"Baby Boy" is a Middle Eastern and Arabic–influenced R&B–dancehall song recorded by American artist Beyoncé Knowles featuring vocals from Jamaican singer Sean Paul. It was written by Beyoncé, Scott Storch, Sean Paul, Robert Waller, and Jay-Z for Beyoncé's debut solo album, Dangerously in Love (2003). The track was produced by Knowles and Storch, and was released as the album's second single in the third quarter of 2003. The lyrics speak of fantasies and its accompanying music video features sexy footages.
"Baby Boy" was commercially successful, charting the top spot on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 for several weeks. The song surpassed the feat of its predecessor, "Crazy in Love", becoming Beyoncé's longest running solo number-one single, until the record was beaten by her B'Day single "Irreplaceable" (2006). Internationally, it charted equally well, entering the top ten in most markets. The single was certified platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association and the Recording Industry Association of America.
The song received positive reception by pop critics and the music industry. The British record company EMI was recognized at the 2005 ASCAP awards as Publisher of the Year for publishing "Baby Boy", along with other tracks by contemporary artist. The song always appeared in public performances by Beyoncé and was later honored as the Most Performed Songs in 2005.
Context
Early in 2003, Beyoncé collaborated with Jamaican reggae and dancehall singer Sean Paul. Beyoncé told him that she's been listening to a lot of his music.[1] She also said, "I knew Sean had to be on my album because I love his approach."[2] Sean revealed: "I've been a fan of her work for a long time." The two, along with Scott Storch, Robert Waller and Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter, who appeared on Beyoncé's 2003 single "Crazy in Love", worked in a Miami studio, a few weeks left on the recording sessions of her debut solo album Dangerously in Love.[1]
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"Baby Boy" is a sequel to "'03 Bonnie & Clyde", a duet with rapper Jay-Z.[1] Sean stated that: "She's telling me about her fantasies and picturing me and her going here and there, all over the world... I'm answering back, like, 'I'm wit it.'"[1] The track was produced by Storch, the man behind several of Christina Aguilera's singles.[1]
In 2005, Minneapolis singer-songwriter Jennifer Armour filed a copyright-infringement suit against Beyoncé after recognizing parts of the song when she performed it publicly.[3] Beyoncé allegedly used the lyrics and musical hook of Armour's "Got a Little Bit of Love for You".[4] The song came to Beyoncé's camp when Armour's former label manager, Marc McKinney, submitted demo recordings to record labels including Beyoncé's Columbia Records and Sean's Atlantic Records[5] in late February to early March.[6] An expert found Armour's slow and melodic song to Beyoncé's hip hop-oriented version having "substantial similarity".[3] The judge, however, who ruled in the case, heard it "dissimilar".[3] The long-running lawsuit was dismissed in 2006 in a federal court in Houston after Beyoncé's lawyers divulged the writing and recording of the song was "substantially completed" early in February.[6]
Composition and theme
"Baby Boy" is a moderate groove[7] that runs for four minutes and four seconds. It is composed in the key of E♭ major and is set in 92 beats per minute, in common time.[8] The chord progression follows the main chord C5–A♭/C.[8] "Baby Boy" is a hybrid of Middle Eastern music, reggae and R&B,[6] and also takes influences from dancehall and Arabic music. The song is about "fantasy", for what she called her album as "personal".[2]
"Baby Boy" is constructed in a rap-chorus-verse form. The song starts in a rap by Sean. In bar 9, Beyoncé sings the chorus before the verse. The pattern repeats until she mouths the bridge. It is followed by another rap and chorus and finalizes in a coda by Beyoncé.
