Music Review: Beyonce "Run The World (Girls)"

Beyonce

Run The World (Girls)

Album: 4

Year: 2011

             Women deserve more credit, according to Beyonce in the disorganized  “Run The World (Girls)”

            Tooting synths open the single, setting an eccentric tone. In the intro, Beyonce declares its women who keep things going. (“Girls, we run this mother (yeah)/Girls, we run this mother (yeah)/Girls, we run this mother (yeah)/Girls, we run this mother/Girls.”)

             In the chorus, she says it’s women who are in control of everything. (“Who run the world? Girls/ Who run the world? Girls/ Who run the world? Girls/ Who run the world? Girls/
Who run this mother? Girls/ Who run this mother? Girls/Who run this mother? Girls/ Who run this mother? Girls/ Who run the world? Girls/ Who run the world? Girls/ Who run the world? Girls/ Who run the world? Girls.”)


              Men underestimate women, thinking they don’t work as hard as they do. They’ll tell their wives/girlfriends how to spend the money they earned. Growing up in Texas made her stronger and not willing to put with any crap. She dedicates the single to the working women texting with the new iPhones, hanging out in couture club wear. No daddy or boyfriend is funding their lifestyle. Then, she returns back to herself, stating she’s gone ghetto. Then, she says she’s joking. She adds she’s not doing it for nothing, though. (“Some of them men/Think they freak this like we do/But no they don't./Make your check come at they neck/Disrespect us, no they won't/Boy, don't even try to touch me/Boy, this beat is crazy!/This is how they made me/Houston, Texas baby/This goes out to all my girls/That's in the club rocking the latest/Who would buy it for themselves and get more money later/I think I need a barber(barber)/None of these ****** can fade me (fade me)/I'm so good with this/I remind you I'm so hood with this/Boy I'm just playing/Come here baby/Hope you still like me
F you pay me.”)

              In the pre-chorus, a woman in power could nurture a country and repair the problems in the world. A woman would turn a crooked man into a gentleman. (“My persuasion can build a nation/Endless power our love we can devour/You'll do anything for me.”)

             The chorus is sung again.

              She makes a special acknowledgement to the women who have put themselves through college and graduated. After countless interviews, they’ve found a job with a decent salary. They are out there working as hard as men. She thanks the men for not being threatened by her. Working mothers, who maintain a family and a career, deserve some recognition, too. (“It's hot up in here/DJ, don't be scared to run this, run this back/
I'm repping for the girls that's/Taking over the world/Help me raise a glass for the college grads/Forty-one rollin’ and to let you know what time it is, check!/You can't hold me (you can’t hold me)/I work my nine to five, better cut my check!/This goes out to all the women getting it in/You’re on your grind/To other men that respect what I do/Please accept my shine/Boy you know you love it/How we smart enough to make these millions/Strong enough to bear the children/Then get back to buisness/See, you better not play me/Oh come here baby/Hope you still like me/F you hate me.”)

               The pre-chorus and chorus are sung again.

              In the final section, she sings a variation on the chorus to end the single. (“Who are we/What we run/The world/Who are we/What we run/The world/Who are we/What do we run/We run the world/Who are we/What we run/We run the world/Who run the world? Girls!”)

         Beyonce stammering vocals are splayed, slanting  in peculiar directions that do not make sense in any context. Combined with nonsensical lyrics and a sporadic arrangement, the single spins in one place.

            Without any structure, the erratic “Run The World (Girls)” crumples into dust.