I Need a Girl (Trey Songz song)
Encyclopedia
"I Need a Girl" is a song by American recording artist Trey Songz
. The track was written by Johntá Austin
, along with the song's production team, Stargate
, who also produced his breakthrough hit, "Can't Help But Wait
." The song served as the lead single
for Songz's third studio album Ready
. "I Need a Girl" received positive to mixed reviews from critics, some of which noted it as generic, and other naming it as a top track from the album. It reached fifty-nine on the Billboard Hot 100
and six on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
chart. The accompanying music video shot in Malibu features Songz and love interests on the beach, as they turn out to be mirages.
, and was released by Songz via Twitter during his "Music Monday" series preceding the album. The second features Mase
who jumped on dual remixes for the song and Drake
's "Best I Ever Had
." In an interview with New York's Power 105.1, he said that the passing of Michael Jackson
inspired his latest comeback, stating, "Mike passed away and it just lit the fire in me—it made me go in the studio and do something. I’m excited."
ballad, featuring guitar riffs. According to Mark Edward Nero of About.com
, the song contains familiar qualities of Songz's breakout hit "Can't Help But Wait
", also produced by Stargate. The song is lyrically about finding and pleasing the right woman, through lines such as, "I don't even know your name, but I know that I'm your man and you are my girl, if I ever meet you I'm gonna give you the world, Baby please believe me when I tell you that I need a girl." The song has been described to be a mix of Usher
and Justin Timberlake
, and has been compared to Chris Brown's "With You
."
said that the song was "sappy" and "cliche", trying to replicate the success of "Can't Help But Wait
", but "doesn't come close." Nero also commented that the song sounded insincere compared with the rawly sexual songs on the album. Ajitpaul Mangat of Tiny Mix Tapes
noted the song as some of the album's generic work, stating, "with its run-of-the-mill lyrics about longing hearts, it sounds like the work of any middling R&B singer." Tyler Lewis of PopMatters
said "I Need A Girl" was among the album's best songs, that it and "Neighbors Know My Name
", "thump as they should." David Jeffries of Allmusic noted the song as a standout track from Ready. Glenn Gamboa of Newsday
said that on the track, Songz "displays a more flexible delivery than usual." DJBooth said, "Traditional R&B depends on three things: vocals, writing, and production. In a nutshell, I Need A Girl has the whole trifecta, and should be just what Trey needs to get Ready a solid release date." Reviewing the remix of the song featuring Teyana Taylor and Fabolous
, DJBooth said, "Expect the combo of Taylor’s cooed vocals and Trey and Loso’s time-tested musical chemistry to leave listeners more amped than ever before for the release of Songz’ latest LP—after waiting this long, I think it’s safe to say they’re more than Ready."
. Several weeks later on the week of September 19, 2009, it peaked at fifty-nine on the chart, where it stayed for one week, spending a total of sixteen weeks on the chart. After a total of eight weeks on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
chart, on the week labeled July 4, 2009, "I Need A Girl" peaked at six on it.
, and filmed in Malibu, California during the weekend of April 4, 2009. Stills from the video were released on April 8, 2009. The music video was released on May 1, 2009. In the video, Songz sees several women along the beach, and plays volleyball with them, walks along the coastline, relaxes on a parked motorcycle, and other things, however in each instance they disappear and turn out to be illusions. In a review AOL Boombox
recommended the video as one to watch, commenting, "The crooner admits that it gets 'lonely in this business,' which is why he needs a companion aka a 'homey' and he won't rest 'til he finds the one for him."
as a part of a medley with "Successful" and "LOL Smiley Face
", and on September 9, 2009 on The Wendy Williams Show
.
Source
Trey Songz
Tremaine "Trey" Aldon Neverson , better known by his stage name Trey Songz, is an American singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer and actor. His debut album, I Gotta Make It, was released in 2005, while his second album, Trey Day, was released in 2007...
