"Broken-Hearted Girl" is a midtempo R&B ballad [3] [7] [10] [12] with an airy vocal melody. [13] Beyoncé's vocals are accompanied by strings, [7] a drum machine beat [8] and a cascading melancholy piano that opens the song. [8] [10] [11] The ballad has a Dm–B♭–F(add9)–F–C/E chord progression and a verse-chorus structure. [4] Beyoncé sings the introduction in a low vocal register that heightens her vocal power; in the song, her voice ranges from F 3 to F5.
According to Beyoncé, the lyrics of "Broken-Hearted Girl" concern a woman's fear of the downsides of love. [14] The protagonist sings about heartache, and the possibility of a breakup [9] due to the decline of her relationship with an unfaithful lover. [8] She wishes that she did not have to experience this emotional hurt. [8] While her lover is out cheating on her, at home the woman wonders if she has the courage to continue the relationship, "now that her rock has turned out to be made of mud", as interpreted by Fraser McAlpine of BBC Music. [8]
The protagonist accepts that her feelings for her lover are too strong, and that she does not have the courage to leave him. [14] She decides to fight for her love and not become the victim, [8] [14] singing emotively: "I don't want a broken heart / And I don't want to play the broken-hearted girl". [15] Despite the desire to have her lover back, [16] she sings, "I know that I love you but let me just say / I don't want to love you in no kind of way". [17] The woman gains confidence, and towards the end of the song, she wants to spend her life with her lover despite the previous letdowns. [14]
"Broken-Hearted Girl" and "Ego" were initially planned for simultaneous release as singles in the United States, [18] but "Broken-Hearted Girl" was replaced with "Sweet Dreams", which became the sixth single from the I Am.. Sasha Fierce. [19] "Ego" and "Sweet Dreams" are both on the Sasha Fierce disc, while the other joint-releases from I Am.. Sasha Fierce included one song from each disc to demonstrate the concept of Beyoncé's conflicting personalities—the album's central theme. [20] [21] "Broken-Hearted Girl" was subsequently released as the seventh overall single from I Am.. Sasha Fierce and the fifth outside the US. [10] The ballad was made available in a two-track digital download in Australia and New Zealand on August 28, 2009. [22] [23] A CD single, featuring the album version of "Broken-Hearted Girl" and an extended remix of "Video Phone", was released in Germany on October 20, 2009. [24]
French electronic musician Alan Braxe produced a different version of "Broken-Hearted Girl" that was released in Europe. It is a bubblegum dance and disco remix with guitars, horns, synthesizers, whips, and snare drums. [25] [26] Braxe reworked the ballad's bridge and made changes to Beyoncé's vocals, such as increasing the speed of her singing. [25] On October 30, 2009, a maxi single was released in Europe that features a radio edit and four remixes. [27] Another maxi single was made available on November 2 in the United Kingdom by RCA Records. [28] Digital extended plays later came out on November 20, 2009, in Australia, [29] New Zealand, [30] and Europe. [31] [32]
"Broken-Hearted Girl" received a mixed response from critics. Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond of The Village Voice described the song as "romantic-comedy soundtrack fare", [33] and Colin McGuire of PopMatters commented that the balladry is more similar to the work of Canadian pop singer Celine Dion than American soul singer Aretha Franklin. [34] A writer for the Eastern Daily Press noted that it is a ballad in the vein of Beyoncé's 2008 single "If I Were a Boy" and that Dion would be proud of its "insipid [and] sentimental" balladry. [35] David Riva of The Michigan Daily saw "Broken-Hearted Girl" as "a powerful and emotionally stirring ballad with universal resonance" and one that shows Beyoncé's growth as a songwriter. [9] Jay Lustig of New Jersey On-Line felt that the only standout on the I Am... disc was "Broken-Hearted Girl", which he noted to have a "stately, classic-soul vibe" in contrast to the other ballads on the disc. [36]
