Never Ever (Ciara song)

Last updated

I make her sound like a vocalist versus the other stuff she may do that's more performance, where she can get on the dance floor. It's kind of the same thing with Aaliyah. She may not have been the best singer, but her voice was so unique and her sound — she had her own lane, and I think Ciara is like that same thing..

Producer Ester Dean. Polow da Don, comparing he and Ciara to Aaliyah and Timbaland. [3]

For "Never Ever", Ciara collaborated with previous collaborator and associate Polow da Don, as well as Blac Elvis. Ciara previously worked with the two on a previous single, "Promise" (2006). Polow da Don told MTV News, "We both came up and were raised in the same camp. We've known each other for a long time." [3] When talking about the working relationship between him and Ciara, he replied, "We actually just have this natural chemistry that I don't even have with some of my own artists. I understand her and I understand what she should be doing. I look at it like this: When I work with her, I'm a fan, and this is what I want her to be doing." [3] Polow da Don went on to compare he and Ciara as having the formula to becoming the new Aaliyah and Timbaland, a famed singer-producer combination in the late 1990s. [3]

Polow da Don also called the song a "hard midtempo", calling it an R&B version of a hard rap track, commenting, "where dudes can ride around in their cars and listen to R&B and not feel like a girl." [3] Polow went on to call it "hard like a rap record", and said that was the reason why Young Jeezy didn't have a problem adding his contributions to it. [3] Ciara went on to characterize the song as "one of those real records." [3] She elaborated on that in particular on the set of the video shoot for the song, explaining:

"I can relate to it myself. I've been in a relationship before where I've given 100 percent, and I feel like I was given 80 percent. I fought so long to try and keep it up — keep it afloat and to keep it together, and you got to realize that if somebody's not going to want to — and the key word is 'want to' — love you the same way you love them, then it shouldn't be. It's a real situation, and it seems to be very common nowadays in conversations about love and relationships. I definitely know should be talked about, and I've experienced it before." [4]

The song's chorus samples the 1972 worldwide hit, "If You Don't Know Me by Now", by popular Philadelphia soul musical group, Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes . Because of that, the song's writers and producers Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff, known as the songwriting and production duo Gamble and Huff received songwriting credits [1]

Critical reception

Idio Magazine gave the song a positive review, stating that "The best artists are skilled at switching between a variety of musical styles and lyrical themes. In Ciara's case, complementing her club bangers (Goodies, 1,2 Step, Get Up, Go Girl) are slower, more laid-back jams (And I, Promise, Can’t Leave 'Em Alone). Staying true to that gameplan, she has re-enlisted 'Promise' producer Polow da Don for the latest single from her long-awaited junior album, Fantasy Ride." The magazine goes on to say that the single is "a smooth track encouraging females not to let their unrequited love for any man ruin their lives, but CiCi doesn’t neglect to provide a male perspective: enter Young Jeezy, who delivers a guest verse reminiscent of his contribution on Usher's "Love in This Club". In a nutshell, Never Ever has something for everyone." [5]

Andy Kellman of Allmusic noted the song as one of the standout tracks on Fantasy Ride. [6]

Release

The single was sent to impact urban and mainstream/pop radio on January 19, 2009. Since its release at radio, the single has quickly garnered airplay success, even though major promotion hasn't begun yet, and despite a music video not previously being released. [7] Starting on January 24, the song was promoted as the featured single on Myspace.

As of January 21, the song has garnered enough airplay that it debuted on the Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles at number 5. [8] This single debuted on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles at number 70, becoming the highest debut of the week for January 29, 2009. [9] The following week, the single made a jump from number 70 to number 58 on the same chart. [10] The same week, the single debuted on the Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart at number 38, also becoming the highest debut of the week for this chart. As of February 12, 2009, the single has peaked at number 54 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. [11]

Chart performance

In the single's first week of release, the song has sold 15,000 downloads, according to Nielsen SoundScan. [12] On the issue date March 7, 2009, the single debuted at number 96 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. [13] In its second week, the single climbed to number 79 on the chart. On the issue date May 16, 2009, the single reached its peak at number 66 on the chart. The song stayed on the chart for a total of 25 weeks. The single also peaked at number nine on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, becoming Ciara's eleventh top-ten single on that chart. The single was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sales of over 500,000 digital copies in the United States. [14]

The song was also set to serve as the first single from "Fantasy Ride" in the United Kingdom and Ireland but was scrapped due to "Never Ever" performing poorly in the United States and because "Love Sex Magic" was already receiving attention. The song reached number one on the Sweden download charts on iTunes.

