Party (song)
Encyclopedia
"Party" is a song by American
recording artist Beyoncé Knowles
featuring American rapper
André 3000
, taken up form the former's fourth studio album, 4
(2011). The song was composed by Kanye West
, Jeff Bhasker, Beyoncé Knowles
, André Lauren Benjamin
, Dexter Mills
, Douglas Davis
and Ricky Walters
. The album version was lined up for a release to urban radios in August 2011. However, its release was scrapped as "Countdown
", which was favored as the third single, was serviced as the third US mainstream and third international single, on October 4, 2011.
An R&B
-mid-tempo
song, "Party" exhibits elements of the late 1980s funk
and soul music
, and samples the 1985 classic, "La Di Da Di
". Musically, "Party" recalls the work work of New Edition
and Prince
, among others. Built on a 808
-retro beat
and a 1980s style smooth groove, the song's instrumentation essentially consists of slow-bouncing synthesizer
s, keyboard tones and drum
s. Lyrically, "Party" finds Knowles as the female protagonist in the mood for some loving as well as referencing to a get-together for two persons. In his rap verses, André 3000 references milk and gets philosophical about his own career.
"Party" was well received by music critics, who praised André 3000's verse. Critics also commended the assertiveness as well as the sensuality with which Knowles sings, and praised the production handled by West. Following the release of 4, "Party" charted at number 19 on the South Korea Gaon International Singles Chart
. It debuted on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
chart without going for official adds. It has so far peaked at number two on the chart and at number 52 on the US Billboard Hot 100
chart. "Party" was part of Knowles' set list
for her 4 Intimate Nights with Beyoncé
, held in Roseland Ballroom
, New York City in August 2011. "Party" is currently nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration
at the 54th Grammy Awards
.
"Party" was written by Kanye West
, Jeff Bhasker, Beyoncé Knowles
, André Lauren Benjamin
, Dexter Mills
, Douglas Davis
and Ricky Walters
. Production was handled by Knowles, West, and Bhasker. "Party" was the first song on which Knowles worked for her-then upcoming album, 4. In May 2010, Jordan Young
aka DJ Swivel started working with Knowles at Rock The Mic Studio in New York City
. They initially recorded beginning stages of "Party" to see what kind of a working relationship might form. Young was introduced to Knowles by Omar Grant, who was an A&R at Epic Records
and used to work with Destiny’s Child. Knowles was satisfied with Young's work and commended him for being "a fast engineer". Knowles then decided to give him the opportunity to work with her through the whole production and recording processes of her album.
She later told Gabriel Alvarez of Complex magazine that she was very happy and keen to work with Kanye West who handled the production of "Party". This was because West's single "Runaway
" (2010) drove her to the edge of tears the first time she heard. She further said: "The fact that he's belting out his pain, his confusion, and his anger, with no pre-written lyrics, was so moving. He's singing his heart out for five minutes. He is so vulnerable. I love when an artist can be so honest." On May 25, 2011, it was revealed by Rap-Up
that American
rapper
André 3000
, who had been keeping his features to a minimum in recent years, would appear as a featuring artist on fifth song featured on the track-listing of Knowles' then fourth upcoming studio album, 4
. This was the only collaboration present on the final track-list of the record. Later on June 4, 2011, it was revealed that "Party" samples "La Di Da Di
" (1985) as performed by Doug E. Fresh and the Get Fresh Crew featuring MC Ricky D., and written by Douglas Davis and Ricky Walters. The original record contains the lyrics, "La di da di, we like to party", which the songwriters included on "Party".
On June 6, 2011, "Party" leaked
on the internet followed by the whole album, three weeks prior to its official release date, scheduled for June 28, 2011. Speaking of his collaboration with Knowles, André 3000 said: "I've always felt Beyoncé was one of the best performers of our time, so to collaborate with her was an honor and a pleasure." The album version of "Party" was lined up to go for adds on urban radio
on August 30, 2011, in the United States. However, no cover art
was issued for the album version and its release was scrapped, with several websites reporting that "Countdown
" would be released as the album's third single. "Countdown" was sent rhythmic
radio and contemporary hit radio
on October 4, 2011, hence serving as the third mainstream single from the album. It was not sent to urban radio.
. It also exhibits elements of funk
music as well as soul music
, and is built on "scooping, gliding multi-tracked" 1990 girl-ground harmonies alongside mid-tempo
bounces
, something stated by Thomas Conner of Chicago Sun-Times
, and Ryan Dombal of Pitchfork Media
. According to David Amidon of PopMatters
, the song's music "is largely reminiscent of late 1980s diva histrionics"; it has a 808
-retro beat
and a 1980s style smooth groove. This is further illustrated by the song's instrumentation, which consists of 1980s slow-bouncing synthesizer
s, bubbly 1980s keyboard tones, and drum
s. Gil Kaufman of MTV News
commented that synthesizers and drum machine used in "Party" create a groove reminiscent of "a New Jack Swing
seduction." Jon Caramainca of The New York Times
wrote that the production of "Party" recalls "the tinny, casual early work of New Edition
", James Reed of The Boston Globe
wrote that its music arrangement comes pretty close to sounding like "a parody by The Lonely Island
or Flight of the Conchords
", Roberts Randall of The Los Angeles Times
found that "Party" sounds like a "half-speed remix of a Human League song." and Kevin O'Donnell of Spin
magazine found the song to be reminiscent of Prince
in his 1980s prime.
Lyrically, "Party" finds Knowles as the female protagonist "in the mood for some loving" as well as referencing to a get-together for two persons. As the song begins, Kanye West rhymes about "swag sauce" and "swagu" in the introductory lines
: "You a bad girl, your friends bad too / You got the swag sauce, you're drippin' Swagu", before passing the torch to Knowles, who begins to sing the first verse
slowly and steadily: "I may be young but I'm ready / To give you all my love / I told my girls you can get it / Don't slow it down, just let it go / So in love / I'll give it all away / Just don't tell nobody tomorrow". In the chorus lines
, she harmonizes over the sample "La Di Da Di": "Cause tonight's the night that I give you everything / Music knocking until the morning light / 'Cause we like to party [...]".
In the second verse, Knowles belts out "in a thick stack of smooth, layered vocals." After that she has sung the chorus for the second time, André 3000 surfaces around the 2:15 mark with "some very naughty references" to milk, shown in the lyrics of his rapped verse: "[...] I got a homeboy named Butta and another homeboy, that nigga named Cheese / Fuck wit' me baby, I make it milk 'til it drip down yo' knees [...]", before switching gears altogether and getting philosophical about his own career with lines like: "Kiddo say he looks up to me, this just makes me feel old/ Never thought that we could become someone else's hero / Man, we were just in the food court eating our gyros [...]", and finally adopting a "multi-syllabic tongue twister" to deliver some of the finishing lines. The song runs out with Knowles reiterating the lines "Cause we like to party, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey" and then a reprise of West's opening lines.
showed appreciation for André 3000's performance and the song itself, writing: "André 3000 is sharp and effortlessly charismatic on his rapped verse, but the real attraction here is the track itself." Similarly, David Amidon of PopMatters
commented that the song features "one of those rare 'look how effortless rapping is for me'." This was echoed by Ryan Dombal of Pitchfork Media
, who wrote that "[4s] carefree retro sensibility pops up on three more highlights, including 'Party', which combines a pitch-perfect André 3000 guest verse, a Slick Rick sample, [...] while its bounce provides prime summer barbecue background." Rich Juzwiak of The Village Voice
was also positive: "'Party' sounds right out of The SOS Band
's catalog (its plodding tempo is the only thing that lets you know she isn't quoting a particularly poetic, desperately meth-seeking craigslist m4m ad [...])". Jon Caramainca of The New York Times
wrote that Knowles sings the song "in her best impression of naughtiness." Chris Coplan of Consequence of Sound
praised the minimal production and simplistic lyrics of "Party" further describing the song as being as "simple as a Beyoncé song gets: a low-key, synth-y beat paired with inspired vocals by Beyoncé and a killer, fluid verse by Mr. Benjamin [André 3000]."
Adam Markovitz of Entertainment Weekly
wrote that "the promisingly named 'Party' [...] turns out to be a slow-jam invitation to an after-work mixer with light refreshments." Chicago Sun-Times
s Thomas Conner complimented the harmonies "scooping, gliding multi-tracked harmonies that almost make moot the idea of a Destiny's reunion." Gil Kaufman of MTV News
was also positive, writing that "[...] unlike the at-points frantic 'Run the World (Girls)
' [Party] takes its time, lyrically and musically, with Beyoncé luxuriating over her vocals and singing about the beauty of nice and slow." Calling "Party" as "a proudly retro slice of R&B", James Reed of The Boston Globe
wrote that the song is "an irresistible summer jam that I haven't been able to stop humming for a week straight." Jim Farber of Daily News echoed Reed's sentiments, writing that "Party" would surely be "a top-down anthem for months to come." Similarly, Joanne Dorken of MTV UK wrote that "Party" is bound to be a "monster hit" and concluded that it is a "stand out tune on the album." Ricky Schweitzer of One Thirty BPM
also showed high favorism for "Party", writing:
However, Matthew Horton of BBC Online viewed "Party" as one of the "less successful interruptions" on 4. Similarly, Embling of Tiny Mix Tapes
gave the song a mixed review, writing: "[...] the less said about the phrase 'swag goo' the better; 'Party', the song on which those unfortunate words appear — Kanye West providing that unfortunate pun — is otherwise wonderful, but yet some errors are too grievous to forgive." Andy Kellman from Allmusic stated, "[...] What's most surprising is that a song titled 'Party' quickly settles into a low-watt groove and remains there." Bill Lamb from About.com
added, "Kanye West and Andre 3000 provide interesting vocal color for 'Party' but the song itself is just a variant on the 'this is my night to be bad' theme."
