She Runs The World, You Run Your Mouth
There’s always going to be silly criticism about Beyoncé, but sometimes I wish I could borrow her fan to blow some of your asses away.
I have longed accepted that not everyone will like Beyoncé.
As I mentioned in a previous post, I think people like that suffer from some sort of personality disorder. Be that as it may I respect people’s right to deny greatness and available medication from their virtual pharmacist, iTunes.
What I don’t cut for her is the notion of coming for the Queen’s throat over an unfinished demo.
Such is the case for Beyoncé’s new single, “Girls (Who Run The World).”
The version that was leaked yesterday is not the finished product. Not surprisingly, that fun fact hasn’t stopped people from writing soliloquies about how it’s time to lock Beyoncé out of the studio based on what they’ve heard.
I don’t really care if some folks don’t like it ‘cause everyone else will.
What does irritate me a bit, though, is one aspect of the criticism largely centered on the idea that her single and its lyrics aren’t “deep enough.”
If you’re looking for the meaning of life from Beyoncé I need for you to go and let your forehead kiss the sidewalk.
She is a pop singer and every so often a pop singer wants to release mindless music that people like me can shake their asses to in the club, gym, car, sidewalk or restaurant.
I don’t want to hear “Heal The World” or “One Sweet Day” from her all the time. God blessed her with those thighs and her jig for a rea-son.
If you want something more of depth or “grown up” theme, go turn on Adele. Or maybe play the first side of I Am…Sasha Fierce.
In the meantime, stop acting like Beyoncé owes you “mature” (re: old lady) music for the rest of her career because she’s 29. Folks tend to be really harsh on females when it comes to telling them to “act their ages.” Beyoncé gave you all a bit more substantive music on the last album. This time she wants us to twirk something.
Let her live and the kids live. Damn, buzz killers.
Even worse, I’m annoyed with people who say Beyoncé’s “too grown” for the lyrics of “Girls (Who Run The World)” yet still sing along to the same cliché-riddled bullshit a bevy of male rappers and R&B singers produce.
But I guess it’s okay for Kanye West to perpetuate that sexist nonsense about what he taught your pussy. Yeah, I thought so.
The same applies to those who say they’re tired of her “female anthems.”
Empowerment through materialism can grow a bit irritating after a couple of – uh, centuries – but at the same time, eh, we live in America. And again, she’s a pop star. What are you expecting? The Secret over a Diplo beat? Next.
Maybe the song isn’t the end all, be all to women, but I when I come across nonsense like this on my Facebook homepage I’m reminded of why she keeps trying (in her own way):
“I kinda disagree with the song..girls don’t run no world, not all girls make 300 million a year…some bitches actually need a man…”
For the record, I am not friends with this fool. It’s on the page of someone else I’m friends with. May his balls turn into mush.
There are other claims that are less dumb but still asinine all the same.
Over the past few months I’ve seen comments like, “I hate that’s she poaching Frank Ocean. He’s underground, leave him there.”
Yes, because the guy who has written for Justin Bieber totally wants to be an outsider.
Or the tried and true (not to mention tired) retort from a Beyoncé detractor: “Do you like everything she does?”
Yes, because I’m so obsessed with Beyoncé that I think her body odor should be sold as deodorant.
I hate when people say this to me.
I also hate, “If X artist did this you wouldn’t like it.” Well, X, Y, and Z ain’t B so I don’t see the point in mentioning that. It’s one of those things that only sounds good in someone else’s head. Not every artist is as interchangeable as some think. That’s why there’s Beyoncé and there are the lessers.
Both are petty ways of deflecting from the obvious: Sometimes people’s criticism of Beyoncé doesn’t make a lick of sense.
Especially when it’s criticism unfounded. So I hope you deniers at least wait until the final version drops before you buy a Master Lock.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to get up and do this to the song as I wait for the real thing to be released:
“I think I need a barber, none of these bitches can fade me.”
I’m putting this in my wedding vows. Or tombstone. Pay homage.
P.S. Spare me that talking point about being tired of me writing about Beyoncé, too. Accept me for who I am.
…BASICALLY.
I barely can think of anything to add.
