone. That’s what music is right now.
“For me to be here 10 years later, six albums deep I have to say thank you. So I allowed my fans to be a part of the creative process.”
He’s American, so of course asking strangers to help write your songs is not always a good idea, legally. So there’s no names and no writing credits.
“That’s the reason I wasn’t allowed to put anyone’s names on it, I would have loved to do that but my lawyers said people would come out of the woodwork and ask for money and this and that, they’ll sue you, it’s a legal headache you don’t want.”
They’re some of his most risque lyrics yet, including songs about strip clubs and making breakfast for ladies the morning after, as well as putting a menage a trois on the table.
For a man who called an album Year of the Gentleman, he’s never been this bedroom-driven.
“People get the whole gentlemen thing misconstrued. Gentleman does not mean priest. I’m not perfect, I am a 35 year old man. Sometimes I’m gonna talk about what 35 year old men talk about. Mind you I have kids, I have a wide fanbase, I’ve got older and younger fans. But there’s only so far I’m going to go with the risqué. It’s your responsibility as a parent that your kid doesn’t listen to the song that’s clearly not for them on the record.”
Due credit … Beyonce didn’t write a word or note in Irreplaceable, but got a co-writing credit. Picture: AFP.
Source: AFP
He’s also written songs about the problems of dating when famous (“you see the girl that’s super shallow, super vain, she’s all about being with the guy popping bottles in the club”) and even admitting to his own infidelities — he’s dating again after splitting with the mother of his two children.
“People have this perception of who I am. I’m not perfect, I’m just like you, I’m a regular guy. I make mistakes.
“If I can air my dirty laundry it might stop someone from making the same mistakes.”
Ne-Yo also has another career as a songwriter for other artists. His biggest hits include Rihanna’s Unfaithful and Beyonce’s Irreplaceable. The demo for the latter, sung by Ne-Yo, leaked online and showed that the lyrics were identical to Beyonce’s version, however Beyonce got a writing credit.
“Beyonce’s credited as a writer on Irreplaceable, and I approve of this, because when I write a song for someone I don’t want them to do it exactly as I did it. I’m not saying go in and change a line, but make the song yours.
“Beyonce added different melodies and harmonies, that counts as writing as well. She didn’t write any lyrics, I wrote all those, but she definitely took the song and made it hers.
I didn’t have a problem with her getting a credit on the song because she wrote melodies.”
Nonfiction (Motown/EMI) out now.
