Never Ever (Ciara song)
Encyclopedia
"Never Ever" is a song performed by R&B singer Ciara
. It is the first official single from her third studio album, Fantasy Ride
. The song features rapper Young Jeezy
, was produced by Polow da Don
, and was co-written by Ciara and Elvis “BlacElvis” Williams, who both produced and co-wrote Ciara's single, "Promise
", from her second album, Ciara: The Evolution
.
. 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." When talking about the working relationship between he 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." 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 '90's.
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." 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. Ciara went on to characterize the song as "one of those real records." She elaborated on that in particular on the set of the video shoot for the song, explaining:
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
.
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 off 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."
Andy Kellman of Allmusic noted the song as one of the standout tracks on Fantasy Ride.
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. 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. The following week, the single made a jump from number 70 to number 58 on the same chart. 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.
Since its first week of availability, the song has sold 15,000 downloads, according to Nielsen SoundScan. On the week of February 25, the song debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 chart at #96 and is currently climbing up the iTunes Top 100 chart with a current peak position of #67. The single peaked at #66 on the Billboard 100. Although, the song had a low peak, it lasted in the Billboard Hot 100 for 15 weeks. The single peaked at #9 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, becoming Ciara's eleventh top ten hit on that chart.
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 #1 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 where scrapped and the music video and single have been taken off stations playlists. Due to minor promotion, the single did not chart.
, 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
(four months before his passing 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 officially released on January 30, 2009 BET
's Access Granted
.
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..."
and Live with Regis and Kelly
. She also performed the song at London's G-A-Y nightclub.
US CD Single
Digital download
(Released: February 3, 2009)
Ciara
Ciara Princess Harris , known mononymously as Ciara, is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, actress and fashion model. Born in Austin, Texas, she traveled around the world during her childhood, only to land in Atlanta, Georgia where she met music producer, Jazze Pha...
. It is the first official single from her third studio album, Fantasy Ride
Fantasy Ride
Fantasy Ride is the third studio album by American R&B singer Ciara. It was released on May 3, 2009 in the UK by RCA Records and May 5 in the United States on LaFace Records. The album combines R&B and hip hop sound from her previous albums along with a new pop and dance direction.The album...
. The song features rapper Young Jeezy
Young Jeezy
Jay Wayne Jenkins , better known by his stage name Young Jeezy, is an American rapper. He is the member of the hip hop group United Streets Dopeboyz of America and a former member of BMF...
, was produced by Polow da Don
Polow Da Don
Polow-Freache Jamal Fincher Jones , better known by known by professional name Polow da Don or Awesome Jones, is an American record producer, songwriter, rapper, and singer. His cousin is Atlanta singer Monica. He has produced for a variety of artists including Usher, Nelly, Christina Aguilera, T.I...
, and was co-written by Ciara and Elvis “BlacElvis” Williams, who both produced and co-wrote Ciara's single, "Promise
Promise (Ciara song)
"Promise" is a R&B song recorded by American singer-songwriter Ciara. Written by Ciara, Jasper Cameron, Jamal Jones, and Elvis Williams, it is the official lead single and second release in the North America from Ciara's second studio album, Ciara: The Evolution...
", from her second album, Ciara: The Evolution
Ciara: The Evolution
Ciara: The Evolution is the second studio album by American recording artist Ciara. It was released on December 5, 2006, by LaFace Records. The album is separated into five sections, with each showcasing a different side of Ciara's artistry...
.
Background
For "Never Ever", Ciara collaborated with previous collaborator and associate Polow da Don, as well as Blac ElvisBlac Elvis
Elvis Williams, better known as Blac Elvis, is an award-winning American record producer, musician and song writer. He rose to fame in 1999 co-producing alongside Polow da Don. Producing hits for Ludacris, Ciara, Kelly Rowland, Fergie, Rich Boy, Kelis, Nelly, Pussycat Dolls and Mario. Recently he...