"Party" is currently nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration
at the 54th Grammy Awards
, which will be held on February 12, 2012.
for the week ending July 2, 2011, selling 17,460 digital downloads. The following week, it sold 17,995 downloads, which enabled it ascend to number 19 where it peaked. The album version also debuted at number 90 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
chart issue dated July 21, 2011. The following week, "Party" moved to number 72 on the chart, and one week later, it climbed to number 57. For the week ending September 10, 2011, "Party" moved from number 55 to number 50 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. 31 US urban radios added "Party" to the playlist for the week ending October 1, 2011. As a result, "Party" was the most played song on US urban radios, gaining 517 spins in seven days, as reported by the Nielsen Broadcast Data Systems
(BDS) urban airplay chart issued dated October 8, 2011. Accordingly, the song received the airplay greatest gainer title and moved from number 33 to number 20 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The following week, "Party" debuted at number 71 on the US Radio Songs
chart and subsequently moved to number 16 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
For the week ending October 1, 2011, the album version of "Party" debuted at number 25 on the US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles
chart. After two weeks, it ascended from number 11 to number four on the chart. For the week ending October 22, 2011, "Party" debuted at number 95 on the US Billboard Hot 100
chart. It also moved to number nine on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, receiving the airplay gainer title for the second non-consecutive time. "Party" escalated to number 87 on the Hot 100 chart and to number seven on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart issued dated October 29, 2011. For the same week ending, Nielsen Broadcast Data Systems reported that "Party" was the most played song on Urban radios for the second non-consecutive time, gaining 464 spins in seven days. It ascended to number five on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and to number 75 on the Hot 100 chart for the week ending November 5, 2011. After its release as a single, "Party" surged to number 57 on the Hot 100, climbing 18 places, for the week ending November 12, 2011. For the week ending November 19, 2011, it further ascended to 54 on the Hot 100 chart and moved from number five to number three on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
For the week ending November 26, 2011, "Party" remained at number 54 on the Hot 100 chart and climbed to number two on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The following, Nielsen Broadcast Data Systems reported that "Party" reached the top spot of the BDS Urban National airplay chart, having amassed 4862 spins, which transitioned into 31.288 million listener impressions. For the same week ending, it escalated to a new peak at number 52 on the Hot 100 chart and remained at number two on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
in Roseland Ballroom
, New York City. Wearing a gold dress, she performed the song in front of 3,500 people and she was backed by her all-female band and her backing singers, called the Mamas. Erika Ramirez of Billboard
magazine commented that "[Knowles] slow-winded to 'Party' as the crowd swayed their arms back and forth and stretched out the 'y' to every other verse." Jody Rosen of Rolling Stone
said that the live performance of "Party" was "beatific and lovely."
Jon Caramanica of The New York Times
, who apparently did not received "Party" positively while reviewing 4, however wrote that "[Knowles] is an outrageously nimble entertainer, enough so that it compensated for this album’s awkward or halfhearted choices: the too-goofy Kanye West hook on 'Party'." Yolanda Sangweni of Essence
magazine stated that "on songs like 'Rather Die Young' and 'Party', [Knowles] reminds us her vocal chops are what got her here." Brad Wete of Entertainment Weekly
stated that "Party" was among the several highlights of the show.
Joycelyn Vena of MTV News
concluded that "it was [Knowles'] ability to throw a party during faster jams like 'Party', 'Countdown', 'End of Time' and 'Run the World (Girls)' that put on full display her range as a performer, dancing and singing live the entire night." On October 11, 2011, English
singer–songwriter
, Eliza Doolittle posted a video of herself covering "Party", on her official website and other online media.
.
for Friday, references Sade
and Petey Pablo
and name-drops the Bugatti
brand. Cole revealed that he was originally supposed to appear on the album version and that Knowles later enlisted him when she was ready to release "Party" as a single. It was released worldwide as a digital download
on October 24, 2011.
Critics complimented the remix, stating that anyone could sound good over the beat of the mid-tempo R&B song. An accompanying music video
for "Party" was shot in New Jersey
and was directed by Knowles. Cole replaced André 3000 in the clip, which takes viewers back to an old-school backyard celebration full of colorful bikinis, freestyle dancing and a few cameo appearances, including sister Solange Knowles
and former Destiny's Child
bandmate Kelly Rowland
. Muisic critics generally praised the retro-themed visuals, further commending the fact that she proves she can bring a party without elaborate choreography, high fashion or cinematic elements.
on October 24, 2011, in the United States and a list of selected European countries. It was not made available for purchase in Oceania and Germany among others. Cole's verse, which replaces André 3000's from the original, is much shorter; all other elements of the remix are identical to the original. In his verse, Cole thanks God and Ice Cube
for Friday, references Sade
and Petey Pablo
and name-drops the Bugatti
brand.
Andrew Martin of Prefix Magazine complimented the remix stating: "[The remix] might replace André 3000's typically great guest feature with one from J. Cole, but hey, anyone can sound good over this beat. And not only that, but Cole's vocals, however brief, are a welcome complement." Making reference to its music video, Entertainment Weekly
s Erin Strecker commented: "I'm assuming it was shot mid-summer, which is when this really should have been put out. Releasing this track at the end of October seems like an odd choice, as the video involves a grillout and trailer-park pool party that would have sparkled mid-July."
During an interview with WWKX
(106.3 MHz FM
"Hot 106") Rise & Grind Morning Show, Cole revealed that he was originally supposed to appear on the album version and that Knowles later enlisted him when she was ready to release "Party" as a single. He also explained why his verse was cut short and recalled his "unforgettable" experience of working with Knowles:
, Knowles filmed the clip in the Oakdale Mobile Home Park in South Brunswick Township
, New Jersey
, on August 2, 2011. The video shoot called for multiple flashy fashions, a red muscle car, and colorfully-dressed dancers. Solange Knowles
, Knowles' younger sister, and Kelly Rowland
, former Destiny's Child
member, both made cameos. Rowland elaborated a bit about her role in the video in an interview with NeonLimelight: "I'm just doing a cameo. We just had a really good time [...] While filming the video, we noticed that we were doing certain stuff that we used to do as kids. We kinda felt a little goofy for a second, so we stopped. But we just had a good time."
As the video utilizes the remix featuring Cole, André 3000 did not appear in the clip; Cole, who replaced him, shot his cameo on October 7, 2011; Knowles also came to the set that day to film extra scenes with Cole. A 32-second preview of the music video was shown on BET
's 106 & Park
on October 24, 2011. The retro-themed visuals showed Knowles throwing a backyard bash with her friends. Sporting bikinis, girls were basking in the sun and splashing in the pool as Knowles' sister Solange was working the turntables. Cole swept through in his blue Bugatti to join the old school festivities. Although it was reported that the full music video would premiere on October 25, 2011, it premiered on October 26 during an episode of 106 & Park and on Knowles' Vevo
account. "Party" is the sixth video released from 4.
On November 22, 2011, the behind-the-scenes footage of the video was posted online. In the footage, her stylist said that the inspiration for the video was "trailer-trash, ghetto fabulous, out-there, [and] edgy." During the footage Knowles said "I like this video. It's no choreography, no pressure. All I have to do is party and have a good time." She also revealed that the video is supposed to reflect her simplistic childhood, adding: "Growing up, I had really amazing parents and I had a great childhood. We went from nicer homes to being in apartments with our lights cutting off. It didn't matter where we were 'cause we had love and we had so much fun. It's great when you don't have as much how you improvise and you have more fun."
, "[The music video for] 'Party' takes viewers back to an old-school backyard celebration full of colorful bikinis, freestyle dancing and a few familiar faces. Throughout the video, [Beyoncé] lets loose, playing a sort of party host. If she is not lounging in beach chairs, she is dancing among her friends or mowing the yawn." The clip is centered around a trailer park hood and a subsequent soiree. It starts with a dog barking behind a fencing, followed by multiple intercut scenery, which includes two men engaged in a conversation, a woman leaning against a car, a little girl riding a bicycle and a saucepan caught in fire. Then, a ghetto
Knowles appears, dressed in bright colored as well as flashy garments, sporting neon-colored oval shaped nails, and bright-colored lipstick. She is cooking in a skillet while one of her neighbors drinks from a hose. As she sings, looking into the camera, she highlights and plays with her hair. The action shifts from the double wide to a sunny summer backyard barbecue, where Knowles and her friends dance as Solange is deejaying. This is followed by scenes of Knowles, floating in an above ground pool while singing and entertaining her guests. She is wearing a pink one-piece swimsuit, dropping earrings and her hair looks crimped. Other girls bask in the sun and splash in the pool as Solange works the turntables.
