In Part 1 of our "I Am... Sasha Fierce" deep dive, Chris and Chantel Nicole go track by track through the "I AM..." side of the album - Beyoncé’s stripped-down, emotional ballad collection. Often overshadowed by the Sasha Fierce bangers, does this side of the project deserve more credit? We’re talking vocals, lyrics, and legacy - with full honesty, of course.
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- 0:00 - Intro
- 1:30 - "I Am...Sasha Fierce" Album Info
- 2:38 - Album Cover
- 4:19 - "If I Were A Boy"
- 10:22 - "Halo"
- 18:38 - "Disappear"
- 21:44 - "Broken-Hearted Girl"
- 27:52 - "Ave Maria"
- 32:45 - Smash Into You"
- 36:28 - "Satellites"
- 39:14 - "That's Why You're Beautiful"
- 43:45 - Cut or Keep
- 44:42 - Overall Thoughts
References:
- “If I Were A Boy” MV https://youtu.be/AWpsOqh8q0M?si=O-AcmdmGyovvA12O
- “If I Were A Boy”/“You Oughta Know” Live at Grammys https://youtu.be/UqzKEMqKwf0?si=jmQZWzxdc0ARgPnA
- “Halo” MV https://youtu.be/bnVUHWCynig?si=5b96e-rYAmvIb0po
- “Halo” Alternative MV (Leak) https://youtu.be/gFDTOn94dr4?si=e-wuFYPzPj3xi5Px
- “Halo” Live at David Letterman https://youtu.be/T6FDAX6p83g?si=S6q_jjhXI-aQacK3
- “Broken Hearted Girl” MV https://youtu.be/JXmUYdOVJtc?si=mOEhXTFPHqmWNWVH
- “Broken Hearted Girl” Live at I Am… World Tour https://youtu.be/8W8uiX6e7ZM?si=3HcvlDarkLXbtYmy
- “Ave Maria” Live https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKmI1avKHJI
- “Smash Into You” Live at I Am… World Tour https://youtu.be/wVwf4JSWku8?si=rqvbv9R1fD76JxqM
- “Satellites” Live at Wynn Las Vegas https://youtu.be/7RMjDxc8TwE?si=IqCDsguveb87Pe2u
00:00:00 --> 00:00:11 Before lemonade spilled and renaissance shimmered, Beyonce gave us a full-blown identity crisis on an album. Today, we're going to review I Am Sasha Fierce Part 1.
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00:00:45 --> 00:01:14 This is very true. Very true. That and we have so many episodes, not just about Beyonce, but about Destiny's Child. Y'all are waiting for the reunion. We are too. We have a full Pop 101 episode about it where we talk about their career and their discography. We will do albums eventually, but just let us know if you want those. Also, we have Renaissance album and Renaissance and Cowboy Carter tour reviews on our channel. So definitely check those out and drop some comments because we love talking about pop music here on the show. Hi.
00:01:14 --> 00:01:35 So we're excited to actually get into an album. And why not start with Beyonce's album, I Am. Not Sasha Fierce, I Am today. Yeah, so let's talk about the album as a whole first. Yeah. And then you'll have to tune into part two to hear us talk about Sasha Fierce. Yes. So, released in November 2008, I Am Sasha Fierce.
00:01:35 --> 00:02:00 is Beyoncé's third studio album and it debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 and it has sold over 10 million copies worldwide. The album was nominated for Album of the Year and Best Contemporary R&B Album at the Grammy Awards in 2010. And Beyoncé co-wrote or co-produced every track on the album, collaborating with a variety of creatives including Babyface, Tricky Stewart, The Dream, and Ryan Tedder.
00:02:00 --> 00:02:26 Yes, and this double-disc album showcases two distinct personas expressing the dichotomy between her personal and onstage self. Disc one is I Am, which reveals Beyoncé's introspective and vulnerable side, featuring tracks that delve into themes of love, heartbreak, and self-reflection. The second disc, Sasha Fierce, is named after her onstage alter ego, embodying a more assertive and confident Beyoncé.
00:02:26 --> 00:02:38 So we will now go track by track and discuss the production, vocals, and lyrics and give our ratings for each song, starting with the I Am side. But beware, fewer discretion is advised. Your fave will be criticized.
00:02:39 --> 00:03:00 But first, let's discuss the album cover, which was shot by Peter Lindbergh, who's known for his raw cinematic style and minimalism. The image is a black and white direct shot of Beyonce with her arms raised behind her head. And she has described the whole aesthetic of the I Am side, at least, as bold but stripped down. Yes. I guess that works with Sasha Fierce, too, doesn't it?
00:03:01 --> 00:03:20 Yeah, yeah, it does. I mean, it is very interesting to see both on the album here. Because you have, like, Beyonce wearing her, you know, her cross on her wrist and then Sasha Fierce staying at the camera. I think the album cover itself is good because if you think about how Beyonce's first albums were, like, she's...
00:03:20 --> 00:03:40 Daydream Love, she's wearing diamonds. B-Day, she looks like a Southern Belle. With this one, it's like, who are you going to get? It's kind of a blank canvas. It's black and white. You add your colors as you go through the album. I think it's really cool. I mean, if you look through the album booklet, as I am right now, because I bought the album, yo, with my own little pennies when I was like, I don't know how old, but I bought it with my pennies. I said, Mom, don't worry about it. I got it, girl. I got it.
00:03:40 --> 00:04:09 Pinnies in my purse. But yeah, you have a lot of nice moments where there are colors inside of like the booklet here, but it's on the clothes or on the fashion. So I think overall, it's really cool. I remember this album because of the black and white. So the whole theme of their visuals were giving very black and white and classic. Yes. I'm here for that. It's definitely a timeless cover. Mm hmm. And it's a bold shot, too. Right. Like she's fully straight on. Um.
