"Hey Lover" is a song by American

rapper Rapping (also rhyming, spitting, emceeing or MCing) is a musical form of vocal delivery that incorporates "rhyme, rhythmic speech, and street vernacular". It is performed or chanted, usually over a backing beat or musical accompaniment. The ...

LL Cool J, released as the first single from his sixth album, '' Mr. Smith'' (1995). The song features vocals from American R&B group Boyz II Men. It was released on October 31, 1995, for

Def Jam Recordings Def Jam Recordings (also simply known as Def Jam) is an American multinational record label owned by Universal Music Group. It is based in Manhattan, New York City, specializing predominantly in hip hop, contemporary R&B, soul and pop. The l ...

and was produced by The Trackmasters and LL Cool J. The song samples

Michael Jackson Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009) was an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and philanthropist. Dubbed the "King of Pop", he is regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century. Over a ...

's "The Lady in My Life" from his 1982 hit album '' Thriller''; thus

Rod Temperton Rodney Lynn Temperton (9 October 1949 – 25 September 2016) was an English songwriter, producer and musician. Temperton was the keyboardist and main songwriter for the 1970s pop music, disco and funk band Heatwave, writing songs including " ...

, the writer of that song, was given credit as a writer of this song. On the B-side is the "

I Shot Ya "I Shot Ya" is a song by American rapper LL Cool J featuring Keith Murray, from his sixth album ''Mr. Smith''. The remix version, which featured Prodigy of Mobb Deep, Fat Joe, and Foxy Brown, of the song was released as a B-side to " Hey Lover" ...

" remix. "Hey Lover" would prove to be the most successful single from the album, making it to number three on both the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100 and

Hot R&B Singles The Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart ranks the most popular R&B and hip hop songs in the United States and is published weekly by '' Billboard''. Rankings are based on a measure of radio airplay, sales data, and streaming activity. The chart had 100 ...

charts. It sold 900,000 copies in 1995 and was

certified platinum Music recording certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped, sold, or streamed a certain number of units. The threshold quantity varies by type (such as album, single, music video) and by nation or territory (see ...

by the Recording Industry Association of America in January 1996 for selling one million copies. It also reached number 17 on the

UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart (currently titled Official Singles Chart, with the upper section more commonly known as the Official UK Top 40) is compiled by the Official Charts Company (OCC), on behalf of the British record industry, listing the top-s ...

, number six in Sweden, and number five in New Zealand. At the 1997 Grammy Awards, the song won a

Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance The Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance was awarded from 1991 to 2011, alongside the Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group. Previously, a single award was presented for Best Rap Performance. In 2003, this award was split into separate a ...

, becoming his second Grammy in that category after 1992's "

Mama Said Knock You Out ''Mama Said Knock You Out'' is the fourth studio album by American rapper LL Cool J. It was produced mostly by Marley Marl and recorded at his "House of Hits" home studio in Chestnut Ridge and at Chung King House of Metal in New York City. Afte ...

". The music video was directed by

Hype Williams Harold Williams (born August 1, 1970) is an American music video director, film director, film producer, and screenwriter. Early life Williams was born in Queens, New York. He is of mixed African-American and Honduran descent. He attended Adel ...

and featured television and film actress Gillian Iliana Waters as LL Cool J's love interest.

Critical reception

Gil L. Robertson IV from '' Cash Box'' wrote, "What can I say? It’s a definite number one single. After a short hiatus from the music industry to embark upon a promising film and television career, LL is back with an R&B based track which teams him with super-quartet Boyz II Men. Can you remember what '

I Need Love "I Need Love" is the second single from LL Cool J's second album, '' Bigger and Deffer''. The single reached number 1 on the Hot Black Singles and number 14 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 while becoming one of the first rap songs to enjoy main ...

', did for the rap culture as a whole? Prior to that single’s success a slow jam rap single was unheard of, yet LL pulled it off with a smooth style that was undeniable. This track brings to mind long days of hanging out at the malls, chasing girls. Thanks, LL, for the smooth reminiscence."

Track listings

All versions of "Hey Lover" feature Boyz II Men, and all versions of "

" feature

Prodigy Prodigy, Prodigies or The Prodigy may refer to: * Child prodigy, a child who produces meaningful output to the level of an adult expert performer ** Chess prodigy, a child who can beat experienced adult players at chess Arts, entertainment, and ...

Keith Murray Keith Omar Murray (born May 29, 1974) is an American rapper from New York. Murray grew up on Carleton Ave, in Central Islip, which is located on the South Shore of Long Island in Suffolk County. Murray was a known member of a local rap collec ...

, Fat Joe, and Foxy Brown. * US and Australian cassette single # "Hey Lover" (radio edit) # "Hey Lover" (instrumental) * US 12-inch single :A1. "Hey Lover" (radio edit) :A2. "Hey Lover" (instrumental) :B1. "Hey Lover" (LP version) :B2. "Hey Lover" (a cappella) * French CD single # "Hey Lover" (radio edit) # "I Shot Ya" (remix) * UK and European CD single # "Hey Lover" (radio edit) # "Hey Lover" (instrumental) # "I Shot Ya" (remix) # "I Shot Ya" (LP version) * Australasian CD single # "Hey Lover" (radio edit) # "Hey Lover" (instrumental) # "I Shot Ya" (remix) # "Hey Lover" (LP version)

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications

Release history

References

{{Authority control 1990s ballads 1995 singles 1995 songs Boyz II Men songs Contemporary R&B ballads Def Jam Recordings singles Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance Island Records singles LL Cool J songs Music videos directed by Hype Williams Song recordings produced by Trackmasters Songs about loneliness Songs written by LL Cool J Songs written by Rod Temperton