Beautiful Monster

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"Beautiful Monster"
Single by Ne-Yo
from the album Libra Scale
Released June 8, 2010
Format Digital download
Recorded Roc The Mic Studios
(New York City, United States)
Genre Europop, dance-pop, electronica
Length 4:11
Label Def Jam
Writer(s) Shaffer Smith, Mikkel S. Eriksen, Tor Erik Hermansen, Sandy Wilhelm
Producer Stargate, Sandy Vee
Ne-Yo singles chronology
"Super High"
(2010)		 "Beautiful Monster"
(2010)		 "Champagne Life"
(2010)

"Beautiful Monster" is a song by American singer Ne-Yo from his fourth studio album, Libra Scale. The song was released to iTunes as the album's first single on June 8, 2010. The song was written by Ne-Yo, Stargate and Sandy Vee, and it was produced by Stargate and Sandy Vee.[1] It is an uptempo dance song, including influences of different musical styles including European. It has received initial positive reception, with Ne-Yo's vocals being compared to the vocal styling of Michael Jackson.

Contents

[edit] Background

"Beautiful Monster"'s original cover art was revealed online on May 21, 2010, which was a close-up of Ne-Yo's profile with a mysterious woman lurking in a forest in the background.[2] Although another cover art was revealed with the forest background altered to a city including buildings and a flashing car light, the original cover with the forest background was eventually selected as the official cover art.[3] The song was written by Ne-Yo and produced by longtime collaborators Stargate, responsible for producing some of his biggest hits such as "So Sick", "Because of You", and "Closer" The remix features Brooklyn hip-hop artist Israel The ILLa Real.[4] "Beautiful Monster" premiered online on May 25, 2010.[5]

[edit] Composition
"Beautiful Monster"
A sample of "Beautiful Monster", which includes influences such as eurodisco and house, featuring Ne-Yo's R&B vocal stylings, which have been compared to those of Michael Jackson
Problems listening to this file? See media help.

The song is an uptempo recording, containing new rave, Europop, and Ibiza influences,[3][6][7][8] featuring Ne-Yo's R&B vocals over "strobing dancefloor beats."[9] "Beautiful Monster", a pop piece,[8] features a Eurodisco feel,[6] described as "spookily anthemic", having "big filler sweeps", house beats, and "decimated snare builds" of '90's electronica.[8] The song has been compared to the sound of Michael Jackson, specifically Ne-Yo's "backing vocals and audible breath intake" according to Bill Lamb of About.com.[6] Alistair Dickinson of PopMatters said "Ne-Yo’s Michael Jackson-esque wails and screams are still in full effect". The song is composed of "out-of-tranc-y keyboard lines" and a "throbbing drumbeat."[7] "Beautiful Monster" consists lyrically about being attracted to a dangerous woman.[9] August Brown of The Los Angeles Times compared the "topical and sonic" content of the song to Lady Gaga's work on The Fame Monster, specifically the lyrical basis of "Bad Romance" and "Monster".[8]

Meanwhile, Ne-Yo himself described the lyrical background to the song to noted UK R&B writer Pete Lewis - Assistant Editor of Blues & Soul - thus: "The song itself is a small piece of a much larger puzzle. In that the album it comes from - Libra Scale - is based upon this short story that I wrote, which basically follows these three characters who are forced to choose between money-power-and-fame versus love... And the song 'Beautiful Monster' actually represents the mind-state of the man in the story whenever he comes into contact with his love interest-slash-nemesis. Whose name is Diamond Eye, and who really is best described as 'a beautiful monster'! You know, she's forbidden fruit; she's that girl who you know is gonna be nothing but trouble... But - because she's so intriguing - even if it literally might cost you your life, you still cannot resist her aura. Which is where the hook 'She's a monster, a beautiful monster; But I don't mind' comes from!"[10]

[edit] Critical reception

August Brown of The Los Angeles Times complimented the song, calling "his most evocative effort" and Ne-Yo's vocals, stating, "no male pop singer short of T-Pain can stack harmonies better right now, and when he peels off those runs of "I don't mind" after the choruses".[8] However Brown commented that, "Ne-Yo is better at writing dark edges into songs than performing them himself; he's just too put-together to truly do the freakily possessed lover act."[8] Bill Lamb of About.com favored the track's "burbling Eurodisco feel", and commented, "It also always feels like the ghost of Michael Jackson is never far away in the music of Ne-Yo."[6] Alistair Dickinson of PopMatters also gave the song a positive review, comparing it to Michael Jackson.[7] Brad Wete of Entertainment Weekly compared the song to Ne-Yo's previous hit "Closer", stating, "Ne-Yo’s brand of progressive R&B has a been a winner so far. 'Monster' should be a beast, too."[4] Although Mariel Concepcion of Billboard said the song did not boast the lyricism of Ne-Yo's past songs, she said, "the beat's thumping bassline and the singer/songwriter's smooth voice make for a perfect combination on this summer hit in the making."[11]

