Cater 2 U

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"Cater 2 U"
Single by Destiny's Child
from the album Destiny Fulfilled
B-side"Girl"
ReleasedJune 7, 2005 (2005-06-07)
Recorded2004
StudioSony (New York City)
GenreR&B
Length4:07
LabelColumbia
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Destiny's Child singles chronology
"Girl"
(2005)
"Cater 2 U"
(2005)
"Stand Up for Love"
(2005)
Music video
"Cater 2 U" on
YouTube

"Cater 2 U" is a song recorded by American group

love interest
of her life, "Cater 2 U" contains synthesizers in its instrumentation. A lawsuit filled by singer-songwriter Rickey Allen in 2006 claimed the group only recorded a cover of the song, which was originally his; however, the case was settled in 2009.

"Cater 2 U" was released as the fourth and final single from Destiny Fulfilled on June 7, 2005, by

Best R&B/Soul Single, Group, Band or Duo at the 2006 Soul Train Music Awards. Commercially, it peaked at number 14 on the US Billboard Hot 100, being certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America
(RIAA).

The accompanying

as a tribute to the group, due to their disbandment.

Writing and production

"Cater 2 U" was written by Destiny's Child members

mastering was finished by Tom Coyne.[1]

Music and lyrics

"Cater 2 U" is a four-minute long

crescendo.[2]

Lyrically, "Cater 2 U" talks about females wanting to submissively serve their male

objectification of women, which suggested that their gender role was to "'keep herself up', 'keep it right', 'cater to' their man by providing him with his dinner, a foot rub, a manicure, fetching his slippers, and much more, on demand".[7] An editor writing in The Times of India found a theme of feminine assertiveness in "Cater 2 U"; he noted that "the women come off not so much as lovers as full-service romantic servants".[8] J. Freedom du Lac, a staff writer of The Washington Post wrote that the song's theme was supplication.[9]

Beyoncé opens the song listing the things she would do for her man during her

verses: brush his hair, take his shoes off, give him a manicure, rub his feet, help him put his do-rag on, undo his cufflinks.[10][11][12] She also sings the lines "Let me feed you, let me run your bath water, whatever you desire" after the things she had previously listed.[13] Rowland was noted for nearly rapping her solo part during which she promises to "keep my figure right," "keep my hair fixed" and acknowledges that if her man comes later home while she's asleep, "all he's gotta do is tap her on the shoulder and 'I'll roll over.'"[11][14] Williams sings her solo verses during the song's bridge.[15]

During an interview with MTV News, Beyoncé spoke about the meaning of the song: "It basically talks about how a guy inspires you... You want to make him happy and you want to cater to him. I know it's going to be surprising to a lot of people that the independent survivors are being submissive to their man, but it's important that people know that, you know, it's fine if your man deserves it and gives that back to you."[6]

Release

"Cater 2 U" was released as the fourth and final single from Destiny Fulfilled by Columbia Records and Sony Urban Music.[4] It was added to contemporary hit radio in the United States on June 7, 2005,[16] and was released in the country as an extended play (EP) consisting of the original version of the song along with four remixes on June 14, 2005.[17] On July 19, another EP was released, containing the original version and six remixes.[17] An EP was also released in Italy on July 25.[18] "Cater 2 U" was later included Destiny's Child's compilation albums #1's (2005) and Love Songs (2013).[19][20]

Critical reception

Beyoncé performing a segment during The Beyoncé Experience in which "Cater 2 U" was included.

Tom Sinclair of

Consequence of Sound described "Cater 2 U" as a "sleek" album opener.[24] Thomas Inskeep of Stylus Magazine hailed the song "sexy"[25] while USA Today's Elysa Gardner felt it was more "gently sensuous".[26] Rebecca Thomas from MTV News felt that the song differentiated from the trio's other material and added: "While the Third Wave set may have side-eyed the gushy ballad, male fans eagerly welcomed [it]".[27]

The lyrics of the song were criticized with

Pitchfork Media also stated that "their swan song of sorts ... completely defies the winking empowerment most of their greatest jams provided".[29] He further described the production as "milky and slight", the chorus as "limp" and the song overally as "a Prince mock-up of the worst kind".[29] Jess Harvell of the same website offered similar criticism: "[The song] reneged on everything early DC stood for in a parade of kept-wifey pleas".[30] Alex MacPherson of Stylus Magazine dismissed the sincerity of the lyrics, classifying "Cater 2 U" as a "queasy" song.[31] Neil McCormick from The Daily Telegraph panned it as "cringe inducing, with lots of sensuous moaning".[32] Barbara Ellen of The Observer wrote: "I thought this was the kind of song bands recorded by mistake then hid guiltily in the attic".[12]

Accolades

At the

Best R&B/Soul Single, Group, Band or Duo at the 2006 Soul Train Music Awards.[34] It was one of the Award Winning R&B/Hip-Hop Songs at the 2006 ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards.[35]

In 2013, Lindsey Weber from the website

Vulture listed "Cater 2 U" at number seven on her list of the 25 best songs by Destiny's Child. Weber went on to describe it as "probably the least feminist song" of the band's material, but "the best song ever to lyrically use the phrase 'run your bathwater'" and hailed Williams for her contribution during the bridge.[15] For Beyoncé's 32nd birthday, Erika Ramirez and Jason Lipshutz of Billboard included "Cater 2 U" at number 25 on the list "Beyonce's 30 Biggest Billboard Hits".[4]

Commercial performance

In the United States, the song debuted at number 95 on the Billboard Hot 100 dated April 30, 2005. In its fifth week, it ascended to number 83 on May 28.[36] After several weeks of ascending the chart, "Cater 2 U" peaked at number 14 for the week ending August 13.[4] On the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, the song entered the top ten at number six in its 19th week, on July 9.[37] It became the group's fourth top-ten single from Destiny Fulfilled and the group's 12th top-ten song overall. On the chart issue dated July 30, "Cater 2 U" climbed from number four to number three, which became its peak, and stayed there for three additional consecutive weeks.[38] It became the second single from Destiny Fulfilled and the group's seventh overall top-five single on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified the single gold on December 13, for sales of 500,000 digital copies in the US, while its mastertone was certified platinum on June 14, 2006, for selling 1,000,000 copies.

