Me, Myself and I (Beyoncé song)
"Me, Myself and I" | ||||
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Single by Beyoncé | ||||
from the album Dangerously in Love | ||||
Released | October 19, 2003 | |||
Format | ||||
Recorded |
2002, South Beach Studios (Miami, Florida) | |||
Genre | ||||
Length |
5:01 (album version) 3:59 (radio/video edit) | |||
Label | Columbia | |||
Writer(s) |
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Producer(s) |
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Certification | Gold (US) | |||
Beyoncé singles chronology | ||||
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"Me, Myself and I" is a song recorded by American singer Beyoncé. It was written by Beyoncé, Scott Storch and Robert Waller for her debut solo album Dangerously in Love (2003). The recording was produced by Storch with guitars performed by musician Aaron Fishbein. Beyoncé decided that she wanted a deeper and more personal song for the third single; the song was sent by Columbia Records to US radio on October 19, 2003. "Me, Myself and I" is an R&B song about dealing with a philandering boyfriend and learning from the consequences.
The song was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, and earned Beyoncé, Storch and Waller an American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers Pop Music Award. "Me, Myself and I" peaked at number four on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, and became Beyoncé's fourth consecutive US top five single. It was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The single reached the top 20 in Australia, the UK and in some European countries.
Directed by Johan Renck, the accompanying music video follows the plot of the song's theme and the events in the video are played in reverse. "Me, Myself and I" was part of Beyoncé's set list on the Verizon Ladies First Tour, the Dangerously in Love Tour, The Beyoncé Experience , the I Am... Tour and the Formation World Tour.
Background and release
After the release of her former group Destiny's Child's 2001 album Survivor, Beyoncé worked on her debut solo album, Dangerously in Love. She stated that it was more personal than her previous records because she only had to write for herself.[1] She contacted various musical collaborators, including Storch and Waller.[1] The musical style of "Me, Myself and I" is different from the style of her previous singles; Beyoncé decided that she wanted a deeper and more personal song for the next single.[2] Following the release of the song, Beyoncé told Corey Moss of MTV News, "['Me, Myself and I'] is really powerful. It talks about women basically listening to their inner voice and knowing that they will never disappoint themselves."[3]
"Me, Myself and I" was the third single released from Dangerously in Love, which followed "Crazy in Love" and "Baby Boy". It was sent to United States Rhythmic contemporary[4] and Urban contemporary radio on October 19, 2003.[5] A CD single was released on October 21, 2003 in the US, which contained Junior's dance radio mix of "Krazy in Luv" as its B-side.[6] It officially impacted U.S. Top 40/Mainstream radio on November 12, 2003.[7] On December 16, 2003, a 12-inch single was released in the US.[8] The single was released in selected European countries in January 2004, including Austria,[9] Belgium,[10] Ireland,[11] the Netherlands,[12] Sweden,[13] and Switzerland.[14]
"Me, Myself and I" was first released in the United Kingdom as a maxi single on January 6, 2004.[15] A week later, it was released as a double CD single; the first disc included a radio edit of the song and "Dangerously in Love 2" (2003), and the second one contained two remixes of "Me, Myself and I".[16][17] In 2004, the single was also released in the UK on a CD that included videos of live performances of "Naughty Girl" and "Work it Out".[18] In Canada, a CD single was released on December 30, 2003, featuring the album version and two remixes of the track.[19] A CD single was released in Australia on January 16, 2004, which included the radio edit and three remixes of the track.[20] The song was also released as a maxi single on January 19, 2003 and later as a three-track single in Germany.[21][22]
Composition
According to the sheet music published at Musicnotes.com by Alfred Music Publishing, "Me, Myself and I" is an R&B song performed in a moderately slow manner.[23][24] It is written in the key of D♭ major; the tempo is set to eighty-four beats per minute, in common time.[24] The chord follows the E♭m9-Fm7-G♭Maj7 keys, appearing every other bar,[24] and the song has a string arrangement.[25] According to Ryan Schreiber of Pitchfork Media, the song's instrumentation consists of a blending of funk keyboards, a slippery bass and minimal, programmed R&B percussion instruments.[26]
"Me, Myself and I"
A sample of "Me, Myself and I", an R&B song, whose lyrics make reference to a girl who comes to know that her love interest is cheating her. | |
Problems playing this file? See media help. |