Once outside the pool, Knowles, now in a ruffled blue and white bikini, is sitting on a chaise lounge and eating a lollipop. Knowles then shifts to another chaise lounge where she relaxes with a bowl of snack food in her hand. Now wearing sunglasses, a black butterfly turban, and a furry green vest, Knowles lounges on a plastic chair around an inflatable pool toys next to lawn flamingos and beer bottle-filled kiddie pools. As she sings, she throws some snack food towards the camera. Cole arrives in a blue Bugatti to rap his verse in the parking lot. In a different scene, he sits on the bumper of a truck with Knowles on his left hand-side. They swing by the festivities once they hit the hotel room for a little after-hours. Later, Knowles is seen doing a retouch of her make up, sitting on the toilet. Rowland and Knowles are then shown, propped up against a red muscle car. Knowles sports a big bird style, yellow feather coat while Rowland wears a short dark-red dress, and they are both seen smiling and dancing. Knowles then mows the yawn and the video ends when Rowland and Knowles grimace into the camera.
and described Knowles' look as "sexy". Laura Schreffler of Daily Mail
concluded that "one very big thing is noticeably missing" in the video, referring to Knowles' pregnancy. However, Schreffler praised her look and outfits which were getting "racier and racier". Amanda Dobbins of New York
magazine wrote that Knowles "host[s] a trailer-park fiesta in crazy technicolor fur getups and still look[s] amazing." Matt Donnelly of Los Angeles Times
concluded: "In a glorious mess of fanny packs, headpieces, blender drinks, dice-throwing and dance circles, Beyonce reminds us that even without elaborate choreography, high fashion or cinematic elements she brings one heck of a party." That was somehow echoed by Entertainment Weeklys Erin Strecker who wrote that "Beyoncé isn't dancing this time around. Instead, she's strutting her stuff with neon makeup and costumes straight out of the Day-Glo '90s." Nakisha Williams of BET praised the "flashy looks Beyoncé chose to get her 'Party' on". Sarah Anne Hughes of The Washington Post
praised the "pretty glamorous trailer park affair" and the party in the video saying that it's a "party you wish you were invited to." A writer of VH1
found a "delectable, candy-colored, bling-adorned party scene" with "retro-ghetto fab outfits" and a very simple throughline.
Marina Galperina of AOL's The Boombox said "from her neon nails, scintillating bathing suits, sequined mini-dresses, big hair, bright make-up to the sexy shimmying of her still slim physique, all eyes are on Beyonce as she serenades a promise to 'give it all away, just don't tell nobody tomorrow.'" Jenna Gregory of Marie Claire
wrote that Knowles shows an "amazing bod in parely-there clothes which you definitely wouldn't find in the maternity section." Chris Coplan of Consequence of Sound found a 1980s vibe similar to the song's sound, adding that the only thing the "family affair is missing is Jay-Z
wearing sunscreen on his nose and a shirt from Tommy Bahama
." A writer of OK!
said that Knowles "don[s] an unbelievable amount of cool oufits, all of which we need in our lives." Rap-Up
commented "Summer may be over, but Beyoncé gives us another reason to celebrate with the vibrant video" adding "This is one party you won't want to miss." Andrew Martin of Prefix Magazine described "Party"'s video as a "fittingly shindig-centric affair." Jessica Misener of The Huffington Post
praised the fashion used in the video saying that Knowles had a lot of "chic looks." Another writer of the same publication praised the decision to make a simple party set. He further described the video as "a gorgeous boast of her beauty as well as a helpful reminder that, even in these down economic times, one can party like a rock star."
, selling 85,143 digital downloads.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
recording artist 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...
featuring American rapper
Rapping
Rapping refers to "spoken or chanted rhyming lyrics". The art form can be broken down into different components, as in the book How to Rap where it is separated into “content”, “flow” , and “delivery”...
André 3000
André 3000
André Lauren Benjamin , better known by his stage name André 3000 is an American rapper, singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and actor, best known for being part of American hip-hop duo OutKast alongside fellow rapper Big Boi...
, taken up form the former's fourth studio album, 4
4 (Beyoncé Knowles album)
4 is the fourth studio album by American recording artist Beyoncé Knowles, released through Columbia Records on June 24, 2011. Three weeks before its scheduled release, 4 leaked in full. The twelve-song set marks the first release by Knowles since separating professionally with father and manager,...
(2011). The song was composed by Kanye West
Kanye West
Kanye Omari West is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and...
, Jeff Bhasker, 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...
, André Lauren Benjamin
André 3000
André Lauren Benjamin , better known by his stage name André 3000 is an American rapper, singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and actor, best known for being part of American hip-hop duo OutKast alongside fellow rapper Big Boi...
, Dexter Mills
Consequence (rapper)
Dexter Mills , better known as Consequence, is an American rapper. He is the cousin of rapper Q-Tip of the hip hop group A Tribe Called Quest, and was formerly an affiliate of Kanye West's GOOD Music family. Consequence debuted in 1996 on A Tribe Called Quest's album Beats, Rhymes, and Life...
, Douglas Davis
Doug E. Fresh
Douglas E. Davis , better known by the stage name Doug E. Fresh, is an American rapper, record producer, and beat boxer, also known as the Human Beat Box...
and Ricky Walters
Slick Rick
Richard Walters , better known by his stage name Slick Rick is a Grammy-nominated English-American rapper...
. The album version was lined up for a release to urban radios in August 2011. However, its release was scrapped as "Countdown
Countdown (Beyoncé Knowles song)
"Countdown" is a song by American R&B singer Beyoncé Knowles from her fourth studio album, 4 . It was written by Terius Nash, Shea Taylor, Knowles, Ester Dean, Cainon Lamb, Julie Frost, Michael Bivins, Nathan Morris and Wanya Morris. The song's development was motivated when Knowles wanted to...
", which was favored as the third single, was serviced as the third US mainstream and third international single, on October 4, 2011.
An 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...
-mid-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:...
song, "Party" exhibits elements of the late 1980s funk
Funk
Funk is a music genre that originated in the mid-late 1960s when African American musicians blended soul music, jazz and R&B into a rhythmic, danceable new form of music. Funk de-emphasizes melody and harmony and brings a strong rhythmic groove of electric bass and drums to the foreground...
and soul music
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
, and samples the 1985 classic, "La Di Da Di
La Di Da Di
"La Di Da Di" is a rap song performed by Doug E. Fresh the beatboxer, and MC Ricky D as the rapper. It was originally released in 1985 as the B-side to "The Show". The song has since gained a reputation as an early hip hop classic, having been referenced in other hip hop songs.There are two...
". Musically, "Party" recalls the work work of New Edition
New Edition
New Edition is an R&B group formed in Boston in 1978. The group reached its height of popularity during the 1980s. They were the progenitors of the boy band movement of the 1980s and 1990s and led the way for groups like New Kids on the Block, Boyz II Men, Backstreet Boys and 'N Sync...
and Prince
Prince (musician)
Prince Rogers Nelson , often known simply as Prince, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Prince has produced ten platinum albums and thirty Top 40 singles during his career. Prince founded his own recording studio and label; writing, self-producing and playing most, or all, of...
, among others. Built on a 808
Roland TR-808
The Roland TR-808 Rhythm Composer was one of the first programmable drum machines . Introduced by the Roland Corporation in early 1980, it was originally manufactured for use as a tool for studio musicians to create demos. Like earlier Roland drum machines, it does not sound very much like a real...
-retro beat
Beat (music)
The beat is the basic unit of time in music, the pulse of the mensural level . In popular use, the beat can refer to a variety of related concepts including: tempo, meter, rhythm and groove...
and a 1980s style smooth groove, the song's instrumentation essentially consists of slow-bouncing synthesizer
Synthesizer
A synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
s, keyboard tones and drum
Drum
The drum is a member of the percussion group of musical instruments, which is technically classified as the membranophones. Drums consist of at least one membrane, called a drumhead or drum skin, that is stretched over a shell and struck, either directly with the player's hands, or with a...
s. Lyrically, "Party" finds Knowles as the female protagonist in the mood for some loving as well as referencing to a get-together for two persons. In his rap verses, André 3000 references milk and gets philosophical about his own career.
"Party" was well received by music critics, who praised André 3000's verse. Critics also commended the assertiveness as well as the sensuality with which Knowles sings, and praised the production handled by West. Following the release of 4, "Party" charted at number 19 on the South Korea Gaon International Singles Chart
Gaon Chart
The Gaon Chart is a national record chart of South Korea. It is complied by the Korea Music Content Industry Association and sponsored by South Korea's Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism; with an aim to create a national chart for Korea similar to the Billboard charts and Oricon charts...
. It debuted on the 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,...
chart without going for official adds. It has so far peaked at number two on the chart and at number 52 on the 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...
chart. "Party" was part of Knowles' set list
Set list
A set list, or setlist, is a document that lists the songs that a band or musical artist intends to play, or has played, during a specific concert performance...
for her 4 Intimate Nights with Beyoncé
4 Intimate Nights with Beyoncé
4 Intimate Nights with Beyoncé was a revue by American recording artist Beyoncé Knowles. Held in four non-consecutive nights in August 2011, the concerts were part of Knowles' campaign in support of her fourth studio album 4 . Knowles performed to a standing room-only audience at the Roseland...
