In an interview, Dappy described the song as being "up-tempo, fast, party music" as well as being "Up-to-date and about Facebook and stuff.

Despite the lyric in the song referring to searching for someone you are in love with on Facebook, in an interview with Hollyoaks, Dappy said that that is not something he does: If I want to get in touch with someone, I'll just ring them, man.

David Balls of Digital Spy gave the song a positive review: "Unafraid to drop a line like "My name's Shaniqua and what?

Now, having shifted over 500,000 copies of debut disc Uncle B and reached No.1 alongside Tinchy Stryder, the Camden trio are aiming to become leaders of the Brrap pack with second album Against All Odds.

Reflecting their move up pop's pecking order, this trailer single is their biggest, most bombastic moment yet.

It's got hawkish sirens and loads of clubby synths - evidently inspired by Fraser T Smith's production on the Tinchy album - but N-Dubz haven't lost their usual quirky charm, dropping in oh-so-relevant references to Facebook and LBDs (that's "little black dress", fellas).

With an appeal that extends far beyond the back of the bus, 'I Need You' is – to borrow a word from the inimitable Dappy - probably best described as a "smasher".

"[1] Alt-Uk.net reviewed the track: "I Need You is an absolute fun-packed single from N-Dubz, and whilst listening to this one it really is difficult not to start singing along.

N-Dubz once again demonstrates here a great knack for penning a perfect pop song, and this group certainly seems to know what it's doing when it comes to making the music as infectious as possible.

"[5] Fraser McAlpine of the BBC Chart Blog also positively reviewed the song, mentioning: "It's this kind of bonkers happenstance which I love.

"[7] Inside Gossip labelled "I Need You" as a "club banger that has set the standards and told the world that they are here and that they are not one hit wonders.

[12] "I Need You" is N-Dubz's highest charting single as a solo artist outpeaking previous record holder, "Papa Can You Hear Me?

In an interview with RWD Mag, Tulisa explained how she felt about the single reaching #5 on the charts: Yeah, it was wicked but we might have gone to No.1 if it wasn't for [...] X Factor.

Tulisa sports a new hairstyle from previous music videos, with straight hair and a fringe which is tied up in this scene.

Dappy's scene takes place on a red sofa, Tulisa's in a secluded white room and Fazer's on the dancefloor.

[15] In an interview with Digital Spy, Dappy described the music video as being "Big and phat" and despite the director, Rage, being American, "It still feels very British".

[19] On 12 November, N-Dubz performed "I Need You" on BBC Radio 1 show, Live Lounge[20] which also saw the group cover "The Man Who Can't Be Moved", the signature song and hit single by Irish band The Script.

[21] On 29 November, "I Need You" was performed on T4's Stars of 2009 at Earl's Court in London, also at the event were Kasabian, La Roux, Calvin Harris and Tinchy Stryder.

[22] On 5 December, N-Dubz performed the track in a set-list which included the group's other singles: "Number 1," "Papa Can You Hear Me?," "Playing With Fire" and "Strong Again" as part of Clubland 3 promotion at the HMV Apollo alongside the likes of Cascada, Agnes and Mini Viva.

On 5 December, N-Dubz performed the single alongside the likes of Lady Gaga, JLS and The Saturdays at Capital FM's Jingle Bell Ball.