Crazy in Love
| "Crazy in Love" | ||
|---|---|---|
| File:Crazy In Love.jpg | ||
| Single by Beyoncé featuring Jay-Z | ||
| From the album Dangerously in Love | ||
| Released | 2003 | |
| Format | DVD single 12" single | |
| Genre | Pop/R&B | |
| Length | 3:55 | |
| Label | Columbia | |
| Writers | Beyoncé Knowles Rich Harrison Jay-Z Eugene Record | |
| Producers | Beyoncé Knowles Rich Harrison | |
| Director | Jake Nava | |
| Certification | Gold | |
| Chart positions | #1 USA (8 Weeks) #1 U.K. (3 Weeks) #3 AU #1 CAN (2 Weeks) | |
| Professional reviews | ||
| *AMG | Link | |
| Beyoncé singles chronology | ||
| "Work It Out" (2002) |
"Crazy in Love" (2003) |
"Baby Boy" (2003) |
| Jay-Z singles chronology | ||
| "Beware of the Boys" (2002) |
"Crazy in Love" (2003) |
"Frontin'" (2003) |
"Crazy in Love" is the first single from Beyoncé's debut album Dangerously in Love. Released in 2003, the song (which features a a guest-rapped verse from Jay-Z) reached number one in the USA, becoming Beyoncé's first number-one single and Jay-Z's second; it also reached number one in the U.K. The single contains a prominent horn sample from the Chi-Lites song "Are You My Woman". At the time of the single's release, the sexual innuendo in its lyrics attracted some comment from the music media, who believed that it reflected the feelings between Beyoncé and Jay-Z; the artists went to great lengths not to comment on the innuendo or their rumored relationship. Although not Beyoncé's first solo single release, its widespread success throughout the world established her as a leading solo performer, after several years of success as a member of the R&B trio Destiny's Child.
Writing and recording
"Crazy in Love" was co-written by Beyoncé, Rich Harrison, and Jay-Z, and was co-produced by Beyoncé and Rich Harrison. The song is built around a sample of the song "Are You My Woman", originally performed by the Chi-Lites and written by Eugene Record. The single was one of the most commercially successful songs of 2003. The song's lyrics recall moments of temporary romantic insanity that have her "looking so crazy in love".
Although Beyoncé had released singles as part of Destiny's Child, and had appeared as a solo artist on special soundtrack singles and guest appearances, the first single release from the Dangerously in Love album was seen as crucial in establishing her as a substantial performer in her own right; she and her record company first considered using "Naughty Girl" as the first single. While searching for a backing track, she discovered a struggling producer, Harrison, who played a beat for her that he had created from the song "Are You My Woman". He was commissioned to create a melodic track for the verses and chorus, and was going to write the lyrics too, until Beyoncé's manager and father, Matthew Knowles instructed Harrison to focus only on the music, as Beyoncé was writing the lyrics. Beyoncé had given Harrison only two hours to write the song, and problems soon arose, as he was severely hungover. He was able to write the music of the verses and chorus in time for Beyoncé's return, however, and she subsequently wrote the bulk of the lyrics and bridge.
After the completion of "Crazy in Love", record company advisors suggested to Beyoncé that she return to "Naughty Girl" as the lead single from her forthcoming album. It was believed that "Naughty Girl" would probably be a success, and a safe choice, allowing Beyoncé to convey the sexy persona that she had established with Destiny's Child; moreover, the general style, together with a well-known hook from Donna Summer's "Love To Love You Baby", was considered to be more commercial in sound than other songs Beyoncé had recorded for the album. "Crazy in Love" was seen as more of a gamble, and both the aggressive sound and attitude were somewhat different from Beyoncé's previous work.
Beyoncé insisted on moving ahead with "Crazy in Love", however, and although confident that the song was the correct choice, she felt that it might not perform well on urban charts. In order to move beyond Top 40 Mainstream markets, she enlisted her boyfriend Jay-Z to record a guest rap vocal performance. Like most of Jay-Z’s guest raps, the verse was recorded from memory, and provided a contrast to Beyoncé's more elegant vocal style. Beyoncé hoped that the combination would allow her to move beyond Destiny’s Child's reputation of pop-R&B, and as the deadline for the single's release approached, she submitted the final mixed version of the song.
Chart performance
The pending release of "Crazy in Love" caused some negative comments from Beyoncé's advisors, who felt the song would not attract a large audience due to its unconventional sound. Upon its release, however, it quickly became a major hit, and went on to become one of the biggest successes of 2003. It reached number one on The Hot 100 and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks where it remained at the top of the charts for several weeks. It also reached number one on the Hot 100 Airplay, Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay, Hot Dance Music/Club Play, Hot Digital Tracks, Top 40 Tracks, Mainstream Top 40, and the Rhythmic Top 40. The chart success of the song was also considered notable because the song was only released in 12" single and a DVD single formats. These formats attracted fewer points than other single formats; however, the song gained high points for the widespread airplay it received.
