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Alien Superstar

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"Alien Superstar"
Song by Beyoncé
from the album Renaissance
ReleasedJuly 29, 2022 (2022-07-29)
StudioThe Juicy Juicy and Parkwood West, Los Angeles
Genre
Length3:35
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Lyric Video
"Alien Superstar" on YouTube

"Alien Superstar" is a song recorded by American singer Beyoncé. It is the third track on her seventh studio album, Renaissance (2022), which was released on July 29, 2022, through Parkwood and Columbia.

Composition

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Pitchfork writer Julianne Escobedo Shepherd described the song as an "old way house anthem", comparing the track's musicality to that of Vanity 6.[1] The "futuristic" dance-pop and R&B[2] song features heavy synthesizer production[3][4] and elements of ballroom music, such as usage of the term "category", throughout the song.[5][6] Beyoncé goes from rapping in a monotone delivery during the verses, before singing over stacked vocals during the choruses.[7][8]

Critical reception

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Upon release of the parent album, "Alien Superstar" received positive reviews from critics.

Ranking it as the eighth best song off the album, Billboard praised the song's unconventional song structure, "warbling synths", and utilization of rapping and stacked vocals.[7] The New York Times called the song a "bold pop homage to ballroom culture" that delves into themes of Afrofuturism, and self-celebration.[9] Kevin Fallon of The Daily Beast deemed it as Renaissance's "stand-out track", praising its "ode to queer dance-floor anthems".[10] Pitchfork and NPR both placed the song on their Best Songs of 2022 lists, ranking the at number two and number five respectively.[8] The former publication called it a "new-gen ballroom staple" and compared its funky and electronic sound to that of Prince.[11]

Commercial performance

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After the release of Renaissance, "Alien Superstar" debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 chart at number 19 and on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart at number eight.[12]

Personnel and credits

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Samples

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Recording locations

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  • The Juicy Juicy (Los Angeles, California)
  • Parkwood West (Los Angeles, California)

Personnel

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Performers

  • Vocals by Beyoncé
  • Background vocals by Blu June

Musicians

  • Mike Dean – synths
  • Honey Dijon – additional programming
  • The-Dream – synths
  • Chris Penny – keys and programming
  • Luke Solomon – drum production and programming

Technical credits

  • Beyoncé – production, vocal production
  • Matheus Braz – assistant engineering
  • Chi Coney – engineering
  • John Cranfield – engineering
  • Mike Dean – co-production
  • Honey Dijon – production
  • The-Dream – co-production
  • NovaWav – additional production
  • Chris Penny – production
  • Andrea Roberts – engineering
  • Luke Solomon – production
  • Stuart White – mixing, recording

Live performance

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Beyoncé performing "Alien Superstar" on the Renaissance World Tour in 2023

Beyoncé first performed "Alien Superstar" in Stockholm, Sweden on the opening night of the Renaissance World Tour, including it on the setlist for the duration of the tour.[13] The song is featured in the robotic-themed "Renaissance" act of the tour and follows a transition from "Cozy". The performance starts with Beyoncé pantomiming that she's asleep, with her dancers holding up a quilted bedspread and pillows designed by Victor Weinsanto.[14] She then 'wakes up' and holds her hands up while spelling out "Unique" and counting down with her fingers. The performance continues with the song's intro. During the second chorus, elements of "Sweet Dreams" are used such as the instrumental and select lyrics.[15]

A number of outfits were worn during this section over the course of the tour, starting with a custom Courrèges outfit from the fall 2023 collection.[16][17] At later dates, she wore a custom Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini bodysuit,[17][18] a metallic Balmain bodysuit, and a silver-and gold Lanvin bodysuit with cutouts.[17]

During a performance of the song at a show in Arizona, there was an audio malfunction that caused Beyoncé and her dancers to temporarily retreat.[19] She then restarted the performance, wearing a new metallic outfit with wings designed by Juraj Zigman.[20][21]

Charts

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Certifications

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Certifications for "Alien Superstar"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[38] Gold 35,000‡
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[39] Diamond 160,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[40] Gold 40,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[41] Silver 200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[42] Platinum 1,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