The song was due to be released as the third single in the United Kingdom, and the music video began circulating music channels, and local urban music stations (such as Kiss 100, and Choice FM) began rotating the song, however the original album version was not used, the Mike D Radio Mix version took its place, however when news was announced that Ciara was recording her fourth studio album, plans for the single were scrapped and the music video and single have been taken off stations playlists. Due to minor promotion, the single did not chart.

Music video

Ciara shot the music video for the single in Atlanta in January 2009. [15] [16] Young Jeezy, the song's featured act, made an appearance in the video. A few pictures of the video shoot was released on the web on the following Monday. R&B singer Ruben Studdard, Late rapper Dolla (who would be gunned down four months later on May 18, 2009), production team Jasper Cameron and Big Reese, who are also longtime friends of Ciara's, choreographer Jamaica Craft, and R&B singer Monica are cameos in the music video. The project, which was directed by Chris Robinson, had its release date set for January 31, as confirmed by Yahoo! Music . The video was released on January 30, 2009 BET's Access Granted. [17]

The video begins with Ciara and a group of her friends discussing the characteristics of unrequited love with the Ciara song Promise playing in the background, which leads to a scene with Ciara dancing in her penthouse apartment. This scene is mixed with footage of a montage of close-ups with Ciara reciting the song (these clips are shown throughout the whole video). We are then introduced to a party scene, where Ciara and her boyfriend, portrayed by actor Kevin Phillips, are seen dancing with each other. While dancing, her boyfriend glances at another girl in the party - Ciara catches this and walks off, where her boyfriend then catches her and grabs her arm. The video then cuts to a dance sequence, with Ciara and her back-up dancers, in the middle of the crowd in the party. All the while, Ciara and her boyfriend are still arguing. Young Jeezy's scene in front of a golden backdrop is then shown, with Ciara standing beside him. Meanwhile, Al Horford comes up to Ciara, introduces himself, and asks her to dance. Realizing that she needs to let go of this frustrating relationship with her boyfriend and move on, she accepts. The video closes out with Ciara reciting the last line of the song, "If that boy don't love you by now..."

Live performances

Ciara performed the song on May 12, 2009 on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. [18] She also performed the song on Good Morning America and Live with Regis and Kelly . [19] She also performed the song at London's G-A-Y nightclub. [20]

Formats and track listings

These are the formats and track listings of major single releases of "Never Ever".

US CD Single
  1. "Never Ever" (Main) – 4:29
  2. "Never Ever" (Instrumental) – 4:29
Digital download

(Released: February 3, 2009)

  1. "Never Ever" – 4:33


Credits

Charts

"Never Ever"
Never Official Ever.jpg
Single by Ciara featuring Young Jeezy
from the album Fantasy Ride
ReleasedJanuary 19, 2009
Recorded2008
Genre
Length4:33
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Ciara singles chronology
"Takin' Back My Love"
(2009)		"Never Ever"
(2009)		"Love Sex Magic"
(2009)
Young Jeezy singles chronology
"Who Dat"
(2008)		"Never Ever"
(2009)		"Amazing"
(2009)

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA) [28] Gold500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

RegionDateFormatLabel
United StatesJanuary 20, 2009 Rhythmic contemporary [29]
March 2, 2009 Contemporary hit radio [30]
February 3, 2009 Digital download

Related Research Articles

"Make Love" is a song performed by American recording artist and songwriter Keri Hilson. It was written by Jamal "Polow da Don" Jones, Ester Dean, and Jason Perry, and produced by Polow da Don and Perry for Hilson's debut studio album, In a Perfect World... (2009). The song was sent for urban adult contemporary airplay on June 23, 2009, as the fifth single from the album. Musically, "Make Love" is a downtempo R&B ballad. The song received mixed reviews from music critics; some of them criticized its long length and Hilson's vocals, while others named it one of the album's standouts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Keri Hilson</span> American singer and songwriter (born 1982)