. The track was written by Johntá Austin
Johnta Austin
Johntá Austin is an American singer-songwriter, who is currently signed to Jermaine Dupri's So So Def Recordings. He is commonly known for collaborating with Producers Bryan-Michael Cox, Jermaine Dupri & The Production Team StarGate. Austin was awarded two Grammy Awards for his work on the songs...
, along with the song's production team, Stargate
Stargate (production team)
This is a list of songs written and produced by the Norwegian production team Stargate.-Produced singles:-1999:5ive - Invincible*05. "Two Sides to Every Story"*06. "You Make Me a Better Man"Noora Noor - Curious*01. "Curious"...
, who also produced his breakthrough hit, "Can't Help But Wait
Can't Help but Wait
"Can't Help but Wait" is the second single from the Trey Songz album Trey Day. The song is written by Johntá Austin, Mikkel S. Eriksen, and Tor Erik Hermansen. On the issue date of October 6, 2007, the single debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 99. American actor Jackie Long appears in the...
." The song served as the lead single
Lead single
A lead single is usually the first single released by a musician or a band before the release of its home album.During the era of the grammophone record, all music arrived in the marketplace as what is now termed a single, one potential hit song backed by an additional song of generally less...
for Songz's third studio album Ready
Ready (Trey Songz album)
Ready is the third studio album by American R&B singer Trey Songz. The album, his first studio release since 2007's Trey Day, was released by Songbook and Atlantic Records on August 31, 2009, in the United States...
. "I Need a Girl" received positive to mixed reviews from critics, some of which noted it as generic, and other naming it as a top track from the album. It reached fifty-nine on the 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...
and six on the 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,...
chart. The accompanying music video shot in Malibu features Songz and love interests on the beach, as they turn out to be mirages.
Background
The official remix features Teyana Taylor and rapper FabolousFabolous
John David Jackson , better known by his stage name Fabolous, is an American rapper of African American and Dominican descent. He grew up in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. Part of his early popularity arose from his hit single "Can't Deny It" in 2001, from his debut...
, and was released by Songz via Twitter during his "Music Monday" series preceding the album. The second features Mase
Mase
Mason Durell Betha , better known by stage name Mase who was previously known as Murda Ma$e, is an American rapper, songwriter, actor and inspirational speaker...
who jumped on dual remixes for the song and Drake
Drake (entertainer)
Aubrey Drake Graham , who records under the mononym Drake, is a Canadian recording artist and actor. He originally became known for playing Jimmy Brooks on the television series Degrassi: The Next Generation....
's "Best I Ever Had
Best I Ever Had (Drake song)
"Best I Ever Had" is the first single from Canadian rapper Drake's first EP So Far Gone. It first became prominent from the release of Drake's third mixtape of the same name. In 2009, the song was named the "Hot Rap Song" of the year by Billboard. The song's popularity helped Drake decide to...
." In an interview with New York's Power 105.1, he said that the passing of Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
inspired his latest comeback, stating, "Mike passed away and it just lit the fire in me—it made me go in the studio and do something. I’m excited."
Composition
"I Need A Girl" is a mid-tempo R&BContemporary R&B
Contemporary R&B is a music genre that combines elements of hip hop, soul, R&B and funk.Although the abbreviation “R&B” originates from traditional rhythm and blues music, today the term R&B is most often used to describe a style of African American music originating after the demise of disco in...
ballad, featuring guitar riffs. According to Mark Edward Nero of About.com
About.com
About.com is an online source for original information and advice. It is written in English, and is aimed primarily at North Americans. It is owned by The New York Times Company....
, the song contains familiar qualities of Songz's breakout hit "Can't Help But Wait
Can't Help but Wait
"Can't Help but Wait" is the second single from the Trey Songz album Trey Day. The song is written by Johntá Austin, Mikkel S. Eriksen, and Tor Erik Hermansen. On the issue date of October 6, 2007, the single debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 99. American actor Jackie Long appears in the...