00:04:10 --> 00:04:26 Yeah, I'm here for it. It's a memorable photo for sure. Yes, Thanksgiving. All right. So, guys, we're going to just hop right into it. I Am, and the first track is If I Were a Boy. And it was done by B.C. John and Toby Gabb with Beyoncé credited as a producer. It's fun!
00:04:29 --> 00:04:48 So apparently BC John was unaware that Beyonce had wanted the track until she recorded it. And some sources claim that Beyonce's team aggressively pursued the publishing rise, which did cause some tension. We like to give a little bit of backstory. So if you guys like, that's not true. We're just reading this stuff and gathering it. So beehive.
00:04:48 --> 00:05:03 So this was released as the first single in October 2008 alongside Single Ladies to show the duality of the album. And the video for this song tells the story of the day in the life of a couple with a twist at the end.
00:05:03 --> 00:05:28 was nominated for Best Female Video at the MTV VMAs in 2009. This song won International Song of the Year at the 2009 NRJ Music Awards in France, which is pretty awesome. And the single peaked at number three on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the U.K.'s singles chart. Wow. All right. So we got a backstory. We got some information. How do we feel about this song? Yeah.
00:05:29 --> 00:05:38 Yeah, I feel like this song, and we'll talk about Single Ladies later, but these two are definitely the ones that everyone knows. Yes. Yeah.
00:05:38 --> 00:06:01 Yes, I agree. I feel like these are the ones. I will admit this is not one that I tend to seek out. To be honest, I really love it live. Her live performances, especially that whole version from the tour and from the Grammys with the You Oughta Know mashup in there. Yes. Love that. And then with the extra instruments and just the extra rock music.
00:06:01 --> 00:06:27 intensity of the live versions I'm here for. But for some reason, I don't know. This just isn't for me. I'm not sure what it is. I think melodically it's fine. I appreciate the lyrics. I think it's a great commentary on the double standards and the gender dynamics in straight relationships. Yeah, I don't know what it is. Maybe it's because she didn't write it, that it just doesn't feel...
00:06:28 --> 00:06:50 as personal actually as as all the other stuff so i don't feel as connected to it i don't know i mean whitney didn't write a lot of her songs i always use but you know um i get maybe okay maybe i'll say it this way beyonce has really amazing ballads and slower songs and this is not one of my favorites in that group
00:06:50 --> 00:07:05 I'll say it that way. This is the caveat. I'm going to use that word right now. I'm sure that's the right thing to say right now. But the thing is, you actually are a huge fan of Destiny's Child, and you actually know a lot of deep cuts on Beyonce's albums. So it's coming from a place of I know her stuff, and this is not like...
00:07:05 --> 00:07:32 yeah i get it i totally get it i understand for me i feel like i know the song because of the video right so right off the gate we got this heartbreaking hypothetical gender swapping in the lyrics you know the privilege that you mentioned which really stinks like the whole staying out late neglecting the girlfriend and cheating on her shamelessly oh yay fun i mean we have like a boy i think like a boy by sierra definitely tops this it's like the difference between like um
00:07:32 --> 00:07:58 Bust the Windows at Your Car and Before He Cheats by Miss Underwood. You know what I'm saying? It's like, whichever one you heard first or which other kind of style you like the most. Or maybe you like both. For these two songs, like Power Boy or Like a Boy, I like both of them. Depends on how I'm feeling. Like, I'll pick Like a Boy to be kind of dancing to. But this one, for the bridge. For the bridge alone, I will always come back to it. Because it's like, you know, it's not like...
00:07:58 --> 00:08:17 the easiest to sing but that's the crescendo of the song because throughout the verses she's kind of restrained and then fully belting her truth in that chorus um it's not an easy song to sing even though she makes it sound like it's easy because if you hear like the reba cover or if you hear a bunch of people doing other covers it's
00:08:17 --> 00:08:41 I don't want to say it's not as good, but if they're going to do their, like, say true to Beyonce's version, it's really up there in terms of vocals. And then Reba kind of dialed it back a little bit, gave a little bit of a country twang. It wasn't bad. But then you kind of listen to it. You're like, OK, all right. The song is a big song. But, yeah, I think it's it's it does what it needs to do. Again, the bridge kind of stands out for me. Like when I was learning. Yeah. Love the bridge. Yeah.
00:08:41 --> 00:09:11 Yeah. When I was learning how to sing, my coach was like, yeah, this is great. This is like a kind of like a mixed voice situation that you can practice with. Go ahead, girls, do it. And I was like, this is hard. So out of vocal respect, I like this song for sure. The music video, we were watching it together and I was like, this is so messed up. I hate this. I will say the man that she was, you know, entertaining. He was too handsome. That was a problem. Oh, no. He was too handsome.
00:09:11 --> 00:09:35 The video's really sad. The black and white gives it this, you know, kind of like film noir kind of feel to it. But yeah, I think the whole her playing the guy going out to work and then cheating. Her music videos will have you thinking this woman can act her behind off because she was acting so bad and so mean and so nasty and was like, I'm not sleeping with the guy. And when the switch came around, I was like...
00:09:36 --> 00:10:00 great twist yeah very good twist yeah i also love that there are are barely any lip-syncing shots oh yeah it's mainly just the story yes um and they do a good job establishing it very early so yeah i think it's a really well done video um actually i didn't say this earlier yes i love the
00:10:00 --> 00:10:24 Oh my god, yeah. They almost operate like strings in a way. I think they're so beautiful. The arrangement is so nice. Yeah, I give it an 8. It's still good, but definitely far from a favorite. That's valid. I give it an 8.5. Because I do like this one a little bit more than some other songs. Moving on to Halo.
