In My Own Words

Ne-Yo | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 28, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Def Jam
• ASIN: B000CQM4ZQ
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (152 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #37,981 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

You may not have heard of the name Ne-Yo before, but you've more than likely heard some of his lyrics--specifically, on Mario's massive hit, "Let Me Love You." This talented musician wrote for a number of chart-toppers before the age of 22, penning songs for Mary J. Blige, B2K, and Faith Evans as well. After working for others, Ne-Yo--a.k.a. Shaffer Smith--decided to focus on his own career. Judging by the quality of songs on this debut, his creative well is not running dry anytime soon. The kick-off single, "So Sick" showcases the same tenderness evident in his Mario hit, as does much of this slow-jam heavy CD. Smith also shines on the Michael Jackson-esque "Sign Me Up," giving props to the icon in the chorus by singing "I just wanna rock with you" with beat-fueled bravado. Ne-Yo's songs come from a love of seventies and eighties soul; as a result, his music contains some unique samples, including an O'Jays lick (on the sexy "Get Down Like That," and a Switch snippet (on "It Just Ain’t Right"). Surprisingly, for such a hooked-up songwriter, he has limited the number of guest performers on the disc to just one--rapper Peedi Peedi performs on the disc opener, "Stay." The depth of the final track, "Time," clinches the hunch; In My Own Words is an impressive debut for a seasoned songwriter, likely to make memorable music for years to come. --Denise Sheppard

Product Description

A master in the art of storytelling, Ne-Yo began writing at an early age. A vivid imagination and creative energy has allowed Ne-Yo to write songs for multi-platinum artists such as Mary J. Blige, B2K, Faith Evans, and Musiq. When asked about writing number one hits for other artists, simply put, Ne-Yo said, "I feel there is always room for good music. I want to reach people's soul with my lyrics through whatever vessel God chooses."

Set to release his debut album In My Own Words on Def Jam Recordings, this dynamic entertainer is ready to deliver. Infusing pop melodies to rich, soulful production the album is sure to score with fans and critics alike. Relying on mostly his own in-house crew Compound, Ne-Yo creates both a unique sound and sentiment for his records. Songs like the first single "Stay" (featuring Peedi Crack) exemplify Ne-Yo's nuanced, layered vocals and sample free production. "So Sick", a beautiful track in which he laments hearing love songs on the radio due to the feelings they conjure, reveals his voice to be clean and almost elated, but rich and weathered at the same time. But true to his charismatic character, the album shows many sides of Ne-Yo and even finds him lighter, more playful, even coy, on "When You're Mad." Sure cello hits move the track as Ne-Yo floats above, telling his woman that she's even more beautiful when she's mad.

With In My Own Words in the chamber, ready to go, Ne-Yo now just has to prepare himself for the stardom that is sure to follow. "The toughest part has been getting used to being known," he confesses, "I've always been the writer, the guy in the background, but being the actual artist is a whole new experience for me."

Citing Prince, Marvin Gaye, the Rat Pack, and Stevie Wonder in his list of favorite entertainers, Ne-Yo's album invokes a nostalgic feeling, a renaissance if you will. Whether it's the bedroom or the dance floor, Ne-Yo's songs are filled with passion and intense energy that pulls (you into the music) and puts you into a zone.

Ne-Yo is taking the music industry by storm, as he graces and challenges popular music with his writing and vocal talents. Much more than today's male singer, Ne-Yo is a rare artist; expressing creativity through drawings, paintings, martial arts and song. He is distinguished by youthful energy with in-depth lyrics that touch the soul.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Either he's the one or I'm caught in the Matrix, March 20, 2006

By 

J. Highsmith (Mitchellville, Maryland United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: In My Own Words (Audio CD)

I first saw Ne-Yo when I saw his video for the song with Peedi Crakk entitled "Stay". The song was pretty good but since Ne-Yo was a new artist I wasn't sure if I was going to purchase his CD. I don't listen to the radio that often, because of my CD collection, but I had alot of people asking me if I had heard Ne-Yo's song called "So Sick" and I was like no, not yet.

