If I Were a Boy
Encyclopedia
"If I Were a Boy" is a pop
song recorded by American R&B
singer Beyoncé Knowles
. It was composed by Toby Gad
and BC Jean
. Jean initially recorded her version of the song which was rejected by Jean's record company. Knowles then recorded a new version for her third studio album, I Am... Sasha Fierce (2008). The song was released as the album's lead single
to US radio on October 12, 2008 alongside "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)
". A Spanish version of "If I Were a Boy", titled "Si Yo Fuera un Chico", is included on the version of the album sold exclusively online in Spain and Mexico.
"If I Were a Boy" is different from her previous songs as the song is not a traditional R&B one. The lyrics of the song are a reference to an expression of sadness about misunderstanding between the genders and an indictment of the male side of relationships. The song stands as the only song on either disc of I Am... Sasha Fierce that Knowles did not co-write. The song fueled controversy in the sense that Jean affirmed that "If I Were a Boy" was her song. After Jean's version of the song was rejected by her record company, Gad took back the song and started marketing them to established artists. In this way, Knowles ended up recording "If I Were a Boy" for I Am... Sasha Fierce.
Upon its release, "If I Were a Boy" was generally well-received by music critics who praised Knowles' tormented performance, emotional and passionate vocals and called the song her best work to date. The single was a commercial success, topping the charts in over eight European countries and peaking at number three on the Billboard Hot 100
chart in the United States. It also peaked at number one in the United Kingdom and it is Knowles' best-selling single there, so far. It earned multi-platinum certifications in Australia, in Canada, in Denmark, in New Zealand, in Spain, in Switzerland and in the United States.
The music video for the song was directed by Jake Nava
and was shot in black and white
. Knowles premiered the music video, alongside the video for "Single Ladies" on MTV
's Total Request Live
show on October 13, 2008. A Spanish version of the video also exists. The song was promoted by several live performances of Knowles in televised shows, including the The Oprah Winfrey Show
, in several awards ceremonies, including the 52nd Grammy Awards
and her world tour I Am... Tour. "If I Were a Boy" was covered by American country singer Reba McEntire
and a studio version was released as the second single from her 2010 album, All the Women I Am
.
as well as Toby Gad
and was produced by Gad and Knowles. Most of the lyrics were written by Jean taking inspiration from a bad break-up. One day while Jean and producer Toby Gad were strolling around Times Square, they came across a pizzeria on the road side. While tempted, Jean refrained from eating a pizza as she was dieting. She then started thinking about how if she were a boy, she would have eaten one without regrets. After reflecting on the idea, she thought that if she were indeed a boy, she would have been a better man than her past lover. Gad encouraged her to record her ideas for the studio. Once there, she came up with the lyrics and melody and recorded the song in less than half an hour. After completing her version, her record company rejected the song. Knowles then recorded a new version and put it on the first disc of the third studio album, I Am... Sasha Fierce.
, commenting for Fox News Channel
, published an account on October 14, 2008 of BC Jean
's side of the story stating she didn’t even know that her song was recorded by Knowles until it hit the news and Mathew Knowles
aggressively pursued the publishing rights to her song so that he could put Knowles' name on the writing credits. BC Jean used her Myspace
account to express her frustration:
After Jean's version of "If I Were a Boy" was rejected by her record company, Toby Gad
took back the song and started marketing it to big name, established artists. Knowles liked the song and recorded her version of "If I Were a Boy" for her album, I Am... Sasha Fierce. Fox News later reported that Knowles and Jean had come to terms. Part of their deal was that Knowles would have to record a duet for Jean's debut album, once she gets her own recording deal. However, this deal never went through to terms.
ballad
set in common time
composed in a moderate tempo
of 90 beats per minute, in the key of G major
. The verse follows a vi-IV-I-V chord progression. Knowles' vocals span from the tone of G♯3
to the note of E5
. The song is the first song of "I Am ..." and it stands as the only song on either disc that Knowles didn't co-write. Knowles explained Essence
magazine that "If I Were a Boy" is different from her previous songs" in the sense that it is not a traditional R&B
song. She wanted to try "something fresh" with "stronger lyrics" because "people have strong expectations." The singer further explained that she had to try it because she remembered that Aretha Franklin
said that a great singer "can sing anything and make it her own." During an interview, Knowles described "If I Were a Boy" as a folk
song. Music critics commented that "If I Were a Boy" is a combination of Knowles' 2006 hit "Irreplaceable
", Fergie's 2007 single "Big Girls Don't Cry
", and Ciara
's 2007 single "Like a Boy
".
According to Leah Greenblatt of Entertainment Weekly
, "If I Were a Boy" soars with melodic swells and unwavering sentiments shown in its lyrics. The song is mainly about a sad role-swapping experiment, with Knowles narrating on how callously she might treat her lover if she were a boy while simultaneously, highlighting the vulnerability of a woman. She also wonders what it would be like to drink beer with guys, chase after girls, and continues singing about how she would "put [herself] first" and belts out in the chorus about how she would "be a better man" because she knows "how it hurts when [we] lose the one [we] wanted, [because] he [has] taken [us] for granted." As a whole, the lyrics of the song are a reference to an expression of sadness about misunderstanding between the genders and an indictment of the male side of relationships. The song features Knowles' delivering an tormented performance, with Bill Lamb of About.com
and Nick Levine of Digital Spy
, qualifying her vocals as "controlled", "emotional" and "passionate".
" were released simultaneously as the two lead single's from the album to demonstrate Knowles' two completely different dueling personalities: one being her more intimate side and the other being "Sasha", her alter ego
. "If I Were a Boy", alongside "Single Ladies", was initially targeted to debut on US radio stations on October 7, 2008. However, both songs premiered the following day. Both singles were later sent for rhythmic airplay
, mainstream airplay
and to adult contemporary airplay on October 12, 2008. The digital comoponent of the song was made available on November 18, 2008 in the US. In Germany, "If I Were a Boy" was made available as a CD single with "Single Ladies" as the B-side single on November 7, 2008. In the United Kingdom, "If I Were a Boy" received an official release as a CD single and download
single alongside "Single Ladies" as a B-side single on November 10, 2008. Because of its increasing popularity, "Single Ladies" was eventually released as download-only single alongside five dance remixes
of the song on February 16, 2009. Several dance remixes of "If I Were a Boy" were made available for purchase in the United States later on February 10, 2009.
of Spain and Mexico. The Spanish version has an official music video edited from the original clip much like the video for Knowles song "Irreemplazable". "Si Yo Fuera un Chico" has been released as a stand-alone single in Spain, marketed as "Si Yo Fuera un Chico (If I Were a Boy)" to avoid confusion. On October 23, 2008, a remix appeared on the net with Lee Carr
who confronts the song's theme from a male perspective. Another remix featuring R. Kelly
surfaced online on November 24, 2008. In the remix, the male singer responds to the comments made by Knowles. The remix is set up as if they were having a conversation.
magazine reviewer Chuck Taylor gave the song a positive review, writing that "If I Were a Boy" is Knowles' "most affecting offering" since "Listen" (2006). He praised her vocals, describing them as "breathtaking, exquisitely emotive, mournful and mature." He also went on saying that the song "exudes the fragrance of a Grammy Award
." Bill Lamb of About.com initially stated on the album review that "If I Were a Boy" was bound to become an "equally huge hit" as Knowles 2006 single, "Irreplaceable
". However, he concluded that "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)
" has the potential "to overshadow it by its power bounce." In a separate review for the single alone, Lamb awarded the song five stars out of five, calling it Knowles' "greatest achievement and best effort till date." He further remarked that the song fits perfectly into her "growing repertoire" and that it features an "excellent" vocal performance which is "controlled but emotional." He also echoed Taylor's sentiments by writing that "If I Were a Boy" could bring back the Grammy Award for Record of the Year
for which "Irreplaceable" was nominated in 2008. Slant Magazine
's Sal Cinquemani wrote that the song seems to have the potential to become as successful as "Irreplaceable" as it would "definitely be a huge hit on radio." James Montgomery of MTV News praised "If I Were a Boy" and Knowles' other song "Halo", saying that their "tear-jerking power" reveal "sides of Beyoncé we never knew existed." In another review, Montgomery described the songs as "big, ballad-y stuff."
Allmusic writer Andy Kellman felt that even though "If I Were a Boy" sounds like "the watery backdrop for a singing competition finale", it turns out to be most outstanding song on I Am... Sasha Fierce thanks its lyrics and Knowles' wonderful tormented performance. Matos Michaelangelo of The A.V. Club
remarked that "If I Were A Boy" has "boilerplate" lyrics that would fit perfectly in mature roles that English actress, Hayley Mills
used to play in the late 1960s. Nick Levine of Digital Spy
said on the album review that "If I Were a Boy" has the "most interesting lyrics" on the entire record. In a separate review for the single, Nick awarded the song four stars out of five stating that Knowles' vocals on "If I Were A Boy" are "passionate" and praised the fact that the lyrics are "not overwritten", consist of an "emotional punch" and a "very strong melody" that has the ability to make people feel that they "have always known the song." Jonah Weiner of Blender
stated that "If I Were a Boy" is a marvel of "slow-cooked ham, a wistful role-swapping experiment" that can prove to be useful if Knowles and Jay-Z
"ever need professional advice" in case the start facing problems in their marriage. Pitchfork Media
's Ryan Dombal called the song an "effective and affecting gender-bender". Colin McGuire of PopMatters
chose "If I Were a Boy" as the only highlight of the first disc, "I Am..." of the album. Jon Caramanica of The New York Times
described the song as "one of the great pop songs of the last few years, and one of Beyoncé’s most complicated vocal performances."
