Below are some of MY favorite songs from the album.
If you were a teenager when the “Survivor” album was released 10 years ago, it was the soundtrack to your life. The ultimate self-esteem booster, “Survivor” made you feel like even though you had pimples all over your face, had gained weight, your crush didn’t like you back and that heifer at school wouldn’t leave you alone, everything was going to be okay because you were and an “independent, bootylicious, survivor” and you were going to put on a “happy face.” Promoting friendship, self-sufficiency and inner beauty, the album was everything a teenage girl needed to hear. The inspiration and motivation I gained from that record I cherish and still keep with me. Thanks for the memories, “Survivor.” What were your memories of the album? Share by hitting the “comment” button :) Below are some of MY favorite songs from the album.
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There is discord in the Beehive over Bey’s new single, “Rule The World.” Never in all my years of being a “bee” have I seen such a strong response and dissention among fans. Reactions to the song seem to be split three ways: those that love it, those that dislike it and those in the middle. Most of those that dislike the single have issues with the song being a sample and feel that the writing is sub-par. They’ve expressed heartfelt disappointment and feel that Beyonce` could’ve done better. Those that love song accuse disapproving fans of disloyalty and “hateration.” Fans in the middle encourage supporting the single, whether you like it or not. Many “middle fans” also suggest listening to the song several times to make yourself like it more. While I hate to see my fellow fans in disagreement, I think this is a healthy debate that will help us “bees” analyze what being a “real fan” means. Some feel that being a real fan means supporting Beyonce` no matter what and taking the opinion that everything she does is perfection. Others think that being a real fan means giving Beyonce` constructive criticism and that such criticism will make her a better artist. Here’s my opinion: 1) It’s okay for us to disagree; it’s NOT okay for us to disrespect each other. Respect each other’s opinion. Be nice. We’re all in the same fan family. 2) Its okay to NOT like everything Beyonce` does. NO ONE is perfect. Your parents don’t like everything you do and might fuss at you for it, but they still love you. You can dislike something Bey does and still love her. She has said in many interviews that she doesn’t like for people to tell her “yes” all the time and not give constructive criticism. 3) Lastly, no matter what artist it is, only buy music you think is great. If you support music you think sucks, the record companies will think you love it and create more garbage. Here’s my review for Bey’s song: Beyonce’s 1st single from her currently untitled fourth solo album is finally here (see video below to hear the song). It was produced by Switch and co-written by Terius Nash, AKA “The Dream.” The concept is fantastic, but the lyrics are overall very weak. I was surprised by how ill-written the song was; Beyonce` usually nails girl-power anthems. The production, although semi-infectious and aggressive, is just a recycling of Major Lazer’s “Pon De Floor” (also produced by Switch; see my blog post about lazy production:http://jsays.weebly.com/2/post/2011/03/divas-copying-divas.html). Although I was relieved that Beyonce` didn’t conveniently follow the techno-dance pop mold of today, “World” has the same problem musically as many techno tracks: it was repetitive and redundant. Furthermore, it feels like the song never begins; coming off like a long, 3 minute, 54 second intro. The vocal arrangement is unorganized, randomly shifts and doesn’t consistently blend well with the music. Beyonce` can do and has done better. In my opinion “World” is not a suitable lead single. Hopefully, the music video and the album’s subsequent singles will be better. Here is an AWESOME Youtube video I found that encasuplates Beyonce's ENTIRE videography, including soundtrack singles and features. I think its great for any new Beyonce` fan to see to really appreciate and get familiar with her body of work. Please hit the comment button and let me know what Beyonce` solo album you think is the best AND WHY. I personally choose "Dangerously in Love" because it was incredibly unorthodox, having an old-school R&B sound (very 70's). It was so unorthodox that her record label didn't expect any of songs to be commercially successful as singles (ref. I Am...Yours DVD). It takes courage to take such an artistic risk, and it takes skill/talent to be able to modernize an older sound for a younger audience. Furthermore, the lyrical writing on the album was fantastic and Beyonce` displayed some soulful vocals. What album do you choose? Check out my analysis of Beyonce's career and what moves I think she should make to take the thrown. http://jsays.weebly.com/2/post/2010/08/the-curious-case-of-beyonce-how-to-become-the-queen-of-pop.html