Keri Lynn Hilson is an American singer and songwriter. Born and raised in Decatur, Georgia, she began her musical career as a songwriter and backing vocalist for other artists under the wing of record producer Anthony Dent in 2002. At the age of 14, Hilson secured a record deal with the girl group D'Signe, which ultimately disbanded. She attended at Oxford College of Emory University while contributing to material for popular artists, including Britney Spears, Usher, Ciara, The Pussycat Dolls, and Mary J. Blige; she joined the songwriting-production group, the Clutch in 2004.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Should Have Cheated</span> 2005 single by Keyshia Cole

"I Should Have Cheated" is a song by American recording artist Keyshia Cole. It was written by 112 members Daron Jones and Quinnes "Q" Parker for her debut album, The Way It Is (2005), while production was helmed by Jones along with Ron Fair. The song was released on August 3, 2005 as the album's third single, following "I Changed My Mind" and "(I Just Want It) To Be Over." It rose to number four on US Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and number 30 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Its music video made it to the top five on 106 and Park and remained there for 46 days.

Jamal Fincher Jones, known professionally as Polow da Don, is an American record producer and rapper from Atlanta, Georgia. He began his career as a recording artist in the late 1990s, leaving college to pursue a career with the short-lived hip hop group Jim Crow. They signed with Epic Records in 1999 and released two albums—Crow's Nest (1999) and Right Quick (2001)—before being dropped from the label.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Promise (Ciara song)</span> 2006 single by Ciara

"Promise" is a song performed by American recording artist Ciara from her second studio album, Ciara: The Evolution (2006). It was written by Ciara, Jasper Cameron, Polow da Don and Elvis Williams and produced by Polow da Don and Nealante. The song was released as the album's official lead single on October 16, 2006, through LaFace Records. The song was selected as the first single as Ciara wanted to put out a single with a slower pace, noting that her previous releases had been up-tempo. According to Ciara, the song represents the album's theme of evolving and symbolizes her growth as a songwriter and artist.

Marece Benjamin Richards, better known by his stage name Rich Boy, is an American rapper from Mobile, Alabama. He is best known for his 2006 hit single "Throw Some D's", which peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100. It served as the lead single for his eponymous debut album, which was released in March of the following year through Polow da Don's Zone 4, an imprint Interscope Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeezy discography</span>

The discography of Jeezy, an American rapper, consists of thirteen studio albums, 18 mixtapes, 70 singles and 28 music videos. Aside from his solo career, he has also released albums as a member of Boyz N Da Hood and U.S.D.A., respectively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Get Buck</span> 2007 single by Young Buck

"Get Buck" is the second single off American rapper Young Buck's second album, Buck the World. It was released on February 13, 2007 through G-Unit Records. The track was produced by Polow da Don. It was the only track off the album to chart on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at #87.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">When I See U</span> 2007 single by Fantasia

"When I See U" is a song recorded by American singer Fantasia Barrino for her second studio album, Fantasia (2006). It written by Louis Biancaniello, Waynne Nugent, Erika Nuri, Kevin Risto, Janet Sewell, Sam Watters, and produced by Midi Mafia along with Mzmeriq. A R&B ballad, it was released to positive reviews by critics as the album's second single in April 2007. Its digital release spawned several remixes, three of which featured rappers Remy Ma, Young Jeezy, Lumidee, B.G. and Polow da Don.

<i>In a Perfect World...</i> 2009 studio album by Keri Hilson

In a Perfect World... is the debut studio album by American singer-songwriter Keri Hilson. It was released on March 24, 2009, through Zone 4, Mosley Music Group and Interscope Records. Originally planned for a 2007 release, it was pushed back numerous times into 2008, amid her label's budget issues and minor single releases. The production on the album was handled primarily by Timbaland, Polow da Don and Danja, among others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lil Scrappy discography</span>

This is the discography of American rapper Lil Scrappy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love in This Club</span> 2008 single by Usher

"Love in This Club" is a song by American R&B singer Usher. Featuring rapper Young Jeezy, it was released on February 22, 2008, as the lead single from Usher's fifth studio album, Here I Stand. The song was written by Usher, Polow da Don, Jeezy, Darnell Dalton, Ryon Lovett, Lamar Taylor and Keith Thomas, and produced by da Don, with a Las Vegas-inspired synth-driven beat. Its lyrics refer to seducing someone in a nightclub. The song was originally leaked by da Don prior to its release.

