Never Leave You (Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh)

"Never Leave You (Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh)"
Single by Lumidee
from the album Almost Famous
ReleasedMay 12, 2003 (2003-05-12)
Genre
Length3:06
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • DJ Tedsmooth
  • Trendsetta
Lumidee singles chronology
"Never Leave You (Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh)"
(2003) 		"Crashin' a Party"
(2003)
Fabolous singles chronology
"4Ever"
(2003) 		"Never Leave You (Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh)"
(2003) 		"Can't Let You Go"
(2003)
Busta Rhymes singles chronology
"Oh!"
(2003) 		"Never Leave You (Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh)"
(2003) 		"Lovely Day"
(2003)
Music video
"Never Leave You (Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh) [Official Music Video]" on YouTube

"Never Leave You (Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh)" is a song by American recording artist Lumidee, released as her debut single on May 12, 2003, from her first album, Almost Famous (2003). The official remix features Busta Rhymes and Fabolous. "Never Leave You (Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh)" peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100. Outside of the United States, "Never Leave You (Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh)" topped the charts in Belgium (Flanders), Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Switzerland, and peaked within the top ten of the charts in many other countries, including Austria, Belgium (Wallonia), Denmark, and the United Kingdom.

Background

The original mix of the song was recorded by DJ Tedsmooth, a native of Spanish Harlem where Lumidee was raised, for DJ Tedsmooth's independent record label Straight Face. The song became the number 1 requested song on many New York radio stations. The success resulted in many major record label offering deals to both Lumidee and DJ Tedsmooth. After signing with Universal, the song was remixed with guest appearances by Busta Rhymes and Fabolous.[1]

The song gained popularity because of its slightly altered use of the already wildly popular Diwali riddim by then-up-and-coming dancehall producer Steven "Lenky" Marsden. "Diwali" was one of the most internationally successful dancehall rhythms of all time, garnering hits for Wayne Wonder ("No Letting Go"), T.O.K. ("Galang Gal"), Bounty Killer and Wayne Marshall's "Sufferer", Elephant Man ("Elephant Message"), and Sean Paul ("Get Busy"). But since "Never Leave You" was an R&B song by an R&B singer over a dancehall riddim, sound system selectors, club DJs and urban market radio stations immediately took notice of this unique factor and started playing it heavily and regularly, mixing it in with the other songs on the rhythm. It remains the most successful song of Lumidee's career so far, regarding chart positions, and her only hit to date. The song was most successful in Europe, reaching number 1 in five countries. It peaked at number 1 in Belgium, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands and Switzerland in August–September 2003. It also charted at number 2 in the United Kingdom. It also reached number 1 on the Eurochart Hot 100 Singles. Nevertheless, the song peaked at number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in her own country. "Never Leave You" was incorporated into the 2010 re-release of the Diwali riddim album on Greensleeves/VP Records. It included other songs derived from the Diwali riddim, along with Sean Paul's "Get Busy," which was a late entry that never made the original release.

Composition

"Never Leave You (Uh Ooh, Uh Ooh)" is an R&B song written by Lumidee Cedeño, Teddy "Tedsmooth" Mendez and Eddie Perez, and features a prominent dancehall reggae riddim called "Diwali" written by Steven "Lenky" Marsden,[2][3] although it is slightly altered from the original riddim. Belgian artist Luc van Acker made allegations that the song resembles "Zanna," a song he wrote. However, in an interview he said Belgian anti-piracy agency SABAM advised him not to waste money on a lawsuit.[4]

Chart performance

"Never Leave You (Uh Ooh, Uh Ooh)" debuted at number 61 on the US Billboard Hot 100.[5] Due to the increase of radio plays for the song, it later ascended up the chart from number ten to number five, before peaking at number three on the Billboard Hot 100.[6] In the United Kingdom, the song debuted and peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart on August 3, 2003 – for the week ending date August 9, 2003 – beaten to the summit by Blu Cantrell and Sean Paul's "Breathe".[7] The song reached the top spot on the European Hot 100, after it jumped from number three to the top of the charts in the Netherlands and number seven to the top of the charts in Germany.[8] The song entered the top 20 in France, Norway, Sweden and Spain, top thirty in Canada and New Zealand and top 40 in Australia.

