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Summertime (Beyoncé song)

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"Summertime"
Song
A-side"Crazy in Love"

"Summertime" is a song by American R&B singer Beyoncé Knowles that features American rap artist P. Diddy. It was composed by Knowles, Angela Beyincé, Sean Combs, Steven "Steven J." Jordan, Adonis Shropshire, Varick "Smitty" Smith, and Mario Winans. The song was later remixed with rapper Ghostface Killah. "Summertime" was included on the soundtrack album for the movie, The Fighting Temptations (2003), in which Knowles played the leading female role. The song was also released as a B-side to "Crazy in Love" in the United Kingdom and Australia while it was serviced as a 12" Vinyl Single in the United States through Columbia Records.

"Summertime" is an R&B song which lyrically refers to falling in love. Music critics generally complimented the vocals of Knowles on the song and considered that it could have been included on her debut studio album, Dangerously in Love (2003). The song charted on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in late 2003. The original version featuring P. Diddy and remix version featuring Ghostface peaked at number thirty-five and at number fifty-one respectively on the chart. Both versions charted for forty consecutive weeks. "Summertime" was a part of Knowles' set list on her tours, including the Verizon Ladies First Tour and her first solo tour Dangerously in Love Tour.

Context

The song has two different themes. It primarily talks about the romance and later marriage between the film's two main characters Darrin (played by Cuba Gooding Jr.) and Lilly (played by Knowles), as well as subtly hinting at Knowles' real-life relationship with rapper Jay-Z.[2]

Allusions to the film

Darrin, a shallow New York advertising executive, traveled to a small town in the deep south upon receiving word that his aunt has passed away and left him a sizable inheritance. Once in town, Darrin is informed that he will only receive the money if he successfully leads a local gospel group to victory at an upcoming competition.[2] Reluctant but strapped for cash, Darrin takes on the task of finding the best singers in town and shaping the group up. Along the way, he becomes acclimated to the town with the help of his cousin Lucius (played by Mike Epps) and meets Lilly, a single mother who not only possesses an incredible voice but also the ability to warm Darrin's cold heart.[2] Although Gooding's character, Darrin, was in love with Knowles' character, Lilly, the latter did not always feel the same until later on in the film.[2] Near the end of the film, he proposes to her and she accepts. They eventually get married (offscreen) and within eighteen months they had a baby son together, making Darrin a father and also stepfather to Lilly's other son.[2]

Background and composition

"Summertime" was the only song which appeared on the soundtrack album of The Fighting Temptations but not in the movie itself.[3] As a whole, seven tracks featured the vocals of Knowles.[2] The latter has a starring role in the film, along with a choir made up of gospel, R&B and hip-hop recording artists. Faith Evans, Angie Stone, Melba Moore, Rev. Shirley Caesar, The O'Jays, Montell Jordan, T-Bone, and Zane are all seen on the film and perform on the soundtrack.[3]

"Summertime" sees songwriting duties from Knowles, Angela Beyincé, Sean Combs, Steven "Steven J." Jordan, Adonis Shropshire, Varick "Smitty" Smith as well as Mario Winans and utilizes production from Winans alongside P. Diddy.[4] According to Tim Sendra of Allmusic, "Summertime is an R&B-"sweet love song" with lush sampled strings and acoustic guitars.[5][6] The lyrics of the song do not reveal the film's plot but it does tell that it has been a year since Darrin and Lilly met and they have gotten closer which could possibly be referring to their marriage.[2] According to Dani Boobyer of the United Kingdom-based website, The Situation, its lyrics make reference to "failing in love in the summer sun."[5]

Release

During a string of soundtrack releases, Knowles commented on the song with Billboard stating, "A lot of music was written especially for the film. At first I was concerned about the timing of the soundtrack, [because] my solo album was supposed to come out way before the movie. But then the solo album got delayed."[7] While later announcing the release of the soundtrack album in a press release, Knowles said:

"Once you hear the song ['Fighting Temptation'], and all the music in this film, you can't help but fall in love with it. You'll definitely get emotional. You might become happy or even sad, but your heart will get full. All the songs are touching and spiritual, and that's what the movie itself is like."[3]

"Summertime" was serviced as a 12" Vinyl Single in the United States through Columbia Records on October 23, 2003.[8] The song also served as the B-side to Knowles' 2003 smash hit debut lead single "Crazy in Love" in the United Kingdom[9] and Australia.[6] "Summertime" was additionally included on Knowles' 2005 mixtape, Speak My Mind.[10] The song has been referenced in Rochelle Alers's short-story "Summer Madness" in the anthology Four Degrees of Heat (2004-07).[7]