By contrast, Julian Marszalek of Dotmusic
gave a mixed reception to the song, writing "If I Were a Boy" is indeed an "interesting conceit" for a ballad that explores "the foibles of human nature." However, he added that, despite Knowles' "best intentions to find out how men are", she would be best advised to leave the differences between the genders as "a sweet little mystery, before the guys decide to find out what it would be like if they were girls." Similarly, Stacey Anderson of Spin
magazine was not impressed with "If I Were a Boy", calling it a "glistening" and "boring" ballad. Bill Lamb of About.com
ranked the song at number five on its list of the Top 100 Pop Songs of 2008, writing: "Whether or not you agree with the sentiments of the song or not, Beyonce's performance is stunning and the song is gutsy. This is a textbook example of pop music that is challenging and meaningful." On the occasion of Knowles' thirtieth birthday, Erika Ramirez and Jason Lipshutz of Billboard
magazine placed the song at number 19 on their list of "Beyoncé's 30 Biggest Billboard Hits" saying that it "found Beyoncé at her most honest, drawing in both women and men." "If I Were a Boy" was nominated for the "Best Foreign Song" award at the 2009 Porin Awards
, from Croatia
.
chart, based solely on airplay, for the week ending October 25, 2008. It then rose considerably in its third week (November 8, 2008), from number sixty-eight to number three as the digital download counterpart had debuted directly at number one on Hot Digital Songs, amassing 190,000 units. "If I Were a Boy" became Knowles' tenth top-five single on the Hot 100 as a solo artist. On November 15, 2008, the song fell to number five, where it stayed for one further week. However, it then managed to resume its number three position on November 29, 2008 as it came back to the top spot of the Hot Digital Songs with 170,000 copies sold. "If I Were a Boy" sold 654,000 digital downloads in four weeks. The following week, the song fell to number two on the Hot Digital Songs Chart, with 160,000 downloads sold as it was beaten up by Knowles' another own single "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)", which had debuted at number one on the Hot Digital Songs Chart with 204,000 copies sold. "If I Were a Boy" had maintained its position at number three while "Single Ladies" had soared to number two on the Hot 100 Chart. Knowles became the seventh female to have two songs in the top five positions. "If I were a Boy" remained at its peak of number three on the Hot 100 Chart for two further weeks. On October 13, 2009, the single had already sold over 2,000,000 units, and was certified double-platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America
. As of July 2010, "If I Were a Boy" had sold 2,393,000 units in the United States.
On November 2, 2008, "If I Were a Boy" was the highest debut of the week on the Australian Singles Chart
, debuting at number twelve based solely on downloads. The song later peaked at number three for three non-consecutive weeks in November 2008. The song debuted at number eight in New Zealand on October 27, 2008 and peaked at number two for four non-consecutive weeks in November and December 2008. The song was certified platinum after twelve weeks, having sold over 15,000 copies. In the United Kingdom, "If I Were a Boy" debuted at number two on the UK Singles Chart
with 64,554 downloads on November 15, 2008. In its second chart week, the song fell to number three with sales of 57,917. However, the following week "If I Were a Boy" climbed to number one on November 23, 2008 selling 47,949 copies, making it Knowles' fourth number-one single in the United Kingdom as a solo artist and her sixth counting her career with Destiny's Child
. "If I Were A Boy" remained in the top 5 at the end of 2008, and emerged as the 16th biggest selling single of the year. Despite being number one for only one week on the UK Singles Chart, "If I Were a Boy" spent 5 non-consecutive weeks at the number one position on the UK R&B Chart
. On January 18, 2009, it was beaten for the number one spot by Knowles' own single, "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)". In the song's 10th week on the chart, sales exceeded 600,000 copies and the song became Knowles' first platinum single in the UK, her highest selling solo single and the 68th biggest selling single of the last decade.
The music video
for "If I Were a Boy" was directed by Jake Nava
and was shot in black and white in New York City
along with the video for "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)". A Spanish version of the music video was also released under the title "Si Yo Fuera Un Chico" following the same concept as the English music video with the Spanish version dubbed over it. Knowles said that the video is both compelling and reflective of the independent woman stance that she has exhibited throughout most of her career. In an interview with Billboard, Knowles explained the video is mainly about all the little things that are vital in a relationship and that it would depict common things that men do to hurt their significant others, like not answering their phone.
The concept behind the video was to portray a narrative about an ordinary day for a couple (played by NFL
player Eddie Goines as the male character and Knowles as the female one) in a role reversal that is hinted at by the lyrics. This is visually revealed only at the end of the video where we get to realise that the husband is a cop and what the female character has been doing throughout the video is what the male character has had actually done to her all along. Knowles explained that when viewers would first see it from a different perspective, her behavior seemed more abnormal. And when they would realise that it was the guy doing everything she just did in the previous scenes, it becomes all too familiar.
's Total Request Live
show on October 13, 2008. The video was included in Knowles' remix album with videography, Above and Beyoncé. Jennifer Vineyard of MTV News described it as a "meaningful one — and it comes with a twist that requires repeat viewing." Vineyard further commented that without the video she wouldn't have seen the tomboy
side of Knowles. James Montgomery of the same publication described it as "a higher-gloss, higher-profile video." A writer of Rap-Up commented that "B[eyoncé] delivers one of the year's best videos with the black and white clip." The video appeared at number 72 on BET: Notarized
Top 100 Videos of 2008 countdown and at number twenty-nine on BET J's Last Call 2008! Top 50 Countdown.In addition, the video was ranked at number 13 on BET
's Notarized: Top 100 Videos of 2009 countdown The video was nominated for the 2009 BET Awards
in the category "Video of the Year" but lost Knowles's another own video "Single Ladies". It also received a nomination for "Best Female Video" at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards Japan
and for "Outstanding Music Video" at the 2009 NAACP Image Award
s. The music video has been certified Gold by Canadian Recording Industry Association
in July 2009.
. She then took the stage of The Oprah Winfrey Show
to perform the song on November 13, 2008. On November 16, 2008, backed by a cracking live band, Knowles sang a medley of "If I Were a Boy", then switched to "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" and ended up with "Crazy in Love" during the final episode of Total Request Live
. She then performed the song on December 16, 2008 at the The X Factor
finale in the United Kingdom. Knowles also performed "If I Were a Boy" on January 31, 2010 at the 52nd Grammy Awards
ceremony and also covered Alanis Morissette
's 1995 hit single "You Oughta Know
" on the same event. She was wearing a "futuristic, spiked black" outfit with matching shoes. As described by Jayson Rodriguez of MTV News
, Knowles "pranced, spun and did the Dutty Wine
while the crowd cheered in approval." Ben Sisario of The New York Times commented that Knowles "was elaborately staged and typically athletic" during the performance.
In addition to her numerous performances of the song in televised appearances as well as award ceremonies, the song was a part of Knowles' set list on the I Am... Tour. Caryn Ganz of Rolling Stone concluded that during the performances of the song on her tour, Knowles appears with her "ferocious onstage persona", her alter ego, "Sasha Fierce". While reviewing a concert during the I Am... Tour, Alice Jones of The Independent wrote that "Beyoncé dons Ray Bans and a leather breastplate to whip up a quasi-feminist singalong." When Knowles performed the song in Sunrise, Florida
on June 29, 2009, she was wearing a glittery gold leotard. As she sung, animated graphics of turntables, faders, and other club gear throbbed behind her and her dancers as well as musicians. Knowles 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. Eventually, the song was included on Knowles' live album, I Am... World Tour
as the twenty-ninth track. Knowles also performed "If I Were a Boy" live at the 2011 Glastonbury Festival
on June 26, 2011. As she sang the song, Knowles broke into "You Oughta Know" as she did at the Grammy Awards the previous year.
played what he claimed to be the unedited board mix of Knowles' live performance of "If I Were a Boy" from a Today show appearance in November 2008: "If you've ever wondered what a cat sounds like when it's being strangled, then you're gonna love the supposed raw, unedited, board mix of Beyonce Knowles from her Today Show performance last year." According to the article published by MTV Networks
, the performance was rather excruciatingly off-key at times. The following morning, Knowles commented about the allegations exclusively to MTV News and when she said the report was ridiculous: "[...] I'm just hearing about this today — and I haven't heard it but it sounds completely ridiculous. Everyone's heard me sing and it's perfect timing, actually, because I'll be on the Today show tomorrow singing 'Halo
' or tonight you can watch me sing live on David Letterman! It's perfect promotion, whoever came up with that idea."
Later during the same day, Knowles father manager, Mathew
released a statement claiming that the tape had been tampered with:
During the afternoon, TMZ.com
reported late Wednesday afternoon that the tape was a hoax. TMZ found the person behind the prank who was surprised it went as far as it did, saying, "It's a little bit crazy. No one in their right mind would sound like that, and no one would cheer for someone singing like that." Finally, Knowles was officially cleared of all the bad singing charges.
Si Yo Fuera un Chico
on the television program Unplugged on Country Music Television
. The cover was accompanied by a music video premiered June 18, 2010, which involves McEntire performing the song live. In late 2010, she recorded a studio version, and released it as the second single for her November 2010 album All the Women I Am
, which is her second release on the Valory Music Group division of Big Machine Records
. McEntire revealed that she originally wanted to only cover her own hits. However, her husband-manager, Narvel Blackstock wanted her to do a cover song. Blackstock finally came up with the thought that she should be recording her own version of Knowles' "If I Were a Boy". Speaking of her version of the song, McEntire said:
Music video
The official music video premiered on Oprah.com
on February 28 at midnight, followed by an exclusive interview. It was directed by Peter Zavadil
.
Critical reception
McEntire's cover has generally been met with positive reception. Jessica Phillips of Country Weekly
magazine called McEntire's cover a "soulful, countrified look at love from a male perspective". Steve Morse at The Boston Globe
said that McEntire "translated" the song artfully into country", and Washington Post
critic Allison Stewart said that it was "fantastic". Allmusic critic Thom Jurek was less favorable, saying that it was "unrecognizable" in comparison to the original, also saying, "It contains none of the original's drama; in its place is a failed attempt at a soft rock power ballad." Writing for The 9513, Blake Boldt thought that the song was a "misstep" and said that it "proves that even a musical legend doesn’t land every punch". Bilboards Mikael Wood praised the cover, comparing it with McEntire's other cover of Kelly Clarkson
's "Because of You". Jon Caramanica of The New York Times noted that McEntire "sounds as if she's already inhabiting the role" in the song.