00:10:28 --> 00:10:55 Done by Ryan Tedder, Evan, Kid, Bogart, and Beyonce. And this was released as a single in January 2009. It peaked at number five on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number four on the UK singles chart. And the single was originally offered to Leona Lewis after the success of Bleeding Love. And there were actually rumors that Clive Davis was angry that Beyonce ended up getting it. Again, this is what we found online. If you know otherwise, let us know in the comments.
00:10:56 --> 00:11:25 The song did also spark other drama, though, because Kelly Clarkson called out the production similarities between Halo and her Ryan Tedder produced song Already Gone. She even tried to prevent that song from being a single due to the similarities, but the label went ahead with it anyway. And she even jokingly sang a few lines of Halo during one performance of Already Gone. That is so funny. That's so funny. I don't blame her. Yeah. Anyway, what do you think of Halo?
00:11:25 --> 00:11:34 Okay. Now, mentioning all the Leona Lewis things, I didn't realize, but in my notes, I'm like, oh, this is like the spiritual cousin of Leona Lewis's leading love.
00:11:37 --> 00:12:00 That's like legit the first line of my nose. But yeah, I mean, okay. So this song is about letting your guard down, learning how to fall in love and trusting your lover. This is definitely a Ryan Tedder signature. Like Ryan Tedder at the time, the pounding piano, the echoey drums, the soaring, everything. Everything's just in the stratosphere. Beyonce's vocals are angelic, ethereal.
00:12:00 --> 00:12:20 And that little, um, didn't even make a sound. Love that for her. Love that too. Yeah, I was like, great, better go off. But she doesn't typically hit those notes live because that is quite low. It's tough. It's tough. Doesn't mean she can't sing it. It's just, it's not something that you want to sound. When you're singing loud, it's like, okay. Um.
00:12:21 --> 00:12:43 I remember having to cover this song when I was first taking vocal lessons. It was so hard to do the sound. But once I got it, cool. But then the other runs, like she does like little micro runs and riffs here in the song. It's so irritating. Why are you so talented? Why did God give you those talents? Why did God give you those gifts? Guys, if you've seen the DVD, you know what I'm talking about. But yeah, yeah,
00:12:43 --> 00:13:04 Even though all the good things are happening in this song, I can't say that this is my favorite song. It's not because I couldn't sing it when I was like, you know, like when I was covering it. It's not that. It's just I can't say I like this song all that much. That does not mean it's a bad song. The song is great. Obviously, like Halo is what it is because it is what it is.
00:13:04 --> 00:13:25 It's just for me, sonically is not something that really makes me go, wow, I need more of this. And also, I'm not a fan that she closed out her Super Bowl performance with Halo, but Here We Are is one of her biggest songs. I don't like that she closed it. Interesting. I can feel it. I mean, she made it sound like, you know, a little bit more like interesting, but I wouldn't have gone with Halo. Interesting.
00:13:25 --> 00:13:55 I'm kind of here for it as the end of her Super Bowl. And again, I think it does work live. Because there's something very kind of sweet about it. So it kind of just ends a show on a really nice note. That's valid. I get it. I'm kind of here for it. I mean, I have all that fire and like stomping and wah! Halo! Oh my god. Oh my god. But yeah, I think this is basically the musical equivalent. Like the song itself is like a musical equivalent of a Nicholas Sparks movie, but like a good one.
00:13:55 --> 00:14:12 You know, it's giving that... Because the thing about it is a little cheesy. I mean, it's like a wedding song. Yes. There we go. Yeah. And I'm sure it's used as a wedding song a lot. Because it's kind of perfect for it. You know, you got the pianos. It's aerial. It's sweet. It's sweet.
00:14:12 --> 00:14:34 Yeah, the bridge. Yeah. I like this one, but I feel about this the same way I feel about If I Were a Boy, in that I get it in terms of its kind of commercial-ness. I see why it was so popular, but knowing Beyonce's discography, this is never on my list of highlights. And it's, again, also not one that I ever really seek out to listen to. Yeah.
00:14:36 --> 00:15:04 I will say, yes, the vocal is so, so good. The textures in it build so nicely. And yeah, all those little micro, what do you call them? Micro trills? Micro runs. Love all that. Especially the second verse. Yeah. So beautiful. And yeah, so this one's also fine for me. Yeah, yeah. I don't dislike it. Okay, same. Exactly. It's kind of just like, oh. It's fine. I don't mind the Ryan Tedder production. It is...
00:15:04 --> 00:15:29 yeah he's he's he's switched it up since then uh but i feel like also as a huge kelly clark stan um i i understand the issue you know yeah yeah so as you said the song and already gone and bleeding love i think are both better songs than halo oh yeah oh
00:15:29 --> 00:15:59 Ooh. I have to think about that. Do you disagree? No. But now I want to think about it. Wow. Yeah. Okay, so moving on to the music video, or I guess music videos, because there was that alternative leak. Right. So we have the actual official music video, which is her and what's that actor's name? Michael Ealy. Michael Ealy. Yes, thank you. The original video or the main video is very romantic. Yeah.
00:15:59 --> 00:16:26 um it looks like a commercial doesn't it a little bit a commercial for what a wedding planner yeah like julia like oh this begins with k you know like that kind of like okay i was thinking something much more high end oh you know what tiffany's now she's with tiffany's now i take that back okay i will say the dance scenes are a little odd like where he's just like staring at her rehearse i find that a bit odd she's
00:16:27 --> 00:16:45 In the Leotard? Yeah. Not going to sing for single ladies. But, you know, it does allude to... I mean, because the song is called Halo. Yeah. You know, maybe this relationship didn't last forever, I guess. Right. And we learn more in the leaked alternative video. Right. Where we see...