Speak it! This is why I love you like I do
But Michael, you do like everything (or 95%) Beyonce does lol. You know that if Katy Perry (or some pop artist you dont like) released this track you’d want to punt her ass into the ocean.The mastered track will probably super catchy and I’ll sing along. I’m not a fan or stan but this whole defense of “well she’s a POP artist, she/he’s supposed to sing about nothing is a crock of nasty ass gumbo. Ella Fitzgerald and Ray Charles were considered Pop once upon a time. You can make catchy ass tunes and still say shit. There’s a happy medium between crap and substance but we ain’t living in those times. Crap (Who runs the world).
@KIMKAM I don’t think she’s singing about nothing hun. She’s singing about women who handle their business, and take care of themselves. Just because its over a catchy beat, and you don’t need a dictionary to figure out what she’s talking about does not mean that it doesn’t have substance. Furthermore if female empowerment is ‘played out’ then I guess, so are civil rights/activists.
@RO2EXQUISITE lol who said anything about female empowerment being played out? I’m all for it! But lets be real these lyrics sound like willow smith wrote them. I didn’t say every message sound has to be solemn and use big words (by the way, why is using big words bad?) but this song aint saying nothing different as the Webbie song that spelled out independent. And Webbie by my count hasn’t won fiftyleven grammies.
You would write this nonsense. I seriously had the
face on while reading this.
I luv it!!! I am not a stan for B like you, but i totally appreciate the fact that you are completely loyal! So many people today are fickle, you don’t find die hard fans anymore, last time was for Whitney or Mariah…I ain’t mad at B, do you boo…but futhermore what makes me wall slide every time is, WHY IF YOU DON”T LIKE HER DO YOU KEEP LISTENING TO HER MUSIC & FEEL THE NEED TO COMMENT?
that’s what i want to yell! if you don’t like her then walk on by hun, no need to listen let alone comment geesh
@KIMKAM I completely agree. It’s sad that DIL was her most mature album and it had plenty of dance songs on it as well. She’s married now and i don’t think she should only being singing love ballads about how happy she is to suck off Jay at night but dang- can she at least call us “Women”! I’m 24 and I stopped calling myself a “girl” a long time ago.
I don’t know if she realized that the fans that were with her during her DIL days have grown up too and though this song might be better once its finished and has a creative video to support it, it doesn’t change the fact that if you threw this song on the survivor album, it would fit in. It’s a bit anachronistic and sounds a lot like what we’ve already heard from her.
I understand she’s “pop” but c’mon, give us a little something “mature” (not old lady). Whenever Rihanna can sing “California King Bed”, Bey can give us some grown up music too.
People aren’t allowed to have opinions about Beyonce songs anymore? Because she wants to make your ass dance, nobody can crank dat First Amendment instead? I can’t. I really can’t. Since when was Bey ever immune to criticism? (Didn’t the fans request a better Deja Vu video, btw? Oh.)
The song may have been unmastered, but those lyrics aren’t, so…people can’t express how they feel? Newsflash: EVERY time one of the girls drop something new, folks speak up. Happened with Only Girl, Hold it Against Me and Born This Way. But oh no, Beyonce is off limits.
You say the detractors need better retorts, but y’all stans need to come harder, too. “Go listen to Adele” is ’bout as original as a Tyler Perry fan saying go read Shakespeare. (Maddauhfact, why can’t I enjoy both? Why y’all stans so divisive?)
Then y’all come with the “why did you even listen in the first place” and I’m like…um, maybe ’cause I have the freedom to listen and decide if I like it? Just cause I disliked previous material from an artist doesn’t mean I’ll swear them off forever.
I’m not down with the whole “just accept it and dance, kick rocks otherwise” mentality. So what if Beyonce can’t hear my opinion of her song, she ain’t gon’ stop me from having one. And neither are her stans.
You’re basically TRYING to excuse this mess of a song by saying she is a pop artist. Well there are GOOD pops songs then there are BAD pop songs and quite frankly this song is on the bad side. I hate these stans (BEY robots) that think she can do no wrong. She makes music for the masses and if the masses don’t like it that much then she just failed on this song simple as that.
I love you Michael, but no. Demo or not the song is basic, busy and sounds like a B-day b-side. Like someone said, let this have been any other of the aforementioned pop stars releasing this trash, and the world would be in an uproar. Beyonce is not exempt from criticism. Her music never has lived up to her potential. It’s time for her to evolve and it’s time for her stans to allow others to have an opinion. She needs to come harder. She has everything the lessers lack, but this song right here, ain’t close to being it. The pretending must end.
