Freakum Dress
"Freakum Dress" | |
---|---|
B'Day | |
Released | September 4, 2006 |
Recorded | 2006 |
Genre | |
Length | 3:20 |
Label | Columbia |
Songwriter(s) | |
YouTube |
"Freakum Dress" is a song by American singer and songwriter
"Freakum Dress" was generally well received by music critics who complimented Beyoncé's vocals as well as the assertiveness with which she delivers the lyrics. Many of them also noted that the beat of song melds very well with the vocal arrangement and the instruments used. The music video for the song was directed by Ray Kay, with co-direction from Beyoncé, for the B'Day Anthology Video Album (2007). It features Beyoncé dancing with women of different ages, races, and sizes. Thirty metallic dresses were designed by Tina Knowles and were used in the production. Beyoncé explained that the main reason behind shooting a video for the song was to show what a "freakum dress" looks like.[2] The song was part of the set lists of several of Beyoncé's worldwide tours, including The Beyoncé Experience (2007), I Am... World Tour (2009–10), and The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour (2013) as well as her 2012 revue Revel Presents: Beyoncé Live. In 2016, the song was played during an interlude on The Formation World Tour.
It ranked number 1 on Billboard's "100 Best Deep Cuts by 21st Century Pop Stars" list.[3]
Recording and conception
Sometimes a woman feels like she needs to remind her man why he is in love with her or fancied her in the first place. All women have that freakum dress at the back of their wardrobe and they can just put it on and it will remind them." | ||
—Beyoncé elaborating on the theme of "Freakum Dress".[4]
|
"Freakum Dress" was conceived at
In June 2006, Beyoncé invited Tamara Coniff of Billboard to a New York recording studio.[9] There she premiered several songs from the album including "Ring the Alarm" (2006) and "Freakum Dress", both were cited as possible second singles although in the end it was actually "Ring the Alarm" that became B'Day's second single.[9] Beyoncé told Coniff that "Freakum Dress" was one of her favorite songs ever.[9]
Music and theme
According to the sheet music published at Musicnotes.com by
According to Joseph, "Freakum Dress" is thematically similar to "Bills, Bills, Bills" (1999) and "Say My Name" (2000), from the Destiny's Child era.[15] Ann Powers of Los Angeles Times noted that "Freakum Dress" celebrates showing off.[18] Jon Pareles of The New York Times viewed the concept of the song as not merely having a nice wardrobe to entice men, but it also serves as "a means of self-assertion."[19] In the song, the female protagonist pulls out her best dress to remind her potentially wandering mate of what he is leaving at home.[15] Jody Rosen of Entertainment Weekly added that Beyoncé also seemingly gives professional advice to women on how to hold a man's attention in a long-term relationship. She sings: "I think I'm ready/ Been locked up in the house way too long / It's time to get it, [be]cause once again he's out doing wrong [...] Wear very skimpy clothes...".[20][21][22] Joseph commented that in the song, Beyoncé is capable of wearing anything to keep her man by her side rather than dumping him.[15] Sarah Rodman of The Boston Globe added that after having skirted her best dress, Beyoncé eyes other guys in dance clubs to make her own man jealous, in the hope of regaining his attention but she also makes sure that he really pays when he does her wrong.[1][23] Beyoncé later refers to her "freakum dress" in "Jealous", a track from her fifth studio album Beyoncé (2013).[24]
Reception
The song received mostly positive reviews. Phil Harrison of
Mike Joseph of
Music video
Concept and filming
The music video was co-directed by Ray Kay[37] and Beyoncé for the B'Day Anthology Video Album, which was released the same month:[38] it was one of eight videos shot in two weeks for the album.[39] The choreography was done by Danielle Polanco and Jonte' Moaning, who used a 1980s retro set.[40] Beyoncé explained the concept of the video at MTV: "It's probably the most flamboyant video, and the metallic dresses are so beautiful, they added so much color. I had to do a video for this song. Everyone wanted to know what a 'freakum dress' was, and you can't really explain it, you have to see it. Everyone has their own version, so we had so many women — of different races, sizes, shapes, ages — because we all have those dresses we pull out when we need to shut it down."[2]
After two weeks of shooting, Beyoncé decided to call her mother
Synopsis and reception
The video begins with Beyoncé dancing in front of a target before moving to her putting on blush and lipstick next to two other men in a room full of neon framed mirrors. The men then pull a dress onto her and as the chorus begins, she walks by several women dancing on neon boxes before beginning to do a dance routine with them. As the chorus ends, she is shown surrounded by several men in a dark room and dancing in front of barcode-like walls. The video then moves to her walking down a neon
Live performances
