Grown Woman (Beyoncé song) explained

Grown Woman
Cover:Beyoncé - Grown Woman.png
Type:promo
Artist:Beyoncé
Recorded:2013
Studio:
Genre:
Length:5:10
Label:
Producer:

"Grown Woman" is a song by American singer Beyoncé, and was chosen as the promotional single for Beyoncé's fifth Pepsi campaign commercial in 2013.[1] [2] [3] Originally written and recorded for potential inclusion on her fifth studio album Beyoncé (2013), it was instead only included as a bonus video on the Visual disc of the album.[4] Music publication Uproxx considered the song a "fan favourite" with "African-influenced drums and Bey's empowered vocals", and the Evening Standard christened the song her "latest feminist anthem".[5] [6] Several unofficial remixes released in 2013 received unsolicited airplay, causing the song to chart for eight weeks on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart.[7] The song eventually received an official release on December 13, 2023, to coincide with the tenth anniversary of the surprise release of Beyoncé.[8]

Background and composition

"Grown Woman" was written by Beyoncé, Timothy Mosley, Chris Godbey, Garland Mosley, Kelly Sheehan, Terius Nash, Darryl Pearson, and Jerome Harmon for reported inclusion onto what became her 2013 eponymous fifth album. The Los Angeles Times described the song as "an aggressive affirmation of her prowess over five minutes of frenetic African-influenced rhythms, tribal chants and multiple vocal breakdowns."[9] The publication also noted an expansion on the sound of Fela Kuti-influenced 4 single “End of Time", integrating African chants into the beat.[9] MTV noted "Bhangra-esque" influences in the production.[10] Lyrically, the song continues Beyoncé's thread of female empowerment, building on the "warrior queen motifs" of "Run the World (Girls)".[11]

Several unofficial versions appeared on various music streaming services at the conclusion of the campaign, before a full leak of the original version was reported by USA Today and several other music publications in both May and August 2013.[12] [13]

A full-length visual was released alongside 16 other visuals and 14 songs on the album's December 13, 2013 release date, but no official audio was released.[14]

Reception

The song was met with critical acclaim. Men's publication GQ described the song as "sexy" and "classic Queen Bey", with a "perpetually stuck-in-your-head dance beat."[15] Fact favorably compared the recording to Mosley's work on Justin Timberlake's The 20/20 Experience, mentioning the "playful and experimental form" of his instrumentals, described as "two parts moombahton, one part Song of the South."[11] The Los Angeles Times described the song as "an empowering female anthem tailor-made for dance floors and repeat blasting in car stereos."[9] The Michigan Chronicle mentioned the "tribal" influences, and predicted the record was "bound to be the ladies summer anthem..."[16] Notion highlighted the "zestful melody and up-tempo flow... guaranteed to get you grooving in no time."[17] Slate writer Forrest Wickman stated that the song "adheres to four pillars of Beydom": "A syncopated, uptempo beat, stabs of brass or synths to go over it, a chorus of female shout-along voices and a message of female empowerment."[18]

Music videos

60 seconds of the song were utilized for "Mirrors": the Pepsi campaign commercial in April 2013, directed by frequent Beyoncé collaborator Jake Nava, whom she had previously worked with on "Crazy in Love", "Baby Boy", and "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)", among others.[10] [19] "I had so much fun collaborating on this campaign with Pepsi," Beyoncé stated in a 2013 statement to Billboard. "I got to re-live some of my favorite past characters and looks. It was the first time I saw those costumes in years and it was very emotional. I'm proud of those moments and they all connect in some way and have helped me evolve into who I am today."[2] In the commercial, Beyoncé takes a brief beverage break in the midst of a dance rehearsal in front of several mirrors, when Beyoncé is suddenly surrounded by various iterations of herself performing in past videos.[10] [20]

A full music video was released on December 13, 2013, as a bonus video on the Visual disc of Beyoncé's fifth studio album Beyoncé (2013).[21] Also directed by British director Jake Nava, the video features Beyoncé as a "gum-chewing beauty-queen" reminiscing on her trophy-winning pageant past, using CGI technology to sing the song as younger versions of herself in "VHS-grainy" home video footage.[22] Beyoncé is transported to a "psychedelic" space for the dance breakdown, with multiple cloned Beyoncés dancing alongside close friend Kelly Rowland and mother Tina Knowles.[22]

An alternate version of the video was leaked on April 1, 2014, taking Beyoncé's original concept for her video — pairing home movies with her grown-up self — while adding "exuberantly animated doodles and extra bling".[23]

