Following on from the lowest-selling number one of all time, we have another forgotten chart-topper…
So Sick, by Ne-Yo (his 1st of five #1s)
1 week, from 26th March – 2nd April 2006
Or should that be a forgettable chart-topper? ‘So Sick’, US singer Ne-Yo’s second single, has neither a catchy hook nor an unwanted sales record to distinguish it. It’s more R&B sludge, of the kind that has started to make number one in the UK more regularly as overall sales hit rock bottom. For whatever reason, fans of this, and Akon, and Mario Winans, were the ones still going out to buy records. Ne-Yo was the latest in a star-studded modern R&B heritage that you can probably trace back to Usher’s first #1 in 1998, and through to Jason Derulo in the 2010s.
Like Akon’s ‘Lonely’ – though minus the irritating, sped-up sample – ‘So Sick’ wallows in self-pity. It is a bold move, I’ll admit, making a sad, slow song about being sick of hearing sad, slow songs. And I’m so sick of love songs, So tired of tears… Why can’t I turn off the radio…? Meanwhile, back in 2006, I’m sure I had no problem turning off the radio when this record came on.
Can a song be both annoying and boring? This is dull, the tempo slow and deliberate, but also the hand-clap beat and the cheap electronic riff that plays over the chorus are quite aggravating to listen to. Ne-Yo has a good voice, for sure, smooth and soulful – even if he has a grating habit of over-pronouncing some of the lyrics – but it isn’t enough to elevate the song as a whole. This is a strong contender for my next ‘Meh’ award.
He will be a regular on the charts for the next wee while though, with four more number ones to come over the next six years. And, from glancing at the titles, I believe they are all a little more upbeat, and enjoyable, than this syrupy ballad. Ne-Yo’s grip over 2010s pop extended to writing and producing too, and he would be involved in big hits for Rihanna, Beyonce, and Mario. I’ll leave you to decide whether this will be to the benefit of pop music for the remainder of the decade…
