Ne-Yo was a beautiful song writer before he became a recording artist. He has written songs for a number of artists, including Mary J. Blige, Ruben Studdard, Marques Houston, Faith Evans, Christina Milian, B2K, Nivea, Tyrese, Jamie Foxx , Heather Headley,and Mario . After coming off a bad deal with Columbia Records, Ne-Yo originally decided to remain as a songwriter until a close friend introduced him to L.A. Reid who signed him to Def Jam Records on the spot.
The origin of the name Ne-Yo was given by a mutual friend in 1999 who called him Neo because he could 'see' music akin to the character Neo from The Matrix trilogy. He altered the '-yo' part as an homage to his hip hop roots.
Ne-Yo's debut album, In My Own Words, was released in early 2006, through Def Jam Recordings, and debuted at number one on Billboard 200, selling over 301,000 copies in the first week and certified platinum. During the same week, Ne-Yo's second single "So Sick" (produced by Stargate) reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Ne-Yo is as famous for his songwriting as for his singing, writing such songs as Rihanna's top ten hit "Unfaithful", Mario's "Let Me Love You", Mario Vazquez's "Gallery", Paula DeAnda's "Walk Away (Remember Me)", and Beyoncé's Billboard Hot 100 ten-week number-one hit "Irreplaceable".
His second album, Because of You, was released May 1, 2007. The first single from the platinum-selling album was "Because of You". He has also said that he has written songs for Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Britney Spears, Corbin Bleu, and Enrique Iglesias for their upcoming albums. Smith also has stated that he will write songs for Craig David, Usher, Chris Brown, Jennifer Hudson, Leona Lewis, and he recently confirmed that he has been contacted by producer will.i.am to work on Michael Jackson's upcoming album.
Ne-Yo opened a recording studio called Carrington House and started his own label, Compound Entertainment, in 2007; Paula Campbell, Sixx John, and Shanell are now associated with Compound.
In December 2007, Ne-Yo and the Goo Goo Dolls performed at a fundraising concert for presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama.
He appeared in the song "Deewangi Deewangi" in the Hindi movie Om Shanti Om.
In February 2008 at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards, Ne-Yo won Best Contemporary R&B Album for Because Of You.
The Lazy Love Songfacts reports that Ne-Yo's fifth studio album was originally titled 'The Cracks in Mr. Perfect' before Ne-Yo changed it to R.E.D, which stands for "Realising Every Dream".
Back Like That Remix
Ne-Yo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Knowing that me and that nigga ain't friends
(OK girl) Yeah what I did was wack
But you don't get a nigga back like that
Flossin' around when I'm up in these streets
Knowing that me and that nigga got beef
(OK girl) Yo, what I did was wack
But don't get a nigga back like that, no!
I'm high power put Eva Mendez to sleep
That bitch been on my mind all week
But back to you Mac gloss chick, you way thick
How you have everything in this world and waste it
Quince told don't worry it'll be okay, I'm so sick like Ne-Yo say
I'm laid back like Ne-Yo soul I holla back at this creo hoe
She from the N-O but she never told me N.O so
We hit the spot to chill where the food get grilled
She order the Kobe beef like Shaquille O'Neil
The second I walked in the whole room got still
I don't know how to put this but I'm kind of a big deal
And she conceited, she gotta reason
She got her hair did, she got her weave in and I'ma sweat that out
By the evening you, I don't sweat that now I gotta new
Come through the block in the brand new Benz
Knowing that me and that nigga ain't friends
(OK girl) Yeah what I did was wack
But you don't get a nigga back like that
Flossin' around when I'm up in these streets
Knowing that me and that nigga got beef
(OK girl) Yo, what I did was wack
But don't get a nigga back like that, no!
Oh girl I cant believe you zoned out
Played me for this dude nice shoes and a bottle of co-style
I'm that Don Wilson, 1st 1 to put you up 6 weeks in the resident Hilton
Mink Coates, colorful stones and big stacks
Yeah I was fucking but you don't get me back like that, causing me grief
You know me and homie had beef
Now you got me losing my mind out up in these streets
You flamingo, showing your true colors
I heard u was ducking low when you see my brothers
But it's all good I move from ex ta next
I got the baddest little chick ta sign off for the checks
Fat bubble, her bodies like one of the best
But I don't need to say nothin' ask Kanye West
She eye candy, smoother than Godiva chocolate
And you mad cause you played yourself - it's your fault chick
Come through the block in the brand new Benz
Knowing that me and that nigga ain't friends
(OK girl) Yeah what I did was wack
But you don't get a nigga back like that
Flossin' around when I'm up in these streets
Knowing that me and that nigga got beef
(OK girl) Yo, what I did was wack
But don't get a nigga back like that, no!
Shot through the heart, the girl caught me
Shot through the block, with him shot gun
He lucky, I ain't stop, copped the shotgun
Killah type cat, you better be glad, I'm not one
Had a couple stars up in my sky
She was my moon and my sunshine
Dude ain't even fly, he just some guy
You blamed yourself, I'm done, peace, one
Come through the block in the brand new Benz
Knowing that me and that nigga ain't friends
(OK girl) Yeah what I did was wack
But you don't get a nigga back like that
Flossin' around when I'm up in these streets
Knowing that me and that nigga got beef
(OK girl) Yo, what I did was wack
But don't get a nigga back like that, no!