00:16:45 --> 00:17:01 His character gets chased and savagely attacked by police dogs. It's not funny, guys. Sorry. It's just strange. It's so violent. Very violent. Strange as heck. Like, you know what kills me is when, um, I should be laughing.
00:17:02 --> 00:17:20 So this video is scrapped for unknown reasons, but it's just so strange because I was like, either he's a criminal or is a snitch. I'm watching. I'm like, oh, he might be a criminal. But like literally it kills because he's running from the dogs. They bite him. And then suddenly there's a flash to them in the daytime playing with their new puppy.
00:17:20 --> 00:17:43 And I was like, y'all are sick for that. Oh, my Lord. It's sick. Yeah. I guess I have a juxtaposition, but it was just so funny. He's like, oh, my leg. And the dog is like, I'm new. And she's like, I love you, baby. Yeah. I just don't love the whole like, oh, he committed a crime. Same. I don't know. Yeah, I find that odd. Like, I feel like if he passed away from other more, I don't know.
00:17:45 --> 00:18:13 More acceptable circumstances. Not acceptable, but I don't know. I know what you mean, but not so much like he's a criminal. Yeah, yeah. Like maybe he did something really great and, you know. Yeah, saved the life. You're right. Like the Simon Birch movie. I'm not sure if you've seen Simon Birch, but a bus went into the water and this kid who was handicapped saved everyone else and couldn't get out of the boat in time. The bus in time was like, wow, that broke my heart. That makes sense. That makes way more sense. It wasn't like Simon was robbing a bank and was like, like John Q. That's noble. Yeah.
00:18:13 --> 00:18:31 You know? Yeah. Okay, so I see why then the final official video is quite boring, because they had to cut out all this stuff about him stealing money, you know? His rap sheet. Yeah. God. Yeah. But yeah, otherwise, I give the song the same score. I give it an 8.
00:18:31 --> 00:18:44 Same 8.5. It's not bad. Like it's potential to be like, wow, by good you're saying. Yeah. Yeah. All right. Up next we have Disappear and this was done by Beyonce, Amanda Ghost and Dave McCracken.
00:18:49 --> 00:19:10 All right. Yeah. Disappear. Disappear. I really like this one. Disappear. And this has grown on me a lot more as I've gotten older. Because I think I was also very young when this first came out. And I definitely listened to Sasha Fierce much more than this one. But now that I'm older, I can appreciate...
00:19:10 --> 00:19:40 this a lot more the lyrics are quite sad there's a very delicate vocal delivery here all the vocal layers are so pretty and this one you know with the whole concept of i am kind of being kind of the diary entries kind of situation this really feels like that yes you know where i don't really think if i were a boy and halo really fit it doesn't feel that internal in that way um this
00:19:40 --> 00:19:58 I love the instrumental too. It's very light. And it just lets the vocals shine. It doesn't overpower anything. And then the bridge is also great. Like that's where you get some more of a belt there. Just a whole build of the song. I really like this one. What do you think? Yeah, I feel like this one...
00:19:58 --> 00:20:16 It's so, not so sweet, but she sounds very sweet on it, and she's not really trying to show off any vocal chops here. I mean, you already had Halo, and if I were a boy where she's really belting, or she's singing, like, almost kind of operatic in the bridges, and this one is just more about her floating on the track, and
00:20:16 --> 00:20:41 just having, emoting well. Because, you know, sometimes love, love fades away without a trace and the song captures the sentiment. It doesn't have to be like this, like he disappeared, like she's like, Amber Alert disappears, more just like, someone faded away. She seems haunted and obliged by the person, like on the lyrical side. She waits to hear his voice and to see his face and it's like a sad little encapsulation of a quiet stage of a breakup. Mm-hmm.
00:20:41 --> 00:20:57 Sometimes it's not like this violent thing. Like he cheated on me. It's just, Hey, didn't work out or whatever. It's like that moment where it's all text out emotionally before physically like walking out. And then maybe even her, she's like, I wasn't actually present to like, there's a little bit of a,
00:20:57 --> 00:21:21 neither one of us you know was there um but yeah i think that the way she sounds it reminds you of someone writing like a a love letter at a candlelit table um i would say the song could easily be skipped if you're like a casual listener but it does have a chance to be adored by anyone who's like stared into a rainy window pane like post breakup like it's perfect for that
00:21:21 --> 00:21:45 so for me i was like driving i was like word disappear disappear like the background vocals go off on this one too something ghost like so yeah they have my approval here with this one um so for this one i give this one just i give him an eight though just an eight okay i give it an 8.5 i like this more than the first two yeah that's you i understand yeah okay moving on to broken hearted girl
00:21:49 --> 00:22:15 done by Beyonce, Mikkel S. Erickson, Tor Erik Hermansen, also known as Stargate, and Kenneth Babyface Edmonds. And the song was released as a single in some international territories, hitting the top 20 in Australia, Belgium, Finland, and Norway, and number 27 on the UK Singles Chart. And it was nominated for International Song of the Year at the NRJ Music Awards and Best International Hit at the Danish Music Awards.
00:22:15 --> 00:22:22 And the song was originally planned as the third single in the U.S. after Halo, but plans changed to Sweet Dreams instead.
00:22:22 --> 00:22:47 Woo-wee! So definitely got some accolades. Go off. This one straddles that 90s R&B kind of like, because of Babyface. Yes. That makes sense. Of course. It has that 2000s polish. Lyrically, it's like, I'm in love, but also, why am I crying again? It has that whole concept of like, this love isn't perfect. But some of it, it makes me kind of feel like...