Although Beyoncé did not perform "Freakum Dress" in any televised appearances, the song was part of her set list on The Beyoncé Experience.[43] On August 5, 2007, Beyoncé performed the song at the Madison Square Garden in Manhattan, where she directly started the song with the line: "Stop, I ain’t ready yet — wait, let me fix my hair...".[19] Jon Pareles of The New York Times praised the performance, stating: "Beyoncé needs no distractions from her singing, which can be airy or brassy, tearful or vicious, rapid-fire with staccato syllables or sustained in curlicued melismas. But she was in constant motion, strutting in costumes [...]".[19] Tonya Turner of The Courier-Mail reported that tracks like "Freakum Dress", "moved fans to screams of endearment".[44] David Schmeichel of Jam! wrote that Beyoncé performed a "ballsy" version of the song.[45] Anthony Venutolo of New Jersey On-Line wrote that Beyoncé "boiled over" during the performance of the song.[46] It was included as the third track on Beyoncé's live album The Beyoncé Experience Live (2007).[47]
It was also part of the set list on the I Am... World Tour.[43][48] When Beyoncé performed the song in Sunrise, Florida on June 29, 2009, she was wearing a glittery gold leotard. As she sang, animated graphics of turntables, faders and other club equipment were projected behind Beyoncé, her dancers and musicians.[49] Beyoncé was accompanied by her two drummers, two keyboardists, a percussionist, a horn section, three imposing backup vocalists called the Mamas and a lead guitarist, Bibi McGill.[50] During the performance, she bent backwards at her guitarist's feet.[51] Jonathon Moran of The Sunday Telegraph praised Beyoncé's dancing during the performance of the song on the I Am... World Tour.[52] "Freakum Dress" was included as the fourth track on the deluxe edition of I Am... World Tour (2010).[53] According to Andy Kellman of Allmusic, the performance has a "hard rock overhaul".[54]
In May, 2012, Beyoncé performed "Freakum Dress" during her
Usage in media
On June 24, 2009, American actress Cameron Diaz danced to "Freakum Dress" during the show It's On with Alexa Chung.[62]
On the
Chart performance
Chart (2007) | Peak position |
---|---|
US | 25 |
US | 16 |
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
United States (RIAA)[63] | Gold | 500,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
Credits and personnel
Credits are taken from B'Day liner notes.[8]
- Vocals: Beyoncé Knowles
- Writing: Beyoncé Knowles, Rich Harrison, Makeba, Angela Beyincé
- Producing: Rich Harrison, Beyoncé Knowles
- Recording: Jim Caruana
- Assisted by: Rob Kinelski and Jamie Rosenberg
- Mixing: Jason Goldstein & Rich Harrison
- Assisted by: Steve Tolle
References
- ^ a b Rodman, Sarah (September 4, 2006). "Beyonce shows rage and range on new release". The Boston Globe. Retrieved January 9, 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f g Vineyard, Jennifer. "Behind the B'Day Videos". MTV News. p. 2. Archived from the original on December 14, 2007. Retrieved January 9, 2011.
- ^ "The 100 Best Deep Cuts by 21st Century Pop Stars: Critics' Picks". Billboard.com. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
- ^ "Dress To Impress". Daily Record. August 22, 2006. Retrieved January 9, 2011.
- ^ Fox News Channel. Retrieved January 9, 2011.
- ^ "It's A Celebration". Billboard. September 4, 2006. Retrieved January 9, 2011.
- ^ a b c d Elysa Gardner (August 31, 2006). "Beyoncé, raising her voice". USA Today. Retrieved January 10, 2011.
- ^ Sony Music BMG Entertainment. 2007.)
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link - ^ ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved January 20, 2011.
- ^ Hal Leonard Corporation.
- ^ Harrison, Rich; Knowles, Beyoncé; Riddick, Makeba (2006). "Beyoncé 'Freakum Dress' Sheet Music in F♯ Major - Download & Print - SKU: MN0075650". EMI Blackwood Music Inc., Janice Combs Publishing Inc., Yoga Flames Music, Dam Rich Music, EMI April Music Inc., B-Day Publishing. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ DeRogatis, Jim (September 3, 2006). "Spins – Beyonce, "B'day" (Sony)". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on October 23, 2007. Retrieved January 9, 2011.
- ^ Haynes, Eb (September 20, 2006). "B'Day". AllHipHop. Archived from the original on December 9, 2008. Retrieved January 9, 2011.
- ^ a b Mayers, Norman (September 5, 2006). "Album Review: Beyonce – B'Day". Prefix Magazine. Archived from the original on May 16, 2011. Retrieved January 9, 2011.
- ^ a b c d e Joseph, Mike (September 11, 2006). "Beyoncé – B'Day". PopMatters. Retrieved January 9, 2011.
- ^ a b Harrison, Phil (August 25, 2006). "Beyoncé: B'Day". Time Out. Archived from the original on February 12, 2008. Retrieved January 9, 2011.
- ^ a b D, Spence (September 5, 2006). "Beyonce – B'Day". IGN. Archived from the original on July 13, 2011. Retrieved January 9, 2011.
- ^ Powers, Ann (July 13, 2009). "Live: Beyoncé at Honda Center". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 10, 2012.
- ^ a b c d Pareles, Jon (August 6, 2007). "Romance as a Struggle That She Will Win". The New York Times. Retrieved January 11, 2011.
- ^ Rosen, Jody (September 1, 2006). "Music Review: B'Day (2006) – Beyoncé Knowles". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 9, 2011.
- ^ a b Kellman, Andy. "B'Day". AllMusic. Retrieved January 9, 2011.
