The problem with the 4 era was the single selection. Had Countdown or another uptempo on the album been the lead single, the era would have smashed. Run This World was just trying to replicate Single Ladies' success, and the attempt to replicate that success inevitably brought the era to underperform.
Um. This is the part where I keep it real. The pregnancy had a impact, but honestly, the messy promo & management, leaked album(Three Weeks Early ) and the rough start with Run The World.....I knew then that the album wouldn't be as successful as the others.
However if End Of Time was released first it would be a smash hit.
If Love on Top was released next, followed by Countdown and then followed by I Was Here...... the slayage. I have no idea why Girls or BTINH were singles but oh well, I'm so over the 4 era. ^_^
No, there was nothing single friendly on the album. It was too R&B. And in 2011, that was definitely the kiss of death. They even tried the most pop friendly single and that didn't do much.
This topic is tired. However, if she didn't get pregnant the album would've been supported by a tour and a re-release. This would've helped the era in the long run. The pregnancy help was so short lived cause of the rumors that followed so quickly.
The last option, honestly. The general public really was just not here for 4; the pregnancy helped to spur interest in the album after it had already begun to die down.
She release a song that shouldn't be a lead single as one. Not just was RTW not lead single material but it wasn't a representation of 4 as a body of work. Schoolin Life was perfect, especially for going against the grain. EOT or CD would've been cute too. The album could've sold around 5.5 million with proper single selection. SL then EOT then LOT then dual Party/CD then dual IWH/D4U would've been the perfect era
) and the rough start with Run The World.....I knew then that the album wouldn't be as successful as the others.