. Ciara previously worked with the two on a previous single, "Promise
Promise (Ciara song)
"Promise" is a R&B song recorded by American singer-songwriter Ciara. Written by Ciara, Jasper Cameron, Jamal Jones, and Elvis Williams, it is the official lead single and second release in the North America from Ciara's second studio album, Ciara: The Evolution...
" (2006). Polow da Don told MTV News
MTV News
MTV News is the news division of MTV, one of the first and most popular music television network in the U.S., as well as some of MTV's related channels around the world. MTV News began in the late 1980s with the program The Week In Rock, hosted by Kurt Loder, the first official MTV News correspondent...
, "We both came up and were raised in the same camp. We've known each other for a long time." When talking about the working relationship between he 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." Polow da Don went on to compare he and Ciara as having the formula to becoming the new Aaliyah
Aaliyah
Aaliyah Dana Haughton , who performed under the mononym Aaliyah , was an American R&B recording artist, actress and model. She was born in Brooklyn, New York, and was raised in Detroit, Michigan. At the age of 10, she appeared on the television show Star Search and performed in concert alongside...
and Timbaland
Timbaland
Timothy Zachery Mosley , better known by his stage name Timbaland, is an American record producer, songwriter and rapper....
, a famed singer-producer combination in the late '90's.
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." Polow went on to call it "hard like a rap record", and said that was the reason why Young Jeezy
Young Jeezy
Jay Wayne Jenkins , better known by his stage name Young Jeezy, is an American rapper. He is the member of the hip hop group United Streets Dopeboyz of America and a former member of BMF...
didn't have a problem adding his contributions to it. Ciara went on to characterize the song as "one of those real records." 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."
The song's chorus samples the 1972 worldwide hit, "If You Don't Know Me by Now
If You Don't Know Me By Now
"If You Don't Know Me by Now" is a song written by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff and recorded by the jersey soul musical group Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, which became their first hit after being released as a single in 1972 topping the R&B chart and peaking at number three on the Pop chart.The...
", by popular Philadelphia soul
Philadelphia soul
Philadelphia soul, sometimes called the Philadelphia Sound or Sweet Philly, is a style of soul music characterized by funk influences and lush instrumental arrangements, often featuring sweeping strings and piercing horns. The subtle sound of a glockenspiel can often be heard in the background of...
musical group, Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes
Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes
Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes were an American singing group, one of the most popular Philadelphia soul groups of the 1970s. The group's repertoire included soul, R&B, doo-wop, and disco...
.
Critical reception
Since its release, the song has been met with favorable reviews from critics.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
Polow Da Don
Polow-Freache Jamal Fincher Jones , better known by known by professional name Polow da Don or Awesome Jones, is an American record producer, songwriter, rapper, and singer. His cousin is Atlanta singer Monica. He has produced for a variety of artists including Usher, Nelly, Christina Aguilera, T.I...
for the latest single off 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
Young Jeezy
Jay Wayne Jenkins , better known by his stage name Young Jeezy, is an American rapper. He is the member of the hip hop group United Streets Dopeboyz of America and a former member of BMF...
, who delivers a guest verse reminiscent of his contribution on Usher
Usher (entertainer)
Usher Terry Raymond IV , who performs under the mononym Usher, is an American singer-songwriter, and actor. He is considered around the world to be the reigning King of R&B. Usher rose to fame in the late 1990s with the release of his second album My Way, which spawned his first Billboard Hot 100...
's "Love in This Club
Love in This Club
"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, Young Jeezy, Darnell Dalton, Ryon Lovett, Lamar Taylor and...
". In a nutshell, Never Ever has something for everyone."
Andy Kellman of Allmusic noted the song as one of the standout tracks on Fantasy Ride.
Single release and chart performance
The single was officially 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. 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
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
at number 5. 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. The following week, the single made a jump from number 70 to number 58 on the same chart. The same week, the single debuted on the Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Singles
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
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.