#teambeyonce
LOL- I understand your reaction to the overreaction. I agree the calls for more “mature” music seems a bit displaced. She’s only 29, while Fergie, Nelly Furtado, Gwen Stefani and the such were/are making fluffy , synthy pop music well into their late 30′s and 40′s with no such call. And the call for “Deep Lyrics” for most people = Ballads. Even though the typical RnB , Pop, Alt, or Rock ballads are usually as lyrically complex as the recipe for simple syrup in a mojito. I can only think of a handful of songwriters who deliver anything worthy of the “deep” title. Dramatics aside, I am luke warm about the song. I don’t hate it, but I don’t automatically wanna dip, drop and jig when I hear it. I think something that Beyonce can deliver that her contemps can’t, is varied and dynamic vocals on even an uptempo dance track. “Single Ladies” “Why Don’t You Love Me”, “Check On It” would be good examples. However on WRTW- it seems a bit flat and one dimensional on the vocal side. While the finished version did highlight the Major Laser sample better, the beat itself isn’t stand alone either. In summation I find both components to be a bit mediocre. Competent, but not stellar.
Bitch better bring it, with the video.
Beyoncé has developed a reputation in the music industry for being the complete package—not only does she have an amazing vocal talent, she’s also a supremely talented dancer, actress, and entrepreneur. Many have gained a Gemini personality trait when it comes to Beyoncé: some love her, others hate her mainly because it’s her stan base, The Beyjesus Army who insist on shoving “the Queen” down everyone’s throat with threating and often insistent messages of how great she is. We already know that she snatches your favorites lacefronts AWF without a strand of hair left. We get this…
We all know stans use ammunition of record sales, single positions, ticket sales, Grammy awards, twitter followers, Facebook friends, etc…to prove who’s superior in the music industry. and that’s just their job, to remind everyone else of how their favorite is nothing more than a lesser trying to catch up. Back to our Creole Queen, Beyjesus…millions of fans have experienced disappointment with the lead singles from her previous project, both B’Day and I Am…Sasha Fierce. “Déjà Vu” sounded too much like “Crazy In Love” with the 70s soul-funk influence and “If I Were A Boy” gave a emotional lyrical description of exploring the mentality with the opposite sex. It was a polar opposite of the infectious “Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It),” which delivered a message of being free of commitment after leaving a jealous boyfriend. However, the looming “…Boy” grew on us despite the blue grass pop sound that was just out of nowhere. And we can’t forgot about the lawsuit that came so thereafter by the original writer of the song, BC Jean…
Now, here were are, in 2011, and we face another musical crisis. “Girls” resembles a sound that we all have currently heard from another group, *cough, cough* the money hungry evil drug-lord Diddy-Dirty Money‘s “Ass On the Floor,” despite the production being slightly tweaked. Her musical repertoire isn’t very becoming to her as an artist. The sound just makes me lose the excitement because it’s just so… late. Not to mention othat Afrocentric sample by Major Lazer (feat. Vybz Kartel), Pon de Floor. However, because Beyoncé is who she is, the song will soar up the charts despite disappointment and the children will gag in enjoyment for the musical presence of “The Queen.” I can’t. And I’m a huge fan of Honey Be, but she needs to rehire Matthew because this song should have been tucked away deep inside of the tracks of her lacefront. I’m very disappointed in her.
Sidenote: Ashanti, girl, now would be the perfect time for you to come back to snatch back your crown from the floppin’ ass heaxs! It may not be 2002 again, but you can reign! Just be sure to write an original song without sampling someone else’s music, okay? I heard some of stuff from your Ustream sessions and it has massive potential. Show ‘em how to do it, boo. You broke records once, you can do it all over again! I have faith! *looks up to the Heavens above and prays…*
I think what I’m tired of is blind loyalty, or fans literally crying over how bad this song sounds. If this is the new genre Beyonce once said she wants to bring out on this new album, then 2012 is real y’all. I applaud Beyonce has a great performer, and talented woman, But when it comes to innovative ideas i just give her a big ole, “To the left, to the left.”
There are certain artists who have the worst stans in the world. Beyonce, Brandy, Whitney and Mary J. fit this category.