00:22:47 --> 00:23:09 I don't know how I feel about this. It reminds me of that old school love where it's like, even if they cheat on you, even if they do, that's why you stay in a relationship. And I don't like that. Again, it's just because of who I am as a human being or just the generation. Staying with your bum, man, skip the generation. I don't know. I'm not saying that my mother did that or my father is a bum. I'm just saying. Yeah.
00:23:09 --> 00:23:28 I think this song, for me, is hard to relate to. But the crazy thing is, I know almost every single word to this song. I might mess up here and there because I haven't listened to this album in, what, 25, 20 years now. But the point is, it's like, I know the song. I just think now that I'm listening to it, I'm like, oh, there are times that I hate you.
00:23:28 --> 00:23:48 But I'll be there at the end of the day. And I'm just like, oh, I don't know. I don't know. That's valid. Yeah, it's tough. But when I was younger, couldn't tell me nothing. I didn't know what the heck she was talking about. I was like, I don't want to be a brokenhearted girl. But it's very interesting that she's like, there are times that I love you. But then also there's, I don't want to love you in no kind of way. So there's that, like, that, that.
00:23:49 --> 00:24:09 that dichotomy that's kind of tough. I mean, when you've been with someone for a long time and something happens, you leave. Do you not leave? Mm-hmm. So I think lyrically, I'm like, it feels like she's just putting up with this person because she doesn't want to start over, but then also she loves him too much to leave. Yeah. That's fair. I don't, yeah. Yeah. But aside from that, the song is not...
00:24:10 --> 00:24:31 because I don't agree with the sentiment doesn't mean it's a bad song doesn't mean the melodies are bad doesn't mean the tracking is bad I mean the production is bad um second verse production introduces like percussion um and in the second verse she sings more strongly so there's a lot of dynamics at play while she's singing this song so I really appreciate it and uh yeah I can't say I dislike it it's just a lot of emotional whiplash
00:24:32 --> 00:24:52 Yeah, I'm going to be honest. I don't pay that much attention to the lyrics for this one. Because it just, because the delivery is just so good. Exactly. You know, I can let it go. Like, this does feel classic power ballad. Thank you to a baby face. Yeah. And I love that. I miss, I say this a lot.
00:24:52 --> 00:25:21 In a lot of our episodes, I miss the classic 90s power ballad. Yeah. Like, I'm kind of sad that that's, like, not really a thing anymore. Yeah, same. Like, Adele was trying to keep it going, but no one else could do it, you know? Oop. Only horse in the race. Okay. Yeah, you know, the melody is beautiful. There's so much inherent drama in it. Yeah. And then the backing track with all the strings and everything, it's all so beautiful. But then, of course, with her vocal delivery...
00:25:22 --> 00:25:29 the emotion is just so, it feels raw. Like it really does feel like she's just like pouring her heart out.
00:25:31 --> 00:25:55 And I love that. And the way she executes it too, it keeps you interested. Like every chorus is slightly different. Yeah. Especially that last one. She kind of switches up a few moments here or there. And then there's even more drama with the live version. Like I'm so mad that the Vegas show is not on streaming. Because I have the CD. And I used to listen to it all the time. As you know, I can do that entire Destiny's Child medley. Yes. Word for word. Yes. Yes.
00:25:57 --> 00:26:24 Y'all, he was eating it up. But the live version for this tour with all the horns and all the extra stops and stuff, it's so good. Yeah. Like, that version is the ultimate one for me. And so, yeah, I actually didn't realize that this was an international single. So that's great that it got some shine. Yes. You know, I remember the music video. I remember that it had a music video, but I thought it was just, you know, it was a precursor to the whole, like, visual album thing. So I just assumed it was just...
00:26:25 --> 00:26:50 an extra music video especially because nothing happens in it oh my god yes i remember i forgot i don't know what i was doing but i remember when media takeout was a thing before the shade room there's something called media takeout right and they had like oh beyonce cheating on jay-z at the beach it was because she was filming for this video but they had press photos and they made she was cheating on jay-z oh my gosh that's hilarious do you think that was just a publicity
00:26:51 --> 00:27:07 Like, my thing is, like, you know how, like, press is kind of present. The fact that they did that and was like, oh, oh. Media Takeout was not it. They were just, they would take pictures and be like, oh, yeah, Chris is picking his nose. Meanwhile, you're just, like, rubbing your nose or something like that. It was weird stuff like that that they would do.
00:27:07 --> 00:27:31 Um, so yeah, I'm not sure if the cheating thing was purposeful, because I don't know if they want to do that. Um, but yeah, I think it's just so funny that you guys are accusing her of cheating on with the guy that we barely see in the video. It's so funny. I saw more of that man in the press photos than I did in the video. But yeah, that video was just so, like, by the beach, and like, I'm pretty, and the wind is blowing. Like, it's...
00:27:31 --> 00:27:57 Like, it wasn't giving. Beyoncé, well, face was giving, body was giving. Wig or hair, whatever, was giving. But aside from that, nothing else was happening. So, luckily we're listening to the song and not the video, because the video would drag the score down. Yes. Yes, I give this song a nine. I love it. Yeah, this is my nine, too. My first nine. Up next is Ave Maria by Beyoncé and Amanda Ghost.
00:28:02 --> 00:28:18 And this was based on Franz Schubert's classical composition, Ave Maria. And Beyonce says she wanted to reframe Ave Maria in the context of finding peace within a relationship. Sounds personal, girl. Yeah, I do appreciate that it's...
00:28:19 --> 00:28:48 no longer religious. It's more just about finding peace or comfort kind of amid the chaos. Yeah, this one does feel very internal. I will say this is one I never really listened to, to be honest. But the vocal is really well done here. So clear, so smooth. As it gets into the opera at the end, you can see, you can hear the technique in there. Yeah. And I appreciate how warm the whole thing sounds.