Live performances
After her first performance of the song on Unplugged on the Country Music Television, McEntire also performed the song on the Country Music Association
(CMA) awards on November 10, 2010. Mawuse Ziegbe of MTV News praised her cover, writing: "Singing with no band onstage, donning a glittery black dress with her signature red hair flowing to her shoulders, the legendary vocalist's performance scored a standing ovation." Jon Caramanica of The New York Times gave a mixed review for her performance saying that "she did something unexpected, softening her delivery and finding the creases in the song, as if Beyoncé were whispering to her from the wings." However, in another review, he described her performance as "forceful." Jillian Mapes and Megan Vick of Billboard praised the performance writing: "As if Beyonce's 2008 ballad 'If I Were a Boy' wasn't moving enough, country queen Reba McEntire's smokey twang and solemn stance turned the song on its head." They also noted that "The simple, powerful performance is enough to inspire tears, or at least goosebumps." However, Entertainment Weeklys Mandi Bierly chose her performance as the worst on the show, writing that the lyrics were "just too young for her, and when it comes to the chorus, I want someone to belt it."
Chart performance
Following McEntire's live performance at the CMA awards, the song debuted at number sixty on the Hot Country Songs
charts as an album cut dated for the week ending November 27, 2010. It re-entered at number sixty on the chart dated for the week ending January 29, 2011, and reached a peak of number 22 in April 2011.
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
song recorded by American R&B
Contemporary R&B
Contemporary R&B is a music genre that combines elements of hip hop, soul, R&B and funk.Although the abbreviation “R&B” originates from traditional rhythm and blues music, today the term R&B is most often used to describe a style of African American music originating after the demise of disco in...
singer Beyoncé Knowles
Beyoncé Knowles
Beyoncé Giselle Knowles , often known simply as Beyoncé, is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress. Born and raised in Houston, Texas, she enrolled in various performing arts schools and was first exposed to singing and dancing competitions as a child...
. It was composed by Toby Gad
Toby Gad
Tobias "Toby" Gad is a Los Angeles-based hit producer and songwriter from Germany, perhaps best known for co-writing Fergie's Grammy nominated hit song "Big Girls Don't Cry" as well as co-writing and producing Beyoncé's worldwide #1 hit "If I Were a Boy", and The Veronicas multi-platinum #1...
and BC Jean
BC Jean
Britney Jean Carlson , known better by her stage name BC Jean, is an American singer-songwriter and actress, best known for writing the song "If I Were a Boy" for R&B singer Beyoncé, which premiered on music industry website "Crazed Hits" in May 2008, several months prior to Beyoncé getting a hold...
. Jean initially recorded her version of the song which was rejected by Jean's record company. Knowles then recorded a new version for her third studio album, I Am... Sasha Fierce (2008). The song was released as the album's lead single
Lead single
A lead single is usually the first single released by a musician or a band before the release of its home album.During the era of the grammophone record, all music arrived in the marketplace as what is now termed a single, one potential hit song backed by an additional song of generally less...
to US radio on October 12, 2008 alongside "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)
Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)
"Single Ladies " is a song by American recording artist Beyoncé Knowles from her third studio album, I Am... Sasha Fierce. It was released by Columbia Records on October 12, 2008 as the album's lead single, and appeared with "If I Were a Boy" as a double A-side single, demonstrating the...
". A Spanish version of "If I Were a Boy", titled "Si Yo Fuera un Chico", is included on the version of the album sold exclusively online in Spain and Mexico.
"If I Were a Boy" is different from her previous songs as the song is not a traditional R&B one. The lyrics of the song are a reference to an expression of sadness about misunderstanding between the genders and an indictment of the male side of relationships. The song stands as the only song on either disc of I Am... Sasha Fierce that Knowles did not co-write. The song fueled controversy in the sense that Jean affirmed that "If I Were a Boy" was her song. After Jean's version of the song was rejected by her record company, Gad took back the song and started marketing them to established artists. In this way, Knowles ended up recording "If I Were a Boy" for I Am... Sasha Fierce.
Upon its release, "If I Were a Boy" was generally well-received by music critics who praised Knowles' tormented performance, emotional and passionate vocals and called the song her best work to date. The single was a commercial success, topping the charts in over eight European countries and peaking at number three on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
chart in the United States. It also peaked at number one in the United Kingdom and it is Knowles' best-selling single there, so far. It earned multi-platinum certifications in Australia, in Canada, in Denmark, in New Zealand, in Spain, in Switzerland and in the United States.
The music video for the song was directed by Jake Nava
Jake Nava
Jake Nava was born on 17 August and grew up in northern London. He currently lives in eastern London.He graduated from the University of WestministerJake Nava is an English-born music video and film director.-Filmography:MUSIC VIDEOS...
and was shot in black and white
Black-and-white
Black-and-white, often abbreviated B/W or B&W, is a term referring to a number of monochrome forms in visual arts.Black-and-white as a description is also something of a misnomer, for in addition to black and white, most of these media included varying shades of gray...
. Knowles premiered the music video, alongside the video for "Single Ladies" on MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
's Total Request Live
Total Request Live
Total Request Live is a television series on MTV that featured popular music videos. TRL was MTV's prime outlet for music videos as the network continues to concentrate on reality-based programming. In addition to music videos, TRL featured daily guests...
show on October 13, 2008. A Spanish version of the video also exists. The song was promoted by several live performances of Knowles in televised shows, including the The Oprah Winfrey Show
The Oprah Winfrey Show
The Oprah Winfrey Show is an American syndicated talk show hosted and produced by its namesake Oprah Winfrey. It ran nationally for 25 seasons beginning in 1986, before concluding in 2011. It is the highest-rated talk show in American television history....
, in several awards ceremonies, including the 52nd Grammy Awards
52nd Grammy Awards
The 52nd Annual Grammy Awards took place on January 31, 2010, at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. Neil Young was honored as the 2010 MusiCares Person of the Year on January 29, two days prior to the Grammy telecast. Only ten of the 109 awards were received during the broadcast...
and her world tour I Am... Tour. "If I Were a Boy" was covered by American country singer Reba McEntire
Reba McEntire
Reba Nell McEntire is an American country music artist and actress. She began her career in the music industry as a high school student singing in the Kiowa High School band , on local radio shows with her siblings, and at rodeos. As a solo act, she was invited to perform at a rodeo in Oklahoma...
and a studio version was released as the second single from her 2010 album, All the Women I Am
All the Women I Am
Upon its release, All the Women I Am received generally positive reviews from most music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 74, based on 5 reviews, which indicates "generally favorable...
.
Writing and recording
"If I Were a Boy" was written by BC JeanBC Jean
Britney Jean Carlson , known better by her stage name BC Jean, is an American singer-songwriter and actress, best known for writing the song "If I Were a Boy" for R&B singer Beyoncé, which premiered on music industry website "Crazed Hits" in May 2008, several months prior to Beyoncé getting a hold...
as well as Toby Gad
Toby Gad
Tobias "Toby" Gad is a Los Angeles-based hit producer and songwriter from Germany, perhaps best known for co-writing Fergie's Grammy nominated hit song "Big Girls Don't Cry" as well as co-writing and producing Beyoncé's worldwide #1 hit "If I Were a Boy", and The Veronicas multi-platinum #1...
and was produced by Gad and Knowles. Most of the lyrics were written by Jean taking inspiration from a bad break-up. One day while Jean and producer Toby Gad were strolling around Times Square, they came across a pizzeria on the road side. While tempted, Jean refrained from eating a pizza as she was dieting. She then started thinking about how if she were a boy, she would have eaten one without regrets. After reflecting on the idea, she thought that if she were indeed a boy, she would have been a better man than her past lover. Gad encouraged her to record her ideas for the studio. Once there, she came up with the lyrics and melody and recorded the song in less than half an hour. After completing her version, her record company rejected the song. Knowles then recorded a new version and put it on the first disc of the third studio album, I Am... Sasha Fierce.
Controversy
Knowles was accused of stealing "If I Were a Boy" from upcoming singer BC Jean. Roger FriedmanRoger Friedman
Roger Friedman is an American entertainment news journalist. Friedman created and wrote the FOX411 news column on Foxnews.com for 10 years. He is the founder and editor-in-chief of Showbiz 411, an entertainment news column.-Career:...
, commenting for Fox News Channel
Fox News Channel
Fox News Channel , often called Fox News, is a cable and satellite television news channel owned by the Fox Entertainment Group, a subsidiary of News Corporation...
, published an account on October 14, 2008 of BC Jean
BC Jean
Britney Jean Carlson , known better by her stage name BC Jean, is an American singer-songwriter and actress, best known for writing the song "If I Were a Boy" for R&B singer Beyoncé, which premiered on music industry website "Crazed Hits" in May 2008, several months prior to Beyoncé getting a hold...
's side of the story stating she didn’t even know that her song was recorded by Knowles until it hit the news and Mathew Knowles
Mathew Knowles
Mathew Knowles is an American music executive and manager. He is the father and former manager of R&B singer Beyoncé , Knowles also managed Kelly Rowland as well as girl group Destiny's Child . He was also the manager of Solange Knowles.-Manager and producer:Knowles is an alumnus of Fisk...
aggressively pursued the publishing rights to her song so that he could put Knowles' name on the writing credits. BC Jean used her Myspace
Myspace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
account to express her frustration:
"I have been reading some of these comments and to set the record straight from the horse’s mouth – IF I WERE A BOY is my song; YES, I wrote this song; It is my story; a painful one, and the song is very dear to me. You can hear the original version on my myspace site."
After Jean's version of "If I Were a Boy" was rejected by her record company, Toby Gad
Toby Gad
Tobias "Toby" Gad is a Los Angeles-based hit producer and songwriter from Germany, perhaps best known for co-writing Fergie's Grammy nominated hit song "Big Girls Don't Cry" as well as co-writing and producing Beyoncé's worldwide #1 hit "If I Were a Boy", and The Veronicas multi-platinum #1...
took back the song and started marketing it to big name, established artists. Knowles liked the song and recorded her version of "If I Were a Boy" for her album, I Am... Sasha Fierce. Fox News later reported that Knowles and Jean had come to terms. Part of their deal was that Knowles would have to record a duet for Jean's debut album, once she gets her own recording deal. However, this deal never went through to terms.
Composition
"If I Were a Boy" is a popPop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
ballad
Ballad
A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads were particularly characteristic of British and Irish popular poetry and song from the later medieval period until the 19th century and used extensively across Europe and later the Americas, Australia and North Africa. Many...
set in common time
Time signature
The time signature is a notational convention used in Western musical notation to specify how many beats are in each measure and which note value constitutes one beat....
composed in a moderate tempo
Tempo
In musical terminology, tempo is the speed or pace of a given piece. Tempo is a crucial element of any musical composition, as it can affect the mood and difficulty of a piece.-Measuring tempo:...
of 90 beats per minute, in the key of G major
G major
G major is a major scale based on G, with the pitches G, A, B, C, D, E, and F. Its key signature has one sharp, F; in treble-clef key signatures, the sharp-symbol for F is usually placed on the first line from the top, though in some Baroque music it is placed on the first space from the bottom...