[edit] Chart performance

"Beautiful Monster" was most successful in the United Kingdom, where it became Ne-yo's third number 1 single after "So Sick" in March 2006 and "Closer" in June 2008, and reached the top 10 in Korea and Italy, becoming Ne-Yo's highest peak there. It was certified Platinum in Italy for sales over 30,000 units. In the U.S., however, it didn't even crack the top 50 of the Billboard Hot 100, reaching only #52. It failed to match the success of the lead singles from his previous three albums, "So Sick", "Because of You" and "Closer (Ne-Yo song)", which all reached the top 10.

[edit] Music video

The video for "Beautiful Monster" premiered on July 14, 2010 along with the video for "Champagne Life". The video begins in an alley where Ne-Yo sings the 1st verse while he flips over a taxi cab with mysterious powers. Then, guys in white suits comes in with one white monstorous eye on their left dancing and Ne-Yo takes them out during the chorus. After one guy flies up in the air, Ne-Yo jumps down to the pink carpet which leads to a club where 4 people are seen dancing and at the end of the 2nd verse, the club freezes and Ne-Yo just stood there. As the 2nd chorus begins, the 4 people with one monstorus eyes (Like the people in white suits earlier in the 1st verse of the video) begin to dance and used their powers to throw Ne-Yo in the next room. At the end of the video, Ne-Yo spots a woman with white monster eyes (meaning to be a beautiful monster) starts staring at Ne-Yo with 2 bodyguards beside her and then, people show up to dance with Ne-Yo as the video fades out in white. [12]

[edit] Promotion

Ne-Yo performed the song for the first time in Brooklyn on June 14, 2010.[13] He also performed the song on So You Think You Can Dance on July 1, 2010,[14] on the Rede Globo Brazilian TV show Altas Horas, on August 14, 2010 and on German talent show Popstars: Girls forever on September 23, 2010.

[edit] Track listing

  • Digital download[15]
  1. "Beautiful Monster" – 4:11
  • German CD single
  1. "Beautiful Monster" (Album Version) – 4:12
  2. "Beautiful Monster" (Mixin Marc & Tony Svejda Remix Edit) – 4:11
  • Digital download (The Remixes)
  1. "Beautiful Monster" (Mixin Marc & Tony Svejda Remix Edit) – 4:11
  2. "Beautiful Monster" (Tony Moran & Warren Rigg Save The Soul Edit) – 4:33
  3. "Beautiful Monster" (Low Sunday Terrified Edit) – 4:24
  4. "Beautiful Monster" (Mixin Marc & Tony Svejda Remix Extended) – 6:36
  5. "Beautiful Monster" (Tony Moran & Warren Rigg Save The Soul Club) – 9:43
  6. "Beautiful Monster" (Low Sunday Terrified Club) – 7:22
  7. "Beautiful Monster" (Mixin Marc & Tony Svedja Remix Instrumental) – 6:36
  8. "Beautiful Monster" (Tony Moran & Warren Rigg Save The Soul Anthem Dub) – 9:43
  9. "Beautiful Monster" (Low Sunday Terrified Dub) – 8:00

[edit] Personnel

Source:[16]

[edit] Charts and certifications

[edit] Charts

Chart (2010) Peak
position
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 75)[17] 20
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[18] 16
Belgium (Ultratop 40 Wallonia)[19] 13
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[20] 40
Czech Republic (IFPI)[21] 40
Denmark (Tracklisten)[22] 39
European Hot 100 Singles[23] 7
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[24] 14
France (SNEP) Download Chart[25] 50
Germany (Media Control AG)[26] 13
Hungary (Single Top 10)[27] 9
Hungary (Rádiós Top 40)[28] 19
Ireland (IRMA)[29] 9
Italy (FIMI)[30] 3
Japan (Japan Hot 100)[31] 6
Netherlands (Mega Single Top 100)[32] 28
New Zealand (RIANZ)[33] 20
Scotland (Official Charts Company)[34] 2
Slovakia (IFPI)[35] 11
South Korea (GAON)[36] 3
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[37] 51
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[38] 15
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[39] 1
US Billboard Hot 100[40] 53
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[41] 61
US Pop Songs (Billboard)[42] 26
US Hot Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[43] 1

[edit] Year-end charts

Chart (2010) Position
European Hot 100 Singles[44] 73
German Singles Chart[45] 92
Hungarian Airplay Chart[46] 82
Italian Singles Chart[47] 17
U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play[48] 39