- ^ Baynes, Valkerie (January 30, 2012). "Victoria Azarenka puts Australian Open win down to self-belief". Herald Sun. Retrieved June 10, 2012.
- ^ Frere-Jones, Sasha (September 25, 2006). "Crazy from Love". The New Yorker. Retrieved January 31, 2011.
- ^ Hampp, Andrew; Ramirez, Erika (December 13, 2013). "Beyonce, Beyonce: Track-By-Track Review". Billboard. Retrieved December 25, 2013.
- ^ Brian Hiatt (September 20, 2006). "Beyonce – B'Day". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on December 23, 2007. Retrieved January 9, 2011.
- ^ Gill, Jaime (September 7, 2006). "Yahoo! Music Album Review: Beyonce – B'day". Yahoo! Music. Archived from the original on July 18, 2011. Retrieved January 9, 2011.
- ^ Jon Pareles (September 4, 2006). "All That Success Is Hard on a Girl (or Sounds That Way)". The New York Times. Retrieved January 9, 2011.
- About.com. The New York Times Company. Retrieved January 9, 2011.
- About.com. Retrieved January 9, 2011.
- ^ Caroline Sullivan (September 1, 2006). "Review: Beyonce – B'day". The Guardian. Retrieved January 9, 2011.
- ^ Sal Cinquemani (August 29, 2006). "Beyoncé B'Day'". Slant Magazine. Retrieved January 9, 2011.
- ^ "Beyonce sets a torrid pace on new CD". USA Today. September 4, 2006. Archived from the original on June 1, 2008. Retrieved January 12, 2011.
- ^ Sterdan, Darryl. "Review Album: Beyoncé – B'Day". Jam!. Sun Media. Archived from the original on December 5, 2012. Retrieved January 11, 2011.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Arnold, Chuck (September 11, 2006). "Picks and Pans Main: Music – Beyoncé B'Day". People. Retrieved June 10, 2012.
- ^ a b "Chart Search". Billboard. Retrieved June 7, 2011. Note: Billboard.biz subscription is required to access the source.
- ^ a b "Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: Week Ending November 29, 2007". Billboard. September 29, 2007. Retrieved June 5, 2011.
- ^ "Video: Beyoncé – "Freakum Dress"". Rap-Up. Devin Lazerine. March 29, 2012. Retrieved June 10, 2012.
- ^ Vineyard, Jennifer. "Behind the B'Day Videos". MTV News. p. 3. Archived from the original on June 19, 2012. Retrieved January 9, 2011.
- ^ "Beyonce releases 'B'Day' video album". USA Today. April 25, 2007. Retrieved January 9, 2011.
- ^ "J.Lo Enlists Help of Beyonce's Team for New Video". Essence. September 12, 2010. Archived from the original on October 22, 2010. Retrieved January 10, 2011.
- ^ "Freakum Dress". American Music Channel. Hal Willis. Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved January 11, 2011.
- ^ Cinquemani, Sal (April 7, 2007). "Upgrade B". Slant Magazine. Retrieved December 1, 2013.
- ^ a b "Beyoncé – Freakum Dress". Nuts. Retrieved January 9, 2011.
- ^ Turner, Tonya (April 23, 2007). "Beyonce heats it up". The Courier-Mail. Retrieved June 10, 2012.
- ^ Schmeichel, David (September 15, 2007). "MTS Centre, Winnipeg". Jam!. Sun Media. Archived from the original on January 15, 2013. Retrieved June 10, 2012.
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: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - New Jersey On-Line. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
- ^ "The Beyoncé Experience (Live) [Audio Version] by Beyoncé" (in Dutch). Belgium: iTunes Store. 19 November 2007. Retrieved January 9, 2011.
- ^ Rodriguez, Jayson (June 22, 2009). "Beyonce, Jay-Z Thrill New York Crowd At I Am... Stop". MTV News. MTV Networks. Retrieved June 10, 2012.
- News & Record. Archived from the originalon March 8, 2012. Retrieved June 10, 2012.
- New York Times. Retrieved January 10, 2011.
- ^ Ganz, Caryn (June 22, 2009). "Beyonce Brings Hits, Jay-Z to 'I Am...' Tour opener in New York". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 10, 2011.
- ^ Moran, Jonathon (September 20, 2009). "Beyonce brilliance bamboozles Sydney". The Sunday Telegraph. Retrieved June 10, 2012.
- ^ "I Am...World Tour by Beyoncé" (in Dutch). Belgium: iTunes Store. 26 November 2010. Retrieved January 9, 2011.
- ^ Kellman, Andy. "Review: I Am...World Tour". AllMusic. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
- ^ Johnston, Maura (May 27, 2012). "Live: Beyoncé Brings The House Down At Atlantic City's Newest Casino". The Village Voice. Archived from the original on May 29, 2012. Retrieved June 10, 2012.
- ^ a b DeLuca, Dan (May 27, 2012). "Review: Beyonce at Revel". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved June 10, 2012.
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- Complex. Retrieved June 10, 2012.
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- ^ "American single certifications – Beyonce – Freakum Dress". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved August 9, 2022.
External links
- "Freakum Dress" music video on YouTube