00:28:49 --> 00:29:13 It does feel like this is the most kind of self-indulgent track. What do you mean? That's funny. Like, it's clearly for her. Oh, it's like vocally show off or? No, like in terms of meaning, like it means a lot to her. I'm not sure it means. I mean, again, Beehive, correct me if I'm wrong, but does this song mean a lot to a lot of fans? Question mark?
00:29:13 --> 00:29:35 I mean, that's interesting. Hmm. Hmm. It gives wedding vibes, maybe because of like the visuals that she provides. Yeah, it does give wedding vibes, yes. I think because of the visuals. Oh, that's an interesting question. Wow. Yeah, I don't know. That's why I say self-indulgence, because it feels like this is like something that means a lot to her. And I just, maybe I'm an outlier here. Yeah. But it just feels a little like, okay, yes, this is great for you.
00:29:35 --> 00:30:04 I will say production wise though The little clicks actually kind of annoy me Like I wish this was just acoustic Just piano and guitar Very raw Because I guess they were trying to make it all Sound just a bit more cohesive And make it all have some more Some body Yeah just some more like electric Elements I don't like the clicks I don't know
00:30:05 --> 00:30:25 I don't hate the song. I don't mind it. It's just not one I listen to. Yeah, little things. Honestly, I can't imagine. I'll be real with you. I can't think of a single fan that goes, oh, my God, Ave Maria is that girl. Like, they might say haunted or like, you know, or they might say dangerously in love. Like, like.
00:30:26 --> 00:30:51 like off dangerously in love like i won't like what's on daddy i want my husband to be like my daddy like no one like you i know what she meant but like you know but no one shouts that song out you know i'm saying like no one goes oh my god it's like you're saying um this track is like the closest we'll ever get to a catholic wedding featuring beyonce this is the closest we'll ever get to go into beyonce's wedding i think like it's just
00:30:51 --> 00:31:03 slow and like, you know, I just think of her wearing her little wedding dress on stage. But yes, this is the wedding featuring Beyonce as both the bride and the wedding vocalist.
00:31:04 --> 00:31:25 So I think reimagining the classical prayer with her own lyrical touches make it elegant and haunting. It feels like a direct response to Halo because like Halo would be kind of sitting by itself in terms of its like celestial meaning. So this complements it in a sense. Yeah.
00:31:25 --> 00:31:45 It's okay. I don't dislike it. She sounds nice on it. I never want to complain about how she sounds on it. I think live performances is what make me feel like, okay, girl, this is your I can sing my face off moment, but also you care about the song quite a bit because when she did perform it, it was at the BET Awards where she sang the Latin...
00:31:45 --> 00:32:06 operatic version of Ave Maria, if I'm not mistaken. And then the live performance on the tour, she does Angel by Sarah McLachlan. And it all just kind of just feels like a moment in time where before the song is over and she switches it up and goes into these, you know, not remixes, operatic singing moments.
00:32:07 --> 00:32:32 dancers twirl and arabesque and leave and give her her wedding dress so extra but and then they come out and you know it's a moment it is a moment that's the crown and she's sitting there looking like a little baby angel yeah yeah the the operatic moments and the wedding dress tutu thing is what makes the song good is the song great so for that
00:32:32 --> 00:33:00 It's not in the middle of the road, but it's not better than the other songs we've heard already. So I'll give it a 7.5. I'll also go 7.5. 7.5. 7.5. Okay, moving on to Smash Into You. Done by John McLaughlin, Frank Romano, The Dream, and produced by Tricky Stewart and Beyoncé. Smash Into You. And the song was first demoed by John McLaughlin under the title Smack Into You.
00:33:02 --> 00:33:07 So this is one of those situations where people are like, oh, Beyonce literally went in there, changed her word, and gave herself a producer credit.
00:33:08 --> 00:33:33 I'm kidding. I'm kidding. I'm sure she did way more than that. That's hilarious. But I will say, John McLaughlin, and his version is out there. Yeah. He has such a great voice. It's such a nice rasp. It's that perfect singer-songwriter kind of thing. Oh, yeah. And it's just much more delicate than Beyonce's. You know, hers is just inherently just a lot more dramatic. So I like both versions. But anyway, what do you think? I like both versions.
00:33:33 --> 00:33:57 persians yeah yeah you know this this track is like the well for as acoustic as it can be acoustic guitar laced it's a slow burn kind of ballad it makes me feel like i'm running like in slow motion toward like a great love like you know like the miyazaki hug that that's what the song feels like when they run into each other they just all you see it's just arms around neck um you know what i'm talking about ponyo
00:33:57 --> 00:34:17 Princess Mon Anoke, Spirited Away. You guys have seen The Hug. It's iconic. And that's what the song reminds me of. You're running toward your BFF or your love interest on the beach. In the rain, maybe, while wearing chiffon. So it's still very elegant, though. It's still very dramatic. Like, you know, it's flowing in the wind. That and she also wearing chiffon or some type of...
00:34:17 --> 00:34:45 version of silk during the tour so that's what i think of it this one sounds really cinematic it's romantic and it's covered in yearning honey like i want to see you well i think the lyrics like um what we have in the first place is gold love is right here my path and my grasp me and you belong like these are some really healthy lyrics it's like finally some healthy love um yes yeah i think beyonce's vocals are
00:34:45 --> 00:35:04 buttery enough but you know they're breathy in the verses and there's some awesome quick moments of the runs and then it soars in the chorus but for me i think because the song is made bigger it doesn't feel overdone has she kept it like kind of original like have it true to the original but it felt a little more like okay okay calm down calm down okay
00:35:04 --> 00:35:20 But this, I think, kind of works out. And then the smashing into you because it's... That word sounds a little aggressive, you know? So it's like a love collides where her voice kind of collides and... Okay. But yeah, the point is, I like this song. Yeah.