Reception
"Baby Boy" was well recieved by contemporary critics. On the July 24, 2003 issue of Rolling Stone mgazine, Anthony DeCurtis was impressed with the track who found that "Beyoncé sounds like she's having fun on them."[9] John Reed of Music Critic noted that "Baby Boy" "come off as very beguiling with its Caribbean drenched vibes."[10] Stephen Thomas Erlewine of All Music Guide stated that Beyoncé "sound assured and sexy" on the song.[11]
Mark Anthony Neal of Popmatters complimented the song as one of the "high-profile collaborations" in Dangerously in Love.[12] Yancey Strickler of Flak Magazine wrote that "'Baby Boy's diwali stutter is enhanced by Sean Paul's dancehall monotone".[13] Entertainment Weekly's Neil Drumming quoted that "'Baby Boy' goes full-tilt Bollywood 'n da hood, with Sean Paul ripping a pulsing tabla raga. Here... you kinda wish she'd launch into her old acrobatic scat tactics to challenge Sean Paul's rude-boy chat."[14] Laurence Station of ShakingThrough.net noted that "'Baby Boy' sports the distinctive reggae rapping of Sean Paul -- a perfect example of Knowles trusting her collaborators, not worrying about her vocal contribution vanishing beneath the final mix."[15] Lisa Verrico of Times Online called the song a "Latino-tinged collaboration...set to clicky beats that sound like castanets." She further concluded: "Paul does a reggae rap in the middle, but it’s when he chats while Beyoncé half raps that the pair have real chemistry."[16]
About.com placed "Baby Boy" at number 42 on their Top 100 Pop Songs in 2003.[17] The British record company EMI was honored by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers during the 2005 Pop Music Awards as the Publisher of the Year for publishing "Baby Boy".[18] Scott Storch was also recognized as the Song Writer of the Year for co-writing the song.[18]
Live performances
Beyoncé performed "Baby Boy" on August 28 during the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards, backgrounded with her Rocket-esque back-up female dancers.[19] She sung the track in a medley: "Baby Boy" with pre-recorded vocals from Sean Paul and "Crazy in Love" together with Jay-Z.[20] She later performed "Baby Boy" in the 2003 MTV Europe Music Awards held on November 6 together with Sean, where she won two awards for "Crazy in Love".[21] Her appearance was panned by Popmatters' Jessica Hodges as a "letdown" compared to her applauded MTV VMA performance.[22]
"Baby Boy" has been included in the set list in most concert tours Beyoncé had. The song was set as the opening of her Dangerously in Love World Tour that runs late in 2003 to early 2004. She appeared suspended in the ceiling of the arena being lowered to the red lounger[23]—a production she employed in the 2003 MTV VMA. She sung the song while dancing, backed with back-up dancers. The footage taken in the Wembley Arena was later included in the Live at Wembley concert DVD, released in April 27, 2004. In the Destiny's Child farewell tour Destiny Fulfilled ... And Lovin' It, she performed the song midway through the setlist and later appeared on Destiny's Child: Live in Atlanta. During the 2007 Beyoncé Experience world concert tour, Beyoncé again performed "Baby Boy" that was incorporated by the reggae classic "Murder She Wrote". She descended in the stairs wearing a belly-dancer-type and holding an umbrella, and sung, changing the original lyrics to "Murder He Wrote".[24] The footage appeared in the 2007 The Beyoncé Experience Live! DVD.
In the 2005 ASCAP Pop Music Awards, "Baby Boy" garnered the title as the "Most Performed Songs" of the year, along with "Me, Myself and I" and "Naughty Girl".[25]
Chart performance
Fresh off the heels of "Crazy in Love", the first single from Dangerously in Love, "Baby Boy" entered Billboard Hot 100, the U.S. official singles chart. The single debuted on Hot 100 on August 21, 2003 at number fifty-seven, while "Crazy in Love" was still at its sixth week run in the top spot.[26] It climbed to number twelve on September 4, the week before "Crazy in Love" was replaced in the top spot, and was certified as the week's Greatest Gainer.[27] "Baby Boy" reached number one on October 9, ten gaps from "Crazy in Love".[28] The song topped both the Billboard Hot 100 for nine weeks—one week longer than "Crazy in Love" had spent at the summit—and the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs for five weeks. "Baby Boy" eventually became Beyoncé's highest-charting single to date. However, "Baby Boy"'s feat was surpassed after Beyoncé's 2006 single "Irreplaceable" spent ten weeks at number one.[29] The single stayed on the Hot 100 for a total of twenty-nine weeks,[30] two more weeks than "Crazy in Love" spent.[31] "Baby Boy" was certified platinum on June 6, 2006 by the Recording Industry Association of America.[32]
"Baby Boy" appeared on most component charts of Billboard. It charted on radio airplay formats, hitting number one on the Dance Radio Airplay,[33] Top 40 Tracks, Rhythmic Top 40, Top 40 Mainstream and number forty-one on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play.[34] The J. Vasquez & M. Joshua Mixes version of the track reached number two in the Hot Dance Music/Club Play. The other two remixes charted at number twenty and thirty-two on the same component chart, respectively.[33] The single appeared on the Canadian Singles Chart at number two and on the Hot Dance Singles Sales at number fourteen.[34]
Internationally, "Baby Boy" performed just as well, peaking at number two in the United Kingdom and New Zealand; and number three in Australia and the United World Chart. In Canada, "Baby Boy" peaked at number three, and to date is her most successful single there tied with "Crazy in Love" and "Naughty Girl" which also reached number two there. In Germany and France, "Baby Boy" peaked higher than "Crazy in Love", reaching number four and number eight, respectively. It was certified platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association.[35]
Music video
The music video for "Baby Boy" was directed by Jake Nava, who was behind Beyoncé's "Crazy in Love" video, and was shoot in Miami, Florida, on August 7-8, 2003. They worked in a house with different rooms: a Japanese and an old English style.[36] The video features sexy footages. Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine called it a "baby-oil-logged follow-up" to "Crazy in Love"'s "bootylicous video".[37]
The video starts with Sean Paul sitting on a royal chair rendering his rap, and Beyoncé standing up against the wall dancing, both in a gloomy house. Beyoncé lies in a bed, tossing and turning sensually. Sean, on the other hand, is with lots of women lying on the floor caressing each other. Beyoncé walks towards the beach. She then spots a guy, and do touching and flirting each other. Beyoncé introduces then into a party wearing a yellow dress, dancing with a guy; and water comes on the floor as she sings "The dance floor becomes the sea." Beyoncé and her back-up dance on the beach side. While a girl sits on Sean's lap, Beyoncé is wearing a white swimsuit under a tree. The original record was interpolated with an Arabic instrumental featuring Beyoncé vigorously dancing in the sand.
