What's the Matter

Album: Year Of The Gentleman (2008)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This caustic commentary on the relationship between fans and celebrities is a US iTunes Pre-Order; UK and Japan bonus track.
  • Ne-Yo told The Guardian newspaper July 18, 2008 that the couplet "We keep complaining, but we won't change/ So everything remains the same" was a nod to the 2008 Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama's "audacity of hope" platform. He explained: "That was a direct jab at people who complain about the shape of the world but didn't go to vote. I know a lot of cats who wanna blame the fact that they're not where they wanna be on everybody but themselves. You never wanna understand that you're the reason you're in jail, or you're the reason she left you - it's not that she's trippin'; and it's not 'the man' who was sellin' drugs and got caught."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Trans Soul Rebels: Songs About Transgenderism

Trans Soul Rebels: Songs About TransgenderismSong Writing

A history of songs dealing with transgender issues, featuring Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Morrissey and Green Day.

Melanie

MelanieSongwriter Interviews

The singer-songwriter Melanie talks about her spiritual awakening at Woodstock, "Brand New Key," and why songwriting is an art, not a craft.

90210 to Buffy to Glee: How Songs Transformed TV

90210 to Buffy to Glee: How Songs Transformed TVSong Writing

Shows like Dawson's Creek, Grey's Anatomy and Buffy the Vampire Slayer changed the way songs were heard on TV, and produced some hits in the process.

Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple Pilots

Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple PilotsSongwriter Interviews

Stone Temple Pilots bass player Robert DeLeo names the songs that have most connected with fans and tells the stories behind tracks from their Tiny Music album.

Matthew Wilder - "Break My Stride"

Matthew Wilder - "Break My Stride"They're Playing My Song

Wilder's hit "Break My Stride" had an unlikely inspiration: a famous record mogul who rejected it.

David Sancious

David SanciousSongwriter Interviews

Keyboard great David Sancious talks about his work with Sting, Seal, Springsteen, Clapton and Aretha, and explains what quantum physics has to do with making music.