The lead single, "Girls (Who Run The World)", was a putrid nightmare, one of the worst songs in her repertoire. Her howling, oversinging is unintentionally amusing. Can't she afford private singing lessons?

Identity said:

The lead single, "Girls (Who Run The World)", was a putrid nightmare, one of the worst songs in her repertoire. Her howling, oversinging is unintentionally amusing. Can't she afford private singing lessons?

She doesn't even look like herself in the video and the song is terrible. When I watch it, I almost feel like she's trying to brainwash me or something

It's a good album with a much more mature, retro R&B sound. I'm not surprised it hasn't sold as well as "Sasha Fierce" - there aren't any singles nearly as commercial as the likes of "Single Ladies", "Halo" or "If I Was a Boy". This album wasn't ever gonna match "Sasha Fierce" from a sales perspective.

That said, it's still been quite successful. I'm sure many artists would kill to have the #7 album of the year in overall sales, and the #1 R&B album of the year. Not too shabby.

I do think the lead single was a huge fiasco, though. "Run the World" was a miscalculation. It shouldn't have been on the album at all, let alone as the first single. "Countdown" or "Love on Top" would have both made stellar debut singles.

Bottom line is that anybody who has a career that lasts longer than 1 or 2 albums is going to have waxing and waning success as far as album sales, and by no means is "4" a flop or a kind of disaster that would potentially harm Beyonce's career long-term. It makes sense for her, as she starts to get older, to go for a more mature vibe, rather than try to just regurgitate whatever the popular trends are. "4" was a risky album in a lot of ways, and overall it's done fairly well, all things considered.

[Edited 12/7/11 8:40am]

NoVideo said:

It's a good album with a much more mature, retro R&B sound. I'm not surprised it hasn't sold as well as "Sasha Fierce" - there aren't any singles nearly as commercial as the likes of "Single Ladies", "Halo" or "If I Was a Boy". This album wasn't ever gonna match "Sasha Fierce" from a sales perspective.

That said, it's still been quite successful. I'm sure many artists would kill to have the #7 album of the year in overall sales, and the #1 R&B album of the year. Not too shabby.

I do think the lead single was a huge fiasco, though. "Run the World" was a miscalculation. It shouldn't have been on the album at all, let alone as the first single. "Countdown" or "Love on Top" would have both made stellar debut singles.

Bottom line is that anybody who has a career that lasts longer than 1 or 2 albums is going to have waxing and waning success as far as album sales, and by no means is "4" a flop or a kind of disaster that would potentially harm Beyonce's career long-term. It makes sense for her, as she starts to get older, to go for a more mature vibe, rather than try to just regurgitate whatever the popular trends are. "4" was a risky album in a lot of ways, and overall it's done fairly well, all things considered.

[Edited 12/7/11 8:40am]

I really appreciate what she was trying to re-capture but I also think she was trying too hard that I just couldn't buy it at first.

NoVideo said:

It's a good album with a much more mature, retro R&B sound. I'm not surprised it hasn't sold as well as "Sasha Fierce" - there aren't any singles nearly as commercial as the likes of "Single Ladies", "Halo" or "If I Was a Boy". This album wasn't ever gonna match "Sasha Fierce" from a sales perspective.

That said, it's still been quite successful. I'm sure many artists would kill to have the #7 album of the year in overall sales, and the #1 R&B album of the year. Not too shabby.

I do think the lead single was a huge fiasco, though. "Run the World" was a miscalculation. It shouldn't have been on the album at all, let alone as the first single. "Countdown" or "Love on Top" would have both made stellar debut singles.

Bottom line is that anybody who has a career that lasts longer than 1 or 2 albums is going to have waxing and waning success as far as album sales, and by no means is "4" a flop or a kind of disaster that would potentially harm Beyonce's career long-term. It makes sense for her, as she starts to get older, to go for a more mature vibe, rather than try to just regurgitate whatever the popular trends are. "4" was a risky album in a lot of ways, and overall it's done fairly well, all things considered.

[Edited 12/7/11 8:40am]

Fully agree. I've said this every since I first heard that song. Miscalculation indeed. Maybe she'll look at that as a learning experience. But as far her career being over and such, nah. beyonce will grow old in front of our eyes, like past entertainers of another generation.

SoulAlive said:

She made 7 music videos for this album?? Looks like she and her record label wasted alot of money

but that's what's so annoying about Beyonce.She goes overboard with the promotion,which is why so many people wish she would go away for awhile.

...

How can people not understand that she's doing so much so fast because she said years ago she was going to have kids at 30. She's pregnant, getting bigger and probably won't be doing anything after the birth. That's why so many videos so fast. I thought that was kind of obvious.

Well "so many people" ought to be pretty happy then, because I bet she stays on the low for at least a couple years with her youngin'.