Live performances

Beyoncé performed the song for the first time on April 24, 2013 at her Mrs. Carter Show World Tour concert in Paris, France.[24] Wearing a colorful Kenzo dress, she performed the song in its entirety toward the end of her sold-out show alongside Les Twins.[24] On June 1, 2013, Beyoncé performed the song at the Chime for Change concert in London's Twickenham Stadium as a part of an interlude.[25] [26]

Personnel

Charts

Chart (2013)! scope="col"
Peak
position
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)28
Chart (2023)! scope="col"
Peak
position
UK Singles Sales (OCC)[27] 76

Release history

Region! scope="col"
DateFormat(s)VersionLabel(s)
VariousJuly 21, 2013StreamingMonsieur Adi remixSelf-released[28]
Nervo remix[29]
Ralphi Rosario remixes
Psyko Punkz remix
December 13, 2023Original

Notes and References

  1. Web site: She Will Rock You: Rewinding Beyonce’s Best Pepsi Commercials. Hilary. Hughes. January 30, 2019. December 15, 2023. April 27, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230427211656/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/beyonce-best-pepsi-commercials-super-bowl-8495617/. live.
  2. Web site: Beyonce Previews New Song, ‘Grown Woman,’ In Pepsi Commercial. Erika. Ramirez. April 4, 2013. December 15, 2023. March 30, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230330175335/https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/beyonce-previews-new-song-grown-woman-in-pepsi-commercial-1556326/. live.
  3. Web site: Is Beyoncé Breaking New Ground by Debuting Her Songs in Commercials?. Aisha. Harris. April 25, 2013. slate.com. December 4, 2023. December 10, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221210092048/https://slate.com/culture/2013/04/new-beyonce-song-standing-on-the-sun-debuts-in-h-m-ad-is-that-rare-video.html. live.
  4. Web site: Beyoncé Drops ‘Grown Woman’ on Streaming to Celebrate 10 Years of Her Self-Titled Album. Kyle. Denis. December 13, 2023. December 15, 2023. December 13, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231213222836/https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/beyonce-grown-woman-streaming-1235555716/. live.
  5. Web site: Beyoncé Finally Shared ’Grown Woman’ On Streaming Platforms. December 13, 2023. December 15, 2023. December 23, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231223042449/https://uproxx.com/music/beyonce-grown-woman-streaming-platforms/. live.
  6. Web site: Beyonce: the making of a Grown Woman. Jasmine Gardner, Susannah. Butter. May 23, 2013. Evening Standard. December 16, 2023. December 23, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231223042449/https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/music/beyonce-the-making-of-a-grown-woman-8628802.html. live.
  7. Web site: Beyoncé | Biography, Music & News. Billboard. 2023-12-23. 2022-06-21. https://web.archive.org/web/20220621223842/https://www.billboard.com/artist/beyonce/. live.
  8. Web site: ‘Grown Woman’ Is Grown Enough for Streaming Services. Zoe. Guy. December 13, 2023. Vulture. December 23, 2023. December 16, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231216142119/https://www.vulture.com/2023/12/beyonce-grown-woman-streaming.html. live.
  9. Web site: Five things to love about Beyonce's 'Grown Woman'. May 21, 2013. Los Angeles Times. December 15, 2023. December 23, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231223042450/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-xpm-2013-may-21-la-et-ms-five-things-love-beyonce-grown-woman-20130521-story.html. live.
  10. Web site: Beyonce's New Pepsi Commercial Reveals 'Grown Woman,' Resurrects All Of Our Favorite Beyonces (VIDEO). https://web.archive.org/web/20231215183934/https://www.mtv.com/news/2pxvgf/beyonce-pepsi-commercial-grown-woman. dead. December 15, 2023. MTV.
  11. Web site: Hear Beyoncé's new Timbaland collaboration, 'Grown Woman'. May 21, 2013. Fact Magazine. December 15, 2023. December 6, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211206060018/https://www.factmag.com/2013/05/21/hear-beyonces-new-timbaland-collaboration-grown-woman/. live.
  12. Web site: Beyonce is 'Grown Woman' in new single. Elysa. Gardner. USA TODAY. 2023-12-15. 2013-06-09. https://web.archive.org/web/20130609103002/http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2013/05/21/beyonce-new-single-out/2347847/. live.
