Solo (Iyaz song)

"Solo" is a song performed by British Virgin Islands recording artist Iyaz. It is the second single released from his album titled "Replay", released on 8 June 2010. The single "Solo" was produced by J. R. Rotem and written by August Rigo. It was released for digital download on 9 February 2010,[1] became available for mainstream radio on 8 February 2010,[2] and was released in the UK on 23 May 2010.[3] The song samples Janet Jackson's 1993 single "Again", and because of it the co-writers of "Again" (Janet Jackson, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis) share writing credit.[4]

"Solo"
Single by Iyaz
from the album Replay
Released
  • 8 February 2010 (2010-02-08) (U.S.)
  • 24 May 2010 (2010-05-24) (UK)
Recorded2009
Genre
Length
  • 3:14 (album version)
  • 3:37 (single version)
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)J. R. Rotem
Iyaz singles chronology
"Replay"
(2009)		 "Solo"
(2010)		 "Pyramid"
(2010)
Audio sample
  • file
  • help
Music video
"Solo" on YouTube

Critical reception

Leah Greenblatt of Entertainment Weekly gave a review noting that the song contains samples of Janet Jackson's song "Again".[4]

Robert Copsey of Digital Spy gave the song a positive review stating:

Following up his No.1 debut 'Replay', newcomer Keidran 'Iyaz' Jones launches a second assault on the charts with 'Solo'. However, this time his problems go deeper than a dodgy iPod – the Caribbean crooner's been ditched by his missus for reasons completely unknown to him. This, we presume, is almost as annoying as trying to work out where the niggling sample on the chorus comes from.

Of course, we didn't use Google to discover that it's actually the melody from Janet Jackson's 'Again' to which Iyaz laments: "I don't want to walk this earth if I gotta do it solo." J R Rotem is once again on production duties, and his trademark triple siren effect is sure to keep you awake on what is otherwise a thoroughly inoffensive – if perfectly pleasant – slice of summer reggae-pop. The hook may not be as infectious as 'Replay', but at the end of the day, who are we to turn down a bit of Janet?.[5]

Music video

The music video was released to MySpace on 7 April 2010,[6] and has over 30 million views on YouTube.[7][8]

The official music video for "Solo" was shot in Tortola, British Virgin Islands (Iyaz's hometown). Directed by Kai Crawford, it shows him walking around the neighborhoods of Tortola longing to find his lover. He is seen performing the song on cliffs overlooking the ocean, in a town, and on a beach, all looking very lonely and depressed. Black-and-white scenes also feature him and his girl recording the song in a studio. Every time he sees her, she disappears from his memory. Other scenes feature the pair as kids playing basketball together (a spot he eventually reaches and throws the ball alone in disbelief, missing his shot). He eventually finds her on a rock at a beach, and she accepts him back. It ends with the pair walking down the beach together again.

Formats and track listings
Australian digital download
  1. "Solo" – 3:14
UK digital EP [9]
  1. "Solo" (Album Version) – 3:14
  2. "Solo" (Instrumental Version) – 3:14
  3. "Solo" (A Cappella Version) – 3:14
  4. "Solo" (Cahill Radio Mix) – 3:34
  5. "Solo" (Dave Audé Radio Mix) – 3:59

Other versions
  • "Solo" (Single version) – 3:25
  • "Solo" (Cahill Mixshow) – 5:08
  • "Solo" (Dave Aude Club Mix) – 9:05

Chart performance

On 18 February 2010, "Solo" debuted at #43 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart. After its debut it fell to #72, but rebounded to #32. This is Iyaz's second Top 40 hit, following the success of previous single "Replay". On 30 May 2010, "Solo" entered both the UK Singles Chart and the UK R&B Chart at number 3, marking Iyaz's second consecutive top three single on both charts. In it second week on the chart, "Solo" fell to number 10, marking its second week within the Top 10. On 13 June 2010, the single fell 10 places to number 20. The single also debuted on the Irish Singles Chart on 28 May 2010 at number 26, before falling to number 38 on its second week in the chart. On 11 June 2010, the single climbed 6 places to number 32.

Charts and certifications

References
  1. "Iyaz - Solo [Official Lyric Video". YouTube. 26 January 2010. Archived from the original on 28 May 2010. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
  2. "Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Arbitron Ratings, Music News and more!". FMQB. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
  3. "Music Singles Review - Page 1". Digital Spy. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
  4. Leah Greenblatt. "Iyaz' 'Solo': total Janet Jackson rip-off, or loving tribute?". Entertainment Weekly.
  5. Robert Copsey (19 May 2010). "Iyaz: 'Solo'". Digital Spy. Digital Spy.
  7. Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: Solo [Official Music Video] - Iyaz. YouTube.
  8. "BVIDailyNews.com". BVIPlatinum.com. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
  10. "Iyaz – Solo". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  11. "Iyaz – Solo" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  12. "Iyaz – Solo" (in Dutch). Ultratip.
  13. "Iyaz Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard.
  14. "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – RADIO – TOP 100 and insert 201029 into search.
  15. "Iyaz – Solo" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
  16. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Iyaz". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
  17. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 23, 2010" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  18. "Iyaz – Solo". Top 40 Singles.
  19. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  20. "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company.
  21. "Iyaz Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  22. "Iyaz Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard.
  23. "British single certifications – Iyaz – Solo". British Phonographic Industry.
  24. "American single certifications – Iyaz – Solo". Recording Industry Association of America.
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