The outstanding success of the single led to it reaching a wider demographic than had been originally expected, and as its success grew it became a hit on the Adult Top 40, a chart traditionally associated with more slightly more conservative non-urban music, where it peaked at number twenty-eight. The song also became Beyoncé's first digital hit by topping the Hot Digital Tracks chart, although digital downloads were not yet counted towards the Hot 100.
The single was a substantial hit throughout the world, and spent five weeks at number one on the World Music Chart. [1] Top40-charts.com records that the single spent four weeks at number one on the European official singles chart, ten weeks on the world singles chart, based on sales, and eight weeks on the world airplay chart. [2] It also spent three weeks at number one in the United Kingdom and two weeks at number one in Canada, with the latter based exclusively upon sales. Top40-charts.com, which counts airplay in addition to sales, recorded that the single peaked at number two in Canada. It reached number three in Australia and New Zealand.
Critical reaction
"Crazy in Love" attracted generally positive comments from reviewers. Tim Sendra of the All Music Guide praised the Australian release, and described the song as a "stunning pop masterpiece"[3], while Darryl Sterdan, writing for Jam! Showbiz, noted the song's "instantly addictive horn lines" [4]. Anthony DeCurtis for Rolling Stone also remarked upon the horn sample, and noted the contribution of Jay-Z, writing: "'Crazy in Love' ... roars out of the speakers on the strength of a propulsive horn sample and the charged presence of her pal, Jay-Z." [5]. Reviewing Dangerously in Love, Sam Smallman of Playlouder wrote: "'Crazy In Love' ... kick starts the album, and it is well chosen — the track is blatantly huge, a proper club banger, and a fine showcase for Jay-Z's new, more melodic flow" [6]. Whudat.com commented on the song's role as a club track, and noted that it was "the '1AM' track in the clubs"; it also gave it a rating of "90/100 degrees". [7]
The song also attracted some negative reviews, such as that of Marc Anthony Neil of Popmatters who called the song, "R&B on crack", and noted: "it's just some other shit and it don't let up" [8]. Bunny Hopkins of Bunny on a Stick criticized the song's music video, writing: "If I wanted to watch a fashion show, I'd watch my local cable channel's high school prom preview". She further criticized Beyoncé with the comment: "She’s unnecessarily trampy in this video, especially when she's spontaneously performing stripper moves on the sidewalk" [9].
The British magazine New Musical Express provided the single with the highest praise they could offer by voting it the best single release of the year, in their end of year review of 2003. [10]
Music video
For the "Crazy in Love" music video, Beyoncé enlisted the services of the director Jake Nava, who was a relative newcomer as a music-video director. Although the video is relatively plotless, its choreography, cinematography, and extravagant production values brought it recognition as one of the best videos of the year.
The opening scene begins with Beyoncé wearing a tanktop, shorts, and red high-heels performing an elaborate solo dance. The scene shifts to a gold set detailing a mock photo shoot, before moving into a scene with dancers detailing Beyoncé and dancing against a wall while wearing caps and full length pants. In a controversial sequence, the video then shifts into its next scene, which shows a helpless Beyoncé struggling inside a car. She is apparently unaware that there is a trail of gasoline outside of the car, which Jay-Z ignites, causing the car to explode.
Beyoncé is not hurt, and is next seen dancing to Jay-Z's rap in an exotic silk print over a fur coat, before kicking open a fire hydrant and dancing in the resulting sprays of water. The video ends with Beyoncé and her dancers in front of a giant fan in vibrant dresses in contrast to the more neutral colors of the background.
The video was named as one of the top twelve videos of the year by Reel Images Magazine, and won several awards, with its success promoting the directing career of Jake Nava. Because of the grand scale of the music video, a behind-the-scenes film of the video was produced, and was released on the DVD single of the song.
Awards
By 2005 the digital downloads of "Crazy in Love", counting sales of the original version and the remixes of the song, known as "Krazy in Luv", had sold over 100,000 copies. As a result of this, the song was awarded the gold single certification by the RIAA for sales of at least 100,000 digital downloads. It has also been recognized by Beyoncé's peers in the urban markets, and won the award for Best Collaboration at the BET Awards in 2004. Vibe magazine's "Vibe Awards" also recognized the song for "Coolest Collabo" in their 2003 ceremony.
Beyoncé was nominated for three Grammy Awards for "Crazy in Love" at the 2004 ceremony, in the categories of Record of the Year, Best R&B Song and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration, winning in the categories of "Best R&B Song" and "Best Rap/Sung Collaboration". The award for "Record of the Year" was won by Coldplay's "Clocks". A remix of "Crazy in Love" known as "Krazy in Luv (Maurice's Soul Nu Mix)" won the Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical, with the award given only to the song's remixer, Maurice Joshua).
The music video of the song won acclaim from both Amercian and international video awarding-committees. It was nominated for four 2003 MTV Video Music Awards in the categories of Best Female Video, Best R&B Video, Best Choreography, and Viewer's Choice. It won the awards for "Best Female Video", "Best R&B Video", and "Best Choreography", but the "Viewer's Choice" award was won by Good Charlotte for their single, "Lifestyles of the Rich and the Famous". In Europe, the "Crazy in Love" video won the award for "Best Song" at the 2004 MTV Europe Music Awards.