"Baby Boy" debuted on MTV's Total Request Live on August 25, 2003 at number ten, and subsequently spent on the video program for forty-one weeks, the same chart run "Me, Myself & I" earned.[38] The video was posted on MTV Overdrive on September 22, 2003.
Formats and track listings
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- CD single (674260.2)
- "Baby Boy" – 4:04
- "Baby Boy" (Junior Vasquez Club Anthem Remix) – 8:50
- "Krazy In Luv" (Adam 12 So Crazy Remix) – 4:30
- CD-Maxi (674 287 2)
- "Baby Boy" (Album Version) – 4:04
- "Baby Boy" (Maurice's Nu Soul Mix) – 6:14
- "Baby Boy" (Junior's Papadella) – 3:58
- "Krazy In Luv" (Adam 12 So Crazy Remix) – 4:30
- 12" Maxi (674 287 6 000)
- "Baby Boy" (Album Version) – 4:04
- "Baby Boy" (Junior Vasquez Club Anthem Remix) – 8:50
- "Baby Boy" (Maurice's Nu Soul Mix) – 6:14
- "Baby Boy" (Maurice's Nu Dub Baby!) – 6:30
Charts
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| Chart (2003/2004)[34][29][39] | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Argentina Top 40[40] | 29 |
| Australian ARIA Singles Chart | 3 |
| Austrian Singles Chart | 18 |
| Belgian Ultratop 50 | 11 |
| Danish Singles Chart | 6 |
| Dutch Top 40 | 8 |
| Euro Top 100 | 5 |
| French Singles Chart | 8 |
| German Singles Chart | 4 |
| Greece Top 20 | 11 |
| Chart (2003/2004)[34][29][39] | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Irish Singles Chart | 6 |
| Italian Singles Chart | 12 |
| New Zealand RIANZ Singles Chart | 2 |
| Norwegian Singles Chart | 10 |
| Spain Top 20 | 8 |
| Swedish Singles Chart | 5 |
| Swiss Singles Chart | 5 |
| UK Singles Chart | 2 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 1 |
| United World Chart | 3 |
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References
External links
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- ↑ a b c d e Gil Kaufman: Jigga Who? Beyonce Shares Fantasies With Sean Paul On 'Bonnie & Clyde' Sequel In: MTV News, MTV Networks, (March 17, 2003). Abgerufen am 21. Januar 2008
- ↑ a b Thread editors: Beyoncé's debut Album, Dangerously In Love,. In: Thread magazine. Thread Ltd, abgerufen am 21. Januar 2008.
- ↑ a b c Associated Press: Suit Over Beyonce's 'Baby Boy' Lyrics Goes to Appeals Court In: FOX News, FOX News Network, LLC., (October 04, 2007). Abgerufen am 21. Januar 2008
- ↑ MTV News staff: For The Record: Quick News On Beyoncé, Britney Spears, Hilary Duff, Snoop, White Stripes, Simon Cowell & More In: MTV News, MTV Networks, (July 13, 2005). Abgerufen am 21. Januar 2008
- ↑ MTV News staff: For The Record: Quick News On Britney Spears, Beyonce, Kristin Cavallari, Beck, T.I., Lil' Kim & More In: MTV News, MTV Networks, (October 03, 2006). Abgerufen am 21. Januar 2008
- ↑ a b c Beyonce cleared of copying song. Independent.ie, 3. Januar 2008, abgerufen am 21. Januar 2008.
- ↑ Beyoncé Digital Sheet Music: Baby Boy. In: Musicnotes. Musicnotes, Inc., abgerufen am 21. Januar 2008.
- ↑ a b Baby Boy, Sheet Music Plus. Abgerufen am 21. Januar 2008
- ↑ Anthony DeCurtis: Album Reviews: Dangerously In Love. Rolling Stone, 10. Juli 2003, abgerufen am 22. Januar 2008.