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  1. ^ Escobedo Shepherd, Julianne (2022-08-01). "Beyoncé: Renaissance". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2023-10-25. "Alien Superstar" channels Vanity 6 as an old-way house anthem.
  2. ^ "Meaning of ALIEN SUPERSTAR (Beyoncé)". LyricsLayers.com. Retrieved 2024-04-28.
  3. ^ Menon, Radhika (2022-08-02). "Twitter Is Losing It Over Beyoncé's "ALIEN SUPERSTAR" & These Memes Prove It". Bustle. Retrieved 2023-10-29. No song on Beyoncé's Renaissance is getting more love than the intergalactic dance anthem "ALIEN SUPERSTAR."
  4. ^ Ruggieri, Melissa. "Beyoncé's 'Renaissance' album review: Unapologetic and raunchy as she beckons us to the dance floor". USA Today. Retrieved 2023-10-29. Synthesizers creep in the background of this futuristic romp that is lyrically rich and musically zigzagging.
  5. ^ Valentine, Claire (2022-07-29). "Beyoncé's "Alien Superstar" Lyrics Meaning, Explained". Nylon. Retrieved 2023-10-27. The ballroom track is an ode to the otherworldliness within. ... The latter third of "Alien Superstar," which is already a straight up ballroom song.
  6. ^ Mahale, Jenna. "Every track on Beyoncé's Renaissance, ranked". i-D. Retrieved 2023-10-27. Beyoncé borrows language from ballroom competitions to make the assessment: "Category… sexy bitch, I'm the bar."
  7. ^ a b Denis, Kyle (2022-07-29). "Every Song Ranked on Beyonce's 'Renaissance': Critic's Picks". Billboard. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  8. ^ a b "The 100 Best Songs of 2022". NPR Music. NPR. December 15, 2022. Retrieved October 29, 2023. "Stilettos kicking vintage crystal off the bar," she pouts in an aloof monotone, then breaks into a sex-kitten moan. ... as she raps about reveling in the power of our sexuality.
  9. ^ Pareles, Jon; Zoladz, Lindsay (2022-07-29). "Beyoncé's Anthem for the Unique, and 10 More New Songs". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  10. ^ Fallon, Kevin (2022-07-30). "We Need to Make Beyoncé's 'Alien Superstar' the Song of the Summer". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  11. ^ "The 100 Best Songs of 2022". Pitchfork. 2022-12-05. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
  12. ^ "Beyoncé Sends All 16 Songs From 'Renaissance' Onto Billboard Hot 100". Billboard.biz. Retrieved October 21, 2022.
  13. ^ Ruggieri, Melissa (May 10, 2023). "Beyoncé Renaissance tour set list: See all the songs on her nearly 3-hour show". USA Today. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
  14. ^ Subramanian, Akshara (October 22, 2023). "How Beyoncé triggered a whole new trend through her tour wardrobe". Vogue India.
  15. ^ Blistein, Jon (2023-05-10). "Beyoncé's 'Renaissance' Tour Has Freaking Robots". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2023-10-30. The show has also featured a few era-bending mash-ups of old and new favorites, like "Alien Superstar" and "Sweet Dreams".
  16. ^ Wheeler, André-Naquian (2023-05-10). "Beyoncé's Renaissance Tour Looks Are Club-Ready Couture". Vogue. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
  17. ^ a b c Criales-Unzueta, José (2023-08-01). "Beyoncé's Renaissance Tour Outfits From the Runway to the Stage—"It Should Cost a Billion to Look This Good"". Vogue. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
  18. ^ Davis, Jessica (2023-10-02). "Inside Beyoncé's impressive 'Renaissance' world tour wardrobe". Harper's BAZAAR. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
  19. ^ Lane, Barnaby (2023-08-25). "Beyoncé had to pause her latest Renaissance World Tour concert for 10 minutes due to a sound system failure, but the superstar quickly recovered — and dazzled fans in a new outfit". Insider. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
  20. ^ Velasco, Matthew (2023-10-02). "Fittingly, Beyoncé Shimmered Like a Disco Ball For Her 'Renaissance' Grand Finale". W Magazine. Retrieved 2023-10-30. This very "Alien Superstar" ensemble by Zigman featured a semi-sheer bodysuit, metallic knee-high boots, and antena-like wings that doubled as a train.
  21. ^ "Beyoncé wearing Croatian designer's outfit on latest world tour". Croatia Week. 2023-08-25. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
  22. ^ "Beyoncé – Alien Superstar". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  23. ^ "Beyonce Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 21, 2022.
  24. ^ "Beyonce Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved October 21, 2022.
  25. ^ "Beyoncé – Alien Superstar" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  26. ^ "Beyonce Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved October 21, 2022.
  27. ^ "Official IFPI Charts – Digital Singles Chart (International)". ifpi.gr. Archived from the original on September 7, 2022. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  28. ^ "Tónlistinn – Lög" [The Music – Songs] (in Icelandic). Plötutíðindi. Archived from the original on August 6, 2022. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
  29. ^ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  30. ^ "Beyoncé – Alien Superstar". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  31. ^ "Beyoncé – Alien Superstar". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
  32. ^ "Local & International Streaming Chart Top 100 Week 31-2022". The Official South African Charts. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  33. ^ "Beyoncé – Alien Superstar". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  34. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  35. ^ "Beyonce Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
  36. ^ "Beyonce Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
  37. ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2022". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  38. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2024 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  39. ^ "Brazilian single certifications – Beyoncé – Alien Superstar" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  40. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Beyoncé – Alien Superstar". Music Canada. Retrieved January 20, 2024.
  41. ^ "British single certifications – Beyoncé – Alien Superstar". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  42. ^ "American single certifications – Beyoncé – Alien Superstar". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
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