. The verse follows a vi-IV-I-V chord progression. Knowles' vocals span from the tone of G♯3
G (musical note)
Sol, So, or G is the fifth note of the solfège starting on C. As such it is the dominant, a perfect fifth above C.When calculated in equal temperament with a reference of A above middle C as 440 Hz, the frequency of Middle G note is approximately 391.995 Hz...
to the note of E5
E (musical note)
E or mi is the third note of the solfège.When calculated in equal temperament with a reference of A above middle C as 440 Hz, the frequency of Middle E is approximately 329.628 Hz. See pitch for a discussion of historical variations in frequency.-Designation by octave:...
. The song is the first song of "I Am ..." and it stands as the only song on either disc that Knowles didn't co-write. Knowles explained Essence
Essence (magazine)
Essence is a monthly magazine for African-American women between the ages of 18 and 49. The magazine covers fashion, lifestyle and beauty with an intimate girlfriend-to-girlfriend tone.-History:...
magazine that "If I Were a Boy" is different from her previous songs" in the sense that it is not a traditional R&B
Contemporary R&B
Contemporary R&B is a music genre that combines elements of hip hop, soul, R&B and funk.Although the abbreviation “R&B” originates from traditional rhythm and blues music, today the term R&B is most often used to describe a style of African American music originating after the demise of disco in...
song. She wanted to try "something fresh" with "stronger lyrics" because "people have strong expectations." The singer further explained that she had to try it because she remembered that Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin
Aretha Louise Franklin is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. Although known for her soul recordings and referred to as The Queen of Soul, Franklin is also adept at jazz, blues, R&B, gospel music, and rock. Rolling Stone magazine ranked her atop its list of The Greatest Singers of All...
said that a great singer "can sing anything and make it her own." During an interview, Knowles described "If I Were a Boy" as a folk
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
song. Music critics commented that "If I Were a Boy" is a combination of Knowles' 2006 hit "Irreplaceable
Irreplaceable
"Irreplaceable" is a song recorded by American R&B singer Beyoncé Knowles for her second studio album, B'Day . The song was written by Knowles, Shaffer "Ne-Yo" Smith, Tor Erik Hermansen, Mikkel S. Eriksen, Espen Lind, Amund Bjørklund, and produced by Stargate and Knowles...
", Fergie's 2007 single "Big Girls Don't Cry
Big Girls Don't Cry (Fergie song)
"Big Girls Don't Cry" is a song written by Fergie and Toby Gad for pop singer Fergie's debut solo album The Dutchess . The song was released as the album's fourth single in 2007 and topped the charts in several countries, most notably in Australia , and in...
", and Ciara
Ciara
Ciara Princess Harris , known mononymously as Ciara, is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, actress and fashion model. Born in Austin, Texas, she traveled around the world during her childhood, only to land in Atlanta, Georgia where she met music producer, Jazze Pha...
's 2007 single "Like a Boy
Like a Boy
"Like a Boy" is a song performed by American singer Ciara for her second album Ciara: The Evolution . Written by Ciara, Candice Nelson, Balewa Muhammad, J. Que, Ezekiel Lewis, and Calvin Kenon, it is the third release in the U.S...
".
According to Leah Greenblatt of Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly is an American magazine, published by the Time division of Time Warner, that covers film, television, music, broadway theatre, books and popular culture...
, "If I Were a Boy" soars with melodic swells and unwavering sentiments shown in its lyrics. The song is mainly about a sad role-swapping experiment, with Knowles narrating on how callously she might treat her lover if she were a boy while simultaneously, highlighting the vulnerability of a woman. She also wonders what it would be like to drink beer with guys, chase after girls, and continues singing about how she would "put [herself] first" and belts out in the chorus about how she would "be a better man" because she knows "how it hurts when [we] lose the one [we] wanted, [because] he [has] taken [us] for granted." As a whole, the lyrics of the song are a reference to an expression of sadness about misunderstanding between the genders and an indictment of the male side of relationships. The song features Knowles' delivering an tormented performance, with Bill Lamb of About.com
About.com
About.com is an online source for original information and advice. It is written in English, and is aimed primarily at North Americans. It is owned by The New York Times Company....
and Nick Levine of Digital Spy
Digital Spy
Digital Spy is a British entertainment and media news website. According to Alexa Internet traffic statistics, as of February 2011, Digital Spy is the 93rd most popular website in the United Kingdom, with an overall Alexa ranking of 2,088....
, qualifying her vocals as "controlled", "emotional" and "passionate".
Release
"If I Were a Boy" and "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)
"Single Ladies " is a song by American recording artist Beyoncé Knowles from her third studio album, I Am... Sasha Fierce. It was released by Columbia Records on October 12, 2008 as the album's lead single, and appeared with "If I Were a Boy" as a double A-side single, demonstrating the...
" were released simultaneously as the two lead single's from the album to demonstrate Knowles' two completely different dueling personalities: one being her more intimate side and the other being "Sasha", her alter ego
Alter ego
An alter ego is a second self, which is believe to be distinct from a person's normal or original personality. The term was coined in the early nineteenth century when dissociative identity disorder was first described by psychologists...
. "If I Were a Boy", alongside "Single Ladies", was initially targeted to debut on US radio stations on October 7, 2008. However, both songs premiered the following day. Both singles were later sent for rhythmic airplay
Rhythmic Contemporary
Rhythmic contemporary, also known as rhythmic top 40, rhythmic contemporary hit radio or rhythmic crossover, is a music radio format that includes a mix of EDM, upbeat rhythmic pop, hip-hop and R&B hits. Rhythmic contemporary rarely uses rock music or country music in its airplay, but it may...
, mainstream airplay
Mainstream Top 40 (Pop Songs)
The Mainstream Top 40 is an airplay chart from Billboard magazine, and is also known as Pop Songs on billboard.com. It was often mistaken for and confused with the now discontinued Pop 100 Airplay chart...
and to adult contemporary airplay on October 12, 2008. The digital comoponent of the song was made available on November 18, 2008 in the US. In Germany, "If I Were a Boy" was made available as a CD single with "Single Ladies" as the B-side single on November 7, 2008. In the United Kingdom, "If I Were a Boy" received an official release as a CD single and download
Music download
A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment...
single alongside "Single Ladies" as a B-side single on November 10, 2008. Because of its increasing popularity, "Single Ladies" was eventually released as download-only single alongside five dance remixes
Remix
A remix is an alternative version of a recorded song, made from an original version. This term is also used for any alterations of media other than song ....
of the song on February 16, 2009. Several dance remixes of "If I Were a Boy" were made available for purchase in the United States later on February 10, 2009.
Remixes
A Spanish version of the song, titled "Si Yo Fuera un Chico", is included on the version of the album sold on iTunes StoreITunes Store
The iTunes Store is a software-based online digital media store operated by Apple. Opening as the iTunes Music Store on April 28, 2003, with over 200,000 items to purchase, it is, as of April 2008, the number-one music vendor in the United States...
of Spain and Mexico. The Spanish version has an official music video edited from the original clip much like the video for Knowles song "Irreemplazable". "Si Yo Fuera un Chico" has been released as a stand-alone single in Spain, marketed as "Si Yo Fuera un Chico (If I Were a Boy)" to avoid confusion. On October 23, 2008, a remix appeared on the net with Lee Carr
Jive Records
Jive Records was a record label based in New York City, operating under RCA Music Group. Jive was primarily known for a string of successes with hip hop artists in the 1980s, and in teen pop and boy bands in the late 1990s. The word "jive" was inspired by Township Jive, a form of South African...
who confronts the song's theme from a male perspective. Another remix featuring R. Kelly
R. Kelly
Robert Sylvester Kelly , better known by his stage name R. Kelly, is an American singer-songwriter and record producer. A native of Chicago, Kelly began performing during the late 1980s and debuted in 1992 with the group Public Announcement. In 1993, Kelly went solo with the album 12 Play...
surfaced online on November 24, 2008. In the remix, the male singer responds to the comments made by Knowles. The remix is set up as if they were having a conversation.
Critical reception
"If I Were a Boy" was generally well received by music critics who praised Knowles' vocal performance and called the song her best yet. BillboardBillboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
magazine reviewer Chuck Taylor gave the song a positive review, writing that "If I Were a Boy" is Knowles' "most affecting offering" since "Listen" (2006). He praised her vocals, describing them as "breathtaking, exquisitely emotive, mournful and mature." He also went on saying that the song "exudes the fragrance of a Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
." Bill Lamb of About.com initially stated on the album review that "If I Were a Boy" was bound to become an "equally huge hit" as Knowles 2006 single, "Irreplaceable
Irreplaceable
"Irreplaceable" is a song recorded by American R&B singer Beyoncé Knowles for her second studio album, B'Day . The song was written by Knowles, Shaffer "Ne-Yo" Smith, Tor Erik Hermansen, Mikkel S. Eriksen, Espen Lind, Amund Bjørklund, and produced by Stargate and Knowles...
". However, he concluded that "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)
Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)
"Single Ladies " is a song by American recording artist Beyoncé Knowles from her third studio album, I Am... Sasha Fierce. It was released by Columbia Records on October 12, 2008 as the album's lead single, and appeared with "If I Were a Boy" as a double A-side single, demonstrating the...
" has the potential "to overshadow it by its power bounce." In a separate review for the single alone, Lamb awarded the song five stars out of five, calling it Knowles' "greatest achievement and best effort till date." He further remarked that the song fits perfectly into her "growing repertoire" and that it features an "excellent" vocal performance which is "controlled but emotional." He also echoed Taylor's sentiments by writing that "If I Were a Boy" could bring back the Grammy Award for Record of the Year
Grammy Award for Record of the Year
The Record of the Year is one of the four most prestigious Grammy Awards presented annually. It has been awarded since 1959.-History:The honorees through its history have been:*1959-1965: Artist only.*1966-1998: Artist and producer....
for which "Irreplaceable" was nominated in 2008. Slant Magazine
Slant Magazine
Slant Magazine is an online publication that features reviews of movies, music, TV, DVDs, theater, and video games, as well as interviews with actors, directors, and musicians. The site covers various film festivals like the New York Film Festival.- History :...
