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"Baby Boy" is a sequel in ways to "[['03 Bonnie & Clyde]]"; a 2002 Jay-Z song featuring Knowles.<ref name="Gil"/> The lyrics detail a woman's fantasies, and in keeping with the album's overall theme, Knowles' deemed them as personal to her.<ref name="Thread"/> Sean Paul remarked, "She's telling me about her fantasies and picturing me and her going here and there, all over the world&nbsp;... I'm answering back, like, 'I'm wit it.'"<ref name="Gil"/> The lyrics are constructed in the toast–chorus–verse form; Sean Paul performs the [[toasting]] while Knowles sings all other [[song structure (popular music)|verses]] and [[refrain|choruses]]. The pattern is repeated twice; a further chorus and verse follow, resolving at the toasting and final verse.
"Baby Boy" is a sequel in ways to "[['03 Bonnie & Clyde]]"; a 2002 Jay-Z song featuring Knowles.<ref name="Gil"/> The lyrics detail a woman's fantasies, and in keeping with the album's overall theme, Knowles' deemed them as personal to her.<ref name="Thread"/> Sean Paul remarked, "She's telling me about her fantasies and picturing me and her going here and there, all over the world&nbsp;... I'm answering back, like, 'I'm wit it.'"<ref name="Gil"/> The lyrics are constructed in the toast–chorus–verse form; Sean Paul performs the [[toasting]] while Knowles sings all other [[song structure (popular music)|verses]] and [[refrain|choruses]]. The pattern is repeated twice; a further chorus and verse follow, resolving at the toasting and final verse.
AND I MEET MA FIRST BIGGEST FAN KIERRAH SHE IS SO TALENTED SHE COULD REALLY SING


==Release and reception==
==Release and reception==

Revision as of 23:47, 12 January 2009

This article is about the Beyoncé song. For the Big Brovaz song, see Baby Boy (Big Brovaz song).
"Baby Boy"
Song

"Baby Boy" is a contemporary R&B–dancehall song by American singer Beyoncé Knowles. It features a reggae toast by Jamaican artist Sean Paul. The track was produced by Scott Storch and Knowles for her debut solo album Dangerously in Love. "Baby Boy" was written by Knowles, Storch, Robert Waller, Jay-Z and Sean Paul; its lyrics refer to a woman's fantasies, and its music video features sensual footage.

"Baby Boy" was released on October 14, 2003 in the United States as the second single from the album. The single was a commercial success, and topped the US Singles Chart for nine consecutive weeks, in part due to the heavy rotation received on radio. It was certified platinum in the US, and was Knowles' longest-running solo number-one single until the release of "Irreplaceable" in 2007. "Baby Boy" performed well internationally, reaching the top ten in many countries, and achieving platinum status in Australia. The song has been praised by both critics and music industry personnel. "Baby Boy" remains a staple of Knowles' concert set list. The American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers recognized it at the 2005 Pop Music Awards as one of the most performed songs of the year.

In 2005, US singer-songwriter Jennifer Armour filed a copyright infringement lawsuit claiming that Knowles had used lyrics and a musical hook from her song "Got a Little Bit of Love for You". The case was dismissed the following year.

Background and writing

Knowles went to Miami, Florida in the United States to work with Canadian record producer Scott Storch for her debut solo album, Dangerously in Love.[1] She and Storch wrote "Baby Boy" with contributions from American songwriter Robert Waller and Knowles' long-time boyfriend rapper-hip hop artist Jay-Z.

Once the track was supposedly done, Knowles had the idea that it would be "perfect" if Jamaican dancehall-reggae artist Sean Paul contributed a vocal track.[1] Knowles contacted Sean Paul about a possible collaboration.[2][3] Sean Paul agreed and flew in from Jamaica to join the recording sessions of the song.[1] He contributed a toast verse, and they finished recording "Baby Boy" in March 2003, during the latter stages of the album's recording.[2]

Composition and theme

Template:Sound sample box align right

"Baby Boy"
"Baby Boy" is a hybrid of R&B and dancehall with influences from reggae and Arabic music.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

Template:Sample box end "Baby Boy" is a mid-tempo contemporary R&B song performed with a moderate groove. It is in the key of C minor, and is set to ninety-two beats per minute in common time.[4] "Baby Boy" is a hybrid of R&B and dancehall[5] and has a reggae influence. Storch's knowledge on Indian and Middle Eastern music contributes to its Eastern influences.[6]According to FOX News, "Baby Boy" is based on the 1995 reggae song "Here Comes the Hotstepper" by Jamaican singer Ini Kamoze.[7]

