| "Baby Boy" | ||
|---|---|---|
| Datei:Baby Boy.jpg | ||
| Single by Beyonce featuring Sean Paul | ||
| From the album Dangerously in Love | ||
| Released | 2003 | |
| Format | 12" single | |
| Genre | Pop/R&B | |
| Length | 4:04 | |
| Label | Columbia | |
| Writers | Beyonce Scott Storch Robert Waller Sean Paul Jay-Z | |
| Producers | Beyonce Scott Storch | |
| Director | Jake Nava | |
| Certification | Uncertified | |
| Chart positions | #1 (USA) | |
| Beyonce Single Chronology | ||
| "Crazy in Love" 2003 |
"Baby Boy" 2003 |
"Me, Myself, and I" 2004 |
Song information
The single was co-written by Beyonce, Scott Storch, Robert Waller, Sean Paul, and Jay-Z, and produced by Beyonce and Scott Storch. The song is a duet with reggae artist, Seal Paul, and Beyonce's boyfriend Jay-Z (who had dueted with her on her previous single, "Crazy in Love") is even given co-writing credit for lyrical contributions. In this Middle Eastern/reggae hybrid, Beyonce becomes enraptured by the thought of a man who haunts her, yet turns her on, as she cries "Baby Boy, you stay on my mind,fulfill my fantasies...".
Chart success
Fresh on the heels of "Crazy In Love", her first single, "Baby Boy" quickly shot up the charts, and the song was in the top ten while "Crazy In Love" was still number one on the Hot 100. "Baby Boy" and "Crazy in Love" were only at number one for four weeks. As evidented by the charts, the song was a major hit, and topped both the Hot 100 and the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks for several weeks. The song was also strong on all major radio formats, also hitting number one on the Hot 100 Airplay, Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay, Top 40 Tracks, Top 40 Mainstream, and the Rhythmic Top 40 .
Due to the song's high level of airplay, it broke the record for the highest number of impressions in a week (as measured by BDS). Unfortunately for Beyonce, her record was short-lived as Mario's "Let Me Love You" overtook her audience impressions. Beyonce still held the record for the highest amount of audience impressions in a week for a female artist, until Mariah Carey's "We Belong Together" broke both her and Mario's records.
Music video
Following the critical acclaim she had received for enlisting relative newcomer Jaka Nava to direct her first single, "Crazy In Love", Beyonce decided to repeat her success, and enlisted Nava to direct her second video. The video does not have a central plot, but is better known for its visual interpretation of Beyonce's wild dreams and fantasies of her "Baby Boy". Beyonce can be seen dancing seductively in dark exotic sets with wild flashing lights as Sean Paul sits on a throne and dictates his wishes to her. The video is most noted for its middle sequence, in which Beyonce breaks into an impromptu belly dance.
U.S.-chart performance
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | "Baby Boy" | Billboard Hot 100 | #1 (9 weeks) |
| 2003 | "Baby Boy" | Billboard Hot 100 Singles Sales | ? |
| 2003 | "Baby Boy" | Billboard Hot 100 Airplay | #1 |
| 2003 | "Baby Boy" | R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks | #1 |
| 2003 | "Baby Boy" | R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Sales | #30 |
| 2003 | "Baby Boy" | R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay | #1 |
| 2003 | "Baby Boy" | Hot Dance Singles Sales | #14 |
| 2003 | "Baby Boy" | Hot Dance Music/Club Play | #2 |
| 2003 | "Baby Boy" | Dance Radio Airplay | #1 |
| 2003 | "Baby Boy" | Hot Digital Tracks | #4 |
| 2003 | "Baby Boy" | Top 40 Tracks | #1 |
| 2003 | "Baby Boy" | Top 40 Mainstream | #1 |
| 2003 | "Baby Boy" | Rhythmic Top 40 | #1 |
Official remixes/versions
- "Baby Boy" (album version)
- "Baby Boy" (instrumental)
- "Baby Boy" (Junior's World Mixshow)
- "Baby Boy" (Junior Vazquez club-anthem remix)
- "Baby Boy" (Junior's Padapella)
- "Baby Boy" (Maurice Joshua full remix)