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".
In The Way
Ne-Yo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But my flight got cancelled wouldn't stop raining
So two days three flights later I touchdown
But there was trouble with you family and now your outta town
And I don't like it no this ain't cool
Feelin like there's something just don't want me near you
The world keeps getting in the way
Baby the world keeps getting in the way
With you is where I wanna be but it just won't let me
Cause it keeps getting in the way
Keeps getting in the way
Said it keeps getting in the way
Keeps getting in the way
Keeps getting in the way
Said it keeps getting in the way
And now were in the same state
But I be in the studio workin extra late (5 in the morning)
And finally I get to leave (I'm comin home to you)
But by the time I get there your already fast asleep
And I don't like it no this ain't cool
Feelin like there's something just don't want me near you
The world keeps getting in the way
Trying to get to you but it seems like everyday is something new
Baby the world keeps getting in the way
With you is where I wanna be but it just won't let me
Cause it keeps getting in the way
Keeps getting in the way
Said it keeps getting in the way
Keeps getting in the way
Keeps getting in the way
Said it keeps getting in the way
Keeps getting in the way
Said it keeps getting in the way
Keeps getting in the way
Keeps getting in the way
Said it keeps getting in the way
And I don't like it no this ain't cool
Feelin like there's something just don't want me near you
Baby The world keeps getting in the way
Trying to get to you but it seems like everyday is something new
Baby the world keeps getting in the way
With you is where I wanna be but it just won't let me
Said it keeps getting in the way
Keeps getting in the way
Said it keeps getting in the way
Keeps getting in the way
Keeps getting in the way
Said it keeps getting in the way
Keeps getting in the way
Said it keeps getting in the way
Keeps getting in the way
Keeps getting in the way
Said it keeps getting in the way
Keeps getting in the way
Said it keeps getting in the way
Keeps getting in the way
Ne-Yo's "In the Way" describes a frustrating situation in which external obstacles seem to continually block the singer's attempts to be with his loved one. The lyrics suggest that the singer is doing everything he can to be with his partner, but external forces beyond his control--such as rain, cancelled flights, and conflicting work schedules--prevent him from doing so. The repetition of the line "The world keeps getting in the way" emphasizes the idea that the singer feels powerless against these forces. The inability to be with his loved one brings a sense of unease and frustration, as the singer feels like there is something that does not want him near his partner.
The song portrays a situation that many people can relate to in today's fast-paced world, where work and other commitments can easily take over a relationship. It highlights the feeling of helplessness when external factors seem to prevent one from being with the person they love. Overall, the song highlights the importance of communication, flexibility, and perseverance in maintaining a relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Thought I get to see your face again
I was hoping to see you again
But my flight got cancelled wouldn't stop raining
My flight was cancelled due to continuous rain
So two days three flights later I touchdown
After a lot of struggle, I finally landed after taking three different flights in two days
But there was trouble with you family and now your outta town
Unfortunately, there was some kind of problem with your family, which made you leave town
And I don't like it no this ain't cool
I don't like this situation, and it's not cool
Feelin like there's something just don't want me near you
I have a feeling that something doesn't want me to come near you
The world keeps getting in the way
I am facing a lot of issues that are preventing me from being with you
Trying to get to you but it seems like everyday is something new
Every day, I am trying to reach you, but something new is happening every day that is keeping me away from you
Baby the world keeps getting in the way
Dear, it seems like the world is not allowing me to be with you
With you is where I wanna be but it just won't let me
I want to be with you, but my situation is not allowing me to be with you
Cause it keeps getting in the way
I am still facing a lot of issues which is preventing me from being with you
And now were in the same state
Finally, both of us are in the same state
But I be in the studio workin extra late (5 in the morning)
Unfortunately, I am very busy working in the studio and sometimes have to work very late till 5 in the morning
And finally I get to leave (I'm comin home to you)
Finally, I am leaving and coming home to you
But by the time I get there your already fast asleep
Unfortunately, by the time I reach home, you are already fast asleep
And I don't like it no this ain't cool
Again, I don't like this situation, and it's not cool
Feelin like there's something just don't want me near you
I still have this strange feeling that something is preventing me from being near you
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JONATHAN ROTEM, SHAFFER SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jessica Janel Nocos
Such a mood booster 💛
Lil Archer x18
It's 2020 but I still love his music ❤️
Harriet May
Neyo's songs are so good to listen to when i'm in a depressing mood <3 ;)
Olivia Vlogs
2021 and I’m still here lol
RED RAS
Love this song it touches da heart
MooN RmZ.
NE-YO ❤️😍🎤🎶🎶🎶🤗👌🏼 2020.......toda la vida!
A Saint
September 13 2019 still listening..this is one of his underrated songs
dbaragonmoney1992
None. Ne-yo went through a point in time where he was writing a LOT of songs for other artists to sing and no one was bringing them out, so he just kinda let them "sit". This is one of those beautiful songs :)
Jihad Bob Cariño
2021 still listening ❤️
Monica Tran
Great song!