Since its first week of availability, the song has sold 15,000 downloads, according to Nielsen SoundScan. On the week of February 25, the song debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 chart at #96 and is currently climbing up the iTunes Top 100 chart with a current peak position of #67. The single peaked at #66 on the Billboard 100. Although, the song had a low peak, it lasted in the Billboard Hot 100 for 15 weeks. The single peaked at #9 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, becoming Ciara's eleventh top ten hit on that chart.
The song was also set to serve as the first single from "Fantasy Ride
Fantasy Ride
Fantasy Ride is the third studio album by American R&B singer Ciara. It was released on May 3, 2009 in the UK by RCA Records and May 5 in the United States on LaFace Records. The album combines R&B and hip hop sound from her previous albums along with a new pop and dance direction.The album...
" in the United Kingdom and Ireland but was scrapped due to "Never Ever" performing poorly in the United States and because "Love Sex Magic
Love Sex Magic
"Love Sex Magic" is a song performed by American recording artist Ciara, taken from her third studio album, Fantasy Ride. Featuring fellow American recording artist Justin Timberlake, the song was written by Timberlake and his production team The Y's, as well as Ciara and Mike Elizondo. The Y's and...
" was already receiving attention. The song reached number #1 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
Choice FM
Choice FM, branded on-air as London's Choice, is a brand used by the UK's biggest radio company, Global Radio for its network of black music radio stations...
) 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 where 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. Young JeezyYoung Jeezy
Jay Wayne Jenkins , better known by his stage name Young Jeezy, is an American rapper. He is the member of the hip hop group United Streets Dopeboyz of America and a former member of BMF...
, 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
Ruben Studdard
Christopher Theodore Ruben Studdard , best known as Ruben Studdard, is an American R&B, pop, and gospel singer. He rose to fame as winner of the second season of American Idol...
, Late rapper Dolla
Dolla (rapper)
Roderick Anthony Burton II better known by his stage name Dolla, was an American rapper. Burton began his music career in 2000 with rap group Da Razkalz Cru under the stage name Bucklyte. The group quickly disbanded, so Burton worked as a model for the Sean John clothing line...
(four months before his passing on May 18, 2009) , production team Jasper Cameron
Jasper Cameron
Jasper Cameron is an American songwriter/producer from Atlanta, Georgia. He is currently signed to Universal Music Publishing Group. He started producing his own music while in a R&B group in high school. He was soon signed to a deal with Dallas Austin Darp recordings through Joyce Irby, who at the...
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
Chris Robinson (director)
Chris Robinson is an American film director working mostly with music videos and commercials. He has directed commercials for brands such as iPod, Coca Cola and Verizon and music videos for songs like "Fallin'" and "You Don't Know My Name" by Alicia Keys, "Roc Boys" by Jay-Z, the grammy nominated...
, had its release date set for January 31, as confirmed by Yahoo! Music
Yahoo! Music
Yahoo! Music, owned by Yahoo!, is the provider of a variety of music services, including Internet radio, music videos, news, artist information, and original programming...
. The video was officially released on January 30, 2009 BET
Black Entertainment Television
Black Entertainment Television is an American, Viacom-owned cable network based in Washington, D.C.. Currently viewed in more than 90 million homes worldwide, it is the most prominent television network targeting young Black-American audiences. The network was launched on January 25, 1980, by its...
's Access Granted
Access Granted
Access Granted is an American television series that features an in depth look at the planning and production of R&B and hip hop music videos. Each week, a different artist and their new music video are featured, with the video premiering at the end of the episode. The series began airing in 2001...
.
The video begins with Ciara and a group of her friends discussing the characteristics of unrequited love with the Ciara song Promise
Promise (Ciara song)
"Promise" is a R&B song recorded by American singer-songwriter Ciara. Written by Ciara, Jasper Cameron, Jamal Jones, and Elvis Williams, it is the official lead single and second release in the North America from Ciara's second studio album, Ciara: The Evolution...
