Wifey
by Next

Album: Welcome II Nextasy (2000)
Charted: 19 7
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Next had a #1 hit in 1998 with "Too Close," where the lady gets them conspicuously aroused on the dance floor. In "Wifey," they've put a ring on it (her finger, of course). The song explains all the reasons they made her their wifey - she's a trusted companion but also knows how to flip it street freak.
  • "Wifey" was written by group member RL Huggar along with Eddie Berkeley, KayGee and Gabriel Jackson. Berkeley's credits include "Made To Love Ya" by Gerald Levert and Fabulous by Jaheim. KayGee, a member of Naughty By Nature, produced the song with Berkeley. Next were signed to KayGee's label Divine Mill, an imprint of Arista.
  • The song is built on a sample from "You Know I Love You" by George Franklin Smallwood And Marshmellow Band, released in 1980.
  • Like "Too Close," "Wifey" was a #1 R&B hit. It also rose to #7 on the Hot 100, but it was their last hit. Next released another album in 2002, but that was their last (the didn't perform together from time to time). RL Huggar launched a solo career (as RL) and wrote songs for other artists, including Keith Sweat and Ginuwine.
  • "Wifey" is used in the 2007 movie This Christmas, starring Regina King.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Chris Tomlin

Chris TomlinSongwriter Interviews

The king of Christian worship music explains talks about writing songs for troubled times.

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.

Phone Booth Songs

Phone Booth SongsSong Writing

Phone booths are nearly extinct, but they provided storylines for some of the most profound songs of the pre-cell phone era.

Ramones

RamonesFact or Fiction

A band so baffling, even their names were contrived. Check your score in the Ramones version of Fact or Fiction.

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s Edition

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s EditionMusic Quiz

You know the scenes - Tom Cruise in his own pants-off dance off, Molly Ringwald celebrating her birthday - but do you remember what song is playing?

Bryan Adams

Bryan AdamsSongwriter Interviews

What's the deal with "Summer of '69"? Bryan explains what the song is really about, and shares more of his songwriting insights.