Cerebus said:

SoulAlive said:

She made 7 music videos for this album?? Looks like she and her record label wasted alot of money

but that's what's so annoying about Beyonce.She goes overboard with the promotion,which is why so many people wish she would go away for awhile.

...

How can people not understand that she's doing so much so fast because she said years ago she was going to have kids at 30. She's pregnant, getting bigger and probably won't be doing anything after the birth. That's why so many videos so fast. I thought that was kind of obvious.

Well "so many people" ought to be pretty happy then, because I bet she stays on the low for at least a couple years with her youngin'.

Well I knew she wanted kids cause I am a casual fan that will read interviews time to time and have been to her shows, I just don't agree with the single choices and giving herself artist of the milennium, I was ready to support artist of the decade and was waiting for awards like that she was deserving of, kinda

Cerebus said:

SoulAlive said:

She made 7 music videos for this album?? Looks like she and her record label wasted alot of money

but that's what's so annoying about Beyonce.She goes overboard with the promotion,which is why so many people wish she would go away for awhile.

...

How can people not understand that she's doing so much so fast because she said years ago she was going to have kids at 30. She's pregnant, getting bigger and probably won't be doing anything after the birth. That's why so many videos so fast. I thought that was kind of obvious.

Well "so many people" ought to be pretty happy then, because I bet she stays on the low for at least a couple years with her youngin'.

Mariah Carey had twins and I didn't see her releasing 10 videos from her last album! Beyonce is in love with herself,that's the real reason for the excessive videos.

Identity said:

The lead single, "Girls (Who Run The World)", was a putrid nightmare, one of the worst songs in her repertoire. Her howling, oversinging is unintentionally amusing. Can't she afford private singing lessons?

that was the 'joke' song of 2011

RKJCNE said:

mjscarousal said:

SoulAlive said:

Cerebus said:

How can people not understand that she's doing so much so fast because she said years ago she was going to have kids at 30. She's pregnant, getting bigger and probably won't be doing anything after the birth. That's why so many videos so fast. I thought that was kind of obvious.

Well "so many people" ought to be pretty happy then, because I bet she stays on the low for at least a couple years with her youngin'.

Mariah Carey had twins and I didn't see her releasing 10 videos from her last album! Beyonce is in love with herself,that's the real reason for the excessive videos.

Come on, now. It's not unusual for artists to prepare videos for an entire album, it's been done many times by many different artists. Eurythmics did it for their "Savage" album, Prince pretty much did it for 'Symbol'... if I recall didn't Beyonce also do it for "Deja Vu"? I know there were a bunch of videos from that album. Even Tori did it for "Abnormally Attracted to Sin", although they were called "visuallettes" lol. Hasn't Janet Jackson done it as well? I seem to remember a home video for Rhythm Nation that had clips for all (or nearly all) the tracks. I'm sure there are many many others.

I think folks are trying to latch onto anything they can to get a dig in at Beyonce. Not sure why she bothers ya so much She's a talented entertainer. I like a lot of her stuff, and my appreciation for her has grown since I saw her live. Truly a fun, entertaining show.

[Edited 12/7/11 10:37am]

SoulAlive said:

Cerebus said:

How can people not understand that she's doing so much so fast because she said years ago she was going to have kids at 30. She's pregnant, getting bigger and probably won't be doing anything after the birth. That's why so many videos so fast. I thought that was kind of obvious.

Well "so many people" ought to be pretty happy then, because I bet she stays on the low for at least a couple years with her youngin'.

Mariah Carey had twins and I didn't see her releasing 10 videos from her last album! Beyonce is in love with herself,that's the real reason for the excessive videos.

Mariah Carey hadn't just released a new album, either. And did you see Mariah's MTV Cribs? Ain't nobody more in love with Mariah than Mariah. Silly comments.

NoVideo said:

I think folks are trying to latch onto anything they can to get a dig in a Beyonce.

Mariah. Christina. Whoever. There's always someone starting a thread to loudly proclaim how an artists career is over because they alone don't like them. This thread is really pretty far gone, though, even for the org. Whatcha gonna do?

NoVideo said:

SoulAlive said:

Mariah Carey had twins and I didn't see her releasing 10 videos from her last album! Beyonce is in love with herself,that's the real reason for the excessive videos.

Come on, now. It's not unusual for artists to prepare videos for an entire album, it's been done many times by many different artists. Eurythmics did it for their "Savage" album, Prince pretty much did it for 'Symbol'... if I recall didn't Beyonce also do it for "Deja Vu"? I know there were a bunch of videos from that album. Even Tori did it for "Abnormally Attracted to Sin", although they were called "visuallettes" lol. Hasn't Janet Jackson done it as well? I seem to remember a home video for Rhythm Nation that had clips for all (or nearly all) the tracks. I'm sure there are many many others.

I think folks are trying to latch onto anything they can to get a dig in a Beyonce. Not sure why she bothers ya so much She's a talented entertainer. I like a lot of her stuff, and my appreciate has grown since I saw her live. Truly a fun, entertaining show.

lol...GREAT for YOU that doesnt mean EVERYONE in the whole universe likes Beyonce or HAS to just because its the "popular" thing to do.