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
Kevin Phillips (actor)
Kevin Phillips is an American film actor, best known for his leading role in Suna Gonera’s Pride , as well as his role in 2009's Notorious....
, 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
Al Horford
Alfred Joel Horford Reynoso is a Dominican professional basketball player who is a center and power forward for the Atlanta Hawks of the National Basketball Association...
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 Jay Leno. She also performed the song on Good Morning AmericaGood Morning America
Good Morning America is an American morning news and talk show that is broadcast on the ABC television network; it debuted on November 3, 1975. The weekday program airs for two hours; a third hour aired between 2007 and 2008 exclusively on ABC News Now...
and Live with Regis and Kelly
Live with Regis and Kelly
Live! with Kelly is a syndicated American television morning talk show, hosted by Kelly Ripa. The show has aired since 1983 in New York City and 1988 nationwide. Tony Pigg has been the show's announcer since its inception...
. She also performed the song at London's G-A-Y nightclub.
Formats and track listings
These are the formats and track listings of major single releases of "Never Ever".US CD Single
- "Never Ever" (Album version) – 4:32
- "Never Ever" (Main) – 4:57
- "Never Ever" (Instrumental) – 4:57
- "Never Ever" (Acapella) – 4:20
Digital download
(Released: February 3, 2009)
- "Never Ever" – 4:33
Release history
| Region | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | January 19, 2009 | Radio impact | La Face, Zomba Zomba Zomba is a city in southern Malawi, in the Shire Highlands. It is the administrative capital of Zomba District.It was the capital of first British Central Africa and then Nyasaland before the establishment of the Republic of Malawi in 1964. It was also the first capital of Malawi and remained so... |
| February 3, 2009 | Digital download Music download A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment... |
Charts
| Chart (2009) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Brasil Hot 100 Airplay Brasil Hot 100 Airplay Brasil Hot 100 Airplay is the official music singles charts in Brazil. It has been compiled by Crowley Broadcast Analysis and published monthly by Billboard Brasil since the release of the magazine, in October 2009.... (Billboard Billboard Brasil Billboard Brasil is a monthly Brazilian magazine launched on October 10, 2009, with a print-run of over 40,000 copies. It is distributed nationwide by Brazil's biggest distributor Dinap... ) |
17 |
| Japan Hot 100 Japan Hot 100 The Japan Hot 100 is a music singles chart in Japan. It is compiled by Billboard and Hanshin Contents Link ever since February 2008. The chart is updated every Wednesday at billboard-japan.com and every Thursday at billboard.com .... |
15 |
| Swedish Singles Chart Sverigetopplistan Sverigetopplistan, earlier known as Topplistan and Hitlistan and other names, is since October 2007 the Swedish national record chart, based on sales data from Swedish Recording Industry Association .... |
25 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
66 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,... |
9 |
Credits
- Written by Ciara Harris, Ester DeanEster DeanEster Renay Dean is an American singer and songwriter, and record producer signed to Zone 4 Records/Interscope Records. She is most notable for her dual appearance on Rio: Music From The Motion Picture and her 2009 US hit single "Drop It Low", which featured singer Chris Brown...
, Elvis 'BlacElvis' Williams - Produced by Polow da DonPolow Da DonPolow-Freache Jamal Fincher Jones , better known by known by professional name Polow da Don or Awesome Jones, is an American record producer, songwriter, rapper, and singer. His cousin is Atlanta singer Monica. He has produced for a variety of artists including Usher, Nelly, Christina Aguilera, T.I...
- Mixed by: Marcella "Ms. Lago" Araica
- Lead & Background Vocals by Ciara
- Additional Background Vocals by Jamal Jones, Jay Jenkins
- All Programming by Jamal Jones
- Recorded by: Carlton "C Boog" Lynn
- Additional Recording at: Chalice Studios, Los Angeles, CA