  13. Web site: Is Beyonce's 'Grown Woman' Officially Here? - SPIN. 2023-12-15. 2023-03-22. https://web.archive.org/web/20230322190100/https://www.spin.com/2013/08/is-beyonces-grown-woman-officially-here/. live.
  14. Web site: Beyonce's 'Grown Woman' Music Video: Look By Look. MTV. 2023-12-15. 2023-06-06. https://web.archive.org/web/20230606211503/https://www.mtv.com/news/bs1htl/beyonce-grown-woman-music-video-look-by-look. dead.
  15. Web site: Beyoncé's New Song Leaks: "Grown Woman". Jen. Ortiz. May 21, 2013. GQ. December 15, 2023. June 8, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230608085309/https://www.gq.com/story/beyonces-new-song-leaks-grown-woman. live.
  16. Web site: Listen: Beyonce releases "Grown Woman". May 21, 2013. December 15, 2023. March 25, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230325051856/https://michiganchronicle.com/2013/05/21/listen-beyonce-releases-grown-woman/. live.
  17. Web site: Notion Now: Eyedress, Beyoncé, Meekz. Notion. Staff. December 15, 2023. Notion. December 16, 2023. December 23, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231223042451/https://notion.online/notion-now-eyedress-beyonce-meekz/. live.
  18. Web site: Beyoncé Is a “Grown Woman” on New Single. Forrest. Wickman. May 21, 2013. slate.com. December 16, 2023. October 2, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221002092215/https://slate.com/culture/2013/05/beyonce-new-single-grown-woman-leaked-new-song-is-divas-latest-feminist-anthem.html. live.
  19. Web site: Beyonce Faces Self in 'Grown Woman' Ad. Jon. Blistein. April 4, 2013. December 15, 2023. January 23, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230123235136/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/beyonce-faces-past-selves-in-grown-woman-ad-63310/. live.
  20. Web site: Beyonce Pepsi Ad - Previews New Song Grown Woman 2013. Sarah St. Lifer. www.refinery29.com. 2023-12-15. 2020-08-15. https://web.archive.org/web/20200815185620/https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2013/04/45206/beyonce-new-song-grown-woman-pepsi-ad-video. live.
  21. Web site: Beyoncé – “Grown Woman” Video. December 19, 2013. December 15, 2023. December 15, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231215214700/https://www.stereogum.com/1609372/beyonce-grown-woman-video/news/. live.
  22. Web site: Beyonce Twerks With Kelly Rowland in Surreal 'Grown Woman' Video - SPIN. 2023-12-15. 2022-01-19. https://web.archive.org/web/20220119103139/https://www.spin.com/2013/12/beyonce-grown-woman-video-kelly-rowland/. live.
  23. Web site: Beyoncé's "Grown Woman" Gets An Alternate Video: Watch. April 1, 2014. Time. December 15, 2023. December 14, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231214065315/https://time.com/45384/beyonce-grown-woman-alternate-video/. live.
  24. Web site: Beyoncé Performs 'Grown Woman' Live in Paris. 2023-12-15. 2023-11-25. https://web.archive.org/web/20231125015010/https://www.rap-up.com/2013/04/24/video-beyonce-performs-grown-woman-live-in-paris/. live.
  25. Web site: Beyoncé Leads New Gucci Empowerment Campaign. Sarah. Karmali. February 28, 2013. British Vogue. February 14, 2024. September 16, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200916224311/https://www.vogue.co.uk/gallery/beyonce-knowles-salma-hayek-gucci-chime-for-change-campaign-frida-giannini. live.
  26. Web site: Beyoncé Setlist at Chime for Change 2013. 2024-02-14. 2024-02-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20240214010937/https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/beyonce/2013/twickenham-stadium-twickenham-england-13d98999.html. live.
  27. Web site: Official Singles Sales Chart Top 100. Official Charts Company. December 17, 2023. December 17, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231217081025/https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-sales-chart/20231215/7509/. live.
  28. Web site: Beyoncé - Grown Woman (Monsieur Adi Remix). Graham. Porter. July 21, 2013. December 15, 2023. March 29, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230329225824/https://www.yourmusicradar.com/beyonce-grown-woman-monsieur-adi-remix/. live.
  29. Web site: PLAYDAR: Peace Bisquit Releases Three Free Beyonce Remixes | G Philly. Patrick. DeMarco. July 25, 2013. December 23, 2023. January 28, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210128081814/https://www.phillymag.com/news/2013/07/25/playdar-peace-bisquit-releases-free-beyonce-remixes/. live.

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