United Kingdom, Aug. 7 -- Ne-Yo's mum was left "crying like a baby" when he told her he'd written his chart-topping song Miss Independent about her.

The singer topped charts worldwide back in 2008 when he released the tune, which has earned him millions of dollars, and admitted during an appearance on the Zach Sang Show that he penned it about his mum, Lorraine Smith.

Asked about the rumours his mother had been the inspiration for the song, Ne-Yo confirmed she had been, and said she had an emotional reaction when he told her - and "cried like a baby".

He added: ""It was a beautiful moment".

Ne-Yo further explained of the meaning behind the song: "I grew up in a house full of women.

"These were not women that were waiting to be rescue...