Music video

The music video of "Never Leave You (Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh)" was directed by Nzingha Stewart[9] and it features American actor J.D. Williams as Lumidee's love interest.[10]

Track listings

Personnel

  • Lumidee – lead vocals, background vocals
  • DJ Tedsmooth – producer
  • Trendsetta – producer, drums, programming, mixing, engineering, keyboards
  • Stevie J. – engineering, mixing
  • Jamie "S.S" Garcia – mixing assistant

Charts

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Belgium (BEA)[65] Gold 25,000*
Germany (BVMI)[66] Platinum 300,000‡
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[67] Gold 20,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[68] Gold 400,000‡

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States May 12, 2003 Rhythmic contemporary radio Universal [69]
June 16, 2003 Contemporary hit radio [70]
United Kingdom July 28, 2003
[71]
Germany August 4, 2003 CD single [72]
United States August 5, 2003 [73]
Australia August 25, 2003 [74]
France September 15, 2003 [75]
United States October 21, 2003 Digital download, maxi single [76]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Never Leave You (Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh)". www.allmusic.com. Retrieved September 18, 2008.
  2. ^ Jeffries, David. "Never Leave You (Uh Oooh Uh Oooh) Review". Allmusic. Retrieved July 11, 2011.
  3. ^ (2003) Album notes from Almost Famous (Lumidee album) by Lumidee [Booklet]. Universal, Straight Face Records,
  4. ^ "LUC VAN ACKER & ANNA DOMINO - Zanna | Radio1". Archived from the original on February 1, 2012. Retrieved November 30, 2011. Radio 1 - Allez Allez June 17, 2009
  5. ^ "No 'Questions': 50 Cent's Back On Top". Billboard. Retrieved July 11, 2011.
  6. ^ "Beyoncé, Jay-Z Go Chart 'Crazy'". Billboard. Retrieved July 11, 2011.
  7. ^ "Cantrell, Coral Scale U.K. Charts". Billboard. Retrieved July 11, 2011.
  8. ^ "Np Stopping Blu On U.K. Chart". Billboard. Retrieved July 11, 2011.
  9. ^ Lumidee, "Never Leave You (Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh)" | Music videos Archived May 3, 2009, at the Wayback Machine BET.com. Black Entertainment Television, LLC. Retrieved November 17, 2010
  10. ^ Through The Wire Archived April 14, 2009, at the Wayback Machine mohaganygirl.com. Retrieved November 17, 2010.
  11. ^ Never Leave You (Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh) (US maxi-CD single liner notes). Lumidee. Universal Records. 2003. B0001557-32.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  12. ^ Never Leave You (Uh Ooh, Uh Oooh!) (US 12-inch single vinyl disc). Lumidee. Universal Records. 2003. B0000652-11.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  13. ^ Never Leave You (Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh) (UK CD single liner notes). Lumidee. Universal Records. 2003. MCSTD40328, 980 904-5.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  14. ^ Never Leave You (Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh) (UK 12-inch single sleeve). Lumidee. Universal Records. 2003. MCST 40328, 980 904-6.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  15. ^ Never Leave You (Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh) (European CD single liner notes). Lumidee. Universal Records. 2003. 0602498088135.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  16. ^ Never Leave You (Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh) (Australian CD single liner notes). Lumidee. Universal Records. 2003. 980 881-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  17. ^ "Lumidee – Never Leave You (Uh-Oooh)". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  18. ^ "Lumidee – Never Leave You (Uh-Oooh)" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  19. ^ "Lumidee – Never Leave You (Uh-Oooh)" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  20. ^ "Lumidee – Never Leave You (Uh-Oooh)" (in French). Ultratop 50.
  21. ^ "Lumidee Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
  22. ^ "Top Lista Hrvatskog Radija". Croatian Radiotelevision. Archived from the original on October 3, 2003. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  23. ^ "Oficiální Česká Hitparáda – Pro týden" (in Czech). IFPI ČR. Archived from the original on February 19, 2004. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
  24. ^ "Lumidee – Never Leave You (Uh-Oooh)". Tracklisten.
  25. ^ "Hits of the World: Eurochart". Billboard. Vol. 115, no. 36. September 6, 2003. p. 51. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
  26. ^ "Lumidee – Never Leave You (Uh-Oooh)" (in French). Les classement single.
  27. ^ "Lumidee – Never Leave You (Uh-Oooh)" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved January 24, 2020.
  28. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Dance Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége.
  29. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége.
  30. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Never Leave You (Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh)". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 24, 2020.