Critics had polarized opinions on the production of "Broken-Hearted Girl". Spence D. of IGN Music wrote that "strings create a mournfully thoughtful tone" on the ballad. [37] Mayer Nissim of Digital Spy commended "the pleasant mix of cascading piano and tender strings", but criticized the drum sounds for their hollowness. [10] He nevertheless added that the drums do not prevent the song from being "a classy, well-constructed pop ballad". [10] Nissim concluded that although "the emotion-filled vocals offer yet more proof that [Beyoncé] is one of the finest pop singers of her generation", "Broken-Hearted Girl" is not as catchy as her best work. [10] Darryl Sterdan of Jam! called it a "grand-piano ballad" that may stand out from pop songs on a regular studio album, but seems monotonous on I Am... Sasha Fierce as it is on a disc that contains ballads only. [3] Negative reviews came from The A.V. Club 's Michaelangelo Matos, who felt that "Broken-Hearted Girl" sounded "unfinished", [38] and Paste magazine's Jessica Suarez, who said Beyoncé's "commanding voice sounds unusually thin" on the ballad. [11] She was unconvinced by the lyrics, noting that the line, "I don't want to play the broken-hearted girl", "rings false". [11] Ben Westhoff of Las Vegas Weekly wrote that it was difficult to guess what inspired the development of the breakup ballad as Beyoncé married Jay-Z a few months before the album's release. [39]
On November 14, 2009, "Broken-Hearted Girl" reached number twenty-seven on the UK Singles Chart. [40] Starting on November 21, 2009, the single descended the chart for twelve weeks, last appearing on November 19, 2009. [40] It has been certified silver by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), for shipment of 200,000 copies in the United Kingdom. [41] "Broken-Hearted Girl" entered the Irish Singles Chart at number thirty-nine on October 8, 2009, [42] and reached number twenty on November 5, 2009. [43] The single spent nine consecutive weeks on the chart, on which it last appeared on December 3, 2009. [44] It attained top twenty positions on the Czech Republic Airplay Chart and the German Singles Chart, respectively peaking at number fifteen and fourteen. [45] [46] "Broken-Hearted Girl" debuted and peaked at number thirty-eight on Austrian Singles Chart. [47] On the Swiss Singles Chart, it peaked at number sixty-two, and charted for three non-consecutive weeks. [48] The ballad made its way to the top ten of the Belgian Tip Charts. [49]
On Australia's ARIA Singles Chart, "Broken-Hearted Girl" debuted at number twenty-eight on September 21, 2009, and ascended to number fifteen the following week. [50] On October 5, 2009, it rose to number fourteen, and was there for an additional week; it lasted for nine consecutive weeks on the chart. [50] "Broken-Hearted Girl" peaked at number four on the ARIA Urban Singles Chart, [51] and emerged as the thirty-seventh best-selling urban single of 2009 in Australia. [52] It reached number ten on the Brazilian Hot 100 Airplay chart in the October 2010 issue. [53]
The music video for "Broken-Hearted Girl" was directed by Sophie Muller. [54] It was released on the remix and video album Above and Beyoncé – Video Collection & Dance Mixes on June 16, 2009, [55] and through iTunes Stores on November 20, 2009. [31] Most of it had been filmed in black-and-white on a beach in Malibu, California, in late February 2009. [14] [56] The protagonist (Beyoncé) reminisces on an isolated beach about a relationship that went wrong. [56]
The video begins as the protagonist parks her car and cries following an argument she has had with her lover. [14] She then leaves the car, walks towards the sea, and lets down her hair. Flashbacks of the woman and her lover on the beach are shown. With teary eyes, she heads into the sea as waves break the shore. Back in the car, she imagines her lover holding her hands. The video transitions into color, [56] as Beyoncé's character appears on the beach in a green dress and holds a rose without its petals, which she later restores. The video then flashes back to black-and-white memories of the woman resting her head on her lover's shoulder. She eventually realizes that she must set her relationship back on the right track. [14] In the end, she drives off with a smile.
