"Not My Neighbour" is a song by New Zealand musician Niko Walters, released as a single in August 2020. The song was a success in New Zealand, reaching number four and becoming the 17th most successful song in New Zealand in 2021. In 2021, a new version was recorded featuring American R&B singer Kiana Ledé.
| "Not My Neighbour" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Single by Niko Walters | ||||
| from the album Escape | ||||
| Released | 21 August 2020 | |||
| Genre | contemporary R&B | |||
| Length | 3:53 | |||
| Label | Universal Music New Zealand | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
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| Producer(s) |
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| Niko Walters singles chronology | ||||
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| Kiana Ledé singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Not My Neighbour" on YouTube | ||||
Background and writing edit
During the writing sessions for Walters' debut album Escape, he wanted to create an experimental song, different from his typical soul-inspired songs.[1] Walters was inspired by the written works of Leonard Cohen and films by Quentin Tarantino to create a song that told a story using detailed visual imagery, as a way to "put a different spin on a classic love song".[2][3] Walters worked with producer and musician Rory Noble and singer-songwriter Mikey Dam to produce the song.[4][5]
Composition edit
"Not My Neighbour" is a contemporary R&B song,[6] that describes a love story using the metaphor of a police hunt.[7]
Release edit
"Not My Neighbour" was released as the second single from Escape on 21 August 2020.[4][8] After the success of the song, American R&B singer Kiana Ledé collaborated with Walters to produce a new version of the song. Walters felt that "Not My Neighbour" was "an unusual song that doesn't really fit the style of everyone's vocal and feel", but Ledé's style was a good fit after she called him and discussed her ideas for the new version of the song.[9] The new version was released on 16 April 2021.[10]
Credits and personnel edit
Credits adapted from Tidal.[11]
- Chris Chetland – mastering engineer
- Mikey Dam – writer
- Ryan Hobbs – writer
- Rory Noble – producer, mixer, writer
- Niko Walters – writer
Charts edit
Weekly charts edit
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Year-end charts edit
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Certifications edit
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand (RMNZ)[14] | 2× Platinum | 60,000‡ |
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‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
References edit
- ^ Thorne, Richard (2020). "Niko Walters: Escape To The Neighbours". NZ Musician. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
- ^ Lee, Jiwoo (12 April 2021). "Exclusive: Niko Walters on how music is in his blood and his album". Remix Magazine. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
- ^ "Niko Walters Dishes Up A Little Bit Of Funk With His Single 'Not My Neighbour'". More FM. 12 November 2020. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
- ^ a b "NIKO WALTERS - Not My Neighbour". Mai FM. 1 September 2020. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
- ^ Tyson, Jessica (5 February 2021). "Emerging singer-songwriter from Taranaki takes number one spot". Te Ao Māori News. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
- ^ Ward, Steven (20 April 2021). "Niko Walters taps Kiana Ledé for a lush new rework of "Not My Neighbour"". Grimy Goods. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
- ^ Tetlow, Max (8 December 2020). "For Niko Walters, the pressure doesn't change the passion". The Spinoff. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
- ^ "Not My Neighbour - Single". iTunes. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
- ^ "Niko Walters Announces "Not My Neighbour" Remix With R&B Star Kiana Ledé!". New Zealand Music Commission. 15 April 2021. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
- ^ "Not My Neighbour (feat. Kiana Ledé) - Single". iTunes. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
- ^ "Credits / Not My Neighbour". Tidal. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
- ^ "Niko Walters – Not My Neighbour". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
- ^ "END OF YEAR CHARTS 2021". NZ Music Charts. RMNZ. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
- ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Niko Walters featuring Kiana Ledé – Not My Neighbour". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 23 September 2023.