"Baby Boy" is a sequel in ways to "'03 Bonnie & Clyde"; a 2002 Jay-Z song featuring Knowles.[2] The lyrics detail a woman's fantasies, and in keeping with the album's overall theme, Knowles' deemed them as personal to her.[3] Sean Paul remarked, "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.'"[2] The lyrics are constructed in the toast–chorus–verse form; Sean Paul performs the toasting while Knowles sings all other verses and choruses. The pattern is repeated twice; a further chorus and verse follow, resolving at the toasting and final verse. AND I MEET MA FIRST BIGGEST FAN KIERRAH SHE IS SO TALENTED SHE COULD REALLY SING

Release and reception

Knowles singing "Baby Boy", flanked by two dancers

"Baby Boy" was released as the second single from the album Dangerously in Love. It was released as a CD in Canada on May 4, 2003, in Australia on September 9, and in the United States on October 14, 2003 as a 12" single.[8] The track appeared in the revamped version of Sean Paul's 2003 second album, Dutty Rock.

"Baby Boy" was well-received by critics. Rolling Stone magazine reviewer Anthony DeCurtis wrote that Knowles‎ sounded like she was "having fun" on the song,[9] while Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic, an online music database, described Knowles' vocals as "assured and sexy".[10] Mark Anthony Neal of the international webzine PopMatters, regarded the song as one of the "high-profile collaborations" from Dangerously in Love.[11] Lisa Verrico of the daily US newspaper The Times described the song a "Latino-tinged collaboration ... set to clicky beats that sound like castanets".[12] She concluded that "Paul does a reggae rap in the middle, but it's when he chats while Beyoncé half raps that the pair have real chemistry".[12] Yancey Strickler of the Flak magazine wrote that "'Baby Boy''s diwali stutter is enhanced by Sean Paul's dancehall monotone".[13] Entertainment Weekly magazine's Neil Drumming said that "'Baby Boy' goes full-tilt Bollywood 'n da hood, with Sean Paul ripping a pulsing tabla raga".[14]

James Anthony of the British newspaper The Guardian said the track "bridges the gap between the genres of R&B and dancehall".[15] British record label EMI was honored by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) during the 2005 Pop Music Awards as Publisher of the Year for publishing "Baby Boy", among other songs.[16] Scott Storch earned Songwriter of the Year at the same event.[16]

Music video

The music video for "Baby Boy" was filmed by English director Jake Nava, who also shot Knowles' "Crazy in Love" video. It was recorded in Miami, Florida on August 7–8, 2003. Parts of the video were captured in a house with different styles rooms: one in a Japanese style and one in an old English style.[17]

Scenes featuring Knowles and Sean Paul are shown separately. The video begins with Sean Paul sitting on a throne while toasting; Knowles is leaning against the wall dancing. In the following scene, Knowles is seen on a bed tossing herself. Sean Paul is shown with several women who are lying on the floor caressing each other. Knowles walks towards the beach; she spots a man, and the two touch and flirt. At a party, Knowles dances with a man. Water floods the floor as she sings "the dance floor becomes the sea". The original track is interpolated towards the end with an Arabic instrumental, designed for the music video. This section showcases Knowles vigorously dancing on the sand.

Sal Cinquemani of the online publication Slant Magazine, described the video as a "baby-oil-logged follow-up" to "Crazy in Love"'s "bootylicous video".[18] "Baby Boy" premiered on MTV's program Total Request Live on August 25, 2003 at number ten and reached the top spot.[19][20] It stayed on the show for forty-one weeks, the same chart run "Me, Myself & I" earned.[19]

Chart performance

"Baby Boy" attained a positioning on the commercial charts before its physical release in the US. The track led to a higher Billboard 200 chart placing for Dangerously in Love, and helped the album to attain multi-platinum certification in the US.[21] The single debuted on the Billboard Hot 100, the US' official singles chart, at number fifty-seven while "Crazy in Love" was still in the top spot.[22] "Baby Boy" dominated the US airplays, helping it to chart atop the Hot 100.[23][24][25] It reached the chart's top spot eight weeks after its debut, and stayed there for nine consecutive weeks.[25][26] The single stayed number one for a week longer than "Crazy in Love" had, becoming Knowles' longest-charting number-one single. The feat was not broken until Knowles' 2006 single "Irreplaceable", from her second album B'Day, spent ten weeks at the top spot in late 2006 to early 2007.[27] The single stayed on the Hot 100 for twenty-nine weeks,[28] and was certified platinum on June 6, 2006 by the Recording Industry Association of America.[29] "Baby Boy" achieved success on Billboard crossover and mainstream radio charts, appearing on the Top 40 Tracks, Rhythmic Top 40 and Top 40 Mainstream, as well as on the Hot 100 Airplay, Dance Radio Airplay and Hot Dance Music/Club Play.[30][31][32][24]