[edit] Certifications

Country Provider Certification
Italy FIMI Platinum[49]
UK BPI Silver

[edit] Chart procession and succession

Preceded by
"All Time Low" by The Wanted		 UK Singles Chart number-one single
8 August 2010 – 14 August 2010		 Succeeded by
"Club Can't Handle Me" by Flo Rida featuring David Guetta
Preceded by
"Wouldnit (I'm a Star)" by Ono		 Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs number-one single
2 October 2010 – 9 October 2010		 Succeeded by
"You Lost Me" by Christina Aguilera

[edit] Release history

[edit] Radio adds

Country Date Format
United States June 8, 2010 Mainstream airplay[50]
Rhythmic airplay[50]

[edit] Purchaseable release

Country Date Format Label
United States[15] June 8, 2010 Digital download Island Def Jam
Canada[51]
United Kingdom August 1, 2010 Digital download Mercury

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Legal Title: "Beautiful Monster" Ne-Yo". ASCAP. http://www.ascap.com/ace/search.cfm?requesttimeout=300&mode=results&searchstr=881402182&search_in=i&search_type=exact&search_det=t,s,w,p,b,v&results_pp=25&start=1. Retrieved 2010-08-25. 
  2. ^ "Ne-Yo to Unleash ‘Beautiful Monster,’ New Album Due in September". Rap-Up. 2010-05-21. http://www.rap-up.com/2010/05/21/ne-yo-to-unleash-beautiful-monster-new-album-due-in-september/. Retrieved 2010-06-23. 
  3. ^ a b "New Music: Ne-Yo – ‘Beautiful Monster’ [Snippet"]. Rap-Up. 2010-05-23. http://www.rap-up.com/2010/05/23/new-music-ne-yo-beautiful-monster-snippet/. Retrieved 2010-06-23. 
  4. ^ a b Wete, Brad (2010-05-25). "Ne-Yo unleashes 'Beautiful Monster': Stream the first single from the upcoming album here". Entertainment Weekly. http://music-mix.ew.com/2010/05/25/ne-yo-beautiful-monster/. Retrieved 2010-06-23. 
  5. ^ Rodriguez, Jayson (May 25, 2010). "Ne-Yo Single 'Beautiful Monster' Debuts". MTV news. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1639963/20100525/ne_yo.jhtml. Retrieved 2010-06-06. 
  6. ^ a b c d Lamb, Bill (2010-05-25). "Ne-Yo's New Single "Beautiful Monster" Debuts". About.com. http://top40.about.com/b/2010/05/25/ne-yos-new-single-beautiful-monster-debuts.htm. Retrieved 2010-06-23. 
  7. ^ a b c Dickinson, Alistair (2010-05-28). "Ne-Yo Meets a "Beautiful Monster"". PopMatters. http://www.popmatters.com/pm/post/126187-ne-yo-hits-the-dance-floor-with-. Retrieved 2010-06-23. 
  8. ^ a b c d e f Brown, August (2010-05-25). "Snap Judgment: Ne-Yo's "Beautiful Monster"". The Los Angeles Times. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2010/05/snap-judgment-neyos-beautiful-monster.html. Retrieved 2010-06-23. 
  9. ^ a b Anderson, Sara D. (2010-05-26). "Ne-Yo, 'Beautiful Monster' -- New Song". AOL Radio Blog. http://www.aolradioblog.com/2010/05/26/ne-yo-beautiful-monster/. Retrieved 2010-06-23. 
  10. ^ Ne-Yo interview by Pete Lewis, 'Blues & Soul' August 2010
  11. ^ Concepcion, Mariel (2010-06-18). "Ne-Yo, "Beautiful Monster"". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc.. http://www.billboard.com/#/news/ne-yo-beautiful-monster-1004099107.story. Retrieved 2010-06-24. 
  12. ^ "Videos: Ne-Yo – ‘Champagne Life’ + ‘Beautiful Monster’". Rap-Up. 2010-07-14. http://www.rap-up.com/2010/07/14/videos-ne-yo-champagne-life-beautiful-monster/. Retrieved 2010-07-22. 
  13. ^ Posted by thainadovale on 2/19/2011 3:09:00 PM. "Ne-Yo : Blog : Video: Ne-Yo Performing "Beautiful Monster" In Brooklyn". Yearofthegentleman.com. http://www.yearofthegentleman.com/news/default.aspx?nid=7156&cmnt=1. Retrieved 2011-02-20. 
  14. ^ Posted by thainadovale on 2/19/2011 3:09:00 PM. "Ne-Yo : Blog : Ne-Yo "Beautiful Monster" YouTube Contest!". Yearofthegentleman.com. http://www.yearofthegentleman.com/news/default.aspx?nid=7123&cmnt=1. Retrieved 2011-02-20. 
  15. ^ a b "Connecting to the iTunes Store". Itunes.apple.com. http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/beautiful-monster-single/id373903851. Retrieved 2011-02-20. 
  16. ^ (liner notes). Beautiful Monster. Ne-Yo. Def Jam Recordings. 2010. 
  17. ^ "Ne-Yo – Beautiful Monster – Austriancharts.at" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Hung Medien.
  18. ^ "Ultratop.be – Ne-Yo – Beautiful Monster" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Ultratop & Hung Medien / hitparade.ch.