In the Netherlands, "Cater 2 U" debuted and peaked at number 60 on September 17, 2005.

New Zealand Singles Chart, "Cater 2 U" debuted at number seven on August 29.[43] It fell to number nine the following week and started gradually descending the chart, last appearing on October 10 at number 40 after seven weeks of charting.[44]

Music video

The accompanying

Destiny's Child Video Anthology, which contained every music video the group had filmed during their career; an image taken from the video of "Cater 2 U" was used as the cover artwork for the DVD.[49]

The video opens with a fast instance of a sun rising in the sky and moves to the girls standing nude together. Each singer is featured in her own desert scene, performing individually during her respective verse; Beyoncé is seen on a diving board next to a swimming pool, Rowland on a deserted road where she dances next to a silver car from which she had previously got out of and Williams on a sunlounger at nighttime. During the chorus, the group members are seen wearing black fishtail evening dresses, performing a choreographed dance routine for the camera and three males who watch them from the side; the men are never filmed in the same shot as Destiny's Child.[50] During the end, each member is seen together with one of their male partners and the video fades away showing the trio nude again as during the beginning.[5]

The music video was shot at Red Rock Canyon State Park in California

While reviewing the video of "Cater 2 U", Rashaun Hall of MTV News felt that "[the trio] have decided to go au naturale — tastefully, of course".[5] He further concluded that the clip "is all about scenery and the beauty of the trio".[5] In their book Music Video and the Politics of Representation, Diane Railton and Paul Watson felt that the presence of men "seems utterly superfluous to the video's spectacle of female bodies and female pleasures".[50] They further noted that the video's imagery and performance managed to proceed without a reference to its lyrics and elaborated,

"Indeed, the abstracted emptiness of its desert spaces, the posed tableaux of the women's bodies and the noticeable lack of attention directed to its male subjects by both the camera and the group, does not simply jar with the lyrical narrative of female subordination but in fact reinforces the image of Destiny's Child as independent women who are in control of their own lives. That is to say, the video (re)establishes an image of women who are in control of their own bodies, their own desires, their relationship with men and their friendships with women."[50]

Live performances

On November 16, 2004, Destiny's Child performed "Cater 2 U" during the

The Today Show on July 29.[56] A writer for People felt that "Beyoncé shimmies and shakes things up" during the performance.[57] An acoustic version was also performed on MTV during its 2005 Spring Break coverage.[58]

In 2005, "Cater 2 U" was part of the

Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.[63] Similarly, Rowland performed "Cater 2 U" live during her Lights Out Tour (2013) as part of a segment which included songs by Destiny's Child.[64]

Cover versions

Drake's song "My Darlin' Baby".[67]

Controversy

Chicago-based singer-songwriter Rickey Allen pushed allegations that "Cater 2 U" was inspired by a song he had composed with the same title and spelling, which was copyrighted in the mid-1990s and 2000, and performed locally during that time. He claimed he handed over a version to producer Maurice Joshua, who allegedly went on to cover the song with Destiny's Child.[68] Joshua denied his claims, noting that he never held a copy of Allen's song.[68][69] Allen filed a lawsuit against the group for compensation in a Chicago court in 2006 where the group was due to appear in December 10 for an eight-day trial. However, they managed to avoid any given court dates after their public split and agreed to settle behind closed doors.[70] In early December 2009, it was confirmed by Chicago Sun-Times that the group had reached a settlement with Allen. His attorney Matthew Wildermuth said in a statement: "I can confirm that yes, [the case] did settle. All of the issues have been amicably resolved and the case is going to be dismissed. [Allen is] excited about being able to devote time to pursuing his musical career. All legal terms and agreement will not be released and the case will be dismissed by a judge".[71]

Formats and track listings

Credits and personnel

Credits are adapted from the liner notes of Destiny Fulfilled.[1]

  • Beyoncé Knowles – lead vocals, vocal production
  • Kelly Rowland – lead vocals, vocal production
  • Michelle Williams – lead vocals, vocal production
  • Jeff Villanueva – recording
  • Jim Caruna – recording
  • Tony Maserati – mixing
  • Tom Coyne – mastering
  • Tim Stewart – guitar

Charts

Certifications

Certifications and sales for "Cater 2 U"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[88] Silver 200,000
United States (RIAA)[89] Platinum 1,000,000
United States (RIAA)[90]
Mastertone
Platinum 1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Cater 2 U"
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States June 7, 2005 Contemporary hit radio
June 14, 2005 Digital download (Dance Mixes)
July 19, 2005 Digital download (EP)
Italy July 25, 2005 Sony BMG
Australia August 8, 2005 Maxi CD

See also

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Bibliography