Internationally, "Baby Boy" performed just as well, peaking inside the top ten on most charts. The single debuted at number two in the United Kingdom, becoming the chart's highest debut and "Baby Boy"'s highest entry internationally.[33] Though it spent eleven weeks on the chart, it failed to top it.[28] In most European countries, the single entered the top ten. In Australia and New Zealand, "Baby Boy" peaked at number three and two, respectively. It was certified platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association with sales in excess of 70,000 units.[34]

Live performances

Knowles performed "Baby Boy" during the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards.[35] She sang the song in a medley with the pre-recorded vocals of Sean Paul, and also performed "Crazy in Love" with Jay-Z.[36] She later performed "Baby Boy" at the 2003 MTV Europe Music Awards together with Sean Paul.[37] Her performance was panned by PopMatters' Jessica Hodges as a "letdown" compared with her applauded 2003 MTV VMA.[38]

Knowles performing "Baby Boy" during the 2007 The Beyoncé Experience world concert tour

"Baby Boy" has been included on the set list for most of Knowles' concert tours. The song was set as opening of her Dangerously in Love World Tour that began in late 2003. During the tour, she appeared suspended from the ceiling of the arena being lowered to a red lounger[39]—a prop she also used during the 2003 MTV VMA. The footage taken in London's Wembley Arena in the United Kingdom is included in the Live at Wembley concert DVD that was released on April 27, 2004. Knowles performed the song midway through the setlist of her former group Destiny's Child farewell tour Destiny Fulfilled ... And Lovin' It, and it subsequently appeared on the Destiny's Child: Live in Atlanta concert DVD. During the 2007 The Beyoncé Experience world concert tour, Knowles again performed "Baby Boy" in a version that incorporated a reggae song "Murder She Wrote".[40] The footage taken at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on September 2, 2007 appeared on The Beyoncé Experience Live! DVD.

In the 2005 ASCAP Pop Music Awards, "Baby Boy", along with Knowles' songs "Me, Myself and I" and "Naughty Girl", was honored as one of the most performed songs of the year.[41]

Armour saw Knowles performing "Baby Boy" and recognized parts of its lyrics and musical hook similar to her song "Got a Little Bit of Love for You"; subsequently, Armour filed a copyright infringement lawsuit in 2005 against Knowles.

In 2005, US singer-songwriter Jennifer Armour filed a copyright infringement lawsuit claiming that Knowles had used some lyrics and the musical hook from her song "Got a Little Bit of Love for You".[42][43][44] In 2003, Armour's former label manager had submitted a demo recordings to record labels, including Knowles' Columbia Records and Sean Paul's Atlantic Records.[45][46] According to the district court, an expert hired by Armour testified that "there are a few, very brief elements in 'Baby Boy' that, once the key and the tempo are changed to match 'Got a Little Bit of Love for You,' appear similar"; the district court nonetheless ruled that no jury could find the two songs to be "substantially similar" (a requirement for an infringement finding) and dismissed the case.[44]

On appeal, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit affirmed the district court's ruling, but ruled with different reasoning. It held that there was no infringement because Armour's demo tape was received after the writing of Knowles' song had been substantially completed. However, the court did not address the issue of substantial similarity.[46][47]

Track listing

Charts

Template:Succession box two to one
Preceded by Billboard's Hot Dance Airplay number one single
November 2, 2003 		Succeeded by
"Something Happened On the Way To Heaven" by Deborah Cox