"Me, Myself and I" is " ... replete with strong woman lyrics about holding one's head up high after a traumatic break-up."[23] The lyrics are constructed in the common verse-chorus form, each written in two stanzas.[24] The song includes an intro and a bridge that appears between the second and final choruses.[24] In an interview with Corey Moss of MTV News, Beyoncé explained the lyrical content of the song:
... [Me, Myself and I] basically talks about a girl who the guy's not right for her and he's cheating and whatever. And usually women feel stupid and silly and they blame themselves 'cause you have all the signs most of the time, but you love the guy so you don't want to see them go. And in this song, it's kind of like a celebration of the breakup ...[27]
According to Neil Drumming of Entertainment Weekly, "Me, Myself and I" is similar to "Say My Name" (2000), in terms of " ... its specificity and earnestness ... " and the way Beyoncé defends " ... her chastity [a]gainst some greedy boy ... ."[28] This was echoed by James Poletti of Yahoo! Music who wrote that the song hints at what is to come as the warbling begins to move into overdrive on " ... a faintly sickly, if admirably slick, ode to that old Destiny's Child staple ... ", independence and self-belief in the face of a cheating man.[29]
Reception
Critical reception
Mark Anthony Neal of PopMatters said: "Beyoncé sounds assured" in her singing of the song and " ... lacking any of the 'shrill overboard' that describes some of the 'melisma fits' ... that marked earlier vocal efforts."[30] Ryan Schreiber of Pitchfork Media noted the song as the "most notable 80s throwback" of the album, as its "augmented chords" call to mind Patti Austin and James Ingram's 1983 single "Baby Come to Me" and Michael Jackson's 1983 single "Human Nature", or a decelerated version of "Baby Be Mine", from Jackson's 1982 album, Thriller.[26] Neil Drumming of Entertainment Weekly said: Me, Myself, and I rides Storch's signature gangsta guitar, mellowed for Beyoncé's lovesick lament ... [28] While reviewing Beyoncé second studio album, B'Day in 2006, Andy Kellman of Allmusic remarked that there are no songs with the " ... smooth elegance of 'Me, Myself and I'".[31] Spence D., writing for IGN Music considered "Me, Myself and I" as a typical sounding R&B ballad with a familiar theme, and in which Beyoncé sings with passion.[23]
Awards and nominations
At the 2005 American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers Pop Music Awards, Beyoncé received the Songwriter of the Year award, sharing it with Storch and Waller. It was recognized as Most Performed Song in 2005, alongside Beyoncé's "Baby Boy" and "Naughty Girl".[32][33] Beyoncé's live version of "Me, Myself and I" from The Beyoncé Experience Live! gained a nomination for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance at the 2009 Grammy Awards.[34]
Chart performance
"Me, Myself and I" failed to equal the chart-topping performances of "Crazy in Love" and "Baby Boy". However, like "Baby Boy" and "Naughty Girl", "Me, Myself and I" attained more immediate and commercial success than its predecessors. After its release, the album ascended the US Billboard 200 chart and was certified as multi-platinum.[35] On November 16, 2003, the single debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 78, while "Baby Boy" was still at number one.[36] 14 weeks after its debut, the single peaked at number four for two weeks,[37][38] becoming the third consecutive top five release from Dangerously in Love and Beyoncé's fourth consecutive top five hit. "Me, Myself and I" remained on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for 24 weeks.[39] On January 30, 2009, the single was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[40] By October 6, 2010. "Me, Myself and I" had sold 119,000 CD copies in the US.[41]
The single was less successful internationally, peaking below the top 10. It reached number 11 in Australia and the UK, and the top 20 in the New Zealand and the Netherlands.[39] It stayed in the UK Top 100 for seven weeks, and was the second shortest presence on a singles chart, after her 2009 duet with Lady Gaga on the extended remix version of "Video Phone".[42]
Music video
Following her first two videos with Jake Nava,[43] Beyoncé hired Johan Renck to direct the music video for "Me, Myself and I".[44] While premiering the video MTV's Total Request Live on December 10, 2003, Beyoncé described the video's conception,
“ | The video and actually the song I wrote it for the ladies because I know sometimes we go through relationships and they don’t work out and we blame the guy or we blame the other girl or we blame ourselves. And we have this inner voice that kind of leads us in the right direction. We can always depend on ourself and the song 'Me, myself and I' and I wanted the video to reflect that. I was trying to think of something different, something fresh and new visually to do. | ” | |
— Beyoncé, [44] |