Once I heard the song and saw the video, I knew that I would purchase Ne-Yo's CD. One problem that I thought that Ne-Yo would have was that a song like "So Sick" is so tight that he would have a problem keeping up with that track. Once you listen to "In My Own Words", you will see that isn't the case.

One reason why I like Ne-Yo's CD so much is like reviewer "Charles Hubbert" stated he has a whole bunch of singles on this CD. Some artists' CDs are based on the strength of 2 singles and the rest of the material on their CD clearly doesn't match up to the well known, popular songs.

"Let Me Get This Right" has Ne-Yo talking about a situation where him and this woman are messing with each other with an understanding that they can still do their thing if they need to, however, Ne-Yo seems like he is ready to take the next step and wants to see if this particular woman is ready to take the next step like he is ready to by making this an exclusive relationship. Ne-Yo makes alot of songs that people can relate to when it comes to male/female relations. His current single "So Sick" is also an excellent example of this. If a male says that he can't relate to this song then he must extremely hate r&b music or he is in extreme denial. It's bad enough that the relationship is already over and you're reminiscing about everything but you torture yourself even more by listening to songs that remind you of when times in the relationship were still going well. Believe me I've done that myself. "When You're Mad" talks about when your woman is either being petty by talking about how you left the toilet seat up or even when she really is mad and you respect that but she still looks good and you're thinking about sexual things instead of thinking about what she is really mad about. Some women don't like that, but as MJ would say that's just "Human Nature" for a man. "It Just Ain't Right" is a nice midtempo song that I enjoy personally because Ne-Yo samples one of my favorite slow jams of all time, "I Call Your Name" from the group Switch. He even goes as far as singing original notes from the original song as well. Of course Ne-Yo puts a sexual twist to things as he asks a woman that he use to mess with if she still thinks about their sexual encounters of the past eventhough they are both supposed to be involved with other people at the current time. Ne-Yo shows another side on "Mirror". Think Sisqo's "Unleash The Dragon" CD and think slow jam. The ladies will definitely not have a problem with this song at all. Sisqo had slow jams on his solo debut entitled "How Can I Love U 2Nite" and "So Sexual" and when I think of "Mirror" those are 2 songs that come to my mind right away. After "Mirror", Ne-Yo speeds the pace back up with "Sign Me Up". This is a classic uptempo jam as Ne-Yo basically tells this particular woman that whatever I need to do, I'll do it as long as you give me a chance to be the man that you need and if need be she can "sign him up". "I Ain't Gotta Tell You" has Ne-Yo talking about a situation where he is letting the woman know that he doesn't have to "gas" her up with things that she is use to hearing, he just wants to know if he has a chance with her. "Get Down Like That" has Ne-Yo using the same O' Jays sample, "I Swear I Love No One But You", that Mary J. Blige used on her current CD, "The Breakthrough", entitled "No One Will Do". While Mary J. sounds like she used the track as a dedication to her husband Kendu, Ne-Yo uses the sample to let the ladies know that while he is involved in this current relationship he can't allow the pressure to stay faithful to get to him and even if another woman is trying as hard as she can to get with him that he can't do anything for them while he is with this particular woman. This track is one of my favorite songs on "In My Own Words". "Sexy Love" is a nice midtempo jam that has Ne-Yo talking about a special woman that may have been in his life at one time. "Let Go" is basically a slow jam version of "So Sick". The only difference is that in "So Sick" it seems as if Ne-Yo doesn't want to be reminded of the relationship and on "Let Go" Ne-Yo is having a hard time letting go of that relationship and seems determined that if the woman wants to come back to him that he would be all for it. "Time" is definitely a change of pace from the rest of "In My Own Words". "Time" is a nice slow jam that has Ne-Yo reminding everyone men or women that if you love someone you have to chreish that situation before it's too late. Ne-Yo definitely shows me something on this track. "In My Own Words" closes out with the aforementioned "Get Down Like That" that this time features Ghostface. "Pretty Tony" definitely adds some flavor to a track that was already one of my favorites. This collaboration happened more than likely because of Ne-Yo being featured on Ghostface's 1st single from his CD "Fishscale", "Back Like That".