Today’s generation needs a Beyonce` hero. I recently had a debate about whether or not Beyonce` was a “valuable, good example” for young women. I certainly think so. I’ve learned many invaluable lessons from Beyonce` and Destiny’s Child over the years. When the “Survivor” album was released, I was 16; a usually very confusing and emotional time for a young woman. That album was my soundtrack and motivated me to set certain standards for my life. By the end of the record, I learned that 1) there’s power in self-sufficiency and I should always have my own resources 2) never allow myself to be so immersed in a relationship that I lose my sense of identity 3) require much of myself and 4) no matter what size I am or how I look, I’m “bootylicious” lol (hearing “Bootylicious” got me off an extreme “salad only diet” in high school). I can’t speak for anyone else, but I personally found that album to be empowering and self-esteem building, and I’ve been garnering strength from the girls of “DC” ever since. There are a host of things I’ve learned from their example, but to list a few specific songs that have inspired me along the way: I bumped “Yes” (Dangerously in Love) every time a man didn’t respect my choice to reserve sex for marriage, I listen to “Me, Myself and I” whenever I need a reminder to be self-reliant and “My Time Has Come” (Destiny’s Child’s self-titled 1st album) comes in handy for the days where I consider letting fear dictate a life decision. I have a lot more songs to add to that list, but you’d be reading all day if I noted them all. The moral to the story is that I feel fortunate to have grown up listening to Bee. In my opinion, there aren’t many current female recording artists suitable for the role of “mentor.” Rihanna mostly only talks about sex these days, Kesha is always bragging about being drunk and irresponsible, Miley Cyrus is always doing something questionable and Lady Gaga isn’t really for younger crowds, despite have their support. Today’s generation unfortunately doesn’t have a Beyonce` to make a hero out of. Here's the latest facebook status regarding Beyonce` that applies to this section. "I'm sorry Beyonce`, I love you, but I'm not going online to vote for "Video Phone" so you can win your 5 VMA nominations. "Video Phone" was a hot trash mess and you know it LOL."
Ok, I’ve been asked this several times. I think Beyonce’s best solo songs artistically are:
• “Me Myself and I” (Dangerously In Love) • “Resentment”, (B’day): Beyonce` sings with so much conviction and emotion, you feel every drop of pain. • “Still in Love (Kissing You)” (B’day Deluxe)- delicate and romantic. I was so geeked when I heard she was going to cover the song because I LOVE the original. My favorite song by my favorite singer. • “Trust in Me” (Cadillac Records Sdtk): the characterization of Etta is so perfect on this song. Too bad she didn’t nail the characterization on “At Last”; where it counted the most. Beyonce` proves on this song that she can handle gritty, old school soul. • “Smash Into You” (I Am…Sasha Fierce) • “Ring the Alarm”: Our first encounter with an angry, irrational, kick butt Beyonce`. I love the insanity of it. • “Save the Hero” (I Am…Sasha Fierce Bonus)- it’s an extremely well-written, introspective song about being in a “hero” position. Beyonce` is in rare form; the song reveals what could possibly be some honest feelings. Check out my June 3rd post under “entertainment” to hear it. A random thought.
With some house chores to do and no particular album in mind to listen to, I put the IPod (affectionately called “Mr. Green”, because of his green slipcase ) on shuffle. On came “Back Up” by Beyonce`, a rare and suspected reject track from the “B’day” album. I immediately started dancing and singing along thinking “dang, I love this song”. The overall sound and lyrical style wasn’t typical Beyonce`: it was hard-hitting, aggressive, very urban and featured overconfident, bragging lyrics that addressed the issue of industry haters (a hardly touched topic for Beyonce`). While the goal of being and doing such things didn’t translate well on “Sasha Fierce”, it did on “Back Up.” It dawned on me that “Back Up” was “Sasha Fierce” done right. Beyonce` didn’t follow her own blueprint when she started to record “SF.” Her alter-ego is much more likable on this song. “Back Up” is more natural, and is more of Beyonce’s personal take on hip-hop than the other way around. Part of the reason why the disc 2 “SF” material didn’t work was because Beyonce` was trying on other shoes instead of designing her own. Next time Bee wants to be all hard and gangsta, maybe she should look at “Upgrade U”, “Ring the Alarm” and “Back Up.” Just a thought. Brief Album Review.