", also produced by Stargate. The song is lyrically about finding and pleasing the right woman, through lines such as, "I don't even know your name, but I know that I'm your man and you are my girl, if I ever meet you I'm gonna give you the world, Baby please believe me when I tell you that I need a girl." The song has been described to be a mix of 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...
and Justin Timberlake
Justin Timberlake
Justin Randall Timberlake is an American pop musician and actor. He achieved early fame when he appeared as a contestant on Star Search, and went on to star in the Disney Channel television series The New Mickey Mouse Club, where he met future bandmate JC Chasez...
, and has been compared to Chris Brown's "With You
With You (Chris Brown song)
"With You" is a pop/R&B song by Chris Brown, nominated for 2008 MTV Video Music Awards and written by Johntá Austin, Tor Erik Hermansen, Mikkel Eriksen, Espen Lind, Amund Bjørklund, and produced by Stargate...
."
Critical reception
Mark Edward Nero of About.comAbout.com
About.com is an online source for original information and advice. It is written in English, and is aimed primarily at North Americans. It is owned by The New York Times Company....
said that the song was "sappy" and "cliche", trying to replicate the success of "Can't Help But Wait
Can't Help but Wait
"Can't Help but Wait" is the second single from the Trey Songz album Trey Day. The song is written by Johntá Austin, Mikkel S. Eriksen, and Tor Erik Hermansen. On the issue date of October 6, 2007, the single debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 99. American actor Jackie Long appears in the...
", but "doesn't come close." Nero also commented that the song sounded insincere compared with the rawly sexual songs on the album. Ajitpaul Mangat of Tiny Mix Tapes
Tiny Mix Tapes
Tiny Mix Tapes is an online music and film webzine that focuses primarily on new music and related news. In addition to its reviews, it is noted for its subversive, political, and sometimes surreal news, as well as its mix tapes generator.-History:Originally called Tiny Mixtapes Gone to Heaven and...
noted the song as some of the album's generic work, stating, "with its run-of-the-mill lyrics about longing hearts, it sounds like the work of any middling R&B singer." Tyler Lewis of PopMatters
PopMatters
PopMatters is an international webzine of cultural criticism that covers many aspects of popular culture. PopMatters publishes reviews, interviews, and detailed essays on most cultural products and expressions in areas such as music, television, films, books, video games, comics, sports, theater,...
said "I Need A Girl" was among the album's best songs, that it and "Neighbors Know My Name
Neighbors Know My Name
"Neighbors Know My Name" is a song by American R&B singer Trey Songz. It was written by Songz with Patrick Hayes and Troy Taylor, who produced the song with John Mcgee. It was released to rhythmic and urban airplay as the fifth and final single from his third studio album, Ready on February 16, 2010...
", "thump as they should." David Jeffries of Allmusic noted the song as a standout track from Ready. Glenn Gamboa of Newsday
Newsday
Newsday is a daily American newspaper that primarily serves Nassau and Suffolk counties and the New York City borough of Queens on Long Island, although it is sold throughout the New York metropolitan area...
said that on the track, Songz "displays a more flexible delivery than usual." DJBooth said, "Traditional R&B depends on three things: vocals, writing, and production. In a nutshell, I Need A Girl has the whole trifecta, and should be just what Trey needs to get Ready a solid release date." Reviewing the remix of the song featuring Teyana Taylor and Fabolous
Fabolous
John David Jackson , better known by his stage name Fabolous, is an American rapper of African American and Dominican descent. He grew up in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. Part of his early popularity arose from his hit single "Can't Deny It" in 2001, from his debut...
, DJBooth said, "Expect the combo of Taylor’s cooed vocals and Trey and Loso’s time-tested musical chemistry to leave listeners more amped than ever before for the release of Songz’ latest LP—after waiting this long, I think it’s safe to say they’re more than Ready."
Chart performance
On the week labeled May 30, 2009, "I Need a Girl" debuted at 100 on the Billboard Hot 100Billboard 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...
. Several weeks later on the week of September 19, 2009, it peaked at fifty-nine on the chart, where it stayed for one week, spending a total of sixteen weeks on the chart. After a total of eight weeks on the 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,...
chart, on the week labeled July 4, 2009, "I Need A Girl" peaked at six on it.