's Sal Cinquemani wrote that the song seems to have the potential to become as successful as "Irreplaceable" as it would "definitely be a huge hit on radio." James Montgomery of MTV News praised "If I Were a Boy" and Knowles' other song "Halo", saying that their "tear-jerking power" reveal "sides of Beyoncé we never knew existed." In another review, Montgomery described the songs as "big, ballad-y stuff."
Allmusic writer Andy Kellman felt that even though "If I Were a Boy" sounds like "the watery backdrop for a singing competition finale", it turns out to be most outstanding song on I Am... Sasha Fierce thanks its lyrics and Knowles' wonderful tormented performance. Matos Michaelangelo of The A.V. Club
The A.V. Club
The A.V. Club is an entertainment newspaper and website published by The Onion. Its features include reviews of new films, music, television, books, games and DVDs, as well as interviews and other regular offerings examining both new and classic media and other elements of pop culture. Unlike its...
remarked that "If I Were A Boy" has "boilerplate" lyrics that would fit perfectly in mature roles that English actress, Hayley Mills
Hayley Mills
Hayley Mills is an English actress. The daughter of John Mills and Mary Hayley Bell, and sister of actress Juliet Mills, Mills began her acting career as a child and was hailed as a promising newcomer, winning the BAFTA Award for Most Promising Newcomer for Tiger Bay , the Academy Juvenile Award...
used to play in the late 1960s. Nick Levine of Digital Spy
Digital Spy
Digital Spy is a British entertainment and media news website. According to Alexa Internet traffic statistics, as of February 2011, Digital Spy is the 93rd most popular website in the United Kingdom, with an overall Alexa ranking of 2,088....
said on the album review that "If I Were a Boy" has the "most interesting lyrics" on the entire record. In a separate review for the single, Nick awarded the song four stars out of five stating that Knowles' vocals on "If I Were A Boy" are "passionate" and praised the fact that the lyrics are "not overwritten", consist of an "emotional punch" and a "very strong melody" that has the ability to make people feel that they "have always known the song." Jonah Weiner of Blender
Blender (magazine)
Blender was an American music magazine that billed itself as "the ultimate guide to music and more". It was also known for sometimes steamy pictorials of celebrities....
stated that "If I Were a Boy" is a marvel of "slow-cooked ham, a wistful role-swapping experiment" that can prove to be useful if Knowles and Jay-Z
Jay-Z
Shawn Corey Carter , better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America, having a net worth of over $450 million as of 2010...
"ever need professional advice" in case the start facing problems in their marriage. Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media, usually known simply as Pitchfork or P4k, is a Chicago-based daily Internet publication established in 1995 that is devoted to music criticism and commentary, music news, and artist interviews. Its focus is on underground and independent music, especially indie rock...
's Ryan Dombal called the song an "effective and affecting gender-bender". Colin McGuire of PopMatters
PopMatters
PopMatters is an international webzine of cultural criticism that covers many aspects of popular culture. PopMatters publishes reviews, interviews, and detailed essays on most cultural products and expressions in areas such as music, television, films, books, video games, comics, sports, theater,...
chose "If I Were a Boy" as the only highlight of the first disc, "I Am..." of the album. Jon Caramanica of The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
described the song as "one of the great pop songs of the last few years, and one of Beyoncé’s most complicated vocal performances."
By contrast, Julian Marszalek of Dotmusic
Dotmusic
Dotmusic was a music website that existed as a standalone website from June 1995 to December 2003. Initially intended as the web complement to the UK music industry trade magazine Music Week, the site was relaunched in December 1998 as a website for music fans.In addition to music news, reviews,...
gave a mixed reception to the song, writing "If I Were a Boy" is indeed an "interesting conceit" for a ballad that explores "the foibles of human nature." However, he added that, despite Knowles' "best intentions to find out how men are", she would be best advised to leave the differences between the genders as "a sweet little mystery, before the guys decide to find out what it would be like if they were girls." Similarly, Stacey Anderson of Spin
Spin (magazine)
Spin is a music magazine founded in 1985 by publisher Bob Guccione Jr.-History:In its early years, the magazine was noted for its broad music coverage with an emphasis on college-oriented rock music and on the ongoing emergence of hip-hop. The magazine was eclectic and bold, if sometimes haphazard...
magazine was not impressed with "If I Were a Boy", calling it a "glistening" and "boring" ballad. Bill Lamb of About.com
About.com
About.com is an online source for original information and advice. It is written in English, and is aimed primarily at North Americans. It is owned by The New York Times Company....
ranked the song at number five on its list of the Top 100 Pop Songs of 2008, writing: "Whether or not you agree with the sentiments of the song or not, Beyonce's performance is stunning and the song is gutsy. This is a textbook example of pop music that is challenging and meaningful." On the occasion of Knowles' thirtieth birthday, Erika Ramirez and Jason Lipshutz of Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
magazine placed the song at number 19 on their list of "Beyoncé's 30 Biggest Billboard Hits" saying that it "found Beyoncé at her most honest, drawing in both women and men." "If I Were a Boy" was nominated for the "Best Foreign Song" award at the 2009 Porin Awards
Porin (music award)
Porin is Croatian music award founded by Croatian Phonographic Association, Croatian Musicians Union, Croatian Radiotelevision and Croatian Composers' Society.-Lifetime Achievement Award:...
, from Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
.
Chart performance
"If I Were a Boy" debuted at number hundred on the US Billboard Hot 100Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
chart, based solely on airplay, for the week ending October 25, 2008. It then rose considerably in its third week (November 8, 2008), from number sixty-eight to number three as the digital download counterpart had debuted directly at number one on Hot Digital Songs, amassing 190,000 units. "If I Were a Boy" became Knowles' tenth top-five single on the Hot 100 as a solo artist. On November 15, 2008, the song fell to number five, where it stayed for one further week. However, it then managed to resume its number three position on November 29, 2008 as it came back to the top spot of the Hot Digital Songs with 170,000 copies sold. "If I Were a Boy" sold 654,000 digital downloads in four weeks. The following week, the song fell to number two on the Hot Digital Songs Chart, with 160,000 downloads sold as it was beaten up by Knowles' another own single "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)", which had debuted at number one on the Hot Digital Songs Chart with 204,000 copies sold. "If I Were a Boy" had maintained its position at number three while "Single Ladies" had soared to number two on the Hot 100 Chart. Knowles became the seventh female to have two songs in the top five positions. "If I were a Boy" remained at its peak of number three on the Hot 100 Chart for two further weeks. On October 13, 2009, the single had already sold over 2,000,000 units, and was certified double-platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America
Recording Industry Association of America
The Recording Industry Association of America is a trade organization that represents the recording industry distributors in the United States...
. As of July 2010, "If I Were a Boy" had sold 2,393,000 units in the United States.
On November 2, 2008, "If I Were a Boy" was the highest debut of the week on the Australian Singles Chart
ARIA Charts
The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June...
, debuting at number twelve based solely on downloads. The song later peaked at number three for three non-consecutive weeks in November 2008. The song debuted at number eight in New Zealand on October 27, 2008 and peaked at number two for four non-consecutive weeks in November and December 2008. The song was certified platinum after twelve weeks, having sold over 15,000 copies. In the United Kingdom, "If I Were a Boy" debuted at number two on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
with 64,554 downloads on November 15, 2008. In its second chart week, the song fell to number three with sales of 57,917. However, the following week "If I Were a Boy" climbed to number one on November 23, 2008 selling 47,949 copies, making it Knowles' fourth number-one single in the United Kingdom as a solo artist and her sixth counting her career with Destiny's Child
Destiny's Child
Destiny's Child was an American R&B girl group whose final line-up comprised lead singer Beyoncé Knowles alongside Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams. Formed in 1997 in Houston, Texas, Destiny's Child members began their musical endeavors in their pre-teens under the name Girl's Tyme...
. "If I Were A Boy" remained in the top 5 at the end of 2008, and emerged as the 16th biggest selling single of the year. Despite being number one for only one week on the UK Singles Chart, "If I Were a Boy" spent 5 non-consecutive weeks at the number one position on the UK R&B Chart
UK R&B Chart
The Official UK R&B Chart is a forty-position R&B/Hip-Hop chart compiled by The Official UK Charts Company. Although the chart does not receive any airplay, its compilation is viewed on BBC Radio 1's website and publications such as ChartsPlus and Music Week...
. On January 18, 2009, it was beaten for the number one spot by Knowles' own single, "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)". In the song's 10th week on the chart, sales exceeded 600,000 copies and the song became Knowles' first platinum single in the UK, her highest selling solo single and the 68th biggest selling single of the last decade.
Background and concept
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
for "If I Were a Boy" was directed by Jake Nava
Jake Nava
Jake Nava was born on 17 August and grew up in northern London. He currently lives in eastern London.He graduated from the University of WestministerJake Nava is an English-born music video and film director.-Filmography:MUSIC VIDEOS...
and was shot in black and white in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
along with the video for "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)". A Spanish version of the music video was also released under the title "Si Yo Fuera Un Chico" following the same concept as the English music video with the Spanish version dubbed over it. Knowles said that the video is both compelling and reflective of the independent woman stance that she has exhibited throughout most of her career. In an interview with Billboard, Knowles explained the video is mainly about all the little things that are vital in a relationship and that it would depict common things that men do to hurt their significant others, like not answering their phone.
The concept behind the video was to portray a narrative about an ordinary day for a couple (played by NFL
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
player Eddie Goines as the male character and Knowles as the female one) in a role reversal that is hinted at by the lyrics. This is visually revealed only at the end of the video where we get to realise that the husband is a cop and what the female character has been doing throughout the video is what the male character has had actually done to her all along. Knowles explained that when viewers would first see it from a different perspective, her behavior seemed more abnormal. And when they would realise that it was the guy doing everything she just did in the previous scenes, it becomes all too familiar.
