Not My Neighbour Explained

"Not My Neighbour" is a song by New Zealand musician Niko Walters, released as a single in August 2020. The song was a success in New Zealand, reaching number four and becoming the 17th most successful song in New Zealand in 2021. In 2021, a new version was recorded featuring American R&B singer Kiana Ledé.

Background and writing

During the writing sessions for Walters' debut album Escape, he wanted to create an experimental song, different from his typical soul-inspired songs.^[1] Walters was inspired by the written works of Leonard Cohen and films by Quentin Tarantino to create a song that told a story using detailed visual imagery, as a way to "put a different spin on a classic love song".^{[2] [3]} Walters worked with producer and musician Rory Noble and singer-songwriter Mikey Dam to produce the song.^{[4] [5]}

Composition

"Not My Neighbour" is a contemporary R&B song,^[6] that describes a love story using the metaphor of a police hunt.^[7]

Release

"Not My Neighbour" was released as the second single from Escape on 21 August 2020.^{[4] [8]} After the success of the song, American R&B singer Kiana Ledé collaborated with Walters to produce a new version of the song. Walters felt that "Not My Neighbour" was "an unusual song that doesn't really fit the style of everyone's vocal and feel", but Ledé's style was a good fit after she called him and discussed her ideas for the new version of the song.^[9] The new version was released on 16 April 2021.^[10]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.^[11]

• Chris Chetland – mastering engineer
• Mikey Dam – writer
• Ryan Hobbs – writer
• Rory Noble – producer, mixer, writer
• Niko Walters – writer

Charts

Year-end charts

Notes and References

1. Web site: Niko Walters: Escape To The Neighbours. Richard . Thorne . 2020 . NZ Musician . 23 September 2023.
2. Web site: Exclusive: Niko Walters on how music is in his blood and his album. Jiwoo . Lee . 12 April 2021 . Remix Magazine . 23 September 2023.
3. Web site: Niko Walters Dishes Up A Little Bit Of Funk With His Single 'Not My Neighbour'. 12 November 2020. . 23 September 2023.
4. Web site: NIKO WALTERS - Not My Neighbour. 1 September 2020. . 23 September 2023.
5. Web site: Emerging singer-songwriter from Taranaki takes number one spot. 5 February 2021. Te Ao Māori News . Jessica . Tyson. 23 September 2023.
6. Web site: Niko Walters taps Kiana Ledé for a lush new rework of “Not My Neighbour”. Steven . Ward . 20 April 2021 . Grimy Goods . 23 September 2023.
7. Web site: For Niko Walters, the pressure doesn’t change the passion. Max . Tetlow . 8 December 2020 . . 23 September 2023.
8. Web site: Not My Neighbour - Single . iTunes. 23 September 2023.
9. Web site: Niko Walters Announces "Not My Neighbour" Remix With R&B Star Kiana Ledé! . 15 April 2021 . New Zealand Music Commission . 23 September 2023.
10. Web site: Not My Neighbour (feat. Kiana Ledé) - Single . iTunes. 23 September 2023.
11. Web site: Credits / Not My Neighbour. Tidal. 23 September 2023.
12. Web site: END OF YEAR CHARTS 2021. NZ Music Charts. RMNZ. 27 January 2022.