Music video
The music video was directed by Benny BoomBenny Boom
Benny Boom is a music video director and current director of Gorilla Flix, Inc. He trained at Temple University's School of Radio, Television, & Film, and also served as a protégé of veteran director Little X and Hype Williams....
, and filmed in Malibu, California during the weekend of April 4, 2009. Stills from the video were released on April 8, 2009. The music video was released on May 1, 2009. In the video, Songz sees several women along the beach, and plays volleyball with them, walks along the coastline, relaxes on a parked motorcycle, and other things, however in each instance they disappear and turn out to be illusions. In a review AOL Boombox
AOL
AOL Inc. is an American global Internet services and media company. AOL is headquartered at 770 Broadway in New York. Founded in 1983 as Control Video Corporation, it has franchised its services to companies in several nations around the world or set up international versions of its services...
recommended the video as one to watch, commenting, "The crooner admits that it gets 'lonely in this business,' which is why he needs a companion aka a 'homey' and he won't rest 'til he finds the one for him."
Live performances
Songz performed the song on on September 2, 2009 and on 106 & Park106 & Park
106 & Park is a Top Ten Hip-Hop and R&B music video show, set up in a countdown format, that airs weekdays at 6:00 PM on BET . Since its inception, it was the network's #1 rated show...
as a part of a medley with "Successful" and "LOL Smiley Face
LOL Smiley Face
"LOL Smiley Face", "), is a song by American recording artist Trey Songz. It features rappers Gucci Mane and Soulja Boy Tell 'Em. The three co-wrote the song with producers Troy Taylor and Tony Scales. The song serves as the second single from Songz' third studio album, Ready...
", and on September 9, 2009 on The Wendy Williams Show
The Wendy Williams Show
The Wendy Williams Show is a syndicated talk show hosted by Wendy Williams that premiered on July 14, 2008, as six-week sneak peek, in Detroit, Dallas, Los Angeles, and New York City. The test run was picked up for a full season that began its run on July 13, 2009 in over 70% of the country in...
.
Credits and personnel
- Songwriting - Johntá Austin, Tor Erik Hermansen, Mikkel Eriksen, Espen Lind, Amund Bjorklund
- ProductionRecord producerA record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
- Tor Erik Hermansen, Mikkel Eriksen, Espen Lind, Amund Bjorklund - RecordingSound recording and reproductionSound recording and reproduction is an electrical or mechanical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording...
- Mikkel Eriksen - Vocal recording - Troy TaylorTroy Taylor (producer)Troy Taylor was born and raised in New Haven, Connecticut, into a family of musicians. He got his start by singing in talent shows at an early age then moved on to playing keyboards. Before reaching the age of 21, Taylor was signed as an artist to Motown Records and later helped produce several...
- GuitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
- Espen Lind - All other instruments - Tor Erik Hermansen, Mikkel Eriksen
- MixingAudio mixing (recorded music)In audio recording, audio mixing is the process by which multiple recorded sounds are combined into one or more channels, most commonly two-channel stereo. In the process, the source signals' level, frequency content, dynamics, and panoramic position are manipulated and effects such as reverb may...
- Phil Tan, assisted by Josh Houghkirk
Source
Charts
| Chart (2009) | Peak position |
|---|---|
Release history
| Country | Date | Format |
|---|---|---|
| United States | April 14, 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... |
| Rhythmic Rhythmic Contemporary Rhythmic contemporary, also known as rhythmic top 40, rhythmic contemporary hit radio or rhythmic crossover, is a music radio format that includes a mix of EDM, upbeat rhythmic pop, hip-hop and R&B hits. Rhythmic contemporary rarely uses rock music or country music in its airplay, but it may... and urban Urban contemporary Urban contemporary is a music radio format. The term was coined by the late New York DJ Frankie Crocker in the mid 1970s. Urban contemporary radio stations feature a playlist made up entirely of hip hop/rap, contemporary R&B, pop, electronica such as dubstep and drum and bass and Caribbean music... airplay |