In the song "Like" by Ne-Yo featuring Ghostface, we hear a guy trying to make amends to a girl who he previously wronged by being with someone else in the past. He acknowledges that what he did was wrong, but at the same time, he reminds the girl that she shouldn't try to get back at him in a way that isn't fair. He then turns his attention to another girl whom he is interested in, and they have a good time together while he ignores the drama going on around him.
The song reflects the complicated and messy nature of relationships, where people do wrongs to each other and try to make it right. It is also a commentary on the fakeness of certain people who act like they have everything but do not use it properly. In terms of the lyrics, they are catchy and the rhymes are well-executed, which elevates the song and makes it enjoyable to listen to.
Line by Line Meaning
Come through the block in the brand new Benz
Arrive in a new luxury vehicle
Knowing that me and that nigga ain't friends
Aware of the lack of camaraderie between two men
(OK girl) Yeah what I did was wack
Admits wrongdoing
But you don't get a nigga back like that
Revenge should not be taken in that manner
Flossin' around when I'm up in these streets
Showing off in public places
Knowing that me and that nigga got beef
Understanding the existence of animosity between two men
(OK girl) Yo, what I did was wack
Admits wrongdoing again
But don't get a nigga back like that, no!
Reiterating the notion that revenge shouldn't be taken in that manner
I'm high power put Eva Mendez to sleep
Demonstration of power and influence
That bitch been on my mind all week
Thinking about a woman
But back to you Mac gloss chick, you way thick
Addressing another woman by complimenting her appearance
How you have everything in this world and waste it
Wondering why someone would squander their opportunities and possessions
Quince told don't worry it'll be okay, I'm so sick like Ne-Yo say
Recall of lyrics from a Ne-Yo song, expressing sickness or distress
I'm laid back like Ne-Yo soul I holla back at this creo hoe
Comparing oneself to Ne-Yo's chill demeanor, while addressing a woman of Latin-American descent
She from the N-O but she never told me N.O so
Reference to a woman from New Orleans who never mentioned her hometown
We hit the spot to chill where the food get grilled
Going to a place to hang out and eat grilled food
She order the Kobe beef like Shaquille O'Neil
Ordering an expensive cut of beef, like a famous basketball player
The second I walked in the whole room got still
Impactful entrance, commanding attention
I don't know how to put this but I'm kind of a big deal
Humblebrag, about oneself being important or famous
And she conceited, she gotta reason
Noticing arrogance in the woman
She got her hair did, she got her weave in and I'ma sweat that out
Observing the effort put into one's appearance, acknowledging the potential effect on sweat
By the evening you, I don't sweat that now I gotta new
No longer worried about previous woman because of a new one
Oh girl I cant believe you zoned out
Disappointment in someone for being absent-minded or inattentive
Played me for this dude nice shoes and a bottle of co-style
Being deceived into thinking someone was interested because of material possessions
I'm that Don Wilson, 1st 1 to put you up 6 weeks in the resident Hilton
Self-identification as someone who is capable of paying for an extended stay at a luxury hotel
Mink Coates, colorful stones and big stacks
Listing expensive clothing and jewelry items
Yeah I was fucking but you don't get me back like that, causing me grief
Addressing the severity of the revenge sought
You know me and homie had beef
Acknowledging past conflict with someone
Now you got me losing my mind out up in these streets
Feeling overwhelmed by emotions and thoughts while in public
You flamingo, showing your true colors
Comparing someone to a bright pink bird while criticizing them for revealing their true character
I heard u was ducking low when you see my brothers
Accusation of someone avoiding confrontation with a group of men
But it's all good I move from ex ta next
Moving on from past relationships to new ones
I got the baddest little chick ta sign off for the checks
Finding a new attractive woman to spend time with for financial gain
Fat bubble, her bodies like one of the best
Complimenting a woman's body for being curvy and attractive
But I don't need to say nothin' ask Kanye West
Referencing Kanye West's preference for curvy women
She eye candy, smoother than Godiva chocolate
Complimenting a woman's appearance and comparing it to smooth, delicious chocolate
And you mad cause you played yourself - it's your fault chick
Blaming someone for their own mistakes and misfortunes
Shot through the heart, the girl caught me
Being captivated or ensnared by a woman
Shot through the block, with him shot gun
Imagery of being shot while driving
He lucky, I ain't stop, copped the shotgun
Not stopping the car and obtaining a shotgun for self-defense
Killah type cat, you better be glad, I'm not one
Imagery of being a dangerous person, but not currently acting on violent impulses
Had a couple stars up in my sky
Referring to past relationships or sexual encounters as points of interest in one's life
She was my moon and my sunshine
Referring to a woman as being both the center of attention and a positive influence
Dude ain't even fly, he just some guy
Insulting someone by saying they lack style or substance
You blamed yourself, I'm done, peace, one
Acknowledging someone taking responsibility for their own issues and ending the conversation
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Spirit Music Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: V. Brown, Vernon Brown, Shawn Carter, Shawn C Carter, Dennis Coles, Douglas Gibbs, Willie Hutch, R. Johnson, Shaffer Smith
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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