"Sexy Love" is a song by American R&B singer Ne-Yo, released on June 6, 2006 as the fourth and final US single, as well as the second and final international single from his debut studio album, In My Own Words (2006). The song peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100. In the United Kingdom, it debuted at number 21 based on digital downloads, and peaked at number five once the physical single was released.

"Sexy Love"
Single by Ne-Yo
from the album In My Own Words
B-side"Sign Me Up"
ReleasedJune 6, 2006 (2006-06-06)
GenreR&B
Length3:40
LabelDef Jam
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Stargate
Ne-Yo singles chronology
"When You're Mad"
(2006)
"Sexy Love"
(2006)
"Because of You"
(2007)

Background

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Unlike his previous song "So Sick", "Sexy Love" describes a man's feelings towards his girlfriend and that he is deeply in love with her that he's somewhat addicted to her, and that there's nothing better he'd rather do than to be with his girlfriend. Ne-Yo performed the song on the July 6, 2006, episode of So You Think You Can Dance. On June 27, 2006, he also performed it at the 2006 BET Awards.[1] A remix of the song was made, featuring Candace Jones. Another remix was featuring Roc-A-Fella artist Tru Life. There is also a remix to the song that features rapper Joe Budden as well as a version that features rapper Juelz Santana.

Composition

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"Sexy Love" is written in the key of E major with a tempo of 94 beats per minute.[2] The song follows a chord progression of A – B – Gm7, and Ne-Yo's vocals span from G4 to B5.[3]

Music video

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A music video for "Sexy Love" was directed by Anthony Mandler.[4] The clip is mainly supposed to demonstrate that because he is completely in love with his girlfriend, he'd rather spend the whole day with her, thus disconnecting himself from the world around him (thus referring to the verse in the song, "And I just can't think of anything else I'd rather do; Than to hear you sing, sing my name the way you do"). Ne-Yo's character's disconnection with the world is demonstrated through his lack of concern or deliberately ignoring the eviction notices he receives throughout the music video (in which are slid under his door). It is not clearly explained why he is being evicted; since Ne-Yo doesn't seem to be working or going much of anyplace, failure to pay the bill is most likely the reason.

The music video on YouTube has received over 157 million views as of December 2024.[5]

Track listings

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US 12-inch single[6]
No.TitleLength
1."Sexy Love" (radio)3:40
2."Sexy Love" (instrumental)3:40
UK CD single[7]
No.TitleLength
1."Sexy Love" (album version)3:40
2."So Sick" (acoustic version—as heard on Radio 1's Jo Whiley Show)3:02
UK 12-inch single[8]
No.TitleLength
1."Sexy Love" (album version)3:40
2."Sexy Love" (instrumental)3:40
3."So Sick" (remix featuring LL Cool J) 
European CD single[9]
No.TitleLength
1."Sexy Love"3:40
2."Sexy Love" (acoustic)3:33
Australian CD single[10]
No.TitleLength
1."Sexy Love"3:43
2."Sexy Love" (acoustic)3:35
3."Sign Me Up"3:30
4."Sexy Love" (video) 

Charts

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Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[41] Platinum 600,000
United States (RIAA)[42] Gold 500,000*
United States (RIAA)[43]
Mastertone
Platinum 1,000,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
Sales streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

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Region Date Format Label Ref.
United States June 6, 2006 Rhythmic contemporary radio Def Jam [44]
June 13, 2006 Contemporary hit radio
United Kingdom June 26, 2006 CD [45]
Australia July 24, 2006 [46]

References

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  1. ^ http://www.fox.com/dance/ Fox.com
  2. ^ "BPM for 'sexy love' by ne-yo | songbpm.com". songbpm.com. Retrieved May 24, 2016.
  3. ^ Smith, Shaffer (October 31, 2006). "Ne-Yo "Sexy Love" Sheet Music in E♭ Major - Download & Print". Musicnotes.com. Retrieved May 24, 2016.
  4. ^ "Ne-Yo". Vevo. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
  5. ^ Ne-Yo - Sexy Love (Official Music Video).YouTube
  6. ^ Sexy Love (US 12-inch single vinyl disc). Ne-Yo. Def Jam Recordings. 2006. B0007342-11.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  7. ^ Sexy Love (UK CD single liner notes). Ne-Yo. Def Jam Recordings, Mercury Records. 2006. 1701192.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  8. ^ Sexy Love (UK 12-inch single sleeve). Ne-Yo. Def Jam Recordings, Mercury Records. 2006. 1701196.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  9. ^ Sexy Love (European CD single liner notes). Ne-Yo. Def Jam Recordings. 2006. 06025-1703579-9.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  10. ^ Sexy Love (Australian CD single liner notes). Ne-Yo. Def Jam Recordings. 2006. 1703580.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  11. ^ "Ne-Yo – Sexy Love". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved July 22, 2011.
  12. ^ "Issue 903" ARIA Top 40 Urban Singles. National Library of Australia. Retrieved March 3, 2022.
  13. ^ "Ne-Yo – Sexy Love" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved July 22, 2011.
  14. ^ "Ne-Yo – Sexy Love" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved July 22, 2011.
  15. ^ "Ne-Yo Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  16. ^ "The ARIA Report: European Top 20 Charts – Week Commencing 10th July 2006" (PDF). ARIA. July 10, 2006. p. 25. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 22, 2008. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
  17. ^ "Ne-Yo – Sexy Love" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved July 22, 2011.
  18. ^ "Ne-Yo – Sexy Love" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved October 29, 2018.
  19. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Sexy Love". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  20. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved July 22, 2011.
  21. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Dance Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved July 22, 2011.
  22. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 33, 2006" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved July 22, 2011.
  23. ^ "Ne-Yo – Sexy Love" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved July 22, 2011.
  24. ^ "Ne-Yo – Sexy Love". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved July 22, 2011.
  25. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  26. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 200636 into search. Retrieved July 22, 2011.
  27. ^ "Ne-Yo – Sexy Love". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved July 22, 2011.
  28. ^ "Ne-Yo: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  29. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  30. ^ "Ne-Yo Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 22, 2011.
  31. ^ "Ne-Yo Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved July 22, 2011.
  32. ^ "Ne-Yo Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved July 22, 2011.
  33. ^ "Ne-Yo Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved July 22, 2011.
  34. ^ "ARIA Charts – End of Year Charts – Top 50 Urban Singles 2006". ARIA. Archived from the original on April 15, 2020. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  35. ^ "Rádiós Top 100 – hallgatottsági adatok alapján – 2006" (in Hungarian). Mahasz. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
  36. ^ "End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 – 2006". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  37. ^ "2006 Urban Top 40" (PDF). Music Week. January 13, 2007. p. 26. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  38. ^ "Hot 100 Songs : May 31, 2016 – Billboard Chart Archive". Billboard. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
  39. ^ "Year-End Charts – Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Titles – 2006". Billboard.biz. 2006. Archived from the original on October 3, 2012. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  40. ^ "Rhythmic Songs – Year-End 2006". Billboard. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
  41. ^ "British single certifications – Ne-Yo – Sexy Love". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  42. ^ "American single certifications – Ne-Yo – Sexy Love". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
  43. ^ "American ringtone certifications – Ne-Yo – Sexy Love". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
  44. ^ "CHR". FMQB. Archived from the original on March 22, 2013. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
  45. ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. June 24, 2006. p. 29. Misprinted as the issue date, June 24, on source.
  46. ^ "The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 24th July 2006" (PDF). ARIA. July 24, 2006. p. 28. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 19, 2006. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
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