"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 song features a sample from Diwali Riddim by Lenky, released in 2002. The official remix features Busta Rhymes and Fabolous. "Never Leave You (Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh)" peaked at number three on the US Billboard Hot 100 and charted internationally, topping the charts of Flanders, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Switzerland.

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-one 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. "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,Jeffries, David. "Never Leave You (Uh Oooh Uh Oooh) Review". Allmusic. Retrieved July 11, 2011.(2003) Album notes from Almost Famous (Lumidee album) by Lumidee [Booklet]. Universal, Straight Face Records, 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. Radio 1 - Allez Allez June 17, 2009

Chart performance "Never Leave You (Uh Ooh, Uh Ooh)" debuted at number 61 on the US Billboard Hot 100."No 'Questions': 50 Cent's Back On Top". Billboard. Retrieved July 11, 2011. 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."Beyoncé, Jay-Z Go Chart 'Crazy'". Billboard. Retrieved July 11, 2011. 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"."Cantrell, Coral Scale U.K. Charts". Billboard. Retrieved July 11, 2011. The song reached the top spot on the European Hot 100, as well as topping the charts of Flanders, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Switzerland."Np Stopping Blu On U.K. Chart". Billboard. Retrieved July 11, 2011. The song additionally entered the top 20 in France, Norway, Sweden and Spain, the top 30 in Canada and New Zealand, and the top 40 in Australia.

Music video The music video of "Never Leave You (Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh)" was directed by Nzingha StewartLumidee, "Never Leave You (Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh)" | Music videos BET.com. Black Entertainment Television, LLC. Retrieved November 17, 2010 and it features American actor J.D. Williams as Lumidee's love interest.Through The Wire mohaganygirl.com. Retrieved November 17, 2010.

Track listings

US maxi-CD single "Never Leave You (Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh)" – 3:04 "Never Leave You" (DJ Kazzanova reggaeton mix) – 3:12 "Never Leave You (Aqui me quedo)" (Spanish mix) – 3:04 "Never Leave You" (DJ Skribble & Anthony Acid mix) – 3:42

US 12-inch single A1. "Never Leave You (Uh Ooh, Uh Oooh!)" (main) – 3:04 B1. "Never Leave You (Uh Ooh, Uh Oooh!)" (instrumental) – 3:02 B2. "Never Leave You (Uh Ooh, Uh Oooh!)" (acappella) – 2:28

UK CD single "Never Leave You (Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh)" – 3:04 "Never Leave You (Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh)" (Uh Oooh remix featuring Busta Rhymes and Fabolous) – 3:32 "Never Leave You (Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh)" (instrumental) – 3:02 "Never Leave You (Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh)" (video) – 4:00

UK 12-inch single A1. "Never Leave You (Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh)" – 3:04 A2. "Never Leave You (Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh)" (acappella) – 2:28 B1. "Never Leave You (Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh)" (Uh Oooh remix featuring Busta Rhymes and Fabolous) – 3:32 B2. "Never Leave You (Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh)" (instrumental) – 3:02

European CD single "Never Leave You (Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh)" (original mix) – 3:04 "Never Leave You (Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh)" (Uh Oooh remix featuring Busta Rhymes and Fabolous) – 3:32

Australian CD single "Never Leave You (Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh)" (original mix) – 3:04 "Never Leave You (Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh)" (Uh Oooh remix featuring Busta Rhymes and Fabolous) – 3:32 "Never Leave You (Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh)" (DJ Skribble & Anthony Acid remix—radio cut) – 3:47 "Never Leave You (Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh)" (video)

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

Weekly charts Chart (2003)PeakpositionCanada (Nielsen SoundScan)23Canada CHR (Nielsen BDS)4Croatia (HRT)4Czech Republic (IFPI)5Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)1Romania (Romanian Top 100)2

Year-end charts Chart (2003)PositionAustria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)30Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)8Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)60Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)9Germany (Media Control GfK)9Italy (FIMI)19Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)28Netherlands (Single Top 100)20Romania (Romanian Top 100)53Sweden (Hitlistan)80Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)7UK Singles (OCC)44UK Urban (Music Week)31US Billboard Hot 10041US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks (Billboard)47US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)71US Rhythmic Top 40 (Billboard)22

Decade-end charts Chart (2000–2009)PositionGermany (Media Control GfK)80

Certifications

Release history RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s) United States May 12, 2003 Rhythmic contemporary radio Universal June 16, 2003 Contemporary hit radio United Kingdom July 28, 2003 Germany August 4, 2003 CD single Never Leave You (Uh Ooh Uh Ooh): Lumidee: Amazon.de: Musik Amazon.com, Inc. Retrieved January 22, 2011 United States August 5, 2003 Amazon.com: Never Leave You (Uh Ooh Uh Ooh): Lumidee: Music Amazon.com, Inc. Retrieved January 22, 2011 Australia August 25, 2003 France September 15, 2003 Never Leave You (Uh Ooh Uh Ooh): Lumidee: Amazon.fr: Musique Amazon.com, Inc. Retrieved January 22, 2011 United States October 21, 2003 Digital download "Never Leave You (Maxi Single) by Lumidee". itunes.apple.com. Apple, Inc. Retrieved January 22, 2003

See also Hot 100 number-one hits of 2003 (Europe) Ultratop 50 number-one hits of 2003 Dutch Top 40 number-one hits of 2003 Number-one hits of 2003 (Germany) FIMI number-one hits of 2003 List of Swiss number-one hits of 2003

References