  31. ^ "Lumidee – Never Leave You (Uh-Oooh)". Top Digital Download.
  32. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 34, 2003" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  33. ^ "Lumidee – Never Leave You (Uh-Oooh)" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  34. ^ "Lumidee – Never Leave You (Uh-Oooh)". Top 40 Singles.
  35. ^ "Lumidee – Never Leave You (Uh-Oooh)". VG-lista.
  36. ^ "Arhiva romanian top 100 – Editia 44, saptamina 17.11 – 23.11, 2003" (in Romanian). Romanian Top 100. Archived from the original on February 20, 2005. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
  37. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  38. ^ "Lumidee – Never Leave You (Uh-Oooh)" Canciones Top 50.
  39. ^ "Lumidee – Never Leave You (Uh-Oooh)". Singles Top 100.
  40. ^ "Lumidee – Never Leave You (Uh-Oooh)". Swiss Singles Chart.
  41. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  42. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company.
  43. ^ "Lumidee Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  44. ^ "Lumidee Chart History (Dance Mix/Show Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
  45. ^ "Lumidee Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.
  46. ^ "Lumidee Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard.
  47. ^ "Lumidee Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard.
  48. ^ "Jahreshitparade Singles 2003" (in German). Retrieved June 11, 2021.
  49. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 2003" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved May 3, 2010.
  50. ^ "Rapports annuels 2003" (in French). Ultratop. Retrieved May 3, 2010.
  51. ^ "Billboard European Top 10 2003". Billboard. December 27, 2003. Retrieved September 11, 2022.
  52. ^ "Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 2003" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved February 14, 2020.
  53. ^ "Top of the Music – Mix e Singoli" (PDF) (in Italian). FIMI. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 10, 2006. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
  54. ^ "Single top 100 over 2003" (PDF) (in Dutch). Top40. Retrieved May 3, 2010.
  55. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2003" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved February 14, 2020.
  56. ^ "Topul anului 2003". Romanian Top 100 Singles Chart. Archived from the original on January 22, 2005. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  57. ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2003" (in German). Retrieved May 3, 2010.
  58. ^ "The Official UK Singles Chart 2003" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. Retrieved February 14, 2020.
  59. ^ "2003 Urban top 30" (PDF). Music Week. January 17, 2004. p. 18. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  60. ^ "Billboard Top 100 – 2003". Billboardtop100of.com. Retrieved June 11, 2021.
  61. ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs: 2003". Billboard. Retrieved February 14, 2020.
  62. ^ "The Year in Charts 2003: Most-Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 11, no. 51. December 19, 2003. p. 14.
  63. ^ "The Year in Charts 2003: Most-Played Rhythmic Top 40 Songs". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 11, no. 51. December 19, 2003. p. 26.
  64. ^ "Gratis: 'Hits des neuen Jahrtausend'-Liste" [Free: 'Hits of the New Millennium' List] (in German). RTL. 2010. Archived from the original on February 20, 2011. Retrieved August 29, 2021.
  65. ^ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 2003". Ultratop. Hung Medien.
  66. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Lumidee feat. Fabolous & Busta Rhymes; 'Never Leave You (Uh Oooh)')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
  67. ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Never Leave You')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien.
  68. ^ "British single certifications – Lumedee – Never Leave You (Uh Oooh Uh Oooh)". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
  69. ^ "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1503. May 9, 2003. p. 28. Retrieved June 11, 2021.
  70. ^ "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1508. June 13, 2003. p. 26. Retrieved June 11, 2021.
  71. ^ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. July 26, 2003. p. 31. Retrieved September 8, 2021.
  72. ^ Never Leave You (Uh Ooh Uh Ooh): Lumidee: Amazon.de: Musik Amazon.com, Inc. Retrieved January 22, 2011
  73. ^ Amazon.com: Never Leave You (Uh Ooh Uh Ooh): Lumidee: Music Amazon.com, Inc. Retrieved January 22, 2011
  74. ^ "The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 25th August 2003" (PDF). ARIA. August 25, 2003. p. 25. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 6, 2003. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
  75. ^ Never Leave You (Uh Ooh Uh Ooh): Lumidee: Amazon.fr: Musique Amazon.com, Inc. Retrieved January 22, 2011
  76. ^ "Never Leave You (Maxi Single) by Lumidee". itunes.apple.com. Apple, Inc. Retrieved January 22, 2003