In my opinion, you will find a hard time trying to find many faults with "In My Own Words". You may find yourself saying that alot of the tracks are similar or that they may deal with the same subject matter but when you're a young man in your early 20s what more can your really talk about. There are alot of sexual undertones on this CD, but that doesn't take away from the quality of this CD. You can tell that Ne-Yo is a very talented songwriter and his producers match his voice with good tracks as well.

Overall, Ne-Yo has unlimited potential. If you are a fan of new school r&b then I think this will be the CD for you. Although this CD doesn't have alot of ballads, this CD reminds me of Bobby Valentino's CD because of the subject matter. As far as potential goes, Ne-Yo and Keyshia Cole has the new school r&b game on lock for now. Hopefully, both artists can continue to get better as they get older.

James' Top 5

1) So Sick
2) Get Down Like That
3) Sign Me Up
4) It Just Ain't Right
5) Time

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing debut by the future of R&B, February 28, 2006

By 

Derrick Dunn "The Realest DJ" (Woodbridge,VA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: In My Own Words (Audio CD)

Ne-Yo is an amazing song writer He has written songs for, Mary J. Blige, Ruben Studdard, Marques Houston, Faith Evans, Christina Milian, B2K, Nivea, Tyrese, Jamie Foxx and Heather Headley, but he really gained fame after writing Mario's Let Me Love You, with his promising debut In My Own Words;Ne-Yo puts every one from Chris Brown to Omarion to shame. The disc opens up with the lead single Stay feat. Peedi Crack which samples Debarge's Stay With Me, very cleverarly. The second single So Sick is a heart breaking ballad with some very true to life lyrics about a lost love. The thrid single When You're Mad is another winner, basically talking about how your special somebody is the cutest when there upset. Ne-Yo slows it down with the guartneed mix tape favorite Mirror and Sexy Love, and samples Switch on It Just Ain't Right. All in all, Ne-Yo is one to watch in the future and he gives us one of the best debut and best R&B CD's of 2006 thus far.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Exceptional Debut Disc, March 2, 2006

By 

Michael Brent Faulkner, Jr. "Brent Faulkner" (Kentucky) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: In My Own Words (Audio CD)

2006 has been a year filled with strong R&B albums. Ne-Yo's exceptional debut disc doesn't buck the trend. While Ne-Yo's voice doesn't quite have the grit of John Legend or Anthony Hamilton or the polish of Jaheim, he is definitely a credible R&B vocalist. Unlike other contemporary R&B artists, Ne-Yo tends to stay away from dance-pop and "clubby" R&B tracks in favor for more credible, "songwriter's" track. One has to listen no further than the exceptionally sincere "So Sick" to hear the quality of the words that Ne-Yo sings.

Production is also strong throughout the album with very strong drum programming throughout. Also, Ne-yo jacks the same sample that Mary J. Blige uses on her exceptional THE BREAKTHROUGH album ("No One Will Do") for his own hit "Get Down Like That", one of my personal favorites. Among others besides the already mentioned, songs "Stay", Ne-yo's radio bombing single (though it is an exceptional track), "Let Me Get This Right", and "It Just Ain't Right" are the best offered on this exceptional album. Ne-Yo only has a few slight missteps that hold the album back slightly.

The biggest downer about this release is that at times you feel that Ne-Yo is either the slightest bit too smooth or too reserved. However, it is that reserved quality that makes the simplicity of a song such as "So Sick" so effective. 4 stars, easily.