, held in Roseland Ballroom
Roseland Ballroom
The Roseland Ballroom is a multi-purpose hall, in a converted ice skating rink, with a colorful ballroom dancing pedigree, in New York City's theatre district, on West 52nd Street....
, New York City in August 2011. "Party" is currently nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration
Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration
The Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration is an honor presented at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards, to recording artists for quality songs on which rappers and singers collaborate...
at the 54th Grammy Awards
54th Grammy Awards
The 54th Annual Grammy Awards will be held on February 12, 2012, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. It will be broadcasted on CBS. Nominations were announced on November 30, 2011 on prime-time television as part of "The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live! – Countdown to Music's Biggest Night", a...
.
Background and development
Kanye West
Kanye Omari West is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and...
, Jeff Bhasker, 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...
, André Lauren Benjamin
André 3000
André Lauren Benjamin , better known by his stage name André 3000 is an American rapper, singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and actor, best known for being part of American hip-hop duo OutKast alongside fellow rapper Big Boi...
, Dexter Mills
Consequence (rapper)
Dexter Mills , better known as Consequence, is an American rapper. He is the cousin of rapper Q-Tip of the hip hop group A Tribe Called Quest, and was formerly an affiliate of Kanye West's GOOD Music family. Consequence debuted in 1996 on A Tribe Called Quest's album Beats, Rhymes, and Life...
, Douglas Davis
Doug E. Fresh
Douglas E. Davis , better known by the stage name Doug E. Fresh, is an American rapper, record producer, and beat boxer, also known as the Human Beat Box...
and Ricky Walters
Slick Rick
Richard Walters , better known by his stage name Slick Rick is a Grammy-nominated English-American rapper...
. Production was handled by Knowles, West, and Bhasker. "Party" was the first song on which Knowles worked for her-then upcoming album, 4. In May 2010, Jordan Young
Jordan Young
Jordan Young is a drummer, and currently plays for Maryland rockers Cinder Road. Jordan started playing just like the rest of them, every sunday with the church band, it wasn't until he joined jam band Injoy in 2005 that he started playing in the club scene. In 2007, he joined the nationally...
aka DJ Swivel started working with Knowles at Rock The Mic Studio 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...
. They initially recorded beginning stages of "Party" to see what kind of a working relationship might form. Young was introduced to Knowles by Omar Grant, who was an A&R at Epic Records
Epic Records
Epic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A...
and used to work with Destiny’s Child. Knowles was satisfied with Young's work and commended him for being "a fast engineer". Knowles then decided to give him the opportunity to work with her through the whole production and recording processes of her album.
She later told Gabriel Alvarez of Complex magazine that she was very happy and keen to work with Kanye West who handled the production of "Party". This was because West's single "Runaway
Runaway (Kanye West song)
"Runaway" is a single by American recording artist Kanye West, released as the second single from his fifth studio album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. It features a guest verse from rapper Pusha T of Clipse. The single debuted at number 12 on the US Billboard Hot 100.A 35-minute short film...
" (2010) drove her to the edge of tears the first time she heard. She further said: "The fact that he's belting out his pain, his confusion, and his anger, with no pre-written lyrics, was so moving. He's singing his heart out for five minutes. He is so vulnerable. I love when an artist can be so honest." On May 25, 2011, it was revealed by Rap-Up
Rap-Up
Rap-Up is a magazine launched in 2001 by founder Devin Lazerine. The publication was originally a website devoted to hip hop, until Lazerine decided to pitch the possibility of a magazine to several publishers. The magazine is focused on the hip hop and R&B aspect of the music industry, and...
that American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
rapper
Rapping
Rapping refers to "spoken or chanted rhyming lyrics". The art form can be broken down into different components, as in the book How to Rap where it is separated into “content”, “flow” , and “delivery”...
André 3000
André 3000
André Lauren Benjamin , better known by his stage name André 3000 is an American rapper, singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and actor, best known for being part of American hip-hop duo OutKast alongside fellow rapper Big Boi...
, who had been keeping his features to a minimum in recent years, would appear as a featuring artist on fifth song featured on the track-listing of Knowles' then fourth upcoming studio album, 4
4 (Beyoncé Knowles album)
4 is the fourth studio album by American recording artist Beyoncé Knowles, released through Columbia Records on June 24, 2011. Three weeks before its scheduled release, 4 leaked in full. The twelve-song set marks the first release by Knowles since separating professionally with father and manager,...
. This was the only collaboration present on the final track-list of the record. Later on June 4, 2011, it was revealed that "Party" samples "La Di Da Di
La Di Da Di
"La Di Da Di" is a rap song performed by Doug E. Fresh the beatboxer, and MC Ricky D as the rapper. It was originally released in 1985 as the B-side to "The Show". The song has since gained a reputation as an early hip hop classic, having been referenced in other hip hop songs.There are two...
" (1985) as performed by Doug E. Fresh and the Get Fresh Crew featuring MC Ricky D., and written by Douglas Davis and Ricky Walters. The original record contains the lyrics, "La di da di, we like to party", which the songwriters included on "Party".
On June 6, 2011, "Party" leaked
Internet leak
An Internet leak occurs when a party's confidential information is released to the public on the Internet. Various types of information and data can be, and have been, "leaked" to the Internet, the most common being personal information, computer software and source code, and artistic works such...
on the internet followed by the whole album, three weeks prior to its official release date, scheduled for June 28, 2011. Speaking of his collaboration with Knowles, André 3000 said: "I've always felt Beyoncé was one of the best performers of our time, so to collaborate with her was an honor and a pleasure." The album version of "Party" was lined up to go for adds on urban radio
Urban contemporary
Urban contemporary is a music radio format. The term was coined by the late New York DJ Frankie Crocker in the mid 1970s. Urban contemporary radio stations feature a playlist made up entirely of hip hop/rap, contemporary R&B, pop, electronica such as dubstep and drum and bass and Caribbean music...
on August 30, 2011, in the United States. However, no cover art
Cover art
Cover art is the illustration or photograph on the outside of a published product such as a book , magazine, comic book, video game , DVD, CD, videotape, or music album. The art has a primarily commercial function, i.e...
was issued for the album version and its release was scrapped, with several websites reporting that "Countdown
Countdown (Beyoncé Knowles song)
"Countdown" is a song by American R&B singer Beyoncé Knowles from her fourth studio album, 4 . It was written by Terius Nash, Shea Taylor, Knowles, Ester Dean, Cainon Lamb, Julie Frost, Michael Bivins, Nathan Morris and Wanya Morris. The song's development was motivated when Knowles wanted to...
" would be released as the album's third single. "Countdown" was sent 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...
radio and contemporary hit radio
Contemporary hit radio
Contemporary hit radio is a radio format that is common in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia that focuses on playing current and recurrent popular music as determined by the Top 40 music charts...
on October 4, 2011, hence serving as the third mainstream single from the album. It was not sent to urban radio.
Music and lyrics
"Party" is a mid-paced song that draws from the genre of R&BContemporary 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...
. It also exhibits elements of funk
Funk
Funk is a music genre that originated in the mid-late 1960s when African American musicians blended soul music, jazz and R&B into a rhythmic, danceable new form of music. Funk de-emphasizes melody and harmony and brings a strong rhythmic groove of electric bass and drums to the foreground...
music as well as soul music
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
, and is built on "scooping, gliding multi-tracked" 1990 girl-ground harmonies alongside mid-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:...
bounces
Bounce music
Bounce music is an energetic style of New Orleans hip hop music which is said to have originated as early as the late 1980s, but is typically believed to have begun with the 1991 single "Where Dey At" by MC T.Tucker and DJ Irv...
, something stated by Thomas Conner of Chicago Sun-Times
Chicago Sun-Times
The Chicago Sun-Times is an American daily newspaper published in Chicago, Illinois. It is the flagship paper of the Sun-Times Media Group.-History:The Chicago Sun-Times is the oldest continuously published daily newspaper in the city...
, and Ryan Dombal of 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...
. According to David Amidon 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,...
, the song's music "is largely reminiscent of late 1980s diva histrionics"; it has a 808
Roland TR-808
The Roland TR-808 Rhythm Composer was one of the first programmable drum machines . Introduced by the Roland Corporation in early 1980, it was originally manufactured for use as a tool for studio musicians to create demos. Like earlier Roland drum machines, it does not sound very much like a real...