When some of the behind-the-scenes footage was used in a BET Access Granted special, some of the scenes that Beyoncé was shown shooting did not appear in the finished video.[45] Beyoncé said that the video did not turn out the way she wanted it to be and she had to reshoot most of it.[44] In post-production, she decided that it would be more artistic to play the events in reverse.[44]
The footage follows the plot of the song's theme, in which Beyoncé deals with a cheating boyfriend. From the aftermath of the affair, Beyoncé discards her old possessions that reminds her of her boyfriend. The events in the video are played in reverse. Beyoncé said that this music video was the hardest video she had ever made. Philadelphia's Patrick DeMarco described the video as "sexy".[46] In 2004, the video was nominated for Best R&B Video at the 2004 MTV Video Music Awards.[47] In May 2010, an alternative version of the video was released; this does not show the events in reverse and includes some of the scenes that were not included in the first version.[48]
Live performances
During the Verizon Ladies First Tour which also featured Alicia Keys, Missy Elliott and Tamia, Beyoncé performed "Me, Myself and I" in New York City to an audience of over 20,000.[49] Before singing, she told the audience that she was going to sing about "a relationship horror story". She pulled a pair of red panties out of her purse, saying that these were not hers but belonged to her cheating boyfriend's mistress.[49] During the performance, Beyoncé held out the microphone for the audience's response, which was "is all I got in the end". She shouted that she wanted to hear everybody from front to back, and continued singing, then told the audience that she wrote the song for "each and every one of y'all!".[49]
"Me, Myself and I" was also included on the set list of Beyoncé's Dangerously in Love World Tour that began in late 2003. During the tour, Beyoncé appeared suspended from the ceiling of the arena, and was lowered onto a red lounger.[50] The song was performed as part of Beyoncé's The Beyoncé Experience in Los Angeles and her I Am... Tour.[51] On August 5, 2007, Beyoncé performed the song at the Madison Square Garden in Manhattan.[52][53] Before the song, Beyoncé told the audience that it was very special to her and that she was going to perform a slower version. She was accompanied by her all-female band.[52] Jon Pareles of The New York Times complimented the performance, stating: "Beyoncé needs no distractions from her singing, which can be airy or brassy, tearful or vicious, rapid-fire with staccato syllables or sustained in curlicued melismas. But she was in constant motion, strutting in costumes (most of them silvery), from miniskirts to formal dresses, flesh-toned bodysuit to bikini to negligee."[53] Shaheem Reid of MTV News also praised the performance, and wrote: " ... For all the dancing she did, Beyoncé got an equally big — if not more resounding — response for displaying her undeniable vocal ability on the ballads like "Me, Myself and I". "[52]
In Los Angeles, Beyoncé gave a full-length performance of "Me, Myself and I" without backup dancers and with limited live instrumentation. Beyoncé wore a green belly dancing costume.[54] When Beyoncé performed the song in Sunrise, Florida on June 29, 2009, she wore a leotard. As she sang, animated graphics of turntables, faders and other club equipment were projected behind the dancers and musicians.[55] Beyoncé was accompanied by two drummers, two keyboardists, a percussionist, a horn section, three imposing backup vocalists called the Mamas, and lead guitarist Bibi McGill.[56] "Me, Myself and I" was included on Beyoncé's album The Beyoncé Experience Live (2007)[57]
Formats and track listings
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Charts and certifications
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
Certifications
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References
- 1 2 "Beyoncé's debut Album, Dangerously In Love,". Thread. Archived from the original on January 22, 2008. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
- ↑ "Beyonce – Something To Prove". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. February 21, 2004. p. 72. Retrieved February 12, 2011.
- ↑ Moss, Corey (December 1, 2003). "Another Beyonce Solo LP Due Before Destiny's Child Reunite". MTV News. MTV Networks. Retrieved November 15, 2011.
- ↑ Rhythmic – Week Of: October 19, 2003 Radio and Records. October 19, 2003. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
- ↑ "Urban – Week Of: October 19, 2003". Radio & Records. October 19, 2003. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
- ↑ "Me, Myself and I/Krazy in Luv". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. Archived from the original on December 10, 2007. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ↑ http://gfa.radioandrecords.com/publishGFA/GFANextPage.asp?sDate=11/12/2003&Format=1
- 1 2 "Me, Myself And I (2003 US 'Bangin' Urban Mixes' 6-track promotional 12" vinyl single)". EIL. Retrieved February 12, 2011.
- ↑ "Me, Myself and I – Single Beyoncé" (in Dutch). iTunes Austria. Apple Inc. Retrieved February 7, 2011.