A critic for The Daily Telegraph found the video "sultry". [19] Peter Gigas of E! News wrote that Beyoncé "[looks] exceptionally stunning" even while crying over a poor relationship. [56] He noted that the clip is "simple and straightforward", and connects effectively with viewers who like the ballad. [56]
"Broken-Hearted Girl" was in Beyoncé's set list of the worldwide I Am... World Tour (2009–10), which was in support of I Am... Sasha Fierce. [57] [58] The performances of her uptempo songs were followed by a rapid costume change. [59] Wearing a white dress, she sang three ballads from the album in a row; she performed "Broken-Hearted Girl" after singing "Smash into You", on the top of a staircase, and "Ave Maria", for which she changed into a wedding dress. [58] [60] A recorded version of the performance was previewed on the music video website Vevo. [61] It was released on her live album I Am... World Tour [62] on November 29, 2010. [61]
Jay Lustig of New Jersey On-Line commented that the song's performance at the Madison Square Garden on June 21, 2009, had "plenty of blues grit". [63] Jayson Rodriguez of MTV News noted that Beyoncé displayed her softer side while performing the ballad, [60] while Jim Farber of the Daily News said she showed "something more internal and deep". [64] Ben Ratliff of The New York Times criticized the performance, writing that it was "the evening's most comical moment, in a concert involving a bustier made with motorcycle lights". [65] Michael Cragg of musicOMH highlighted that Beyoncé's performance of "Broken-Heated Girl" was better than those of the previous two ballads "because it is allowed to exist on its own terms; a simple song, sung beautifully". [59] The Observer 's Barbara Ellen commented that Beyoncé, singing in Zurich in May 2009, was "clawing pathos" on "Broken-Hearted Girl" and "can shape-change at will". [66]
|
|
Credits are taken from the I Am... Sasha Fierce liner notes. [1]
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
|
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA) [76] | Platinum | 70,000‡ |
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil) [77] | Platinum | 60,000‡ |
United Kingdom (BPI) [41] | Gold | 400,000‡ |
United States (RIAA) [78] | Gold | 500,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
Region | Date | Format(s) | Label(s) | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
Australia | August 28, 2009 | Digital download | Sony Music | [22] |
New Zealand | [23] | |||
Australia | August 31, 2009 | CD | ||
Ireland | October 30, 2009 | Digital download (EP) | ||
United Kingdom | November 2, 2009 | CD | RCA | [28] |
Australia | November 20, 2009 | Digital download (EP) | Sony Music | [81] |
Germany | CD | [24] |
"Listen" is a song recorded by American singer and songwriter Beyoncé. The song was written by Beyoncé, Henry Krieger, Scott Cutler, Samantha Worley and Anne Preven, and produced by The Underdogs, Matt Sullivan and Randy Spendlove for the 2006 musical film Dreamgirls, in which Beyoncé's character Deena Jones sings the song in an expression of independence from her controlling husband. Columbia Records released "Listen" as the lead single from the Dreamgirls: Music from the Motion Picture soundtrack album on January 19, 2007. It additionally appeared as a hidden track on international editions, and on the deluxe edition of Beyoncé's second solo studio album, B'Day. The Spanish version of the song, "Oye", was released on the EP, Irreemplazable, and the Spanish deluxe edition of B'Day.
"Honesty" is a song by American singer-songwriter Billy Joel, released by Columbia Records as the third US single from his sixth studio album 52nd Street (1978) in 1979. "Honesty" was solely written by Joel, while production was handled by Phil Ramone. The song appears on the Dutch and Japanese editions of Greatest Hits Volume 2, replacing "Don't Ask Me Why" (1980).
Thaddis Laphonia "Kuk" Harrell is an American songwriter, vocal producer, arranger and engineer. He was a member of a songwriting–production team composed of himself, Christopher "Tricky" Stewart and Terius "The-Dream" Nash. In 2011, Kuk Harrell and partner Tricky Stewart joined the ranks of Fox's American Idol along with music mogul Jimmy Iovine, producing many of the songs performed on television by the contestants and released via iTunes. 2011 marked the highly anticipated return of Jennifer Lopez and her album LOVE? in which Kuk served as Album Vocal Producer. Earning his fourth Grammy for the vocal production of Rihanna's No. 1 Billboard Single "Only Girl ", Harrell is also the vocal producer and co-writer of Rihanna's Grammy-winning single "Umbrella". A composer and engineer on Beyoncé's chart topping "Single Ladies " from the album I Am... Sasha Fierce, he is also vocal producer and engineer of the Diane Warren-penned "I Was Here" from Beyoncé's 2011 album 4. He also produced the majority of the vocals on Mary J. Blige's Platinum album Growing Pains, which won the 2008 Grammy for Best Contemporary R&B Album. The first single from Growing Pains, "Just Fine", earned a Grammy nomination for best R&B vocal performance in 2007.
"If I Were a Boy" is a song by American singer-songwriter Beyoncé, from her third studio album I Am... Sasha Fierce (2008). Jean and Gad also handled its production alongside Beyoncé. Inspired by the difficult break-up of a romantic relationship, the song was initially recorded by Jean, whose record company rejected it. Beyoncé then recorded her own version. Jean was upset when she learned that Beyoncé was releasing it as a single, but eventually, they reached an agreement. Columbia Records released "If I Were a Boy" to US radio on October 8, 2008, as a double A-side single alongside "Single Ladies " as the lead singles. The two songs showcased the contrast between Beyoncé's personality and her aggressive onstage persona, Sasha Fierce. A Spanish version of the song, titled "Si Yo Fuera un Chico", was digitally released in Mexico and Spain.
"Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" is a song recorded by American singer and songwriter Beyoncé, from her third studio album, I Am... Sasha Fierce (2008). Columbia Records released "Single Ladies" as a single on October 8, 2008, as a double A-side alongside "If I Were a Boy", showcasing the contrast between Beyoncé and her aggressive onstage alter ego Sasha Fierce. It explores men's unwillingness to propose or commit. In the song, the female protagonist is in a club to celebrate her single status.
I Am... Sasha Fierce is the third studio album by American singer-songwriter Beyoncé. It was released on November 12, 2008, by Columbia Records and Music World Entertainment.
"Halo" is a song recorded by American singer and songwriter Beyoncé for her third studio album, I Am... Sasha Fierce (2008). Included on the I Am... disc, it was intended to give a behind-the-scenes glimpse of Beyoncé's life, stripped of her make-up and celebrity trappings. Columbia Records released the song, the album's fourth single, to mainstream radio in the United States on January 20, 2009, and to international markets from February 20. Inspired by Ray LaMontagne's 2004 song "Shelter", "Halo" was written by Ryan Tedder and Evan Bogart, with the former producing it alongside Beyoncé, who handled the vocal production. It was originally conceived by Tedder and Bogart specifically for Beyoncé, although there was media speculation that it had been intended for Leona Lewis.
"Ego" is a song recorded by American singer and songwriter Beyoncé for the deluxe edition of her third studio album, I Am... Sasha Fierce (2008). The song was composed by Elvis Williams, Harold Lilly, and Beyoncé. "Ego" was officially remixed with additional vocals from hip hop artist, Kanye West. Initially planned to be released in January 2009 as the second urban single in the US along with the fourth US and third international single "Halo", the release of "Ego" was canceled and replaced by "Diva". "Ego" was later issued as the third urban single, and fifth overall single in the US on May 19, 2009, alongside the sixth US and fourth international single "Sweet Dreams".
"Radio" is a song recorded by American singer Beyoncé for her third studio album, I Am… Sasha Fierce (2008). The up-tempo electropop/dance-pop song was composed by Beyoncé, Rico Love, Anton Bakholdin and Jim Jonsin. Composed in the key of D major and built essentially on bouncy beat, "Radio" also displays influences of the 1980s synthpop, Europop, and house. It is instrumentally complete with a Roland TR-808 drum, bass instruments, and synthesizers. The song's lyrics describe the love of Beyoncé in her childhood for the songs she used to listen to on the radio as she grew into an adult.
"Sweet Dreams" is a song recorded by American singer and songwriter Beyoncé from her third studio album I Am... Sasha Fierce (2008). Originally titled "Beautiful Nightmare", it leaked online in March 2008. The song was written and produced by Beyoncé, James Scheffer, Wayne Wilkins, and Rico Love. Columbia Records released "Sweet Dreams" as the album's sixth single, to mainstream radio and rhythmic contemporary radio playlists in the United States on June 2, 2009, and elsewhere on July 13. It is an electropop song whose instrumentation includes synthesizers, a keyboard, and snare drums. Beyoncé employs slinky vocals to sing the lyrics, which describe a romantic relationship that the female protagonist believes could be a dream.
"Diva" is a song recorded by American singer and songwriter Beyoncé. The song was written and produced by Knowles, Shondrae "Bangladesh" Crawford, and Sean Garrett for the singer's third studio album I Am... Sasha Fierce (2008). It was released as the album's third overall single in the United States alongside the third international single "Halo". "Diva" is an R&B song, which is set with a southern hip hop flavored groove, and carries a stuttering beat. Its lyrics deliver messages of independence and female empowerment. The song boasts a beat and a bassline similar to those of another Bangladesh 2008 production, "A Milli" by American rapper, Lil' Wayne; critics coined "Diva" as a "female companion" to the latter.
I Am... Tour was the fourth concert tour by American performer and singer-songwriter Beyoncé Knowles, in support of her third studio album, I Am... Sasha Fierce (2008), consisting of 110 concerts across six continents. Two months of preparations for the tour began eight months prior to its commencement, with daily twelve-hour rehearsals. The tour was announced in October 2008, and began in March 2009 with five preliminary ’rehearsal’ shows in North America. Knowles has described the I Am... World Tour as her best and most theatrical of all of her tours.