Synopsis
The video begins with Knowles and her husband saying a few words – "intimacy," "honesty," "commitment" – and then they start saying the words – "You." "Me." "Us." – together. When the action starts, Knowles is working as a cop, and her husband is so supportive that he makes her breakfast, spends time at work looking for the perfect present to brighten her day and forgoes hanging out with his attractive officemates so he can be available when she gets off her shift. Except, she's not thinking about him at all. Instead, she is spending her off-hours with her fellow cops, particularly her male partner, who she seems enamored with. Her husband tries calling, but she's ignoring the phone. And later, when her husband gives her a present — earrings — she puts them on to go dancing with her cop partner at a party. Naturally, her husband is upset, and when he confronts her about this at home, she acts like he's making a big deal out of nothing: "When you act like that," he tells her, "I don't think you realize how it makes me look or feel." Knowles then asks him in a condescending tone: "Why are you so jealous? It's not like I'm sleeping with the guy." Then the story reverses, and Knowles starts to cry. The situation that she put her husband in, it turns out, is the situation she is in — he is the cop, she is the supportive wife who was being taken for granted.Release and accolades
Knowles premiered the music video, alongside the video for "Single Ladies" on MTVMTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
's Total Request Live
Total Request Live
Total Request Live is a television series on MTV that featured popular music videos. TRL was MTV's prime outlet for music videos as the network continues to concentrate on reality-based programming. In addition to music videos, TRL featured daily guests...
show on October 13, 2008. The video was included in Knowles' remix album with videography, Above and Beyoncé. Jennifer Vineyard of MTV News described it as a "meaningful one — and it comes with a twist that requires repeat viewing." Vineyard further commented that without the video she wouldn't have seen the tomboy
Tomboy
A tomboy is a girl who exhibits characteristics or behaviors considered typical of the gender role of a boy, including the wearing of typically masculine-oriented clothes and engaging in games and activities that are often physical in nature, and which are considered in many cultures to be the...
side of Knowles. James Montgomery of the same publication described it as "a higher-gloss, higher-profile video." A writer of Rap-Up commented that "B[eyoncé] delivers one of the year's best videos with the black and white clip." The video appeared at number 72 on BET: Notarized
Black Entertainment Television
Black Entertainment Television is an American, Viacom-owned cable network based in Washington, D.C.. Currently viewed in more than 90 million homes worldwide, it is the most prominent television network targeting young Black-American audiences. The network was launched on January 25, 1980, by its...
Top 100 Videos of 2008 countdown and at number twenty-nine on BET J's Last Call 2008! Top 50 Countdown.In addition, the video was ranked at number 13 on BET
Black Entertainment Television
Black Entertainment Television is an American, Viacom-owned cable network based in Washington, D.C.. Currently viewed in more than 90 million homes worldwide, it is the most prominent television network targeting young Black-American audiences. The network was launched on January 25, 1980, by its...
's Notarized: Top 100 Videos of 2009 countdown The video was nominated for the 2009 BET Awards
BET Awards
The BET Awards were established in 2001 by the Black Entertainment Television network to celebrate African Americans and other minorities in music, acting, sports, and other fields of entertainment over the past year. The awards are presented annually and broadcast live on BET...
in the category "Video of the Year" but lost Knowles's another own video "Single Ladies". It also received a nomination for "Best Female Video" at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards Japan
MTV Video Music Awards Japan 2009
The MTV Video Music Awards Japan 2009 was broadcast the 8th annual awards show on Saturday, May 30, at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Saitama...
and for "Outstanding Music Video" at the 2009 NAACP Image Award
NAACP Image Award
An NAACP Image Award is an accolade presented by the American National Association for the Advancement of Colored People to honor outstanding people of color in film, television, music, and literature....
s. The music video has been certified Gold by Canadian Recording Industry Association
Music Canada
Music Canada was a Canadian music television miniseries which aired approximately monthly on CBC Television from 1966 to 1967.-Premise:This series featured various special productions of music and dance, from classical to modern styles.-Scheduling:...
in July 2009.
Live performances
Knowles first performed "If I Were a Boy" on November 6, 2008 at the MTV Europe Music AwardsMTV Europe Music Awards 2008
The MTV Europe Music Awards 2008 took place on November 6, 2008 in Liverpool, United Kingdom at the Echo Arena. Nominations were officially announced on September 29, 2008. The hosts of the awards were Katy Perry with Jared Leto, Shannon Leto and Tomo Miličević of 30 Seconds to Mars hosting the...
. She then took the stage of The Oprah Winfrey Show
The Oprah Winfrey Show
The Oprah Winfrey Show is an American syndicated talk show hosted and produced by its namesake Oprah Winfrey. It ran nationally for 25 seasons beginning in 1986, before concluding in 2011. It is the highest-rated talk show in American television history....
to perform the song on November 13, 2008. On November 16, 2008, backed by a cracking live band, Knowles sang a medley of "If I Were a Boy", then switched to "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" and ended up with "Crazy in Love" during the final episode of Total Request Live
Total Request Live
Total Request Live is a television series on MTV that featured popular music videos. TRL was MTV's prime outlet for music videos as the network continues to concentrate on reality-based programming. In addition to music videos, TRL featured daily guests...
. She then performed the song on December 16, 2008 at the The X Factor
The X Factor (UK series 5)
The fifth UK series of The X Factor was broadcast on ITV in 2008. The series started on 16 August and was won by Alexandra Burke on 13 December, with new judge Cheryl Cole emerging as the winning mentor. Auditions in front of producers were held in April/May, with callbacks in front of the judges...
finale in the United Kingdom. Knowles also performed "If I Were a Boy" on January 31, 2010 at the 52nd Grammy Awards
52nd Grammy Awards
The 52nd Annual Grammy Awards took place on January 31, 2010, at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. Neil Young was honored as the 2010 MusiCares Person of the Year on January 29, two days prior to the Grammy telecast. Only ten of the 109 awards were received during the broadcast...
ceremony and also covered Alanis Morissette
Alanis Morissette
Alanis Nadine Morissette is a Canadian-American singer-songwriter, guitarist, record producer, and actress. She has won 16 Juno Awards and seven Grammy Awards, was nominated for two Golden Globe Awards and also shortlisted for an Academy Award nomination...
's 1995 hit single "You Oughta Know
You Oughta Know
"You Oughta Know" is a alternative rock song, which also is known for its grunge effect styles in it. The instruments held in it are guitars, electric guitars, drums and drum machine...
" on the same event. She was wearing a "futuristic, spiked black" outfit with matching shoes. As described by Jayson Rodriguez of MTV News
MTV News
MTV News is the news division of MTV, one of the first and most popular music television network in the U.S., as well as some of MTV's related channels around the world. MTV News began in the late 1980s with the program The Week In Rock, hosted by Kurt Loder, the first official MTV News correspondent...
, Knowles "pranced, spun and did the Dutty Wine
Dutty Wine
"Dutty Wine" is a head dance. There are several Dancers in Jamaica who claim they were its creator. Although there is proof in a video with one of the crowned Dancehall Queens named Mad Michelle first performing the dance in front of a crowd...
while the crowd cheered in approval." Ben Sisario of The New York Times commented that Knowles "was elaborately staged and typically athletic" during the performance.
In addition to her numerous performances of the song in televised appearances as well as award ceremonies, the song was a part of Knowles' set list on the I Am... Tour. Caryn Ganz of Rolling Stone concluded that during the performances of the song on her tour, Knowles appears with her "ferocious onstage persona", her alter ego, "Sasha Fierce". While reviewing a concert during the I Am... Tour, Alice Jones of The Independent wrote that "Beyoncé dons Ray Bans and a leather breastplate to whip up a quasi-feminist singalong." When Knowles performed the song in Sunrise, Florida
Sunrise, Florida
-Overview:Sunrise is a city in southwestern Broward County, Florida, United States. It was incorporated in 1961 by Norman Johnson – a developer whose World Famous Upside-Down House attracted buyers to what was then a remote area...
on June 29, 2009, she was wearing a glittery gold leotard. As she sung, animated graphics of turntables, faders, and other club gear throbbed behind her and her dancers as well as musicians. Knowles 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. Eventually, the song was included on Knowles' live album, I Am... World Tour
I Am... World Tour
I Am... World Tour is a live DVD/CD concert film by American R&B recording artist Beyoncé Knowles who also produced, directed and edited the concert film for her own Parkwood Pictures. The DVD was filmed in presence of more than a million of fans during her worldwide I Am... Tour, running from...
as the twenty-ninth track. Knowles also performed "If I Were a Boy" live at the 2011 Glastonbury Festival
Glastonbury Festival 2011
The 2011 Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts was held from 22–26 June 2011. Tickets for the festival went on sale from 9 am on Sunday 3 October 2010, over 37 weeks before the festival was set to begin, with a deposit of £50 being paid, while the whole cost of a ticket is £195...
on June 26, 2011. As she sang the song, Knowles broke into "You Oughta Know" as she did at the Grammy Awards the previous year.
Fake screeching tape
On April 21, 2009, Howard SternHoward Stern
Howard Allan Stern is an American radio personality, television host, author, and actor best known for his radio show, which was nationally syndicated from 1986 to 2005. He gained wide recognition in the 1990s where he was labeled a "shock jock" for his outspoken and sometimes controversial style...
played what he claimed to be the unedited board mix of Knowles' live performance of "If I Were a Boy" from a Today show appearance in November 2008: "If you've ever wondered what a cat sounds like when it's being strangled, then you're gonna love the supposed raw, unedited, board mix of Beyonce Knowles from her Today Show performance last year." According to the article published by MTV Networks
MTV Networks
MTV Networks is a division of media conglomerate Viacom that oversees the operations of many television channels and Internet brands, including the original MTV channel in the United States...
, the performance was rather excruciatingly off-key at times. The following morning, Knowles commented about the allegations exclusively to MTV News and when she said the report was ridiculous: "[...] I'm just hearing about this today — and I haven't heard it but it sounds completely ridiculous. Everyone's heard me sing and it's perfect timing, actually, because I'll be on the Today show tomorrow singing 'Halo
Halo (Beyoncé Knowles song)
"Halo" is a song recorded by American R&B singer Beyoncé Knowles for her third studio album I Am... Sasha Fierce . Columbia Records released the song as the fourth single of the album, to mainstream radio in the United States on January 20, 2009. It was composed by Ryan Tedder, Evan Bogart, and...
' or tonight you can watch me sing live on David Letterman! It's perfect promotion, whoever came up with that idea."