References

  1. ^ a b c Dangerously in Love. Columbia Records. 2003.
  2. ^ a b c d Kaufman, Gil (2003-03-17). "Jigga Who? Beyonce Shares Fantasies With Sean Paul On 'Bonnie & Clyde' Sequel". MTV News. Retrieved 2008-01-21.
  3. ^ a b Thread editors. "Beyoncé's debut Album, Dangerously In Love". Thread. Retrieved 2008-01-21. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  4. ^ "Baby Boy". Sheet Music Plus. Retrieved 2008-01-21.
  5. ^ Gerard, Morgan. "Time is the Master". Peace. Retrieved 2008-04-01.
  6. ^ "Scott Storch's Outrageous Fortune". Rolling Stone. 2006-06-29. Retrieved 2008-04-01.
  7. ^ Friedman, Roger (2005-10-18). "Beyonce Takes Credit for 'Writing' Songs". FOX News. Retrieved 2008-04-11.
  8. ^ "Beyoncé: Discography". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2008-04-11.
  9. ^ DeCurtis, Anthony (2003-07-10). "Album Reviews: Dangerously In Love". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
  10. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Review: Dangerously in Love". Allmusic. Macrovision Corporation. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
  11. ^ Neal, Mark Anthony (2003-07-11). "Getting Grown". PopMatters. Retrieved 2008-01-21.
  12. ^ a b Verrico, Lisa (2003-06-20). "Beyonce: Dangerously in Love - Beyonce Knowles is growing up, but not too much". Times Online. Times Newspapers Ltd. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
  13. ^ Strickler, Yancey. "Beyonce: Dangerously In Love". Flak Magazine. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
  14. ^ Drumming, Neil (2003-06-27). "Music Review: Dangerously in Love (2003)". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
  15. ^ Anthony, James (2006-08-18). "'Of course you can lose yourself'". The Guardian. Retrieved 2008-04-01.
  16. ^ a b "ASCAP Pop Music Awards 2005". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Retrieved 2008-01-23.
  17. ^ Reid, Shaheem (2003-08-20). "Sean Paul Appears In The Flesh In Beyonce's 'Baby Boy' Clip". MTV News. Retrieved 2008-01-21.
  18. ^ Cinquemani, Sal. "03 Year in Rewind". Slant Magazine. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
  19. ^ a b "TRL debuts". Popfusion. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
  20. ^ "TRL Number Ones". Popfusion. Retrieved 2008-02-09.
  21. ^ Stacy-Deanne (2005). Alicia Keys, Ashanti, Beyonce, Destiny's Child, Jennifer Lopez & Mya: Divas of the New Millennium. Amber Books Publishing. pp. 60–61. ISBN 0974977969. Retrieved 2008-02-01. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  22. ^ "Billboard Hot 100". aCharts. 2003-08-21. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
  23. ^ Martens, Todd (2003-09-11). "Beyonce, Sean Paul Creep Closer To No. 1". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2008-04-01.
  24. ^ a b Martens, Todd (2003-08-04). "'Tailfeathers' Still Shakin' Singles Chart". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2008-04-01.
  25. ^ a b Martens, Todd (2003-09-25). "'Baby' Kicks 'Tailfeather' From Chart Roost". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2008-04-01.
  26. ^ Martens, Todd (2003-11-28). "'Stand Up' Ends 'Baby Boy' Reign". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2008-03-31.
  27. ^ Hasty, Katie (2007-02-08). "Beyonce Makes It Ten Weeks At No. 1 With 'Irreplaceable'". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2008-03-31.
  28. ^ a b c d ""Baby Boy" Global Chart Positions and Trajectories". aCharts. Retrieved 2008-01-23.
  29. ^ "Gold and Platinum". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 2008-01-23.
  30. ^ Martens, Todd (2003-10-23). "No Stopping Beyoncé's 'Baby Boy' At No. 1". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2008-04-01.
  31. ^ "Beyoncé: Artist Chart History". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2008-01-23.
  32. ^ a b c "Beyoncé Billboard Singles". Allmusic. Macrovision Corporation. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
  33. ^ "UK Singles Top 75". aCharts. Retrieved 2008-01-23.
  34. ^ "ARIA Charts - Accreditations - 2003 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 2008-01-23.
  35. ^ Cinquemani, Sal. "The Kiss(es) Heard 'Round the World: 2003 MTV Music Video Awards". Slant magazine. Retrieved 2008-01-21.
  36. ^ "Jay-Z Prevented Sean Paul From Performing With Beyonce At VMAs". Yahoo!. 2003-09-05. Retrieved 2008-01-21.
  37. ^ Wiederhorn, Jon (2007-11-06). "It's Justin's Night As Christina, Kelly Osbourne Fight At MTV Europe Awards". MTV News. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
  38. ^ Hodges, Jessica (2003-11-17). "MTV Europe Music Awards 2003". PopMatters. Retrieved 2008-01-21.
  39. ^ Simpson, Dave (2003-11-04). "Beyoncé". The Guardian. Retrieved 2008-04-16.
  40. ^ Shaheem, Reid (2007-10-06). "Beyonce Puts On Flawless — And Fall-Less — NYC Show With Robin Thicke". MTV News. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
  41. ^ "Most Performed Songs". American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers. Retrieved 2008-01-23.
  42. ^ Associated Press (2007-10-04). "Suit Over Beyonce's 'Baby Boy' Lyrics Goes to Appeals Court". FOX News. Retrieved 2008-01-21.
  43. ^ MTV News staff (2005-07-13). "For The Record: Quick News On Beyoncé, Britney Spears, Hilary Duff, Snoop, White Stripes, Simon Cowell & More". MTV News. Retrieved 2008-01-21.
  44. ^ a b Armour v. Knowles, No. H-05-2407, 2006 WL 2713787 (S.D.Tex. Sep. 21, 2006).
  45. ^ MTV News staff (2006-10-03). "For The Record: Quick News On Britney Spears, Beyonce, Kristin Cavallari, Beck, T.I., Lil' Kim & More". MTV News. Retrieved 2008-01-21.
  46. ^ a b "Beyonce cleared of copying song". Independent.ie. 2008-01-03. Retrieved 2008-01-21. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  47. ^ Armour v. Knowles (PDF), 512 F.3d 147 (5th Cir. 2007). Retrieved on 2008-04-17.


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