  19. ^ "Ultratop.be – Ne-Yo – Beautiful Monster" (in French). Ultratop 40. Ultratop & Hung Medien / hitparade.ch.
  20. ^ "ne-yo Album & Song Chart History" Canadian Hot 100 for ne-yo. Prometheus Global Media.
  21. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201029 into search.
  22. ^ "Danishcharts.com – Ne-Yo – Beautiful Monster". Tracklisten. Hung Medien.
  23. ^ "ne-yo Album & Song Chart History" European Hot 100 for ne-yo. Prometheus Global Media.
  24. ^ "Finnishcharts.com – Ne-Yo – Beautiful Monster". Suomen virallinen lista. Hung Medien.
  25. ^ "Classement des ventes de titres téléchargés en France du 27 septembre au 03 octobre 2010" (in French). Chartsinfrance. http://www.chartsinfrance.net/charts/1040/titres-telechargement.php,v1. Retrieved 2010-10-08. 
  26. ^ "Die ganze Musik im Internet: Charts, News, Neuerscheinungen, Tickets, Genres, Genresuche, Genrelexikon, Künstler-Suche, Musik-Suche, Track-Suche, Ticket-Suche – musicline.de" (in German). Media Control Charts. PhonoNet GmbH.
  27. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ – Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 10 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége.
  28. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ – Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége.
  29. ^ "Chart Track". Irish Singles Chart. Irish Recorded Music Association.
  30. ^ "Italiancharts.com – Ne-Yo – Beautiful Monster". Top Digital Download. Hung Medien.
  31. ^ "ne-yo Album & Song Chart History" Japan Hot 100 for ne-yo. Prometheus Global Media.
  32. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Ne-Yo – Beautiful Monster" (in Dutch). Mega Single Top 100. Hung Medien / hitparade.ch.
  33. ^ "Charts.org.nz – Ne-Yo – Beautiful Monster". Top 40 Singles. Hung Medien.
  34. ^ "Archive Chart". Scottish Singles Top 40. Official Charts Company.
  35. ^ "SNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201029 into search.
  36. ^ GAON Music Charts
  37. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Ne-Yo – Beautiful Monster". Singles Top 60. Hung Medien.
  38. ^ "Ne-Yo – Beautiful Monster – swisscharts.com". Swiss Singles Chart. Hung Medien.
  39. ^ "Archive Chart" UK Singles Chart. Official Charts Company.
  40. ^ "ne-yo Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Hot 100 for ne-yo. Prometheus Global Media.
  41. ^ "ne-yo Album & Song Chart History" Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Songs for ne-yo. Prometheus Global Media.
  42. ^ "ne-yo Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Pop Songs for ne-yo. Prometheus Global Media.
  43. ^ "ne-yo Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Hot Dance/Club Play for ne-yo. Prometheus Global Media.
  44. ^ "European Hot 100". Billboard.com. 2010-12-31. http://www.billboard.com/charts-year-end/european-hot-100-singles?year=2010#/charts-year-end/european-hot-100-singles?year=2010. Retrieved 2011-02-20. 
  45. ^ http://www.viva.tv/charts/viva-single-jahrescharts-2010-2010-212/?start=90
  46. ^ "MAHASZ Rádiós TOP 100 2010" (in hungarian). Mahasz. http://www.mahasz.hu/?menu=slagerlistak&menu2=eves_osszesitett_listak&id=radios&ev=2010. Retrieved 10 March 2011. 
  47. ^ "FIMI - Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana - Ricerche e dati di mercato". Fimi.it. 2011-01-17. http://www.fimi.it/dett_ddmercato.php?id=73. Retrieved 2011-02-20. 
  48. ^ "Year end chart: Billboard Hot Dance Club Play". http://www.billboard.com/#/charts-year-end/hot-dance-club-play-songs?year=2010&begin=31&order=position. Retrieved 2011-08-26. 
  49. ^ "Italy Certification" (PDF). http://www.fimi.it/temp/cert_Nielsen_week42.pdf. Retrieved 2010-11-02. 
  50. ^ a b "Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Arbitron Ratings, Music News and more!". FMQB. http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=69239#210. Retrieved 2011-02-20. 
  51. ^ "Connecting to the iTunes Store". Itunes.apple.com. http://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/beautiful-monster-single/id373903851. Retrieved 2011-02-20. 
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