"Ave Maria" is a song by American singer Beyoncé from her third studio album I Am... Sasha Fierce (2008). Amanda Ghost, Ian Dench and Makeba Riddick wrote the song in collaboration with Beyoncé and production duo Stargate. As stated by Ghost, "Ave Maria" was inspired by Beyoncé's and her own respective marriages. The song is a re-write of Franz Schubert's "Ave Maria". It is instrumentally complete with a piano and strings. Throughout the pop-R&B ballad, Beyoncé sings in a lower register with an operatic soprano. Lyrically, it speaks about being surrounded by friends but still feeling alone.
Above and Beyoncé: Video Collection & Dance Mixes is a remix and video album by American singer-songwriter Beyoncé. It was released on June 16, 2009 through Columbia Records and Music World Entertainment exclusively to Walmart and J&R, although it was later made available through other retailers. Consisting of two discs, the album features music videos and dance remixes of singles from her third studio album I Am... Sasha Fierce (2008). Above and Beyoncé: Video Collection & Dance Mixes peaked at number thirty-five on the US Billboard 200, and received generally favorable reviews from music critics. It also appeared on US Billboard's component charts, Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and Dance/Electronic Albums. The remix version of "Ego" included on the album, featuring Kanye West, was nominated for Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration at the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards (2010).
"Video Phone" is a song recorded by American singer and songwriter Beyoncé for her third studio album I Am... Sasha Fierce (2008). It was written and produced by Beyoncé, Shondrae Crawford and Sean Garrett. A crunk song, it consists of simple lyrics and hidden innuendos. The lyrics refer to putting up a sexy display to be recorded on a video phone. The song was released on September 22, 2009, as the eighth single from I Am... Sasha Fierce. The extended remix, featuring Lady Gaga, was produced by Vybe Chyle and released on November 17. Soon after, Gaga featured Beyoncé on her song "Telephone".
I Am... Yours: An Intimate Performance at Wynn Las Vegas is the third live and fourth video album by American singer-songwriter Beyoncé. It was released on November 23, 2009 through Music World Entertainment and Columbia Records. The album was recorded at the Encore Theater in Paradise, Nevada, being filmed by Ed Burke, on August 2, 2009, during a stint of Beyoncé's I Am... World Tour (2009–2010). It features performances of over thirty songs, including her solo material, her recordings with the girl group Destiny's Child as well as behind-the-scenes footage. The film was directed by Nick Wickham and produced by Emer Patten.
"Why Don't You Love Me" is a song recorded by American singer and songwriter Beyoncé Knowles for the platinum edition of her third studio album, I Am... Sasha Fierce (2008). It was written by Knowles, Angela Beyincé, Solange Knowles and the Bama Boyz and produced by the Bama Boyz and Knowles. "Why Don't You Love Me" is an R&B song with disco influences that is set in a retro style. According to its lyrics, Knowles questions her love interest about why he does not value her fabulousness. Its 1960s-styled music video was directed by Melina Matsoukas and Knowles under the alias Bee-Z, and it stars the latter as "B.B. Homemaker". Knowles pays homage to Bettie Page in the video, which critics universally commended for its 1960's style sets and costumes. They also complimented Knowles for her acting skills.
I Am... World Tour is the fourth live album and the fifth video by American singer-songwriter Beyoncé. It was released on November 26, 2010 by Parkwood Entertainment, Music World Entertainment and Columbia Records.
"Poison" is a song that was recorded by American singer Beyoncé for the 2009 deluxe edition of her third studio album, I Am… Sasha Fierce (2008) and the EP titled I Am... Sasha Fierce – The Bonus Tracks (2009). It was written by Johntá Austin, Mikkel S. Eriksen and Tor Erik Hermansen of the production team Stargate and Beyoncé while the production was handled by the later two. The song leaked online in August 2009 prior to the release of the deluxe edition of I Am… Sasha Fierce. During that month, it was included on a mixtape by DJ Haze titled Big R&B Ego.
"Resentment" is a song written by Walter W. Millsap III, Candice Nelson and Curtis Mayfield, and originally performed by Victoria Beckham. The song was later recorded with additional lyrics by American singer Beyoncé, who included it on her second studio album B'Day (2006). It is an emotive ballad whose lyrics detail a situation where a woman feels hurt and anger that her man lied and cheated on her.
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