Jump to content

Let Me Love You (Until You Learn to Love Yourself)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Let Me Love You (Until You Learn to Love Yourself)"
Single by Ne-Yo
from the album R.E.D.
ReleasedJuly 10, 2012 (2012-07-10)
Genre
Length4:14
LabelMotown
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Ne-Yo singles chronology
"Lazy Love"
(2012) 		"Let Me Love You (Until You Learn to Love Yourself)"
(2012) 		"Turn Around"
(2012)
Audio sample
"Let Me Love You (Until You Learn to Love Yourself)"

"Let Me Love You (Until You Learn to Love Yourself)" is a song performed by American singer and songwriter Ne-Yo, taken from his fifth studio album, R.E.D. (2012). Released on July 10, 2012, by Motown Records, the song serves as the mainstream lead single from the album following the release of an R&B-tinged lead single, "Lazy Love".

"Let Me Love You" combines elements of synthpop and Europop with a celebratory chorus co-written with singer-songwriter Sia and production courtesy of Ne-Yo's frequent Norwegian collaborators Stargate and British producers Mark Hadfield and Mike Di Scala (also known as Reeva & Black). A music video directed by Christopher Simms sees Ne-Yo "channeling" Michael Jackson in his dance moves, as well as showing off a toned physique. The song peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100. Outside of the United States, "Let Me Love You (Until You Learn to Love Yourself)" topped the charts in the United Kingdom, and peaked within the top ten of the charts in Australia, Belgium (Flanders), Japan, and the Republic of Ireland.[1]

Background and release

[edit]

Ne-Yo's 2012-released fifth album R.E.D. (as in "Realizing Every Dream")[2] is the follow-up to the singer's 2010 concept-heavy studio album, Libra Scale.[3] The album's first single titled "Lazy Love" premiered online on May 14, 2012,[4] and was serviced to US urban radio later the same month.[5] On June 12, 2012, the song was released for digital download in the United States, and a music video for the steamy R&B single premiered a day prior on June 11, 2012, on BET's 106 & Park.[6][7]

On July 9, 2012, "Let Me Love You" premiered online to various media outlets.[8] A day later, it was released for digital download in Australia,[9] mainland Europe,[10][11] and the United Kingdom.[12] "Let Me Love You" was served to US rhythmic / crossover radio stations on July 31, 2012, and a week later to pop / mainstream stations.[13][14] It was released for US digital downloads on July 31, 2012.[15] Internationally, "Let Me Love You" is the sole lead single for the album.[16] On November 6, 2012, a remix was released with a different type of beat and an additional rap verse from French Montana.[17]

Writing and production

[edit]
Australian singer Sia co-wrote the song along with Ne-Yo

At 4:14 in length, "Let Me Love You (Until You Learn to Love Yourself)" is an up-tempo club song written in the key of F Major[18] with a chord progression in Bb major-D minor-C major which combines elements of Europop and synthpop.[5] The original instrumental track was written and produced British producers Mike Di Scala and Mark Hadfield, who began a production partnership in November 2011. In February 2012, the duo sent the then untitled "Let Me Love You (Until You Learn to Love Yourself)" along with eleven other songs to the management team of Norwegian production duo Mikkel S. Eriksen and Tor Hermansen, better known under their production moniker of Stargate.[19] The Norwegian duo subsequently worked on the song writing additional music elements, while Australian indie pop singer and songwriter Sia wrote and recorded the "top line vocals".[19]

Sia built the song's chorus around the line "Let me love you, and I will love you/ Until you learn to love yourself", which would also become the song's title.[5] The record was then heard by Ne-Yo who decided to record the song, and proceeded to re-write some of the lyrics in the verses.[19] Speaking about the song Ne-Yo said he was inspired by the powerful chorus, and in a press release he elaborated on the song's lyrical content:

"It goes beyond the realm of just a relationship between man and woman, this is understanding what it is to allow another person to get close enough to you to teach you how to love yourself. This song, if taken care of the right way, could help the world!"[5]

The melody consists of "euphoric synthesizers" and "pounding beats".[20]

This is one of two collaborations between Sia and Stargate. They would later team up again to co-write Rihanna's song "Diamonds", alongside producer Benny Blanco.