…the previous comment on “worst stans” is brought to you by someone who stans for a hard-faced meth addict who pees on herself. You, sir/madam, are clearly an expert on artistic quality.
Definitely not her best.
but – from the little I heard – I was surprised with how explicit the girl power lyrics. Normally B sticks to praising her prowess in bed, relationships.
Hmm, so I wonder what her “reply song” will be? This will be the music she releases in praise of the fellas/her husband deserving to “take the lead” role.
The worse was Cater 2 U, one of the better efforts was Halo.
@Cheeky
DEAD @ Safely in Love being Beyoncé’s most mature album. A bunch of love songs + “Daddy” and “Hip Hop Star” =| Yeah right. Have you been to school? Did you learn to listen and comprehend?
The song clearly uses “girl(s)” because it is one syllable and because of the chant. How catchy does “Who run the world? Women!” sound? RIGHT. Dumb nit-picking is for LITTLE GIRLS like you who can’t form a COHERENT argument.
WHERE does this sound like what we’ve already heard? The lyrics, probably her most upfront ever? AGAIN, comprehension comes into play.
ROOOOOOTFLLLL @ COMPARING RIHANNA TO BEYONCÉ IN TERMS OF MATURITY.
@I can’t:
No, sweetheart. People aren’t allowed to have STUPID opinions. As a matter of fact, stupid people should be executed, to save the rest of us the annoyance.
lol I’m offended by the insinuation that if you are not a Beyonce fan, something is wrong with you. I don’t expect to learn life lessons from her music, but, music that appeals to me is usually deeper, more clever and more creative lyrically. Also the over the top image is a turn off for me. I will however hum the shit out of some Beyonce backgrounds. She’s sick with the harmonies.
There’s nothing wrong with not liking Bey. Sure, she can sing. She just chooses to sing chickenhead anthems. That’s her business.
As for that other person’s comment, my s/n actually has nothing to do with Fergie the singer. But to remind u, Fergie has been just as successful as Bey.
DEAD @ “Fergie has been just as successful as Bey.” GERL…. if you don’t pull your head out of her urine-soaked pants.
I totally agree!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Whoever don’t like the song or Beyonce can officially kick rocks and jump off a fucking cliff!
lol this is all so comical. I think “I Can’t” said it best. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, so if someone does it like it’s OKAY. Beyonce is a Star and like all celebrities she is open to criticism. What makes her off limits?
I like Beyonce, she’s beautiful, VERY talented and one of the few female artists that can actually sing, but now that the song is FINAL, let’s be real, it’s still a damn mess. Yall STANS kill me. She could FART on a track and everyone would act like it’s the second coming. She’s Beyonce….NOT our Lord & Savior.
Whitney is my #1, but I’d be lying if I didn’t say that last album was not her best work and could use A LOT of help. Everyone seems to think a “true fan” is ride or die with you even when you’re wrong. I think a true fan (like a true friend) will pull you to the side and say “Girl, you know you TRIED IT, right?” LOL
I’m just saying…
I usually agree with you but not this time… this song is Garbage… she is too old tobe singing shyt like this… it will be a hit with the KIDS though
You know this song sucks when people are wishing that Ashanti,who hasnt been popular in years, to come back out!LMAO
I still don’t like the shit…it’s not even something I wanna shake my ass too! I’ll listen to Trvis Porter Bring it Back for that…And you wrote this long ass paper because?? Her lyrics are plain dumb and the beat is plain ol’ tired, that’s why nobody likes this damn song!! And the song seems like something a 5 year old could have put together…but then again people just listen to anything now days smh…THIS SHIT IS AN ULTIMATE FAIL…PEOPLE JUST ARE SO DAMN BUSY KISSING BEYONCE’S ASS THAT THEY CAN’T ACCEPT HER DOING ANYTHING WRONG…
^ We can’t accept your ugly face and weave, either.
