Considering how overwhelming Beyonce’s lead singles usually are, her new single “If I Were a Boy,” which world premiered this morning on Elvis Duran’s show on Z100, is stunningly understated. (Hear it here.)
Even back to her days with Destiny’s Child, Beyonce has always picked the biggest, brassiest songs to trumpet the arrival of her albums – “Crazy in Love,” “Deja Vu,” “Lose My Breath,” “Independent Women,” “Bills, Bills, Bills.” At the very least, those songs were so distinctive they stuck out in their surroundings, either sonically, lyrically or in production. At their best, they changed the way radio sounded for months at a time.
That’s what makes “If I Were a Boy” so unusual. It’s, well, normal. It’s a midtempo, acoustic number, in the “Irreplaceable” vein, but much smaller-sounding, about how men and women approach relationships differently. “If I were a boy, I think I could understand/How it feels to be a girl, I swear I’d be a better man,” she sings.
It’s pretty and quiet and understated and a perfectly fine little song. Eventually, B stands up for herself, as she always does, but it’s done without the usual sass, without coining new catch phrases and without the usual dominant strutting that generally comes with her lead singles. “Boy” isn’t uniquely B, it could be sung by any number of today’s hitmakers on the pop, R&B or even country charts.
Up to now, Beyonce has kept her new album, still untitled, under wraps, not releasing info on producers or co-writers or guest stars, aside from, possibly, Justin Timberlake. She recently wrote on her website, “I have taken risks here. I am not afraid and my music will explain it all. There is no label or tag on my sound.”Perhaps the risks will show up on the other lead single, “Single Ladies,” which is scheduled to debut on Oct. 14. (UPDATE: Ryan Seacrest at KIIS (and soon to be of Z100 as well) debuted "Single Ladies" today. He has it here. It's upbeat and dancey, but not exactly risky.) Her album is set to drop on Nov. 18.
PHOTO: Columbia Records
Comments (4)
l love this hit. Its very different and I love that she is trying new things. She has a amazing sound to this song. The lyrics are wonderful and true. I love beyonce.
I think she is highly over-rated and if she is so talented then why does she feel the need to where the hooker style clothes and shake her azz in your face all the time? I would say she should get some class but it's too late she married Jay Z !
so this is the new single...i love love love love love it so much that i cant stop listening this soulful song...she said that it took risks with these new songs...no she did not i cant believe it, are so cool!!!!!!
LOVE YOU BE!!!!!!NO QUEEN BE!!!!!!
ii lOVE THiiS SONG iiT HElP ME UNdERSTANd THAT BOyyS CUMM ANd GO...i jUST HAVE TO NOT lET iiT GET THA bEST OF ME!
THANkS [B]...lOl