Music charts
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | "Crazy in Love" | U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | #1 (8 weeks) |
| 2003 | "Crazy in Love" | U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Singles Sales | #11 |
| 2003 | "Crazy in Love" | U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Airplay | #1 |
| 2003 | "Crazy in Love" | U.S. R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks | #1 |
| 2003 | "Crazy in Love" | U.S. R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Sales | #4 |
| 2003 | "Crazy in Love" | U.S. R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay | #1 |
| 2003 | "Crazy in Love" | U.S. Hot Dance Singles Sales | #4 |
| 2003 | "Crazy in Love" | U.S. Hot Dance Music/Club Play | #1 |
| 2003 | "Crazy in Love" | U.S. Dance Radio Airplay | #7 |
| 2003 | "Crazy in Love" | U.S. Hot Digital Tracks | #1 |
| 2003 | "Crazy in Love" | U.S. Top 40 Tracks | #1 |
| 2003 | "Crazy in Love" | U.S. Top 40 Mainstream | #1 |
| 2003 | "Crazy in Love" | U.S. Rhythmic Top 40 | #1 |
| 2003 | "Crazy in Love" | U.S. Adult Top 40 | #29 |
| 2003 | "Crazy in Love" | U.K. Singles Chart (The Official UK Charts Company) | #1 (3 weeks) |
| 2003 | "Crazy in Love" | Australian Singles Chart (ARIA) | #3 |
| 2003 | "Crazy in Love" | Canadian Singles Chart | #1 (2 weeks) |
| 2003 | "Crazy in Love" | New Zealand Singles Chart (RIANZ) | #3 |
| 2003 | "Crazy in Love" | Greece Top 20 | #3 |
| 2003 | "Crazy in Love" | Dutch Top 40 | #2 |
| 2003 | "Crazy in Love" | German Singles Chart | #6 |
| 2003 | "Crazy in Love" | France Singles Chart | #21 |
| 2003 | "Crazy in Love" | Ireland Top 20 | #1 (4 Weeks) |
| 2003 | "Crazy in Love" | Italy Singles Chart | #5 |
| 2003 | "Crazy in Love" | Taiwan Top 10 | #1 |
| 2003 | "Crazy in Love" | Spain Singles Chart | #2 |
| 2003 | "Crazy in Love" | Sweden Top 40 | #4 |
| 2003 | "Crazy in Love" | Norway Top 20 | #5 |
| 2003 | "Crazy in Love" | Chile Top 20 | #1 |
| 2003 | "Crazy in Love" | World Music Chart | #1 (5 Weeks) |
| 2003 | "Crazy in Love" | World Singles Official Top 100 (Sale Based) | #1 (10 Weeks) |
| 2003 | "Crazy in Love" | Europe Official Top 100 | #1 (4 Weeks) |
| 2003 | "Crazy in Love" | Airplay World Official Top 100 | #1 (8 Weeks) |
| 2003 | "Crazy in Love" | Internet Sales/Downloads | #1 (11 Weeks) |
| 2003 | "Crazy in Love" | World Dance/Trance Top 30 | #1 |
| 2003 | "Crazy in Love" | Muchmusic Top 30 (Canada Music TV) | #1 (2 Weeks) |
| 2003 | "Crazy in Love" | World Adult Top 20 | #1 (6 Weeks) |
- See also History of the single "Crazy in Love" by Beyonce feat. Jay-Z. for chart information relating to other countries.
- The official Canadian singles chart is based on sales only, while Top40-charts.com counts both sales and airplay.
Official remixes/versions
- "Crazy in Love" (album version) featuring Jay-Z
- "Crazy in Love" (album version) featuring Vaness Wu
- "Crazy in Love" (instrumental)
- "Crazy in Love" (live) (edited performance from Live at Wembley)
- "Krazy in Luv" (Junior's Dance Radio Mix)
- "Krazy in Luv" (Maurice’s Nu Soul Remix)
- "Krazy in Luv" (Adam 12 So Crazy Remix)
- "Krazy in Luv" (Rockwilder Remix)
- "Krazy in Luv" (Rockwilder Remix Instrumental) (on 12" vinyl only)
- "Krazy in Luv" (Lego's Poontin Muzik Dub) (on 12" vinyl only)
Samples
- The intro of "Crazy in Love" stresses a sample of the song, "Are You My Woman" (which is looped throughout).
- Beyoncé singing the hook of "Crazy in Love".
- Jay-Z performing his guest rap on "Crazy in Love".
References
- "Crazy in Love" (DVD single) — Beyoncé explains the making of the video.
- Live at Wembley (DVD/CD) — Beyoncé explains the risks she took by making this song her first single.
- MTV.com— Rich Harrison talks about the creation of "Crazy in Love".
- The Billboard Book of Number One Hits (written by Fred Bronson) — more information on the creation of "Crazy in Love"