00:35:20 --> 00:35:43 I really like the song. Yeah, I think the melody is just so beautiful. They did actually keep the production quite close to John's original version, too. Yeah. And yeah, again, it's just very delicate. It really lets the melody shine. The way it all builds, you know, as the band comes in and it all just climaxes, it's so satisfying there. And then Beyonce's vocal. Ugh.
00:35:43 --> 00:36:02 Like the textures in there, the control, the dynamics is so beautifully done. Like they really thought about or she really thought about how to really emote every single word. And this is this is always one I I enjoy listening to. This one is one I turn to.
00:36:04 --> 00:36:21 And yeah, I'm actually, I do love John McLaughlin as well. So I love that he did get a credit on here. Like his first couple albums are actually really good. I actually haven't listened to newer stuff and I will. Mr. McLaughlin. Thank you for bringing me back. Yeah. So yeah, I give this one a nine. I love this. You know what?
00:36:22 --> 00:36:52 Right here, underline is also a nine. Oh, we matched quite a bit today. Next is Satellites. This was done by Beyonce, Amanda Ghost, Ian Dench, and Dave McGregor. Yes. This one's beautiful. Yes. This one's beautiful. There's another one, like Disappear, that I'm going to be honest, I kind of forgot about.
00:36:53 --> 00:37:20 But listening to it now, I appreciate it a lot more. Again, it's a very gentle production. It's very ambient, you know, with the synths that they chose and with all the strings. And again, it's a very kind of delicate vocal as well. Yeah. I will say the live performance, I believe it's from the Vegas show, is where I kind of went back and was like, oh, yeah, that was such a beautiful moment. Yeah. Yeah.
00:37:21 --> 00:37:48 Yeah, I wouldn't say the song is something that... I don't know. It's not my fave. It's not my fave. Yeah. Yeah, this song is a gentle lullaby with existential overtones. You know, it's one of those things where she's singing about, like, life passing you by, you're not slowing down to actually receive the love that's being given to you. And I think it does make sense for who she was at the time. Mm-hmm.
00:37:48 --> 00:38:07 where I think Matthew was still managing her, right? So she was just working and like, what's the next step? What's the next goal? How can we make, how can we solidify my icon status? Like what is, you know, I'm not saying she was chasing the hit, but it wasn't like she wasn't, she was doing way more interviews too. Oprah had her, Tyra had her. Like because of how much exposure she was having,
00:38:07 --> 00:38:27 because of how much she was exposing herself to the media, I know that her insecure part of her body is her ears. Like, you know, little things like that. Like she was doing so much. She mentioned it on the Tower Bank show. I was, yeah. She's mentioned it quite a few times, I feel like. This is true. But because of how exposed she was, it was always like, go, go, go, go, go. So this song, here and there, she's kind of letting us in like,
00:38:27 --> 00:38:51 you know kind of letting us in on that whole like jayance situation um like this like around the same time that she was finally being like yep we're together we actually got married recently too here's a number four my finger like this is around that time as well um but yeah i think it's interesting uh like i said it's existential like we orbit each other emotionally but we don't always fully connect um but yeah i think it's
00:38:51 --> 00:39:03 I think of this song, I think fans, I think flying in the wind. It's a metaphor for texting, not calling. You know, it's okay, but it's not like, wow.
00:39:03 --> 00:39:31 You know? So for me, it's a seven. It's kind of like right there in the middle. She sounds beautiful. Beyonce's vocalist will always be a 10. Let's be real here. Yes. On itself. Totally. I'll match you with a seven. Yes. Okay. And now we're at the last track of the I Am Side. We did note actually earlier that there is actually a standard version of the album that has even less tracks on either side. But I always feel the deluxe version in this case is the true album.
00:39:31 --> 00:39:56 Okay, that's valid. But yeah, in my booklet, this is not listed. Okay? That's why you're beautiful is not in this booklet. What's the other one that's missing? Is it Smash? Yeah, I think so. Yeah. That's horrible. Smash and Juice is so great. It is. Crazy. Okay, so yes. That's why you're beautiful. Which was done by Beyonce, Amanda Ghost, Ian Dench, and Dave McCracken yet again. And that's why you're beautiful.
00:39:56 --> 00:40:14 You know what, sonically, this is like, wow. If Renaissance Act III is anything like this, I know it's so weird. Like, it's like how many, it's like 20 years in the future. That's crazy that we're thinking about, like 20 years later. This sounds like Coldplay, like yellow by Coldplay. It sounds very like...
00:40:14 --> 00:40:36 You know, that rock, that slow rock moment. I just like the concept of the instrumentation. She's playing with this rock-inspired genre where she's kind of flirting with the acoustics. He's still maintaining the R&B kind of like drums and the snaps and the, you know, in certain tracks. Like it had like a little bit of a groove that was very R&B-esque. But this one just feels like a rock song.
00:40:36 --> 00:40:56 A slow rock song. And I feel like now that I have the standard, really super standard, I'll call it the super standard album, I can see why it wasn't on the super standard disc. Because for me, I'm just like, oh, okay. It doesn't sound like anything else on it. But yeah, no, the song is...
00:40:56 --> 00:41:20 I like it. It's a slow crawl for sure. Like if you're trying to catch a vibe, I would say like long drives, wine by the fireplace. It doesn't really steal the show in terms of the album, but it does create like this interesting atmosphere. The lyrics are poetic. Like lovers used to make love and die just to give us a piece of the beauty or something like that. But like it's very poetic and, you know.