Later during the same day, Knowles father manager, Mathew
Mathew Knowles
Mathew Knowles is an American music executive and manager. He is the father and former manager of R&B singer Beyoncé , Knowles also managed Kelly Rowland as well as girl group Destiny's Child . He was also the manager of Solange Knowles.-Manager and producer:Knowles is an alumnus of Fisk...
released a statement claiming that the tape had been tampered with:
During the afternoon, TMZ.com
TMZ.com
TMZ.com is a celebrity news website that debuted on November 8, 2005. It was a collaboration between America Online and Telepictures Productions, a division of Warner Bros., until Time Warner divested AOL in 2009. However, it is still affiliated with AOL News and has the AOL News logo affixed in...
reported late Wednesday afternoon that the tape was a hoax. TMZ found the person behind the prank who was surprised it went as far as it did, saying, "It's a little bit crazy. No one in their right mind would sound like that, and no one would cheer for someone singing like that." Finally, Knowles was officially cleared of all the bad singing charges.
Formats and track listings
- Dance Mixes EP Vol. 1
- "If I Were a Boy" (Maurice Joshua Mojo UK Main Remix) – 6:30
- "If I Were a Boy" (Maurice Joshua Mojo UK Dub Remix) – 6:28
- "If I Were a Boy" (Karmatronic Main Remix) – 6:25
- "If I Were a Boy" (DJ Escape & Dom Capello Main Remix) – 8:28
- "If I Were a Boy" (Maurice Joshua UK Remix Radio Edit) – 3:14
- "If I Were a Boy" (Karmatronic Remix Radio Edit) – 3:31
- "If I Were a Boy" (DJ Escape & Dom Capello Remix Radio Edit) – 4:07
- Dance Mixes EP Vol. 2
- "If I Were a Boy" (Lost Daze Main Remix) – 5:08
- "If I Were a Boy" (Mark Picchiotti Club Remix) – 7:15
- "If I Were a Boy" (Mark Picchiotti Dub Remix) – 7:15
- "If I Were a Boy" (Chase "Girls" Club Remix) – 8:28
- "If I Were a Boy" (Lost Daze Remix Radio Edit) – 3:05
- "If I Were a Boy" (Mark Picchiotti Remix Radio Edit) – 3:42
- "If I Were a Boy" (Chase "Girls" Remix Radio Edit) – 3:31
- Download Single
- "If I Were a Boy" – 4:09
- Si Yo Fuera un Chico (Spain digital single)
- "Si Yo Fuera un Chico (If I Were a Boy)" – 4:09
- "Si Yo Fuera un Chico (If I Were a Boy)" (Video) – 5:02
- Europe, UK and Germany Main CD Single
- If I Were A Boy – 4:09
- Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It) – 3:12
Credits and personnel
If I Were a Boy- Britney Jean CarlsonBC JeanBritney Jean Carlson , known better by her stage name BC Jean, is an American singer-songwriter and actress, best known for writing the song "If I Were a Boy" for R&B singer Beyoncé, which premiered on music industry website "Crazed Hits" in May 2008, several months prior to Beyoncé getting a hold...
– writerWritingWriting is the representation of language in a textual medium through the use of a set of signs or symbols . It is distinguished from illustration, such as cave drawing and painting, and non-symbolic preservation of language via non-textual media, such as magnetic tape audio.Writing most likely... - Jens GadJens GadJens Gad is a songwriter, producer and guitarist. He was previously the co-producer for the musical project, Enigma. Currently, he is releasing albums under the name of Jens Gad Presents for his new instrumental work, and also under the name of Achillea, for his new world-influenced music which...
– live drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person .... - Toby GadToby GadTobias "Toby" Gad is a Los Angeles-based hit producer and songwriter from Germany, perhaps best known for co-writing Fergie's Grammy nominated hit song "Big Girls Don't Cry" as well as co-writing and producing Beyoncé's worldwide #1 hit "If I Were a Boy", and The Veronicas multi-platinum #1...
– arrangements, instruments, recorder, producerRecord producerA record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
, writer - Matt Green – mixerMix engineerA mix engineer, also referred to as "mixing engineer", is a person who, once all instruments, voices, and sounds, etc., have been recorded, creates what is called the final version of a song, hence the term "mix engineer"...
assistant - Beyoncé Knowles – producer, vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
- Reggie Syience PerrySyienceReggie Syience Perry is a Grammy Award-winning American songwriter, record producer and musician. He has worked with a number of recognizable and respected artists, including Beyoncé, Cheryl Cole, Jay-Z, John Legend, Mary J Blige, Ne-Yo, and Nelly. Syience won two Grammys for his work on Mary J...
– guitar, additional drums - Mark "Spike" StentMark StentMark 'Spike' Stent is a British record producer, and audio engineer who has worked with The KLF, Björk, Keane, Depeche Mode, Muse, Erasure, Hard-Fi, Massive Attack, Janet Jackson, Madonna, Christina Aguilera, Marilyn Manson, Pet Shop Boys, Dave Matthews, No Doubt/Gwen Stefani, CSS, Beth Orton,...
– mixer
Si Yo Fuera un Chico
- Andrés Bermúdez – mixer, vocals recorder
- Britney Jean Carlson – writer
- Jens Gad – live drums
- Toby Gad – arrangements, instruments, recorder, producer, writer
- Beyoncé Knowles – producer, vocals
- Rudy PérezRudy PérezRudy Pérez is a Cuban American composer, producer and Sound engineer specialized in Latin Ballad whose songs have been very successful. He is considered one of the most outstanding creators in the field of international pop music...
– translatorTranslationTranslation is the communication of the meaning of a source-language text by means of an equivalent target-language text. Whereas interpreting undoubtedly antedates writing, translation began only after the appearance of written literature; there exist partial translations of the Sumerian Epic of...
, vocals producer - Reggie Syience Perry – guitar, additional drums
Weekly charts
| Chart (2008/2009) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Singles Chart ARIA Charts The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June... |
3 |
| Australian Urban Chart | 1 |
| Austria Singles Chart Ö3 Austria Top 40 Ö3 Austria Top 40 is the name of the official Austrian singles chart, as well as the radio show which presents it, aired Fridays on Hitradio Ö3. The show presents the Austrian singles, ringtones and downloads chart. It premiered on 26 November 1968 as Disc Parade and was presented by Ernst Grissemann... |
3 |
| Belgium Singles Chart Ultratop Ultratop is an organization which generates and publishes the official record charts in Belgium, and it is also the name of most of those charts... (Flanders) |
4 |
| Belgium Singles Chart Ultratop Ultratop is an organization which generates and publishes the official record charts in Belgium, and it is also the name of most of those charts... (Wallonia) |
9 |
| Canadian Hot 100 Canadian Hot 100 The Canadian Hot 100 is a music singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine which ranks songs in Canada. The chart debuted in the Billboard issue dated June 16, 2007 and was made available for the first time via their online services on June 7, 2007... |
4 |
| Danish Singles Chart Tracklisten Tracklisten is a Danish top 40 record chart that is presented every Thursday midnight at .The weekly Danish Singles Chart also known as Track Top-40 combines the 40 best selling tracks from legal music downloads and the sales of music singles on either CD or vinyl... |
1 |
| Dutch Top 40 Dutch Top 40 The Dutch Top 40 is a weekly music chart, which started as the "Veronica Top 40", because the offshore radio station Radio Veronica was the first to introduce it. It remained "The Veronica Top 40" until 1974, when the station was forced to stop broadcasting... |
1 |
| European Hot 100 Singles | 1 |
| Finnish Singles Chart | 11 |
| French Singles Chart Syndicat National de l'Edition Phonographique The Syndicat national de l'édition phonographique is the inter-professional organization which protects the interests of the French record industry... |
5 |
| German Singles Chart Media Control Charts The official music charts in Germany are gathered and published by the company Media Control GfK International on behalf of Bundesverband Musikindustrie... |
3 |
| Greek Singles Chart IFPI Greece International Federation of the Phonographic Industry Greece or IFPI Greece is the Greek branch of the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry and is the official charts provider and recording sales certification body for Greece. Currently two charts are compiled, one for sales of... |
9 |
| Hungarian Airplay Chart Mahasz Mahasz is the Hungarian music industry association, founded in 1992. Mahasz hands out the Hungarian Music Awards and maintains the music charts for Hungary.... |
5 |
| Irish Singles Chart Irish Singles Chart The Irish Singles Chart is Ireland's music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on behalf of the IRMA by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured... |
2 |
| Italian Singles Chart Federation of the Italian Music Industry The Federation of the Italian Music Industry is an umbrella organization that keeps track of virtually all aspects of the music recording industry in Italy.... |
4 |
| Japan Hot 100 Japan Hot 100 The Japan Hot 100 is a music singles chart in Japan. It is compiled by Billboard and Hanshin Contents Link ever since February 2008. The chart is updated every Wednesday at billboard-japan.com and every Thursday at billboard.com .... |
10 |
| New Zealand Singles Chart Recording Industry Association of New Zealand The Recording Industry Association of New Zealand is a non-profit trade association of record producers, distributors and recording artists who sell music in New Zealand... |
2 |
| Norwegian Singles Chart VG-lista VG-listen is a Norwegian record chart. It is weekly presented in the newspaper VG and the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation program Topp 20. It is considered the primary Norwegian record chart, charting albums and singles from countries and continent around the world. The data is collected by... |
1 |
| Spanish Singles Chart | 4 |
| Swedish Singles Chart Sverigetopplistan Sverigetopplistan, earlier known as Topplistan and Hitlistan and other names, is since October 2007 the Swedish national record chart, based on sales data from Swedish Recording Industry Association .... |
1 |
| Swiss Singles Chart Swiss Music Charts The Swiss Music Charts are Switzerland's main music sales charts. The charts are a record of the highest-selling singles and albums in various genres in Switzerland.The Swiss Charts include:* Singles Top 75... |
3 |
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
1 |
| UK R&B Chart UK R&B Chart The Official UK R&B Chart is a forty-position R&B/Hip-Hop chart compiled by The Official UK Charts Company. Although the chart does not receive any airplay, its compilation is viewed on BBC Radio 1's website and publications such as ChartsPlus and Music Week... |
1 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
3 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,... |
16 |
| US Hot Dance Club Play | 2 |
| US Pop Songs Mainstream Top 40 (Pop Songs) The Mainstream Top 40 is an airplay chart from Billboard magazine, and is also known as Pop Songs on billboard.com. It was often mistaken for and confused with the now discontinued Pop 100 Airplay chart... |
9 |
| US Pop 100 Pop 100 The Pop 100 was a songs chart that debuted in February 2005 and was released weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States until its discontinuation in 2009... |
6 |
Certifications
| Country | Provider | Certifications |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | ARIA Australian Recording Industry Association The Australian Recording Industry Association is a trade group representing the Australian recording industry which was established in 1983 by six major record companies, EMI, Festival, CBS, RCA, WEA and Universal replacing the Association of Australian Record Manufacturers which was formed in 1956... |
