"Neighbors Know My Name" is a song by American R&B singer Trey Songz. It was written by Songz with Patrick Hayes and Troy Taylor, who produced the song with John "$K" McGee.[citation needed] It was released to rhythmic and urban airplay as the fifth and final single from his third studio album, Ready on February 16, 2010. The song, described as being hook-heavy and having a powerful bassline, received generally positive reviews from critics. The song reached forty-three on the Billboard Hot 100 and four on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, becoming Songz's third consecutive top five R&B hit.
| "Neighbors Know My Name" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Trey Songz | ||||
| from the album Ready | ||||
| Released | February 16, 2010 | |||
| Recorded | 2009 | |||
| Studio | D2 Music Studios (Atlanta, Georgia) | |||
| Genre | R&B | |||
| Length | 3:06 | |||
| Label |
| |||
| Songwriter(s) |
| |||
| Producer(s) |
| |||
| Trey Songz singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Composition and critical reception edit
Melanie Bertoldi of Billboard gave the song a positive review, stating, "he utilizes his vocal range here, including the teasing falsetto with which he gently instructs his partner to 'take this pillow right here/If you bite it, they won't hear.' Bertoldi also complimented the song's production, commenting, "'Neighbors' employs a knocking bassline and drip-drop effect to provide the ideal erotic backdrop for Songz's dirty talk."[1] She also pointed out that the song was inspired by Songz's "stylistic antecedent", R. Kelly.[1] Mark Edward Nero of About.com also said the song was R. Kelly influenced, calling the song among the album's best material. Nero said, "Trey brags about how the people next door probably know who he is because his woman screams it during sex. 'While I be bangin' on your body, they be bangin' on our wall,' he sings. 'While they be dreamin', you be screamin', now they bangin' on our door.'"[2] Ready album reviews from Allmusic and PopMatters, noted the track as a standout, with Tyler Lewis of the latter stating the "good" songs like "Neighbors" and "I Need A Girl" "thump as they should".[3][4] Ken Capobianco of the Boston Globe complimented the song's braggadocio along with "I Invented Sex", however commented that the song was "unintentionally humorous".[5] Andrew Rennie of Now Magazine said the album's hook-heavy and playful style was evident on the track and on "LOL".[6]
Chart performance edit
On the week ending March 13, 2010, "Neighbors Know My Name" debuted at eighty-eight on the Billboard Hot 100.[7] A little over a month later, on the week ending May 15, 2010, it peaked at forty-three on the chart.[7] In its twenty-seventh week on the chart, "Neighbors Know My Name" peaked at the top spot on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, becoming his fourth top ten single from Ready and his third consecutive top five hit.[8]
Music video edit
The video was directed by Yolande Geralds, also director for the "I Invented Sex and Say Aah videos.[9] Teairra Mari, D. Woods, and Shanell were reported to have cameos, but the scenes were evidently cut.[9] The video premiered on March 1, 2010.[9] On March 3, 2010, the video was "The New Joint of the Day" on BET's 106 & Park.[10] The music video starts off with an intimate milk bath scene with Trey Songz and model-actress, Jessica White along with the song "Panty Droppa", the intro track on Ready, played in the background.[9] It then branches off into "Neighbors Know My Name" playing in the background with the rest of the music video taking place in a bedroom with love scenes of both Songz and White.[9] Some scenes also include Trey Songz in front of a red background.[9]
Live performances edit
He performed the song on 106 & Park on February 11, 2010 for "Love Week" with a medley of "Say Aah", and "I Invented Sex".[11]
Credits and personnel edit
- Songwriting - Trey Songz, Troy Taylor, 7illin, Patrick Hayes
- Production - 7illin, Troy Taylor,Patrick Hayes
- Recording - John McGee
- Mixing - Jean Marie Horvat
Charts edit
Certifications edit
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[15] | Gold | 500,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
Release history edit
| Region | Date | Format |
|---|---|---|
| United States | February 16, 2010[16] | Rhythmic and urban airplay |
References edit
- ^ a b Bertoli, Melanie (April 2, 2010). "Trey Songz, "Neighbors Know My Name"". Billboard. Retrieved April 23, 2010.
- ^ Nero, Mark Edward. "Trey Songz - Ready album review - About.com". About.com. Retrieved April 23, 2010.
- ^ Lewis, Tyler (September 10, 2009). "Trey Songz - Ready < PopMatters". PopMatters. Retrieved April 23, 2010.
- ^ Jeffries, David. "allmusic (((Ready > Review )))". Allmusic. Retrieved April 23, 2010.
- ^ Capobianco, Ken (August 31, 2009). "Trey Songz, 'Ready'". Boston Globe. Retrieved April 23, 2010.
- ^ Rennie, Andrew (September 16, 2010). "Now Magazine // Music // Trey Songz". Now Magazine. Retrieved April 23, 2010.
- ^ a b c "Trey Songz Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 6, 2010.
- ^ a b "Trey Songz Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved July 6, 2010.
- ^ a b c d e f "Video: Trey Songz – 'Neighbors Know My Name'". Rap-Up. March 1, 2010. Retrieved April 24, 2010.
- ^ ""Neighbors Know My Name" Will Be the New Joint on BET's 106 & Park, Today!". TreySongz.com. Atlantic Records. March 8, 2010. Archived from the original on February 27, 2012. Retrieved July 6, 2010.
- ^ "Trey to Perform on BET's 106 & Park TONIGHT!". TreySongz.com. Atlantic Records. February 11, 2012. Retrieved July 6, 2010.
- ^ Trey Songz, Ready Liner notes. Atlantic Records (2010)
- ^ "Trey Songz Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
- ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2010". Billboard. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
- ^ "American single certifications – Trey Songz – Neighbors Know My Name". Recording Industry Association of America.
- ^ "R&R :: Going for Adds :: Urban". Radio & Records. Archived from the original on November 6, 2014. Retrieved April 23, 2010.