<i>Fantasy Ride</i> 2009 studio album by Ciara

Fantasy Ride is the third studio album by American singer Ciara, first released on May 3, 2009, by Jive Records, LaFace Records and Sony Music Entertainment. The album was recorded between 2007 and 2009. Ciara was executive producer on the album along with co-executive Mark Pitts and, Ciara worked with several record producers, including Blac Elvis, Benny Blanco, Blade, Jasper Cameron, The Clutch, Darkchild, Danja, Dr. Luke, Jason Nevins, Jim Beanz, Los da Maestro, Ne-Yo, Osinachi Nwaneri, Polow da Don, The-Dream, Tricky Stewart, Justin Timberlake, T-Pain. The album featured several guest vocalists, including Justin Timberlake, Ludacris, Chris Brown, Young Jeezy, The-Dream, Missy Elliott.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Turnin Me On</span> 2008 single by Keri Hilson featuring Lil Wayne

"Turnin Me On" is a song by American singer-songwriter Keri Hilson, from her debut album, In a Perfect World... The song features American rapper Lil Wayne who co-wrote the song alongside Hilson and Zachary Anson Wallace. Production credits are shared between Danja and Polow da Don, who also co-wrote the song. Following the minimal chart success of Hilson's worldwide lead single "Energy" in the United States, international markets received "Return the Favor", while "Turnin Me On" was released as the third single in the US.

<i>The State vs. Radric Davis</i> 2009 studio album by Gucci Mane

The State vs. Radric Davis is the sixth studio album by American rapper Gucci Mane. It was released on December 8, 2009. The State vs. Radric Davis came after a slew of independent releases, mixtapes, and features over the prior few years. Productions from Polow da Don, Drumma Boy, Fatboi, Mannie Fresh, among others. Featured artists include Usher, Plies, Lil Wayne, Cam'ron, Soulja Boy, Rick Ross, Bun B, OJ da Juiceman, Wooh da Kid, Waka Flocka Flame, and Nicki Minaj. The iTunes deluxe version contains the EP, Wasted: The Prequel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lil Freak</span> 2010 single by Usher featuring Nicki Minaj

"Lil Freak" is a song by American recording artist Usher, taken from his sixth studio album, Raymond v. Raymond. Featuring guest vocals by Trinidadian recording artist Nicki Minaj, the song was written by her, Usher, Ester Dean, Blac Elvis and Polow da Don, the latter two producing the track. Its hook is based on a manipulated sample of American soul musician Stevie Wonder's 1973 hit, "Living for the City". "Lil Freak" was released as the second single from the album in the United States and Canada on March 2, 2010.

"Hot Tottie" is a song by recording artist Usher. It was written by Usher, Ester Dean, Jay-Z and Polow da Don, with the latter producing it. The song features guest vocals from rapper Jay-Z and background vocals by Ester Dean. It is the second single in the United States and Canada from his EP, Versus EP, which is an extension of his sixth studio album, Raymond v. Raymond. The song was sent to rhythmic and urban airplay on August 9, 2010. "Hot Tottie" samples Big Tymers's "Big Ballin'" off their 1998 album How You Luv That Vol. 2.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lay It Down (Lloyd song)</span> 2010 single by Lloyd

"Lay It Down" is a song by American R&B recording artist Lloyd taken from his fourth studio album King of Hearts. The track, which serves as the album's lead single, was produced by Polow da Don and samples Patti LaBelle's "Love, Need and Want You", as well as "Corn" by Zhnark. The single was originally released via YoungGoldie.com on August 15, 2010, and was released via iTunes on August 31, 2010.