-retro beat
Beat (music)
The beat is the basic unit of time in music, the pulse of the mensural level . In popular use, the beat can refer to a variety of related concepts including: tempo, meter, rhythm and groove...
and a 1980s style smooth groove. This is further illustrated by the song's instrumentation, which consists of 1980s slow-bouncing synthesizer
Synthesizer
A synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
s, bubbly 1980s keyboard tones, and drum
Drum
The drum is a member of the percussion group of musical instruments, which is technically classified as the membranophones. Drums consist of at least one membrane, called a drumhead or drum skin, that is stretched over a shell and struck, either directly with the player's hands, or with a...
s. Gil Kaufman 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...
commented that synthesizers and drum machine used in "Party" create a groove reminiscent of "a New Jack Swing
New jack swing
New jack swing or swingbeat is a fusion genre spearheaded by Teddy Riley and Bernard Belle which became extremely popular from the late-1980s into the mid-1990s. Its influence, along with hip-hop, seeped into pop culture and was the definitive sound of the inventive Black New York club scene...
seduction." Jon Caramainca 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...
wrote that the production of "Party" recalls "the tinny, casual early work of New Edition
New Edition
New Edition is an R&B group formed in Boston in 1978. The group reached its height of popularity during the 1980s. They were the progenitors of the boy band movement of the 1980s and 1990s and led the way for groups like New Kids on the Block, Boyz II Men, Backstreet Boys and 'N Sync...
", James Reed of 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...
wrote that its music arrangement comes pretty close to sounding like "a parody by The Lonely Island
The Lonely Island
The Lonely Island is an American comedy troupe composed of Akiva "Kiv" Schaffer, Jorma "Jorm" Taccone, and David Andrew "Andy" Samberg, best known for their comedic music. Originally from Berkeley, California, the group is currently based in New York City. The group broke out due to their...
or Flight of the Conchords
Flight of the Conchords
Flight of the Conchords are a New Zealand-based comedy duo composed of Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement. The duo's comedy and music became the basis of a BBC radio series and then an American television series, which premiered in 2007 on HBO, also called Flight of the Conchords.They were named...
", Roberts Randall of The Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
The Los Angeles Times is a daily newspaper published in Los Angeles, California, since 1881. It was the second-largest metropolitan newspaper in circulation in the United States in 2008 and the fourth most widely distributed newspaper in the country....
found that "Party" sounds like a "half-speed remix of a Human League song." and Kevin O'Donnell 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 found the song to be reminiscent of Prince
Prince (musician)
Prince Rogers Nelson , often known simply as Prince, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Prince has produced ten platinum albums and thirty Top 40 singles during his career. Prince founded his own recording studio and label; writing, self-producing and playing most, or all, of...
in his 1980s prime.
Lyrically, "Party" finds Knowles as the female protagonist "in the mood for some loving" as well as referencing to a get-together for two persons. As the song begins, Kanye West rhymes about "swag sauce" and "swagu" in the introductory lines
Introduction (music)
In music, the introduction is a passage or section which opens a movement or a separate piece. In popular music this is often abbreviated as intro...
: "You a bad girl, your friends bad too / You got the swag sauce, you're drippin' Swagu", before passing the torch to Knowles, who begins to sing the first verse
Song structure (popular music)
The structures or musical forms of songs in popular music are typically sectional, repeating forms, such as strophic form. Other common forms include thirty-two-bar form, verse-chorus form, and the twelve bar blues...
slowly and steadily: "I may be young but I'm ready / To give you all my love / I told my girls you can get it / Don't slow it down, just let it go / So in love / I'll give it all away / Just don't tell nobody tomorrow". In the chorus lines
Refrain
A refrain is the line or lines that are repeated in music or in verse; the "chorus" of a song...
, she harmonizes over the sample "La Di Da Di": "Cause tonight's the night that I give you everything / Music knocking until the morning light / 'Cause we like to party [...]".
In the second verse, Knowles belts out "in a thick stack of smooth, layered vocals." After that she has sung the chorus for the second time, André 3000 surfaces around the 2:15 mark with "some very naughty references" to milk, shown in the lyrics of his rapped verse: "[...] I got a homeboy named Butta and another homeboy, that nigga named Cheese / Fuck wit' me baby, I make it milk 'til it drip down yo' knees [...]", before switching gears altogether and getting philosophical about his own career with lines like: "Kiddo say he looks up to me, this just makes me feel old/ Never thought that we could become someone else's hero / Man, we were just in the food court eating our gyros [...]", and finally adopting a "multi-syllabic tongue twister" to deliver some of the finishing lines. The song runs out with Knowles reiterating the lines "Cause we like to party, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey" and then a reprise of West's opening lines.
Critical reception
Matthew Perpetua of Rolling StoneRolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
showed appreciation for André 3000's performance and the song itself, writing: "André 3000 is sharp and effortlessly charismatic on his rapped verse, but the real attraction here is the track itself." Similarly, David Amidon 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,...
commented that the song features "one of those rare 'look how effortless rapping is for me'." This was echoed by Ryan Dombal of 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...
, who wrote that "[4s] carefree retro sensibility pops up on three more highlights, including 'Party', which combines a pitch-perfect André 3000 guest verse, a Slick Rick sample, [...] while its bounce provides prime summer barbecue background." Rich Juzwiak of The Village Voice
The Village Voice
The Village Voice is a free weekly newspaper and news and features website in New York City that features investigative articles, analysis of current affairs and culture, arts and music coverage, and events listings for New York City...
was also positive: "'Party' sounds right out of The SOS Band
The SOS Band
The SOS Band is an American musical ensemble, founded in Atlanta, Georgia in 1977. Originally known as Santa Monica, the 'SOS' initialism in the band's name stands for Sounds of Success.-History:...
's catalog (its plodding tempo is the only thing that lets you know she isn't quoting a particularly poetic, desperately meth-seeking craigslist m4m ad [...])". Jon Caramainca 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...
wrote that Knowles sings the song "in her best impression of naughtiness." Chris Coplan of Consequence of Sound
Consequence of Sound
Consequence of Sound, also known often as CoS, is a Chicago-based music website featuring news, album and concert reviews, and editorials. In addition, the website also features the Festival Outlook micro-site, which serves as an on-line database for music festival news and rumors...
praised the minimal production and simplistic lyrics of "Party" further describing the song as being as "simple as a Beyoncé song gets: a low-key, synth-y beat paired with inspired vocals by Beyoncé and a killer, fluid verse by Mr. Benjamin [André 3000]."
Adam Markovitz 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...
wrote that "the promisingly named 'Party' [...] turns out to be a slow-jam invitation to an after-work mixer with light refreshments." Chicago Sun-Times
Chicago Sun-Times
The Chicago Sun-Times is an American daily newspaper published in Chicago, Illinois. It is the flagship paper of the Sun-Times Media Group.-History:The Chicago Sun-Times is the oldest continuously published daily newspaper in the city...
s Thomas Conner complimented the harmonies "scooping, gliding multi-tracked harmonies that almost make moot the idea of a Destiny's reunion." Gil Kaufman 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...
was also positive, writing that "[...] unlike the at-points frantic 'Run the World (Girls)
Run the World (Girls)
"Run the World " is a song performed by American recording artist Beyoncé Knowles. It was written by Terius "The-Dream" Nash, Knowles, Nick "Afrojack" van de Wall, Wesley "Diplo" Pentz, David "Switch" Taylor, and Adidja Palmer and produced by Switch, The-Dream, Knowles and Shea Taylor...
' [Party] takes its time, lyrically and musically, with Beyoncé luxuriating over her vocals and singing about the beauty of nice and slow." Calling "Party" as "a proudly retro slice of R&B", James Reed of 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...
wrote that the song is "an irresistible summer jam that I haven't been able to stop humming for a week straight." Jim Farber of Daily News echoed Reed's sentiments, writing that "Party" would surely be "a top-down anthem for months to come." Similarly, Joanne Dorken of MTV UK wrote that "Party" is bound to be a "monster hit" and concluded that it is a "stand out tune on the album." Ricky Schweitzer of One Thirty BPM
One Thirty BPM
One Thirty BPM is a New York-based online publication providing reviews, news, media, interviews, features, and more from both the independent and mainstream spheres of the music world...
also showed high favorism for "Party", writing:
The majority of 4 consists of mid-tempo pieces, but unlike the filler that might have occupied this pacing on previous albums, many of this album’s greatest strengths lie in this realm. Perhaps best exemplifying this spirit is the André 3000 and Kanye West assisted, 'Party' in which Beyoncé relaxes into a beat that, while not be easy to grind to, still works perfectly as a party anthem. Beyoncé reminds us that a party is not only meant for dancing. It is a place where you go to enjoy the company of others and often times, that involves real human conversation and interaction. Echoing this sentiment, André’s verse is tranquilized from his customarily rapid-fire delivery to a drawl more reminiscent of Lil’ Wayne than his traditional work with Outkast. 'Party' like much of 4, is a conversation, and André 3000 wants to be heard.
However, Matthew Horton of BBC Online viewed "Party" as one of the "less successful interruptions" on 4. Similarly, Embling of Tiny Mix Tapes
Tiny Mix Tapes
Tiny Mix Tapes is an online music and film webzine that focuses primarily on new music and related news. In addition to its reviews, it is noted for its subversive, political, and sometimes surreal news, as well as its mix tapes generator.-History:Originally called Tiny Mixtapes Gone to Heaven and...
gave the song a mixed review, writing: "[...] the less said about the phrase 'swag goo' the better; 'Party', the song on which those unfortunate words appear — Kanye West providing that unfortunate pun — is otherwise wonderful, but yet some errors are too grievous to forgive." Andy Kellman from Allmusic stated, "[...] What's most surprising is that a song titled 'Party' quickly settles into a low-watt groove and remains there." Bill Lamb from 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....
added, "Kanye West and Andre 3000 provide interesting vocal color for 'Party' but the song itself is just a variant on the 'this is my night to be bad' theme."