(Please read the full Nov. 18th music review under the “entertainment” section) I could not wait to hear this album. I bent over backwards to make sure I got to the store today to get this album. After hearing the gold that was “If I Were a Boy” and “Single Ladies”, I just knew that “I Am… Sasha Fierce” would be a masterpiece. Beyonce` failed me. I am really disappointed. I feel like I don’t have a new album to listen to. I found myself listening to “Dangerously in Love” and “B’day” to get my Beyonce` fix. I loved the “I Am” disc, and I think any REAL Beyonce` fan will enjoy it because Bee Bee was very open with us. The material on the “I Am” disc is intimate, tender, warm and is sooooo creative and symbolic. You (and I’m only talking to REAL Bee Bee fans here) will feel very connected with her after listening to “I Am.” That’s why I feel the fans will love it, because we want to be connected to OUR diva. For me, “I Am” solidified and affirmed what I thought I knew about Beyonce`, the person and the soul. The “Sasha Fierce” disc, however, disproved everything I thought I knew about Beyonce` “the stage persona” and made me question what Beyonce` is on in general. On the album, I expected Sasha to be what I saw on stage- feisty and commanding, yet respectable and honorable (Why people think feisty and elegant can’t go together, I don’t understand). Sasha was instead an uncreative, skanky ghetto swamp-thing I didn’t recognize. Sasha was indeed “too much, too big and didn’t fit.” Sasha lacked class, elegance and was far from lady like. There was nothing demure about her. I hated her. The material was just plain whack and went against everything that makes Beyonce` a great artist. It also went against everything Beyonce` has used to build her great P.R. image, like her poise and her “clean-cut” aura. She made her herself look slightly hypocritical as well, cursing several times on the album when she runs around saying she doesn’t curse in interviews. The biggest offense was saying “I’m that bitch” on “Ego.” I shook my head in disbelief and irritation. There are so many reasons why that is out of line. I am later going to write something about the significant cultural context that her actions have, but for right now, I’m just going to say that calling yourself a bitch is a general major offense, but it’s even more of an issue when you are considered to be a role model and symbol of feminism. Beyonce` has always been very aware of the fact that she is admired by many young women and that people are influenced by her. She’s always appeared to take it very seriously and delicately, but on “Sasha Fierce” it seemed like she forgot about that or didn’t care. I understand that Sasha was supposed to be edgy, bold and aggressive, but there’s ways to do that and still keep an aura of class. Furthermore, with expletives on the album, I wondered “when did you become THAT artist?” The artist where I can’t play your album freely in any setting without having to give disclaimers or sensor you? When did that happen? For a moment I felt duped and played by Beyonce`. I was thinking “what is this ish? Are you really trying to pass off this trash as artwork? You can do better than this and you know it- and yet…you didn’t. Why? How dare you be so lazy with this disc as if there isn’t enough mediocrity in the music industry today. As if you aren’t one of the few greats we have in today’s music. Get outta here with this.” In promo interviews for the album, Bee Bee said that the “Sasha Fierce” disc was “for the fans that like the up-tempo work.” Yeah, I can see that. “Sasha Fierce” is for the fans that really don’t care to see Bee’s reflective, revealing or artistic side. They aren’t concerned with art or the purity of music, they just wanna dance, and I suppose that’s okay to appeal to that fan base. When you’re trying to keep all your fan eggs in your basket, it’s smart. The problem with that however, is that the ones that “just wanna dance” are fickle and will move on to something else when they get bored. They like you when they feel like it- love you one day, hate on you the next. They bootleg your albums. They don’t come to concerts. They hate on Destiny’s Child. They don’t love you enough to call you out on your b.s. like I am right now, and push you for greatness. They don’t care about keeping the integrity of your legacy intact or helping you rise to iconic status. They don’t deserve their own disc. This album was also a huge disappointment because it didn’t fill the void left by the somewhat lacking “B’day”. “B’day” was good, but not outstanding. It was not her best work. The problem with B’day is that even though it was it fairly experimental and had a lot of aggressive feministic energy (which I always love), it was JUST A DANCE record. Up-tempo or dance songs don’t give a lot of room to show off vocal ability and strong lyrics lose attention competing with catchy music. Another issue with dance records is that they’re often TOO contemporary and current to be applicable or listened to later on. I can still listen to “Dangerously in Love” NOW, in its entirety and it’s six years later. “DIL” is a timeless album. I also understand that sometimes an artist doesn’t feel like being “artistic” and just wants to have a “fun” song. An occasional “fun” song is okay, but not an entire of album of “fun” songs, like on the “Sasha Fierce” disc. Furthermore, I understand you weren’t tryna be “deep” on the second disc, but must it be COMPLETELY brainless?? I feel like an AMAZING concept (the alter-ego thing) was wasted on disc 2 and was underdeveloped. Beyonce` needs to sit back and regroup. Go back to the drawing board. Look at “DIL.” Take the best elements of each solo effort and the Destiny’s Child material and EXPOUND. GROW. Live to your potential, you’ve got 2 much not 2. This “legacy” thing is only going to happen if you improve with every album. Every artist is entitled to at least 2 sucky albums; you’ve had your two. NOW CLEAN IT UP! |
Seriously Beyonce`, WTH?!?Most people figure out pretty quickly that I LOVE Beyonce`. She is my queen diva of choice. But every now and then, she does something that irritates or perplexes me. Here, I tell what's been buggin me about the Bee lately (with reviews and love for the Queen Bee in between). Archives
June 2018
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