Critical reception

[edit]

The song received generally favorable reviews from music critics. Andrew Hampp of Billboard perceived that the song "re-established Ne-Yo's top 40 appeal," calling it "the crème de la crème of emotive dancefloor ballads."[21] He also praised the song's uplifting self-worth message, writing that the lyrics "make this one of 2012's standout dance-pop cuts in a year filled with far more innocuous entries."[21] Andy Kellman of Allmusic picked the song as one of the best from the album, but ultimately called it "serviceable but indistinct."[22] Nate Chinen of New York Times named it a "convincing Euro dance track."[23] Ken Capobianco of Boston Globe called it "essential," writing that "it's a deftly conceived confection."[24]

Mikael Wood remarked that "it seems designed to remind us of simpler times by recycling a portion of its title from the 2004 Mario hit that was one of Ne-Yo's first big songwriting successes."[25] Lewis Corner of Digital Spy gave the song 3 out of 5 stars, writing that "it's nothing we haven't heard from Ne-Yo before, but the result is a corny but charming electro serenade that's a welcome return to form for Mr Smith."[26] Mark Edward Nero of About.com considered its sound "not warm", writing that he "was hoping that he was starting to move away from this heavily synthesized Euro-dance pop."[27]

Chart performance

[edit]

The song peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, becoming his first top 10 single as a lead artist in the US in four years, since the 2008 single "Miss Independent". On Billboard's Rhythmic Airplay chart, the single gave Ne-Yo his fifth number one on that chart and his second as a solo artist since "So Sick" reached that position in February 2006.

In the United Kingdom, "Let Me Love You (Until You Learn to Love Yourself)" entered at the top of the UK Singles Chart on September 9, 2012 – for the week ending date September 15, 2012 – becoming Ne-Yo's fifth number one song in Britain after "So Sick" in March 2006, "Closer" in June 2008, "Beautiful Monster" in August 2010, and "Give Me Everything" in May 2011. The song sold 89,000 copies there in its first week of release, and sold 347,000 copies as of December 2012, making it Britain's 49th best-selling song of 2012.[28]

Music video

[edit]

The music video for "Let Me Love You (Until You Learn to Love Yourself)" was directed by Christopher Simms.[29] Incorporating choreographed dance scenes, with Ne-Yo baring "his toned physique" in a bedroom scene,[30] the video was uploaded on the singer's Vevo channel on July 18, 2012.[31] The overall atmosphere in the video is "dark", consisting of dim lighting and murky locations.[20] The video begins with an opening scene where Ne-Yo wears his trademark fedora to one side, while singing the opening lyrics of the song.[1] The video then moves on to bedroom scenes, where Ne-Yo strips of to show his six pack abs while embracing a topless woman.[1] Trent Fitzgerald from music website PopCrush stated that in the following dance scenes, Ne-Yo was "channeling" Michael Jackson in his dance moves. These scenes feature Ne-Yo dancing in front of a troop of backing dancers in a warehouse setting.[1] Finally, the video ends with Ne-Yo and his femme fatale on a beach, smiling at the camera.[32]

Live performances

[edit]

Ne-Yo performed the song on the first live results show of season nine of The X Factor in the United Kingdom on October 7, 2012. He also performed it on The Ellen DeGeneres Show on November 13, 2012. Ne-Yo performed the song on Saturday Night Live on December 8, 2012, and on the top 6 live results of The Voice with contestant Amanda Brown. He also performed it at 1st Indonesian Choice Awards along with Give Me Everything.[33]

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[72] 2× Platinum 140,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[73] Platinum 15,000*
United Kingdom (BPI)[74] Platinum 600,000‡
United States (RIAA)[75] Platinum 1,000,000*
Summaries
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[76] Gold 900,000†

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
† Streaming-only figures based on certification alone.