- ↑ John Reed: Beyonce: Dangerously In Love. In: Music-critic.com. 28. Juni 2003, abgerufen am 22. Januar 2008.
- ↑ Stephen Thomas Erlewine: Review: Dangerously in Love. In: All Music Guide. Macrovision Corporation, abgerufen am 22. Januar 2008.
- ↑ Mark Anthony Neal: Getting Grown. In: Popmatters. PopMatters Media, Inc., 11. Juli 2003, abgerufen am 21. Januar 2008.
- ↑ Yancey Strickler: Beyonce: Dangerously In Love. Flak Magazine, abgerufen am 22. Januar 2008.
- ↑ Neil Drumming: Music Review: Dangerously in Love (2003). In: Entertainment Weekly. Entertainment Weekly and Time Inc., 27. Juni 2003, abgerufen am 22. Januar 2008.
- ↑ Laurence Station: Beyoncé the Valley of the Dolls. ShakingThrough.net, 1. Juli 2003, abgerufen am 22. Januar 2008.
- ↑ Lisa Verrico: Beyonce: Dangerously in Love - Beyonce Knowles is growing up, but not too much. In: Times Online. Times Newspapers Ltd., 20. Juni 2003, abgerufen am 22. Januar 2008.
- ↑ Bill Lamb: Top 100 Pop Songs 2003. In: About.com. The New York Times Company, abgerufen am 22. Januar 2008.
- ↑ a b ASCAP Pop Music Awards 2005. ASCAP, 2005, abgerufen am 23. Januar 2008.
- ↑ Sal Cinquemani: The Kiss(es) Heard 'Round the World: 2003 MTV Music Video Awards. Slant Magazine, 2003, abgerufen am 21. Januar 2008.
- ↑ Jay-Z Prevented Sean Paul From Performing With Beyonce At VMAs In: Yahoo! Music, Yahoo!, (September 05, 2003). Abgerufen am 21. Januar 2008
- ↑ Jon Wiederhorn: It's Justin's Night As Christina, Kelly Osbourne Fight At MTV Europe Awards In: MTV News, MTV Networks, (November 06, 2007). Abgerufen am 22. Januar 2008
- ↑ Jessica Hodges: MTV EUROPE MUSIC AWARDS 2003. In: Popmatters. PopMatters Media, Inc., 17. November 2003, abgerufen am 21. Januar 2008.
- ↑ Melisa Tang: Beyonce concert review. TheSituation.co.uk, 10. November 2003, abgerufen am 22. Januar 2008.
- ↑ Reid Shaheem: Beyonce Puts On Flawless — And Fall-Less — NYC Show With Robin Thicke In: MTV News, MTV Networks, (August 06, 2007). Abgerufen am 22. Januar 2008
- ↑ Most Performed Songs. ASCAP, 2005, abgerufen am 23. Januar 2008.
- ↑ Billboard Hot 100. aCharts, abgerufen am 22. Januar 2008.
- ↑ Billboard Hot 100. aCharts, abgerufen am 22. Januar 2008.
- ↑ Billboard Hot 100. aCharts, abgerufen am 22. Januar 2008.
- ↑ a b c "Baby Boy" Global Chart Positions and Trajectories. aCharts, abgerufen am 23. Januar 2008.
- ↑ "Irreplaceable" Global Chart Positions and Trajectories. aCharts, abgerufen am 23. Januar 2008.
- ↑ "Crazy in Love" Global Chart Positions and Trajectories. aCharts, abgerufen am 23. Januar 2008.
- ↑ Gold and Platinum. RIAA, abgerufen am 23. Januar 2008.
- ↑ a b Beyoncé: Artist Chart History. In: Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc., abgerufen am 23. Januar 2008.
- ↑ a b c d Beyoncé Billboard Singles. In: All Music Guide. Macrovision Corporation, abgerufen am 22. Januar 2008.
- ↑ ARIA Charts - Accreditations - 2003 Singles. In: ARIA. Australian Recording Industry Association Ltd., abgerufen am 23. Januar 2008.
- ↑ Shaheem Reid: Sean Paul Appears In The Flesh In Beyonce's 'Baby Boy' Clip In: MTV News, MTV Networks, (August 20, 2003). Abgerufen am 21. Januar 2008
- ↑ Sal Cinquemani: 03 Year in Rewind. Slant Magazine, 2003, abgerufen am 22. Januar 2008.
- ↑ TRL debuts. Popfusion, abgerufen am 22. Januar 2008.
- ↑ a b Referenzfehler: Ungültiges
<ref>-Tag; kein Text angegeben für Einzelnachweis mit dem Namen Top40. - ↑ Top 40 Argentina Peak Positions. Top 40 Argentina, abgerufen am 23. Januar 2008.