00:41:20 --> 00:41:42 romantic and passionate but the way she's singing it isn't really aggressive so yeah this one kind of stands out for me and hearing it now because i didn't even know it existed thanks a lot standard you couldn't afford the deluxe version that's amazing you can put a deluxe
00:41:44 --> 00:42:13 You want cheese on your sandwich? No, I can't afford it. I got a cheeseburger. But no, I couldn't afford the cheese. I'm tripping. I couldn't afford the cheese. Crazy. Yeah, yeah. What do you think about this? I really like this, Len. You know, yeah, it does have an organic feel to it. She did actually sing a couple lines of it at the Cowboy Carter show. Like it's during the 16 carriages, amen moment. She sings a couple lines of this while she's on that car. Yeah, which was cool to hear. I love Darlene.
00:42:14 --> 00:42:40 Go check out our Cowboy Carter tour review If you haven't We've talked to the whole show We both went on different nights So yeah, anyway I love the drums and the production here It just gives it more energy Look, I get the whole I Am thing And how it's eternal And how it's all really beautiful And all that But, you know Ending this side of the album With some energy Yes Yeah
00:42:40 --> 00:43:09 With the drums and stuff. I appreciate that. And it just all sounds very organic, which is nice. Yeah. And the whole arrangement of the song. Yeah, you mentioned it kind of being like this more kind of just like rock track. Because it's definitely not a typical pop arrangement. Right. And it kind of feels just like her kind of riffing at times, too. Just kind of cool. And there's some really beautiful moments throughout it. And all the vocal layers do. Some really beautiful harmonies here. So, yeah, I really like this one. And I'm...
00:43:10 --> 00:43:28 If I was doing the track listing, I would have put this on standard. Thank you. So I'd have to wait 20 years to hear this. Thank you. Oh, my gosh. I know. I know. Oh, Lord. Okay, so I get this one an eight. Ooh. Mmm. Ooh. Ooh.
00:43:29 --> 00:43:48 Okay. I will purposely match you. I will purposely, because I didn't give it. Yes, because I didn't actually give it a score. I think this is the one, everything else has something. There's no number here. So yes, I will match you with an eight. Okay. Okay, so that wraps up. CD one. I am.
00:43:49 --> 00:44:12 So we'll do our cut or keep section here. Why not? Oh, yes. This is kind of almost a standalone project in a way. It is. Okay. So if I had to cut a song off this album, I would go... I would go Satellites. I knew it. I didn't even say Satellite because I was thinking Satellites too. Yeah. Okay. Yeah. What would you keep? The song I would keep...
00:44:13 --> 00:44:32 I think Smash Into You really is. Yeah, I like Smash Into You quite a bit. Like, do I like Brokenhearted Girl? Absolutely. But something about those lyrics is getting my damn nerves. So for the sake of that, I will say Smash Into You. Yeah, so I'm going to pick Smash Into You too. I think it's so beautiful and I will support John McLaughlin.
00:44:32 --> 00:44:53 Respect. Guys, we don't usually match-match this much, but I think, like, we do have similar tastes when it comes to, like, Beyonce, so I think we're... That's funny. Okay, so general thoughts on the I Am side. I ain't gonna hold you. The only way that I became super familiar with the I Am side is because of the tour. Okay.
00:44:53 --> 00:45:19 If you ask me about the Sasha Fierce side, I will clock it like hickory dickory dock. I will tell you every single song, every single word, every single line. But again, that is a testament to how well Beyonce performs. It doesn't mean the song wasn't good. It's just, I was young. I bought this album. I saw her. I had, you know, done all the single lady-ing-ing. And I didn't realize it was two different albums when I bought it. So when I bought it, I was like, this is a great one. And it was always...
00:45:20 --> 00:45:37 It was like all these slow songs. Y'all, you know you bought the disc, it was like a gold one, it was a gold and silver. Silver was not Renaissance, silver was, I am, and Sasha Burst was a gold one. So when I bought it, I was like, this silver one, I don't know.
00:45:37 --> 00:45:56 But I appreciate it so much more now, especially having gone through some of, not all, let's be real here, some of what she's singing about. I'm like, wow, to be an adult. It's not as raw as she became, which I think is so interesting, but it's a little glimpse. I appreciate that.
00:45:56 --> 00:46:15 Yeah, it's much more adult contemporary. And yes, I think we were both a little too young to really appreciate it at the time. Yeah, we were. You know, because even if I were a boy, I was like, I mean, I guess, you know. I don't have experience with this. I don't know. All right. But yeah, no, listening to it now...
00:46:16 --> 00:46:43 I much appreciate it much, much more. Yes. Like, Disappear. That's now on the track, on the playlisting for me. Like, yeah, I re-found my love for Brokenhearted Girls, Snatching to You and stuff. So, yeah, I like the project. I much prefer Sasha Fierce and I'm excited to talk about it. So if you're also excited about it, you should come join us for part two.
00:46:43 --> 00:47:03 Word up, y'all. So, Beehive, let us know your ratings. Let us know what songs we cut and keep. Let us know all that good stuff, okay? And be nice. This is like 20 years ago. Beyonce's gotten way better. We can all say that, right? Hello. So let us know in the comments what other albums you'd like to hear us review. And obviously, let us know if you're excited for part two, because we are.
00:47:03 --> 00:47:27 And you can come hang out with us and the crew on Patreon. And you can message us at CCTV Pops on all social media. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and turn on those notifications for our YouTube channel. And if you are enjoying the show on a podcast platform, please give us a follow, rating, and a review. Five stars, five stars, five stars. Until next time, that's Chris. That's Chantel. And you're tuning in to CCTV, the nonstop pop show. You want love, baby? Here I am.