Platinum |
| Canada | CRIA Music Canada Music Canada was a Canadian music television miniseries which aired approximately monthly on CBC Television from 1966 to 1967.-Premise:This series featured various special productions of music and dance, from classical to modern styles.-Scheduling:... |
2× Platinum |
| Denmark | IFPI | Platinum |
| Germany | BVMI Bundesverband Musikindustrie The Bundesverband Musikindustrie or simply BVMI represents the music industry in Germany. The association represents the interests of nearly 350 labels and music industry related enterprises.... |
Gold |
| New Zealand | RIANZ Recording Industry Association of New Zealand The Recording Industry Association of New Zealand is a non-profit trade association of record producers, distributors and recording artists who sell music in New Zealand... |
Platinum |
| Spain | PROMUSICAE | Platinum |
| Sweden | IFPI | Gold |
| Switzerland | IFPI | Platinum |
| United Kingdom | BPI British Phonographic Industry The British Phonographic Industry is the British record industry's trade association.-Structure:Its membership comprises hundreds of music companies including all four "major" record companies , associate members such as manufacturers and distributors, and hundreds of independent music companies... |
Platinum |
| United States | RIAA Recording Industry Association of America The Recording Industry Association of America is a trade organization that represents the recording industry distributors in the United States... |
2× Platinum |
Year-end charts
| Chart (2008) | Position |
|---|---|
| Australian Singles Chart | 44 |
| Australian Urban Singles Chart | 20 |
| Dutch Top 40 | 35 |
| French Singles Chart | 80 |
| German Singles Chart | 70 |
| Irish Singles Chart | 16 |
| New Zealand Singles Chart New Zealand Top 50 Singles of 2008 This is a list of the Top 50 singles in 2008 in New Zealand, as listed by the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand .-Chart:Songs in grey shading indicates a song of New Zealand origin.-External links:*... |
27 |
| Swedish Singles Chart | 21 |
| Swiss Singles Chart | 46 |
| UK Singles Chart | 16 |
| Chart (2009) | Position |
| Australian Urban Singles Chart | 27 |
| Austria Top 75 Singles | 37 |
| Belgian Singles Chart (Flanders) | 51 |
| Belgian Singles Chart (Wallonia) | 66 |
| Canadian Hot 100 | 31 |
| Dutch Top 40 | 68 |
| European Hot 100 Singles | 11 |
| French Singles Chart | 41 |
| German Singles Chart | 46 |
| Hungarian Airplay Chart | 32 |
| Spanish Singles Chart | 31 |
| Swedish Singles Chart | 43 |
| Swiss Singles Chart | 27 |
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
74 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 48 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs | 90 |
| US Hot Dance Club Play Songs | 45 |
Decade-end charts
| Charts (2000–09) | Position |
|---|---|
| Australian Singles Chart | 100 |
| UK Top 100 Songs | 58 |
Chart precession and succession
Radio adds
| Country | Date | Format |
|---|---|---|
| United States | October 12, 2008 | Rhythmic Rhythmic Contemporary Rhythmic contemporary, also known as rhythmic top 40, rhythmic contemporary hit radio or rhythmic crossover, is a music radio format that includes a mix of EDM, upbeat rhythmic pop, hip-hop and R&B hits. Rhythmic contemporary rarely uses rock music or country music in its airplay, but it may... |
| Mainstream Mainstream Top 40 (Pop Songs) The Mainstream Top 40 is an airplay chart from Billboard magazine, and is also known as Pop Songs on billboard.com. It was often mistaken for and confused with the now discontinued Pop 100 Airplay chart... |
||
| Adult Contemporary |
Purchasable release
| Country | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | November 18, 2008 | Digital Download Music download A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment... |
Columbia Records Columbia Records Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company... |
| February 10, 2009 | Dance remix Remix A remix is an alternative version of a recorded song, made from an original version. This term is also used for any alterations of media other than song .... es |
||
| Europe | October 17, 2008 | Digital Download | |
| November 18, 2008 | CD single | ||
| Australia | October 17, 2008 | Digital Download | |
| November 7, 2008 | CD single | ||
| Germany | November 7, 2008 | CD single | |
| United Kingdom | November 10, 2008 | CD single | |
| Spain | February 3, 2009 | Digital Download (Spanish Version) | |
Reba McEntire version
The song was covered by American country singer Reba McEntireReba McEntire
Reba Nell McEntire is an American country music artist and actress. She began her career in the music industry as a high school student singing in the Kiowa High School band , on local radio shows with her siblings, and at rodeos. As a solo act, she was invited to perform at a rodeo in Oklahoma...
on the television program Unplugged on Country Music Television
Country Music Television
Country Music Television, or CMT, is an American country music-oriented cable television network. Programming includes music videos, taped concerts, movies, biographies of country music stars, game shows, and reality programs...
. The cover was accompanied by a music video premiered June 18, 2010, which involves McEntire performing the song live. In late 2010, she recorded a studio version, and released it as the second single for her November 2010 album All the Women I Am
All the Women I Am
Upon its release, All the Women I Am received generally positive reviews from most music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 74, based on 5 reviews, which indicates "generally favorable...
, which is her second release on the Valory Music Group division of Big Machine Records
Big Machine Records
Big Machine Records is an Independent American record label specializing in country music artists. It was launched in 2005 by former DreamWorks Records executive Scott Borchetta. The label was part of a joint venture between Borchetta and country singer Toby Keith, although Keith dropped his...
. McEntire revealed that she originally wanted to only cover her own hits. However, her husband-manager, Narvel Blackstock wanted her to do a cover song. Blackstock finally came up with the thought that she should be recording her own version of Knowles' "If I Were a Boy". Speaking of her version of the song, McEntire said:
"When I got the song and the lyrics, I thought it was an incredible song... And, to me, it turned out to be a country song, when we got our instrumentation on it and everything. And some people go, 'Well, why in the world would you do a pop song?' I just think music is music. You've got good and you've got bad, and I try to stay on the good side."
Music video
The official music video premiered on Oprah.com
Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey is an American media proprietor, talk show host, actress, producer and philanthropist. Winfrey is best known for her self-titled, multi-award-winning talk show, which has become the highest-rated program of its kind in history and was nationally syndicated from 1986 to 2011...
on February 28 at midnight, followed by an exclusive interview. It was directed by Peter Zavadil
Peter Zavadil
Peter Zavadil is a music video director who works primarily in the field of country music. He has directed many music videos since the late 1990s.-Music videos directed:109 music videos are currently listed here.-References:...
.
Critical reception
McEntire's cover has generally been met with positive reception. Jessica Phillips of Country Weekly
Country Weekly
Country Weekly is an American tabloid style weekly magazine established in 1994. The magazine focuses on country music stars and events, and regularly features exclusive interviews with recording artists and country music news...
magazine called McEntire's cover a "soulful, countrified look at love from a male perspective". Steve Morse at The Boston Globe
The Boston Globe
The Boston Globe is an American daily newspaper based in Boston, Massachusetts. The Boston Globe has been owned by The New York Times Company since 1993...
said that McEntire "translated" the song artfully into country", and Washington Post
The Washington Post
The Washington Post is Washington, D.C.'s largest newspaper and its oldest still-existing paper, founded in 1877. Located in the capital of the United States, The Post has a particular emphasis on national politics. D.C., Maryland, and Virginia editions are printed for daily circulation...
critic Allison Stewart said that it was "fantastic". Allmusic critic Thom Jurek was less favorable, saying that it was "unrecognizable" in comparison to the original, also saying, "It contains none of the original's drama; in its place is a failed attempt at a soft rock power ballad." Writing for The 9513, Blake Boldt thought that the song was a "misstep" and said that it "proves that even a musical legend doesn’t land every punch". Bilboards Mikael Wood praised the cover, comparing it with McEntire's other cover of Kelly Clarkson
Kelly Clarkson
Kelly Brianne Clarkson is an American pop rock singer-songwriter and actress. Clarkson came into prominence after becoming the winner of the inaugural season of the television series American Idol in 2002 and would later become the runner-up in the television special World Idol in 2003.In 2003,...
's "Because of You". Jon Caramanica of The New York Times noted that McEntire "sounds as if she's already inhabiting the role" in the song.
Live performances
After her first performance of the song on Unplugged on the Country Music Television, McEntire also performed the song on the Country Music Association
Country Music Association
The Country Music Association was founded in 1958 in Nashville, Tennessee. It originally consisted of only 233 members and was the first trade organization formed to promote a music genre...
(CMA) awards on November 10, 2010. Mawuse Ziegbe of MTV News praised her cover, writing: "Singing with no band onstage, donning a glittery black dress with her signature red hair flowing to her shoulders, the legendary vocalist's performance scored a standing ovation." Jon Caramanica of The New York Times gave a mixed review for her performance saying that "she did something unexpected, softening her delivery and finding the creases in the song, as if Beyoncé were whispering to her from the wings." However, in another review, he described her performance as "forceful." Jillian Mapes and Megan Vick of Billboard praised the performance writing: "As if Beyonce's 2008 ballad 'If I Were a Boy' wasn't moving enough, country queen Reba McEntire's smokey twang and solemn stance turned the song on its head." They also noted that "The simple, powerful performance is enough to inspire tears, or at least goosebumps." However, Entertainment Weeklys Mandi Bierly chose her performance as the worst on the show, writing that the lyrics were "just too young for her, and when it comes to the chorus, I want someone to belt it."
Chart performance
Following McEntire's live performance at the CMA awards, the song debuted at number sixty on the Hot Country Songs
Hot Country Songs
Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales...
charts as an album cut dated for the week ending November 27, 2010. It re-entered at number sixty on the chart dated for the week ending January 29, 2011, and reached a peak of number 22 in April 2011.
| Chart (2011) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs | 22 |