<i>King of Hearts</i> (Lloyd album) 2011 studio album by Lloyd

King of Hearts is the fourth studio album by American R&B recording artist Lloyd, released on July 5, 2011 by Zone 4 and Interscope Records. Production for the album took place at several recording studios and was handled primarily by producer and Zone 4-head Polow da Don. It is Lloyd's first release after leaving his former record label Murder Inc. Records in 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anaconda (song)</span> 2014 single by Nicki Minaj

"Anaconda" is a song by rapper Nicki Minaj. It was released on August 4, 2014 by Young Money, Cash Money, and Republic as the second single from her third studio album, The Pinkprint (2014). The song was produced by Polow da Don, DJ Spydr, and Da Internz, and prominently samples "Baby Got Back" (1992) by Sir Mix-a-Lot. It peaked at number two on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming Minaj's highest charting single at the time. The song also peaked within the top ten in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, top forty in Austria, France and Portugal and top fifty in Czech Republic.

References

  1. 1 2 http://repertoire.bmi.com/title.asp?blnWriter=True&blnPublisher=True&blnArtist=True&page=1&keyid=10207670&ShowNbr=0&ShowSeqNbr=0&querytype=WorkID [ dead link ]
  2. ↑ (December 19, 2008). Ciara Better Than ‘Ever’ on New Single Rap-Up. Retrieved December 19, 2008.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Rodriguez, Jayson (January 9, 2009). "Ciara Says New Single With Young Jeezy Is About 'Letting Go'". MTV News . MTV Networks (Viacom). Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved January 18, 2011.
  4. ↑ Montgomery, James (February 20, 2009). "Ciara's Not Naming Names On Who 'Never Ever' Is About". MTV News . MTV Networks (Viacom). Archived from the original on November 6, 2012. Retrieved January 18, 2011.
  5. ↑ (January 6, 2009). ***New Single A Hit*** IdioMag.com. Retrieved January 6, 2009.
  6. ↑ "Fantasy Ride [Deluxe] - Ciara". Allmusic . Rovi Corporation. Retrieved January 29, 2011.
  7. ↑ (January 22, 2009). ***Never, Ever*** Myspace. Retrieved January 22, 2009.
  8. ↑ (January 22, 2009). Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Bubbling Under. Retrieved January 22, 2009.
  9. ↑ (January 22, 2009).Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Bubbling Under. Retrieved January 22, 2009.
  10. ↑ (January 22, 2009). Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Bubbling Under. Accessed February 5, 2009.
  11. ↑ (February 5, 2009) [ dead link ]Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Bubbling Under. Accessed February 5, 2009.
  12. ↑ "Ciara Album Gets April Release Date". Billboard. September 14, 2009. Retrieved October 26, 2010.
  13. ↑ "The Hot 100 Chart". Billboard . January 2, 2013.
  14. ↑ "Gold & Platinum". Recording Industry Association of America .
  15. ↑ "Ciara & Young Jeezy Shoot 'Never Ever' Video". Rap-Up.
  16. ↑ "Video: Ciara f/ Young Jeezy – 'Never Ever'". Rap-Up.
  17. ↑ Never, Ever Access Granted Sincerelyciara.com. Retrieved January 26, 2009.
  18. ↑ "Video: Ciara Performs on 'Leno'". Rap-Up.
  19. ↑ "Video: Ciara Performs on 'GMA' & 'Regis'". Rap-Up.
  20. ↑ "Ciara is in G-A-Y Heaven". Rap-Up.
  21. ↑ "Brazil Hot 100 Airplay" (in Portuguese). Billboard Brasil (Brazil: bpp) . January 2009.
  22. ↑ "Billboard Japan Hot 100 [2009/03/25 公開]". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved February 21, 2023.
  23. ↑ "Ciara feat. Young Jeezy – Never Ever". Singles Top 100. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
  24. ↑ "Ciara Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
  25. ↑ "Ciara Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
  26. ↑ "Ciara Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
  27. ↑ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2009". Billboard. January 2, 2013. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  28. ↑ "American single certifications – Ciara featuring Young Jeezy – Never Ever". Recording Industry Association of America.
  29. ↑ "FMQB: Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Arbitron Ratings, Music News and more!". fmqb.com. Archived from the original on January 1, 2010. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  30. ↑ "R&R :: Going For Adds :: CHR/Top 40". Radio & Records. January 19, 2009. Archived from the original on July 4, 2015. Retrieved August 18, 2013.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.