- ↑ "Me, Myself and I – Single Beyoncé" (in Dutch). iTunes Belgium. Apple Inc. Retrieved February 7, 2011.
- ↑ "Me, Myself and I – Single Beyoncé". iTunes Italy. Apple Inc. Retrieved February 7, 2011.
- ↑ "Me, Myself and I – Single Beyoncé" (in Dutch). iTunes Netherlands. Apple Inc. Retrieved February 7, 2011.
- ↑ "Me, Myself and I – Single Beyoncé" (in Swedish). iTunes Sweden. Apple Inc. Retrieved February 7, 2011.
- ↑ "Me, Myself And I". Music Load (Switzerland). Retrieved February 7, 2011.
- ↑ "Me Myself & I [12" VINYL] [Single, Maxi, Import]". Amazon UK. Amazon Inc. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
- 1 2 "Me, Myself And I [CD1] [CD 1] [Single]". Amazon UK. Amazon Inc. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
- 1 2 "Me Myself and I [CD 2] [Single]". Amazon UK. Amazon Inc. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
- ↑ "Me, Myself and I [UK CD]". EIL. Retrieved February 12, 2011.
- ↑ "Me, Myself and I [Canada CD]". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
- ↑ "Me, Myself & I". Sony BMG Australia. Retrieved February 12, 2011.
- 1 2 "Me, Myself And I (Single, Maxi)". Amazon Germany (in German). Amazon Inc. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
- 1 2 "Me,Myself & I [3trx] [Single, Maxi, Import]". Amazon Germany (in German). Amazon Inc. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
- 1 2 3 D., Spence (September 3, 2003). "Dangerously In Love – Beyoncé's solo debut is a mixed bag of contemporary R&B". IGN. News Corporation. Retrieved January 9, 2011.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Beyoncé: Me, Myself and I". Musicnotes.com. Alfred Music Publishing. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
- ↑ Verrico, Lisa (June 20, 2003). "Beyoncé: Dangerously in Love – Beyoncé Knowles is growing up, but not too much". The Times. London: Times Newspapers Ltd. Retrieved February 20, 2011.
- 1 2 Schreiber, Ryan (January 12, 2004). "Beyoncé: "Me, Myself and I"". Pitchfork Media. Ryan Schreiber. Retrieved February 12, 2011.
- ↑ Moss, Corey. "Beyoncé: Genuinely In Love". MTV News. MTV Networks. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
- 1 2 Neil Drumming (June 27, 2003). "Dangerously in Love (2003)". Entertainment Weekly. Time Inc. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
- ↑ James Poletti (July 7, 2003). "Yahoo! Music Album Review: Beyonce – 'Dangerously In Love'". Yahoo! Music. Yahoo!. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
- ↑ Neal, Mark Anthony (July 11, 2003). "BEYONCÉ: Dangerously in Love". PopMatters. Retrieved February 12, 2011.
- ↑ Kellman, Andy. "B'Day". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
- ↑ "ASCAP Pop Music Awards 2005". American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers. Retrieved February 12, 2011.
- ↑ "Most Performed Songs". American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers. Retrieved February 12, 2011.
- ↑ Harris, Chris (December 4, 2008). "Lil Wayne, Coldplay Lead Grammy Nominations". MTV News. MTV Networks. Retrieved February 12, 2011.
- ↑ Stacy-Deanne; Kelly Kenyatta; Natasha Lowery (2005). Alicia Keys, Ashanti, Beyoncé, Destiny's Child, Jennifer Lopez & Mya: Divas of the New Millennium. Amber Books Publishing. pp. 60–61. ISBN 0-9749779-6-9. Retrieved February 12, 2011.
- ↑ "Hot 100 – Week of November 16, 2003". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. November 16, 2003. Retrieved February 12, 2011.
- ↑ "Hot 100 – Week of February 21, 2004". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. February 21, 2004. Retrieved February 12, 2011.
- ↑ "Hot 100 – Week of February 28, 2004". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. February 28, 2004. Retrieved February 12, 2011.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Beyoncé – Me, Myself And I". Swiss Music Charts. Hung Medien. Retrieved February 12, 2011.
- ↑ "Gold and Platinum". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved February 12, 2011.
- ↑ Grein, Paul (October 6, 2010). "Week Ending Oct. 3, 2010: America's Most Popular Inmate". Yahoo! Music. Yahoo!. Retrieved April 1, 2011.