I agree with Michael to an extent… I am a Bey STAN!!! The first time I heard the song I thought its OK, no CIL but its OK, then I went to the gym the next day it came on the iPod and I worked it OUT!! So for that I am grateful for the song, I dont look to Beyonce to provide me with life altering perspectives and views on life and if that is what some of her fans are looking for, then yall are sad! The reason why I STAN for Bey is she stays in her lane. Shes not sitting there giving you these I have struggled and been through hardships, for if she did those types of songs people would call her a sell out saying she never went through any of that and shes some rich kid trying to tap into some experiences she never had.. The way I see it, she never wins even when she does what she wants and stays in here lane. So with all that being said, I think the song will go on to do well, it may not be her breakout song for this album but only time will tell
if she did those types of songs people would call her a sell out saying she never went through any of that and shes some rich kid trying to tap into some experiences she never had…
And being “hood” is an experience she’s had? (given her recorded history of having been raised middle-upper class and her parents having never had to use her “to get out of a bad situation”?)
I dont look to Beyonce to provide me with life altering perspectives and views on life
But SHE DOES. Even the pop songs do this. And she tried it (and succeeded somewhat) on IASF with giving those mid-tempo, slow-tempo songs with lyrics that were not crass or juvenile; lyrics that were sophisticated and mature and plain beautiful!
She’s better than this song. These lyrics are so trite and ridiculous. The chant/the chorus is fine. I don’t care if she screams about girls ruling the world. That’s cool. But the crassness and the LAMEness of her talking about going to barbers and fading hoes. I mean, c’mon. Who co-signed and said that was clever? LOL
Not many songstresses get away with “rapping” or “talking” clever on a track. She’s married to one of the greatest MCs ever. I think I read somewhere that she reads the newspaper everyday or something. I’ve an idea, READ BOOKS TOO!
Her lyrics could be better. SHOULD be better for an artist of her caliber.
And I agree, she will never win. Few rarely do…actually none have. As long as folk can think for themselves and be subjective they WILL BE subjective. I’m quite sure after 15+ years in the business, she is settled with this fact.
However, I wish her well. And I know the song will do a little better when people see the video. Video killed the radio star about 25/30 years ago…maybe even longer. And I’m sure her next single (or at least I hope) will be better, different, WORTHY of the artist she is.
16+ Grammy awards…
And the artist of old (Diana Ross, Rolling Stones, etc.) have one or none at all…
Does this seem RIGHT to you?
Get it together Beyonce. Maintain that legacy. Read a book or five thousand. Be clever not only with harmonies and vocal arrangements (she’s sick with this) but with your words and wordplay.
sorry but this song is a pile of steaming hot garbage.
and America agrees since it is FFFFloping
I know I’m LATE…But I digress..
When Beyonce’s career can RIVAL that of Janet Jackson let me know! When she has as many #1 songs as Janet..let me know..When she’s been in the game for almost 40 yrs and is still selling out Arenas, Rodeos, Coliseums and even small ass auditoriums..LET ME KNOW..I STAN FOR JAN..
I love Bey as well…SHE LEARNED FROM THE BEST (MISS JANET) AS FAR AS PUTTING ON A SHOW….but it’s all about LONGEVITY..SO WHAT IF SHE HAS 16 GRAMMYS..ITS JUST A SIGN OF THE TIMES( IE..THAT song was HOT THAT YEAR)
It’s been proven that when artist take time off between projects…they tend to come out with better material..Janet would take 3-5yrs between albums…including a tour..and still come out with the HEAT…until after the Damita Jo album..which was overlooked due to the superbowl scandal…she got with JD..who had her putting out worthless material..just to compete with Bey and the other female artist…I’m gonna chalk that up to love..making u do stupid shyt….She’s better than that..and is showing us all how it should be done, as I type this!.
Sorry abt slipping over to Janet territory with the facts..but just tryin to make a valid point.
No One Misses Beyonce. No one is wondering when the new Beyonce album is dropping because we think she’s still promoting the B’day/Sasha Fierce cd!! ( Y’all know she did not take a breather between the two!!) She should gift us with that pleasure !!! ABSENCE makes the heart grow fonder!! She’s been in our faces every year since 1997!!! Think about it!! She needs to regroup and come back with some better material that’s all. With that said..I love Bey..just getting tired of her…TAKE A BREAK AND STOP LIVING BY THE MAYAN CALENDAR..CAUSE YOU ACT LIKE YOU ARE TRYIN TO GET IT ALL IN BEFORE D-DAY 2012!! LOL
Everybody go to Youtube. Theres a remix of this single produced by this guy name Fyuchur. Its Hot!!! Even her fans love it