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This semi-spooky contrast between the melody and the chords is a risky move called polytonality, "a technique normally reserved for highly esoteric jazz and classical music," according to the music commentator quoted above. But a bass synth comes in on chords from the key of E minor. And during the chorus ("If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on"), Beyoncé is singing a simple major scale (E major, to be specific). Mostly, the tune of "Single Ladies" is pretty standard, simple stuff. Listen closely for the single snare behind the song and you should be able to catch what makes this song's beat so strange-and so catchy. On top of the unusual back beat, if you listen closely, you can hear a snare drum on the last count of every measure (the last "and" if you count one-and-two-and-three-and-four-AND).
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As one music commentator points out, this emphasis "is reinforced by the dancing in the music video, in which the choreography consists largely of Beyoncé jolting around on every beat." This has the effect of putting an equal emphasis on each of the four beats in the measure. That's what all the upbeat clatter is, and it is basically the only percussion in the song. In "Single Ladies," instead of a back beat, we hear a consistent clap on every single 8th note (that's twice every beat). Nothing strange there, but most pop songs in 4/4 have a "back beat"-a clap, snap or snare drumming out the beat on every other note (usually the 2nd and 4th, which has the effect of emphasizing the 1st and 3rd notes listen to Jay-Z and Alicia Keys' "Empire State of Mind" for an example). "Single Ladies" was produced by Beyoncé along with the same dynamic duo ("Tricky" and "The-Dream") who produced Rihanna's 2008 hit "Umbrella." Compared to most other pop songs, there are a couple of weird things about the song's sparse, simple arrangement. We can tell there's something brilliant about the song, but what exactly is it about the beat and the harmony that inspires everyone from tiny babies to Justin Timberlake to get their dance on? It feels like a rare vintage find of a pop song, if there can ever be such a thing.Whether "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)" is a meaningful song, or just a fun one, it's definitely a fun one. The Timbaland-produced song is basically the major single that never was and seemingly only because Bey’s attention shifted elsewhere. It was a highlight of the show: Beyoncé wearing a colorful cheetah print romper by Kenzo, busting out loose and fun African-inspired choreography. Even crueler of Queen Bey: She delivered a rousing performance of the song throughout the bulk of the Mrs. But you can find the track online, if you look hard enough.
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My attraction to “Grown Woman” is slightly unfortunate because, while the video was included as a “bonus video” on the singer’s 2014 visual album, the stand-alone audio was never released. That said, the Beyoncé song I find myself returning to again and again is “Grown Woman.” It’s a song about self-actualization, with sass-infused lyrics like “Look at me, I’m a big girl now” and “Now, bitches, I run this!” It feels like the perfect landing point for a singer who went from girl group to solo star from being managed by her father to managing herself. Picking a favorite Beyoncé song is hard not only because her catalog is so large and strong, but also because she shape-shifts so much.