Pop music has certainly gotten interesting over the past 5 years, but this song was, well, too interesting. To put it bluntly: “Single Ladies” is just downright bizarre.
During the chorus, a bass synth comes in and goes from B to C, which is the bVI chord borrowed from the key of E minor. I will be talking a lot about borrowing chords from related keys and tonalities (aka modal interchange) in future Compositional Analysis posts, but what makes “Single Ladies” downright bizarre is that the melody doesn’t reflect this change in harmony at all, so what we’ve got is music in E minor and a melody in E major. This is called polytonality**, a technique normally reserved for highly esoteric jazz and classical music.
The result is a striking juxtaposition: a nursery rhyme-esque melody with a powerful, sinister bassline beaneath it, creating a bitter, almost shocking melancholy which underscores the “strong woman” image for which Beyoncé has become an archetype. The melody is distinctly feminine and “cute” while the bassline is aggressive and forceful (usually thought of as masculine traits). It is probably no coincidence that the bassline enters with the line, “if you like it then you shoulda put a ring on it.” Here, the woman asserts her control over a man.
All this being said, she could not have pulled this song off were it not for a sparse arrangement, an exceptionally catchy beat, and the clout of being a well-established, top female artist, not to mention a role model for a generation of young, ambitious women.
**** experimenting with hairstyles. Beyoncé experiments MUSICALLY which is why she is the best.
Beyonce is such a force of nature that it’s easy to overlook her trump card: She’s a bit of a weirdo. Her weirdness is musical – it’s in the idiosyncratic way she syncopates her vocals, the odd melodies she floats over rugged beats, her sui generis mix of rap bravado, gospel sanctimony and old-fashioned showbiz razzle-dazzle.
The words of the Queen herself
Quote:
Figuring out a way to get R&B back on the radio is challenging. Everything sounds the same on the radio. With ‘4’ I tried to mix R&B from the ’70s and the ’90s with rock ‘n’ roll and a lot of horns to create something new and exciting. It was so much fun putting bridges back into songs and twelve part harmonies back into songs and huge choruses and breakdowns and guitar solos and drum solos and all the things that I love in music that I feel like I just want to hear again. When I went into the studio for this album I used that same passion, honesty, and approach with my vocals that I channelled as Etta James. It's a lot rawer. It comes from a deep place. I only sang things once. I wanted it to be really emotional and sincere.
**** experimenting with hairstyles. Beyoncé experiments MUSICALLY which is why she is the best.
Oh I love it I read that months ago I don't remember if I shared it here or not, but it was such a pleasant surprize to see her song being put in such a positive spotlight by people who don't normally listen to her music. It is from a hipster kind of blog where they analyse the songs, the samples and arragements. Even some of the comments were saying they usually hate songs from these type of singers but they see the genius in this one. I was so shocked! Of course they were some bitter comments here and there too.
Oh I love it I read that months ago I don't remember if I shared it here or not, but it was such a pleasant surprize to see her song being put in such a positive spotlight by people who don't normally listen to her music. It is from a hipster kind of blog where they analyse the songs, the samples and arragements. Even some of the comments were saying they usually hate songs from these type of singers but they see the genius in this one. I was so shocked! Of course they were some bitter comments here and there too.
Yeah, this is article is old but it really highlights that she is certainly beyond making simple catchy songs. Honestly, her arrangements are like no other. So weird but addictive as hell.
If she could play an instrument (like REALLY play, 'cause she can play a little bit) it would be OVAH. I remember her once saying that the melodies she has in her mind are just too complicated for her to play. I mean could you imagine trynna play Run The World on the guitar? LOL
Yeah, this is article is old but it really highlights that she is certainly beyond making simple catchy songs. Honestly, her arrangements are like no other. So weird but addictive as hell.
If she could play an instrument (like REALLY play, 'cause she can play a little bit) it would be OVAH. I remember her once saying that the melodies she has in her mind are just too complicated for her to play. I mean could you imagine trynna play Run The World on the guitar? LOL
That's why I always fantasize in my head that she would take a year to perfect her guitar's skils (because she can play a little). It would be so huge if she could totally play electric guitar like my other fave. I'll die.
That's why I always fantasize in my head that she would take a year to perfect her guitar's skils (because she can play a little). It would be so huge if she could totally play electric guitar like my other fave. I'll die.
I think if she IS learning guitar..she probably won't say anything until she's actually perfected her ability to play. I would not be at all surprised if she actually has been taking some lessons.
I think if she IS learning guitar..she probably won't say anything until she's actually perfected her ability to play. I would not be at all surprised if she actually has been taking some lessons.
She gon' whip out that guitar out on us one day.
Whoo' Lawd!
Her Future is looking so bright.
I'm telling you gerls now,that 5th album is GOING TO SH*T!
4,IMO,was just a big ass experiment all for the fans.
The 5th album will be about BEYONCE,no inspirations,no pulling from YouTube,just Bey pulling from herself.
It's going to be so deep.She will get into writing about the baby,how love really is.
Then all the sudden flack & hate from the Media,Emotions from Matthew.
CH...I don't know if I'm Prepared.
Whoo' Lawd!
Her Future is looking so bright.
I'm telling you gerls now,that 5th album is GOING TO SH*T!
4,IMO,was just a big ass experiment all for the fans.
The 5th album will be about BEYONCE,no inspirations,no pulling from YouTube,just Bey pulling from herself.
It's going to be so deep.She will get into writing about the baby,how love really is.
Then all the sudden flack & hate from the Media,Emotions from Matthew.
CH...I don't know if I'm Prepared.