"Party" is currently nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration
Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration
The Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration is an honor presented at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards, to recording artists for quality songs on which rappers and singers collaborate...
at the 54th Grammy Awards
54th Grammy Awards
The 54th Annual Grammy Awards will be held on February 12, 2012, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. It will be broadcasted on CBS. Nominations were announced on November 30, 2011 on prime-time television as part of "The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live! – Countdown to Music's Biggest Night", a...
, which will be held on February 12, 2012.
Chart performance
Without being released as a single, the album version "Party" debuted at number 29 on the South Korea Gaon International Singles ChartGaon Chart
The Gaon Chart is a national record chart of South Korea. It is complied by the Korea Music Content Industry Association and sponsored by South Korea's Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism; with an aim to create a national chart for Korea similar to the Billboard charts and Oricon charts...
for the week ending July 2, 2011, selling 17,460 digital downloads. The following week, it sold 17,995 downloads, which enabled it ascend to number 19 where it peaked. The album version also debuted at number 90 on the 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,...
chart issue dated July 21, 2011. The following week, "Party" moved to number 72 on the chart, and one week later, it climbed to number 57. For the week ending September 10, 2011, "Party" moved from number 55 to number 50 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. 31 US urban radios added "Party" to the playlist for the week ending October 1, 2011. As a result, "Party" was the most played song on US urban radios, gaining 517 spins in seven days, as reported by the Nielsen Broadcast Data Systems
Nielsen Broadcast Data Systems
Nielsen Broadcast Data Systems, better known as BDS, is a service that tracks monitored radio, television and internet airplay of songs based on the number of spins and detections...
(BDS) urban airplay chart issued dated October 8, 2011. Accordingly, the song received the airplay greatest gainer title and moved from number 33 to number 20 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The following week, "Party" debuted at number 71 on the US Radio Songs
Radio Songs
Radio Songs is an album of duo Robin and Linda Williams on the Red House Records label, released in 2007.Radio Songs consists of recordings made when performing on Garrison Keillor's NPR radio program A Prairie Home Companion. Although Robin and Linda first appeared on the show regularly in 1976,...
chart and subsequently moved to number 16 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
For the week ending October 1, 2011, the album version of "Party" debuted at number 25 on the US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles
Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles
The Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States. It lists the top 25 singles below number 100 that have not yet charted on the Billboard Hot 100. Sometimes, however, singles halt their progress on this chart, and never appear on the Hot 100...
chart. After two weeks, it ascended from number 11 to number four on the chart. For the week ending October 22, 2011, "Party" debuted at number 95 on the 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...
chart. It also moved to number nine on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, receiving the airplay gainer title for the second non-consecutive time. "Party" escalated to number 87 on the Hot 100 chart and to number seven on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart issued dated October 29, 2011. For the same week ending, Nielsen Broadcast Data Systems reported that "Party" was the most played song on Urban radios for the second non-consecutive time, gaining 464 spins in seven days. It ascended to number five on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and to number 75 on the Hot 100 chart for the week ending November 5, 2011. After its release as a single, "Party" surged to number 57 on the Hot 100, climbing 18 places, for the week ending November 12, 2011. For the week ending November 19, 2011, it further ascended to 54 on the Hot 100 chart and moved from number five to number three on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
For the week ending November 26, 2011, "Party" remained at number 54 on the Hot 100 chart and climbed to number two on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The following, Nielsen Broadcast Data Systems reported that "Party" reached the top spot of the BDS Urban National airplay chart, having amassed 4862 spins, which transitioned into 31.288 million listener impressions. For the same week ending, it escalated to a new peak at number 52 on the Hot 100 chart and remained at number two on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
Live performance and cover version
Knowles performed the song live for first time on August 14, 2011 during her 4 Intimate Nights with Beyoncé4 Intimate Nights with Beyoncé
4 Intimate Nights with Beyoncé was a revue by American recording artist Beyoncé Knowles. Held in four non-consecutive nights in August 2011, the concerts were part of Knowles' campaign in support of her fourth studio album 4 . Knowles performed to a standing room-only audience at the Roseland...
in Roseland Ballroom
Roseland Ballroom
The Roseland Ballroom is a multi-purpose hall, in a converted ice skating rink, with a colorful ballroom dancing pedigree, in New York City's theatre district, on West 52nd Street....
, New York City. Wearing a gold dress, she performed the song in front of 3,500 people and she was backed by her all-female band and her backing singers, called the Mamas. Erika Ramirez 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 commented that "[Knowles] slow-winded to 'Party' as the crowd swayed their arms back and forth and stretched out the 'y' to every other verse." Jody Rosen of Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
said that the live performance of "Party" was "beatific and lovely."
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...
, who apparently did not received "Party" positively while reviewing 4, however wrote that "[Knowles] is an outrageously nimble entertainer, enough so that it compensated for this album’s awkward or halfhearted choices: the too-goofy Kanye West hook on 'Party'." Yolanda Sangweni of 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 stated that "on songs like 'Rather Die Young' and 'Party', [Knowles] reminds us her vocal chops are what got her here." Brad Wete 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...
stated that "Party" was among the several highlights of the show.
Joycelyn Vena 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...
concluded that "it was [Knowles'] ability to throw a party during faster jams like 'Party', 'Countdown', 'End of Time' and 'Run the World (Girls)' that put on full display her range as a performer, dancing and singing live the entire night." On October 11, 2011, English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
singer–songwriter
Singer–songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
, Eliza Doolittle posted a video of herself covering "Party", on her official website and other online media.
Credits and personnel
Credits for the album version of "Party" are adapted from 4 liner notesLiner notes
Liner notes are the writings found in booklets which come inserted into the compact disc jewel case or the equivalent packaging for vinyl records and cassettes.-Origin:...
.
- Beyoncé Knowles – 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...
, 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...
, songwriterSongwriterA songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer... - Alex Asher – tromboneTromboneThe trombone is a musical instrument in the brass family. Like all brass instruments, sound is produced when the player’s vibrating lips cause the air column inside the instrument to vibrate...
- André 3000André 3000André Lauren Benjamin , better known by his stage name André 3000 is an American rapper, singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and actor, best known for being part of American hip-hop duo OutKast alongside fellow rapper Big Boi...
– vocals, songwriter - Jeff Bhasker – producer, songwriter
- ConsequenceConsequence (rapper)Dexter Mills , better known as Consequence, is an American rapper. He is the cousin of rapper Q-Tip of the hip hop group A Tribe Called Quest, and was formerly an affiliate of Kanye West's GOOD Music family. Consequence debuted in 1996 on A Tribe Called Quest's album Beats, Rhymes, and Life...
– background vocals - Douglas DavisDoug E. FreshDouglas E. Davis , better known by the stage name Doug E. Fresh, is an American rapper, record producer, and beat boxer, also known as the Human Beat Box...
– songwriter - Andrew Dawson – recorder
- Edwin Delahoz – engineer assistant
- Serban GheneaSerban GheneaSerban Ghenea is a four-time Grammy Award and three-time Latin Grammy Award-winning mixer. He has mixed songs for such artists as Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake, Usher, Faith Hill, Carrie Underwood, Jewel, Santana, Ozomatli, Shakira, Jill Scott, R. Kelly, Rod Stewart, and Dave Matthews Band...
– mixerAudio mixing (recorded music)In audio recording, audio mixing is the process by which multiple recorded sounds are combined into one or more channels, most commonly two-channel stereo. In the process, the source signals' level, frequency content, dynamics, and panoramic position are manipulated and effects such as reverb may... - Cole Kamen-Green – trumpetTrumpetThe trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
- John Hanes – mix engineerMix 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"...
- Gaylord Holomalia – engineer assistant
- Christian Mochizuki – engineer assistant
- Serge Nudel – engineer assistant
- Morgan Price – tenorTenorThe tenor is a type of male singing voice and is the highest male voice within the modal register. The typical tenor voice lies between C3, the C one octave below middle C, to the A above middle C in choral music, and up to high C in solo work. The low extreme for tenors is roughly B2...
, baritone saxophoneBaritone saxophoneThe baritone saxophone, often called "bari sax" , is one of the largest and lowest pitched members of the saxophone family. It was invented by Adolphe Sax. The baritone is distinguished from smaller sizes of saxophone by the extra loop near its mouthpiece... - Drew Sayers – tenor, baritone saxophone
- Phil Seaford – mix engineer assistant
- Nick Videen – tenor, alto saxophoneAlto saxophoneThe alto saxophone is a member of the saxophone family of woodwind instruments invented by Belgian instrument designer Adolphe Sax in 1841. It is smaller than the tenor but larger than the soprano, and is the type most used in classical compositions...
- Ricky WaltersSlick RickRichard Walters , better known by his stage name Slick Rick is a Grammy-nominated English-American rapper...
– songwriter - Kanye WestKanye WestKanye Omari West is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and...