- ↑ "Beyoncé Knowles Singles Peak Positions". The Official Charts Company. ChartsPlus. Retrieved February 12, 2011.
- ↑ Marcos Chin (September 30, 2004). "Jake Nava". Vibe (magazine). InterMedia Partners. Retrieved February 12, 2011.
- 1 2 3 4 "Total Request Live – Me, Myself and I video premiere : December 10, 2003". Total Request Live. December 10, 2003. MTV Networks.
- ↑ "Access Granted: Episode Info – Beyonce". InterMedia Partners. December 13, 2003. Retrieved February 12, 2011.
- ↑ DeMarco, Patrick (June 24, 2013). "We're Getting Old Alert: Beyonce's 'Dangerously in Love' Album Turns 10". Philadelphia. Metrocorp. Retrieved June 24, 2013.
- ↑ "2004 MTV Video Music Awards: Winner Predictions". Slant Magazine. July 25, 2004. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ↑ "Video: Beyoncé – 'Me, Myself and I' (Alternate Version)". Rap-Up. Devin Lazerine. May 22, 2010. Retrieved February 12, 2011.
- 1 2 3 Shaheem Reid (April 13, 2004). "First Among Equals: Beyonce Steals The Show At Ladies First". MTV News. MTV Networks. Retrieved February 12, 2011.
- ↑ Simpson, Dave (November 4, 2003). "Beyoncé". The Guardian. Guardian Media Group. Retrieved February 12, 2011.
- ↑ "Beyoncé – Me, Myself and I (Live)". Nuts (magazine) (United Kingdom). IPC Media. Retrieved February 12, 2011.
- 1 2 3 Shaheem Reid (August 7, 2007). "Beyonce Puts On Flawless — And Fall-Less — NYC Show With Robin Thicke". MTV News. MTV Networks. Retrieved January 31, 2011.
- 1 2 Jon Pareles (August 6, 2007). "Romance as a Struggle That She Will Win". The New York Times. Arthur Ochs Sulzberger, Jr. Retrieved February 12, 2011.
- ↑ Beyoncé Knowles (2007). The Beyoncé Experience Live (DVD). Columbia Records.
- ↑ Parke Puterbaugh (June 29, 2009). "Review: Beyonce is ... Fierce talent". New Records. Retrieved February 1, 2011.
- ↑ Ben Ratliff (June 22, 2009). "Flash, Concepts and, Yes, Songs". The New York Times. Arthur Ochs Sulzberger, Jr. Retrieved February 12, 2011.
- ↑ "The Beyoncé Experience (Live) [Audio Version]". iTunes Belgium (in Dutch). Apple Inc. November 19, 2007. Retrieved February 12, 2011.
- ↑ "Me, Myself And I (2003 US 7-track 12" vinyl single)". EIL. Retrieved February 12, 2011.
- ↑ "Me, Myself and I – Single". iTunes Belgium. Apple Inc.. Retrieved February 12, 2011.
- ↑ "iTunes Store – Me, Myself & I (2003 European exclusive CD single". EIL. Retrieved February 12, 2011.
- ↑ "Beyonce – Chart history" Canadian Hot 100 for Beyonce.
- ↑ "Beyonce – Chart history" European Hot 100 for Beyonce.
- ↑ "Musicline.de – Beyonce Single-Chartverfolgung" (in German). Media Control Charts. PhonoNet GmbH.
- ↑ "Chart Track: Week 3, 2004". Irish Singles Chart.
- ↑ "Archive Chart: January 24, 2004". Scottish Singles Top 40. Retrieved June 6, 2015.
- ↑ "Beyonce: Artist Chart History" Official Charts Company.
- ↑ "Beyonce – Chart history" Billboard Hot 100 for Beyonce.
- ↑ "Beyonce – Chart history" Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs for Beyonce.
- ↑ "Beyonce – Chart history" Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs for Beyonce.
- ↑ "Beyonce – Chart history" Billboard Pop Songs for Beyonce.
- ↑ "Beyoncé – Billboard Singles". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved December 11, 2010.
- ↑ "2004 UK Singles Chart" (PDF). ChartsPlus. Retrieved May 18, 2015.
- ↑ "The Billboard Hot 100 Singles & Tracks – 2004 Year End Charts". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved February 12, 2011.
- ↑ "The Billboard Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles & Tracks – 2004 Year End Charts". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved February 12, 2011.
- ↑ "American single certifications – Beyoncé – Me, Myself and I". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH
External links