Radio and release history

[edit]
List of release dates showing countries, formats and record labels
Region Date Format Record label
Australia[9] July 10, 2012 Digital download Universal
Germany July 11, 2012[77]
United Kingdom[12] September 2, 2012 Mercury
  • United States
  • Canada
 July 31, 2012[15] Motown
July 31, 2012 Rhythmic / Crossover[14]
August 7, 2012 Pop / Mainstream[13]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d "Ne-Yo – Let Me Love You Video". PopCrush.com. 19 July 2012. Retrieved 2012-08-09.
  2. ^ Ne-Yo interview by Pete Lewis, "Blues & Soul" September 2012
  3. ^ Garraud, Tracy (2012-06-14). "Ne-Yo Previews Introspective 'R.E.D.' Album in NYC". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2012-08-08.
  4. ^ "New Music – Ne Yo – Lazy Love". Rap-Up.com. 2012-05-14. Retrieved 2012-08-08.
  5. ^ a b c d "NE-YO's R.E.D., Motown Debut Album, Arriving Sept. 18th !". pnrnewswire & Motown Records. 2012-07-12. Retrieved 2012-08-08.
  6. ^ "Ne-Yo – Lazy Love". US Amazon Mp3 (Amazon.com). 2012-06-12. Retrieved 2012-08-08.
  7. ^ "Video – Ne-Yo's Lazy Love". Rap-Up.com. 2012-06-12. Retrieved 2012-08-08.
  8. ^ Meynes, Caroline (2012-07-12). "Ne-Yo To Release 'R.E.D.' Album in September". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2012-08-08.
  9. ^ a b "iTunes – Single – Ne Yo – Let Me Love You (Until You Learn to Love Yourself)". AUS iTunes Store (Apple Inc). 2012-07-10. Retrieved 2012-08-08.
  10. ^ "iTunes – Single – Ne Yo – Let Me Love You (Until You Learn to Love Yourself)". DEN iTunes Store (Apple Inc). 2012-07-10. Retrieved 2012-08-08.
  11. ^ "Let Me Love You (Until You Learn To Love Yourself): Ne-Yo: Amazon.de: MP3-Downloads". de Amazon Mp3 (Amazon). 2012-07-10. Archived from the original on 2013-01-05. Retrieved 2012-10-01.
  12. ^ a b "Ne-Yo – Let Me Love You". Uk Amazon Mp3 (Amazon). 2012-07-10. Retrieved 2012-10-01.
  13. ^ a b "Available for Airplay – Contemporary Hit Radio (Archive)". FMBQ. Retrieved 2012-08-08.
  14. ^ a b "Available for Airplay – Rhythm & Crossover". FMBQ. Archived from the original on October 7, 2015. Retrieved 2012-08-08.
  15. ^ a b "Ne-Yo – Let Me Love You". US Amazon Mp3 (Amazon). 2012-07-31. Retrieved 2012-08-08.
  16. ^ "Carly Rae Jepsen, Pink And Amelia Lily's New Songs Join Capital FM Playlist (12th July)". Capital FM (Global Radio Group). 2012-07-11. Retrieved 2012-08-09.
  17. ^ from Billboard Top 40 Update Archived 2013-12-20 at the Wayback Machine (October 29, 2012)
  18. ^ Mark, Hadfield; Mike, DiScala; Erik, Hermansen, Tor; Sia, Furler; Shaffer, Smith; Storleer, Eriksen, Mikkel; Ne-Yo; Cast, Glee (2012-09-25). "Let Me Love You (Until You Learn to Love Yourself)". Musicnotes.com. Retrieved 2021-04-28.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  19. ^ a b c Dawn Collinson (30 August 2012). "Ne-Yo finds chart love again – with thanks to Liverpool producer Mike di Scala". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 9 September 2012.
  20. ^ a b "Ne-Yo – Let Me Love You". Orange. 2012-03-23. Retrieved 2012-08-09.
  21. ^ a b Hampp, Andrew (November 6, 2012). "Ne-Yo, 'R.E.D.': Track-By-Track Review". Billboard Magazine. Retrieved December 22, 2012.
  22. ^ Kellman, Andy. "R.E.D. – Ne-Yo : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2012-11-08.
  23. ^ Pareles, Jon. "Aerosmith and Ne-Yo Don't Hold Back". The New York Times. Retrieved 2012-11-08.
  24. ^ Ken Capobianco. "CD REVIEW: Ne-Yo, 'R.E.D.' – Music". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2012-11-08.
  25. ^ Wood, Mikael (6 November 2012). "Ne-Yo's 'R.E.D.' goes back to the basics: Review". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2012-11-08.
  26. ^ Corner, Lewis (August 30, 2012). "Ne-Yo: 'Let Me Love You' – Single review". Digital Spy. Retrieved December 22, 2012.
  27. ^ Nero, Mark Edward (July 10, 2012). "New Music: Ne-Yo – 'Let Me Love You'". About.com. Retrieved December 22, 2012.
  28. ^ Dan Lane (2012-12-22). "Official Charts Advent Calendar 2012: Day 22". The Official Chart Company. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
  29. ^ "New Music – Ne-Yo – Let Me Love You". Rap-Up.com. 2012-07-09. Retrieved 2012-08-09.
  30. ^ "Video – Ne-Yo – Let Me Love You (Until You Learn to Love Yourself)". Rap-Up. Devine Lazerine. 2012-07-18. Retrieved 2012-08-09.
  31. ^ "Ne-Yo – Let Me Love You (Until You Learn To Love Yourself)". Vevo. YouTube. 18 July 2012. Retrieved 2012-09-20.
  32. ^ "Artists – Ne-Yo – Videos – Let Me Love You". Capital FM (Global Media Group). 2012-07-18. Retrieved 2012-08-09.
  33. ^ "Ne-Yo Medley". YouTube. 19 May 2014. Retrieved 2017-05-19.