– background vocals, producer, songwriter - Josiah Woodson – trumpet
- Jordan "DJ Swivel" Young – vocals recorder
Charts
| Chart (2011) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| South Korean International Singles Chart Gaon Chart The Gaon Chart is a national record chart of South Korea. It is complied by the Korea Music Content Industry Association and sponsored by South Korea's Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism; with an aim to create a national chart for Korea similar to the Billboard charts and Oricon charts... |
19 |
| 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... |
52 |
| 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,... |
2 |
Remix featuring J. Cole
"Party" was officially remixed with vocals from American rapper J. Cole, replacing those of André 3000. The verses of André 3000 were supplanted by those from Cole; all other elements of the remix are identical to the original. His rap is much shorter than that of André 3000. In his verse, Cole thanks God and Ice CubeIce Cube
O'Shea Jackson , better known by his stage name Ice Cube, is an American rapper and actor. He began his career as a member of the hip-hop group C.I.A. and later joined the rap group N.W.A. After leaving N.W.A in December 1989, he built a successful solo career in music, and also as a writer,...
for Friday, references Sade
Sade (band)
Sade is a British smooth jazz band that formed in 1983, named for Nigerian lead singer Sade Adu. Their music features elements of R&B, soul, jazz, and soft rock....
and Petey Pablo
Petey Pablo
Moses Mortimer Barrett III , known by the stage name Petey Pablo, is an American rapper from Greenville, North Carolina.-Biography:...
and name-drops the Bugatti
Bugatti
Automobiles E. Bugatti was a French car manufacturer founded in 1909 in Molsheim, Alsace, as a manufacturer of high-performance automobiles by Italian-born Ettore Bugatti....
brand. Cole revealed that he was originally supposed to appear on the album version and that Knowles later enlisted him when she was ready to release "Party" as a single. It was released worldwide as a 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...
on October 24, 2011.
Critics complimented the remix, stating that anyone could sound good over the beat of the mid-tempo R&B song. An accompanying music video
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 "Party" was shot in New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
and was directed by Knowles. Cole replaced André 3000 in the clip, which takes viewers back to an old-school backyard celebration full of colorful bikinis, freestyle dancing and a few cameo appearances, including sister Solange Knowles
Solange Knowles
Solange Piaget Knowles , who performs under the mononym Solange, is an American singer-songwriter, actress, model, dancer, and DJ. Knowles was born and raised in Houston, Texas along with her older sister singer Beyoncé, a former member of R&B group Destiny's Child...
and former 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...
bandmate Kelly Rowland
Kelly Rowland
Kelendria Trene "Kelly" Rowland is an American singer, songwriter, actress, dancer, and television personality. She rose to fame as one of the founding members of the American girl group Destiny's Child...
. Muisic critics generally praised the retro-themed visuals, further commending the fact that she proves she can bring a party without elaborate choreography, high fashion or cinematic elements.
Development and release
It was reported on October 8, 2011 that Cole would feature on the official remix of "Party". It premiered online on October 21, 2011 and its cover art was unveiled the same day. The remix of "Party" was released as a digital downloadMusic 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...
on October 24, 2011, in the United States and a list of selected European countries. It was not made available for purchase in Oceania and Germany among others. Cole's verse, which replaces André 3000's from the original, is much shorter; all other elements of the remix are identical to the original. In his verse, Cole thanks God and Ice Cube
Ice Cube
O'Shea Jackson , better known by his stage name Ice Cube, is an American rapper and actor. He began his career as a member of the hip-hop group C.I.A. and later joined the rap group N.W.A. After leaving N.W.A in December 1989, he built a successful solo career in music, and also as a writer,...
for Friday, references Sade
Sade (band)
Sade is a British smooth jazz band that formed in 1983, named for Nigerian lead singer Sade Adu. Their music features elements of R&B, soul, jazz, and soft rock....
and Petey Pablo
Petey Pablo
Moses Mortimer Barrett III , known by the stage name Petey Pablo, is an American rapper from Greenville, North Carolina.-Biography:...
and name-drops the Bugatti
Bugatti
Automobiles E. Bugatti was a French car manufacturer founded in 1909 in Molsheim, Alsace, as a manufacturer of high-performance automobiles by Italian-born Ettore Bugatti....
brand.
Andrew Martin of Prefix Magazine complimented the remix stating: "[The remix] might replace André 3000's typically great guest feature with one from J. Cole, but hey, anyone can sound good over this beat. And not only that, but Cole's vocals, however brief, are a welcome complement." Making reference to its music video, 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...
s Erin Strecker commented: "I'm assuming it was shot mid-summer, which is when this really should have been put out. Releasing this track at the end of October seems like an odd choice, as the video involves a grillout and trailer-park pool party that would have sparkled mid-July."
During an interview with WWKX
WWKX
WWKX is a Rhythmic Contemporary station serving the Providence area. The Cumulus Media outlet operates with an ERP of 1.15 kW and is licensed to Woonsocket, Rhode Island.-History:...
(106.3 MHz FM
FM broadcasting
FM broadcasting is a broadcasting technology pioneered by Edwin Howard Armstrong which uses frequency modulation to provide high-fidelity sound over broadcast radio. The term "FM band" describes the "frequency band in which FM is used for broadcasting"...
"Hot 106") Rise & Grind Morning Show, Cole revealed that he was originally supposed to appear on the album version and that Knowles later enlisted him when she was ready to release "Party" as a single. He also explained why his verse was cut short and recalled his "unforgettable" experience of working with Knowles:
You know how many verses I did for that song. I did a version of that before her album [4] even came out. I did two verses. I love these verses too, but they ended up going with André's verse and André killed it. [...] Then [Beyoncé] reached out to me and she wanted me to get on the remix. I did two more verses. Out of the second set that I did, she picked the first verse. But my second verse, I just gotta say for the record… It was just too long, I think she was looking for something shorter and more to the point. [...] It's just a blessing to even be able to work with [Beyoncé]. I'm on my defensive rapper, like yo man. When you follow in André's 3000's shoes, you're expected to really go in. Just the fact to even be on the song with her and shoot the video with her and just be in her presence. She's such a hard working, incredible artist. I’ll never forget that day we shot the video, I'll never forget being able to be on that song, and hopefully we got more as time goes on. [...].
Filming and release
The music video for "Party" was directed by Knowles and Alan Ferguson. As reported by Rap-UpRap-Up
Rap-Up is a magazine launched in 2001 by founder Devin Lazerine. The publication was originally a website devoted to hip hop, until Lazerine decided to pitch the possibility of a magazine to several publishers. The magazine is focused on the hip hop and R&B aspect of the music industry, and...
, Knowles filmed the clip in the Oakdale Mobile Home Park in South Brunswick Township
South Brunswick Township, New Jersey
South Brunswick Township is a Township in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 43,417....
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, on August 2, 2011. The video shoot called for multiple flashy fashions, a red muscle car, and colorfully-dressed dancers. Solange Knowles
Solange Knowles
Solange Piaget Knowles , who performs under the mononym Solange, is an American singer-songwriter, actress, model, dancer, and DJ. Knowles was born and raised in Houston, Texas along with her older sister singer Beyoncé, a former member of R&B group Destiny's Child...
, Knowles' younger sister, and Kelly Rowland
Kelly Rowland
Kelendria Trene "Kelly" Rowland is an American singer, songwriter, actress, dancer, and television personality. She rose to fame as one of the founding members of the American girl group Destiny's Child...
, former 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...
member, both made cameos. Rowland elaborated a bit about her role in the video in an interview with NeonLimelight: "I'm just doing a cameo. We just had a really good time [...] While filming the video, we noticed that we were doing certain stuff that we used to do as kids. We kinda felt a little goofy for a second, so we stopped. But we just had a good time."
As the video utilizes the remix featuring Cole, André 3000 did not appear in the clip; Cole, who replaced him, shot his cameo on October 7, 2011; Knowles also came to the set that day to film extra scenes with Cole. A 32-second preview of the music video was shown on BET
Bet
Bet or BET may refer to:* A wager in gambling* Basic Economics Test * Bet , the second letter in many Semitic alphabets, including Aramaic, Hebrew, Phoenician and Syriac* Brunauer-Emmett-Teller isotherm. See BET_theory...
's 106 & Park
106 & Park
106 & Park is a Top Ten Hip-Hop and R&B music video show, set up in a countdown format, that airs weekdays at 6:00 PM on BET . Since its inception, it was the network's #1 rated show...
on October 24, 2011. The retro-themed visuals showed Knowles throwing a backyard bash with her friends. Sporting bikinis, girls were basking in the sun and splashing in the pool as Knowles' sister Solange was working the turntables. Cole swept through in his blue Bugatti to join the old school festivities. Although it was reported that the full music video would premiere on October 25, 2011, it premiered on October 26 during an episode of 106 & Park and on Knowles' Vevo
Vevo
Vevo is a music video website. It is a joint venture among Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group, and Abu Dhabi Media with EMI licensing its content to the group without taking an ownership stake. The service was launched officially on December 8, 2009...
account. "Party" is the sixth video released from 4.