Reception

In a summer issue of Vibe, the song was included on a list of the top songs for a summer playlist.[11] Research director, Laura Checkoway reviewed the remix of the track stating, "Ghost's game is tight."[11] In an Amazon.com editorial review, Tom Keogh stated that the song "proves a breezy dance number."[12] Tim Sendra of Allmusic wrote that "Summertime" features "a wonderful vocal from Beyoncé." He also considered that it would have made a perfect addition to her debut solo studio album, Dangerously in Love (2003).[6] Dani Boobyer of The Situation (UK), commented that the song is infectious and that it ends the soundtrack album "on a smooth, laid-back high."[5] Both the original version featuring P. Diddy and remix version featuring Ghostface charted for forty weeks on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks.[7][13] During the week of August 16, 2003 the remix of the song featuring Ghostface charted and peaked at number fifty-one.[13] During the week of September 20, 2003 the original version of the song charted at number thirty-five.[13]

Live performances

Although Knowles did not perform the song in any televised appearances, the song was a part of her set list on her tours. During the Verizon Ladies First Tour which also featured Alicia Keys, Missy Elliott and Tamia, Knowles performed "Summertime" in New York in front of more than 20,000 fans.[14] Shaheem Reid of MTV News commented that Knowles stepped in the name of love during the breakdown of the song.[14] Knowles also sung "Summertime" on her first solo tour Dangerously in Love Tour at the Wembley Arena in London, England.[15] Knowles performed the song in a yellow summer-dress that was bedazzled in rhinestones across the upper breast area and around the bottom of the dress.[16] The song, alongside its live version, was included on a live DVD/CD titled Beyoncé: Live at Wembley.[17] "Summertime" serves as the twelfth track of the live DVD.[18] A performance of the remix of the song was included on the Jay-Z documentary Fade to Black, which features Knowles performing with Ghostface Killah.[19]

Track listing and formats

  • US 12" Vinyl Single[8]
  1. "Summertime" (Album Version featuring P. Diddy) – 3:53
  2. "Summertime" (Album Version Instrumental) - 3:34
  3. "Summertime" (A Capella featuring P.Diddy) - 2:59
  4. "Summertime" (Remix featuring Ghostface Killah) - 4:04
  5. "Summertime" (Remix Instrumental) - 3:34
  6. "Summertime" (A Capella featuring Ghostface Killah) - 3:08

Charts

Chart (2003) Peak
position
Original feat. P. Diddy
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[13] 35
Remix feat. Ghostface Killah
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[13] 51

References

  1. ^ "Summertime | Beyoncé | Album". MTV. MTV Networks. Retrieved March 20, 2011.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Matthew Tobey. "The Fighting Temptations". Allmovie. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved March 20, 2011. Cite error: The named reference "aball" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b c Rebecca Murray. "'The Fighting Temptations (Music From The Motion Picture)' News". About.com. The New York Times Company. Retrieved March 20, 2011.
  4. ^ The Fighting Temptations (Media notes). Columbia Records. 2003.
  5. ^ a b c Dani Boobyer (September 9, 2003). "The Fighting Temptations : Soundtrack". The Situation (United Kingdom). Retrieved March 20, 2011.
  6. ^ a b c Sandra, Tim. "Review: Crazy in Love (Australia CD)". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved March 20, 2011. {{cite web}}: More than one of |author= and |last= specified (help)
  7. ^ a b c "Beyoncé Tempts Fans With More Movie Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. October 11, 2003. p. 20. Retrieved March 20, 2011. Cite error: The named reference "google1" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  8. ^ a b "Summertime US 12" Vinyl". EIL. Retrieved March 20, 2011.
  9. ^ "iTunes Store - Beyoncé - Crazy in Love - EP". Itunes UK. Apple Inc.. Retrieved March 20, 2011.
  10. ^ Speak My Mind at AllMusic. Retrieved March 20, 2011.
  11. ^ a b "Vibe Raters - Check Out The Staff's Summer Playlist". Vibe (magazine). InterMedia Partners. July 31, 2005. p. 26. Retrieved 2011-01-29.
  12. ^ "Beyonce - Live at Wembley (DVD with Bonus CD) (Jewel Case): Beyonc, Beyonc Knowles: Movies & TV". Amazon US. Amazon Inc. Retrieved March 20, 2011.
  13. ^ a b c d e "Beyonce Album & Song Chart History". Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs for Beyonce. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved March 20, 2011. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  14. ^ a b Shaheem Reid (April 13, 2004). "First Among Equals: Beyonce Steals The Show At Ladies First". MTV News. MTV Networks. Retrieved February 12, 2011.
  15. ^ "Beyoncé - Freakum Dress". Nuts (magazine) (United Kingdom). IPC Media. Retrieved March 20, 2011. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  16. ^ "Beyonce Summertime". MTV. MTV Networks. Retrieved March 20, 2011.
  17. ^ "Sony Music Online Japan : ビヨンセ : ライヴ・アット・ウェンブリー（初回仕様限定盤）" (in Japanese). Sony Music (Japan). Retrieved March 20, 2011.
  18. ^ "Sony Music Online Japan : ビヨンセ" (in Japanese). Sony Music (Japan). Retrieved March 20, 2011.
  19. ^ Mark Deming. "Fade to Black". AllMovie. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved March 20, 2011.
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