  34. ^ "Ne-Yo – Let Me Love You (Until You Learn To Love Yourself)". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  35. ^ "Ne-Yo – Let Me Love You (Until You Learn To Love Yourself)" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  36. ^ "Ne-Yo – Let Me Love You (Until You Learn To Love Yourself)" (in French). Ultratop 50.
  37. ^ "Ne-Yo Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 2012-08-30.
  38. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 45. týden 2012 in the date selector.
  39. ^ "Ne-Yo – Let Me Love You (Until You Learn To Love Yourself)" (in French). Les classement single.
  40. ^ "Ne-Yo – Let Me Love You (Until You Learn to Love Yourself)" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
  41. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége.
  42. ^ "Chart Track: Week 36, 2012". Irish Singles Chart.
  43. ^ "Ne-Yo – Let Me Love You (Until You Learn To Love Yourself)". Top Digital Download.
  44. ^ "Ne-Yo Chart History (Japan Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 2012-08-09.
  45. ^ "Top 20 Inglés Del 7 al 13 de Enero, 2013". Monitor Latino. 2013-01-13. Retrieved 2018-05-02.
  46. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 38, 2012" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 2019-10-17.
  47. ^ "Ne-Yo – Let Me Love You (Until You Learn To Love Yourself)" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  48. ^ "Ne-Yo – Let Me Love You (Until You Learn To Love Yourself)". Top 40 Singles.
  49. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  50. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201243 into search.
  51. ^ "Ne-Yo – Let Me Love You (Until You Learn To Love Yourself)". Swiss Singles Chart.
  52. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  53. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
  54. ^ "Ne-Yo Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 2013-09-06.
  55. ^ "Ne-Yo Chart History (Hot Dance/Electronic Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 2012-10-06.
  56. ^ "Ne-Yo Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 2012-10-06.
  57. ^ "Ne-Yo Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 2012-10-06.
  58. ^ "Ne-Yo Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 2012-10-06.
  59. ^ "Ne-Yo Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved 2012-10-06.
  60. ^ "ARIA Top 100 Singles 2012". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Archived from the original on January 21, 2013. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
  61. ^ "Top de l'année Top Singles 2012" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved July 10, 2020.
  62. ^ "Japan Hot 100: 2012 Year-End". Billboard.com. Retrieved August 24, 2019.
  63. ^ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2012" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved October 17, 2019.
  64. ^ "Top 100 Singles of 2012". BBC Radio 1. BBC Online. 31 December 2012. Retrieved January 5, 2013.
  65. ^ "Best of 2012 – Hot 100 Songs". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2012-12-14.
  66. ^ "Rhythmic Songs – Year-End 2012". Billboard. Retrieved August 25, 2019.
  67. ^ "Canadian Hot 100 – Year-End 2013". Billboard. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
  68. ^ "Best of 2013 – Hot 100 Songs". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2013-12-21.
  69. ^ "Hot Dance/Electronic Songs – Year-End 2013". Billboard. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
  70. ^ "Pop Songs – Year-End 2013". Billboard. Retrieved February 13, 2020.
  71. ^ "Rhythmic Songs – Year-End 2013". Billboard. Retrieved August 25, 2019.
  72. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2012 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved October 29, 2012.
  73. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Ne-Yo – Let Me Love You". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
  74. ^ "British single certifications – Ne-Yo – Let Me Love You (Until You Learn to Love". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  75. ^ "American single certifications – Ne-Yo – Let Me Love You". Recording Industry Association of America.
  76. ^ "Danish single certifications – Ne-Yo – Let Me Love You". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved September 12, 2022.
  77. ^ "Let Me Love You (Until You Learn To Love Yourself): Ne-Yo: Amazon.de: MP3-Downloads". Amazon.de. Archived from the original on January 5, 2013. Retrieved August 18, 2012.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Let_Me_Love_You_(Until_You_Learn_to_Love_Yourself)&oldid=1258667694"