On November 22, 2011, the behind-the-scenes footage of the video was posted online. In the footage, her stylist said that the inspiration for the video was "trailer-trash, ghetto fabulous, out-there, [and] edgy." During the footage Knowles said "I like this video. It's no choreography, no pressure. All I have to do is party and have a good time." She also revealed that the video is supposed to reflect her simplistic childhood, adding: "Growing up, I had really amazing parents and I had a great childhood. We went from nicer homes to being in apartments with our lights cutting off. It didn't matter where we were 'cause we had love and we had so much fun. It's great when you don't have as much how you improvise and you have more fun."
Synopsis
Summed up by James Dinh of MTV NewsMTV 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...
, "[The music video for] 'Party' takes viewers back to an old-school backyard celebration full of colorful bikinis, freestyle dancing and a few familiar faces. Throughout the video, [Beyoncé] lets loose, playing a sort of party host. If she is not lounging in beach chairs, she is dancing among her friends or mowing the yawn." The clip is centered around a trailer park hood and a subsequent soiree. It starts with a dog barking behind a fencing, followed by multiple intercut scenery, which includes two men engaged in a conversation, a woman leaning against a car, a little girl riding a bicycle and a saucepan caught in fire. Then, a ghetto
Ghetto
A ghetto is a section of a city predominantly occupied by a group who live there, especially because of social, economic, or legal issues.The term was originally used in Venice to describe the area where Jews were compelled to live. The term now refers to an overcrowded urban area often associated...
Knowles appears, dressed in bright colored as well as flashy garments, sporting neon-colored oval shaped nails, and bright-colored lipstick. She is cooking in a skillet while one of her neighbors drinks from a hose. As she sings, looking into the camera, she highlights and plays with her hair. The action shifts from the double wide to a sunny summer backyard barbecue, where Knowles and her friends dance as Solange is deejaying. This is followed by scenes of Knowles, floating in an above ground pool while singing and entertaining her guests. She is wearing a pink one-piece swimsuit, dropping earrings and her hair looks crimped. Other girls bask in the sun and splash in the pool as Solange works the turntables.
Once outside the pool, Knowles, now in a ruffled blue and white bikini, is sitting on a chaise lounge and eating a lollipop. Knowles then shifts to another chaise lounge where she relaxes with a bowl of snack food in her hand. Now wearing sunglasses, a black butterfly turban, and a furry green vest, Knowles lounges on a plastic chair around an inflatable pool toys next to lawn flamingos and beer bottle-filled kiddie pools. As she sings, she throws some snack food towards the camera. Cole arrives in a blue Bugatti to rap his verse in the parking lot. In a different scene, he sits on the bumper of a truck with Knowles on his left hand-side. They swing by the festivities once they hit the hotel room for a little after-hours. Later, Knowles is seen doing a retouch of her make up, sitting on the toilet. Rowland and Knowles are then shown, propped up against a red muscle car. Knowles sports a big bird style, yellow feather coat while Rowland wears a short dark-red dress, and they are both seen smiling and dancing. Knowles then mows the yawn and the video ends when Rowland and Knowles grimace into the camera.
Reception
Marc Hogan of Spin magazine wrote that the video for "Party", isn't "Beyoncé's best video recently" adding that it had a lot of competition. A writer of Daily Mirror compared the set in the video with American series BaywatchBaywatch
Baywatch is an American action drama series about the Los Angeles County Lifeguards who patrol the beaches of Los Angeles County, California, starring David Hasselhoff. The show ran in its original title and format from 1989 to 1999, sans the 1990-1991 season, of which it was not in production...
and described Knowles' look as "sexy". Laura Schreffler of Daily Mail
Daily Mail
The Daily Mail is a British daily middle-market tabloid newspaper owned by the Daily Mail and General Trust. First published in 1896 by Lord Northcliffe, it is the United Kingdom's second biggest-selling daily newspaper after The Sun. Its sister paper The Mail on Sunday was launched in 1982...
concluded that "one very big thing is noticeably missing" in the video, referring to Knowles' pregnancy. However, Schreffler praised her look and outfits which were getting "racier and racier". Amanda Dobbins of New York
New York (magazine)
New York is a weekly magazine principally concerned with the life, culture, politics, and style of New York City. Founded by Milton Glaser and Clay Felker in 1968 as a competitor to The New Yorker, it was brasher and less polite than that magazine, and established itself as a cradle of New...
magazine wrote that Knowles "host[s] a trailer-park fiesta in crazy technicolor fur getups and still look[s] amazing." Matt Donnelly of Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
The Los Angeles Times is a daily newspaper published in Los Angeles, California, since 1881. It was the second-largest metropolitan newspaper in circulation in the United States in 2008 and the fourth most widely distributed newspaper in the country....
concluded: "In a glorious mess of fanny packs, headpieces, blender drinks, dice-throwing and dance circles, Beyonce reminds us that even without elaborate choreography, high fashion or cinematic elements she brings one heck of a party." That was somehow echoed by Entertainment Weeklys Erin Strecker who wrote that "Beyoncé isn't dancing this time around. Instead, she's strutting her stuff with neon makeup and costumes straight out of the Day-Glo '90s." Nakisha Williams of BET praised the "flashy looks Beyoncé chose to get her 'Party' on". Sarah Anne Hughes of The 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...
praised the "pretty glamorous trailer park affair" and the party in the video saying that it's a "party you wish you were invited to." A writer of VH1
VH1
VH1 or Vh1 is an American cable television network based in New York City. Launched on January 1, 1985 in the old space of Turner Broadcasting's short-lived Cable Music Channel, the original purpose of the channel was to build on the success of MTV by playing music videos, but targeting a slightly...
found a "delectable, candy-colored, bling-adorned party scene" with "retro-ghetto fab outfits" and a very simple throughline.
Marina Galperina of AOL's The Boombox said "from her neon nails, scintillating bathing suits, sequined mini-dresses, big hair, bright make-up to the sexy shimmying of her still slim physique, all eyes are on Beyonce as she serenades a promise to 'give it all away, just don't tell nobody tomorrow.'" Jenna Gregory of Marie Claire
Marie Claire
Marie Claire is a monthly women's magazine first published in France but also distributed in other countries with editions specific to them and in their languages. While each country shares its own special voice with its audience, the United States edition focuses on women around the world and...
wrote that Knowles shows an "amazing bod in parely-there clothes which you definitely wouldn't find in the maternity section." Chris Coplan of Consequence of Sound found a 1980s vibe similar to the song's sound, adding that the only thing the "family affair is missing is 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...
wearing sunscreen on his nose and a shirt from Tommy Bahama
Tommy Bahama
Tommy Bahama is the Seattle-based manufacturer of casual, men’s & women’s sportswear, denim, swimwear, accessories, footwear and a complete home furnishings collection. The brand is owned by Atlanta-based Oxford Industries. Tommy Bahama is available at Macy's, Neiman Marcus, Sak's Fifth Avenue,...
." A writer of OK!
OK!
OK! is a British weekly magazine specializing in celebrity news. Originally launched as a monthly, its first issue was published in April 1993. In September 2004, OK! publishers Northern and Shell launched in Australia as a monthly title – the magazine went weekly in October 2006...
said that Knowles "don[s] an unbelievable amount of cool oufits, all of which we need in our lives." Rap-Up
Rap-Up
Rap-Up is a magazine launched in 2001 by founder Devin Lazerine. The publication was originally a website devoted to hip hop, until Lazerine decided to pitch the possibility of a magazine to several publishers. The magazine is focused on the hip hop and R&B aspect of the music industry, and...
commented "Summer may be over, but Beyoncé gives us another reason to celebrate with the vibrant video" adding "This is one party you won't want to miss." Andrew Martin of Prefix Magazine described "Party"'s video as a "fittingly shindig-centric affair." Jessica Misener of The Huffington Post
The Huffington Post
The Huffington Post is an American news website and content-aggregating blog founded by Arianna Huffington, Kenneth Lerer, and Jonah Peretti, featuring liberal minded columnists and various news sources. The site offers coverage of politics, theology, media, business, entertainment, living, style,...
praised the fashion used in the video saying that Knowles had a lot of "chic looks." Another writer of the same publication praised the decision to make a simple party set. He further described the video as "a gorgeous boast of her beauty as well as a helpful reminder that, even in these down economic times, one can party like a rock star."
Chart performance
For the week ending November 5, 2011, "Party" debuted at number two on the South Korean International Singles ChartGaon Chart
The Gaon Chart is a national record chart of South Korea. It is complied by the Korea Music Content Industry Association and sponsored by South Korea's Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism; with an aim to create a national chart for Korea similar to the Billboard charts and Oricon charts...
, selling 85,143 digital downloads.
| Chart (2011) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| South Korea Gaon International Chart Gaon Chart The Gaon Chart is a national record chart of South Korea. It is complied by the Korea Music Content Industry Association and sponsored by South Korea's Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism; with an aim to create a national chart for Korea similar to the Billboard charts and Oricon charts... |
2 |
Release history
| Country | Date | Format | Label | Version |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austria | October 24, 2011 | 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 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... |
Remix version |
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External links
- Beyoncé Knowles' Official Website
- Official music video at YouTubeYouTubeYouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....