No one is "bothered" by her.. people feel their are MORE talented entertainers that make much better music (which they are) and that she is grossly overrated (which she is)... but like the constitution says its a free country you can like what ya like even if your limiting yourself to what America shoves in your face I rather not and I dont see anything wrong with people voicing their opinion on it.

mjscarousal said:

RKJCNE said:

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!

:gifattack:

Some of these song are trying to grow on me, but they're falling REAL short for some reason. The album is such a gumbo potluck mess. It really doesn't have much of a "flow", and it pushes and pulls in different directions. It kinda sounds like you're just listening to ideas for songs rather than songs themselves.

mjscarousal said:

NoVideo said:

Come on, now. It's not unusual for artists to prepare videos for an entire album, it's been done many times by many different artists. Eurythmics did it for their "Savage" album, Prince pretty much did it for 'Symbol'... if I recall didn't Beyonce also do it for "Deja Vu"? I know there were a bunch of videos from that album. Even Tori did it for "Abnormally Attracted to Sin", although they were called "visuallettes" lol. Hasn't Janet Jackson done it as well? I seem to remember a home video for Rhythm Nation that had clips for all (or nearly all) the tracks. I'm sure there are many many others.

I think folks are trying to latch onto anything they can to get a dig in a Beyonce. Not sure why she bothers ya so much She's a talented entertainer. I like a lot of her stuff, and my appreciate has grown since I saw her live. Truly a fun, entertaining show.

lol...GREAT for YOU that doesnt mean EVERYONE in the whole universe likes Beyonce or HAS to just because its the "popular" thing to do.

No one is "bothered" by her.. people feel their are MORE talented entertainers that make much better music (which they are) and that she is grossly overrated (which she is)... but like the constitution says its a free country you can like what ya like even if your limiting yourself to what America shoves in your face I rather not and I dont see anything wrong with people voicing their opinion on it.

By all means, voice your opinion!

mjscarousal said:

NoVideo said:

Come on, now. It's not unusual for artists to prepare videos for an entire album, it's been done many times by many different artists. Eurythmics did it for their "Savage" album, Prince pretty much did it for 'Symbol'... if I recall didn't Beyonce also do it for "Deja Vu"? I know there were a bunch of videos from that album. Even Tori did it for "Abnormally Attracted to Sin", although they were called "visuallettes" lol. Hasn't Janet Jackson done it as well? I seem to remember a home video for Rhythm Nation that had clips for all (or nearly all) the tracks. I'm sure there are many many others.

I think folks are trying to latch onto anything they can to get a dig in a Beyonce. Not sure why she bothers ya so much She's a talented entertainer. I like a lot of her stuff, and my appreciate has grown since I saw her live. Truly a fun, entertaining show.

lol...GREAT for YOU that doesnt mean EVERYONE in the whole universe likes Beyonce or HAS to just because its the "popular" thing to do.

No one is "bothered" by her.. people feel their are MORE talented entertainers that make much better music (which they are) and that she is grossly overrated (which she is)... but like the constitution says its a free country you can like what ya like even if your limiting yourself to what America shoves in your face I rather not and I dont see anything wrong with people voicing their opinion on it.

There's a lot of generalizations and personal opinions stated as facts in there. Jus' sayin'.

Regardless, is this thread really going to devolve into an argument about voicing said opinions? I mean, wasn't that what everyone has already peacefully been doing? And what does America shoving things in people faces have to do with Beyonce? America is sponsoring Beyonce. I don't get that angle at all.

Cerebus said:

mjscarousal said:

lol...GREAT for YOU that doesnt mean EVERYONE in the whole universe likes Beyonce or HAS to just because its the "popular" thing to do.

No one is "bothered" by her.. people feel their are MORE talented entertainers that make much better music (which they are) and that she is grossly overrated (which she is)... but like the constitution says its a free country you can like what ya like even if your limiting yourself to what America shoves in your face I rather not and I dont see anything wrong with people voicing their opinion on it.

There's a lot of generalizations and personal opinions stated as facts in there. Jus' sayin'.

Regardless, is this thread really going to devolve into an argument about voicing said opinions? I mean, wasn't that what everyone has already peacefully been doing? And what does America shoving things in people faces have to do with Beyonce? America is sponsoring Beyonce. I don't get that angle at all.

Of course.. but some are facts as well according to sources...

It seems for some reason anything involving this chick.. ANYTIME somone gives their objective criticism people starting moaing the same thing *not directed at you no voice* "Why are people bothered at Beyonce" OR " I dont get the Beyonce hate" as if EVERYONE is SUPPOSE to be a fan of her... I just dont understand that logic...some people just dont like her music, her singing and dont find her entertaining at all and for the people that do... thats GREAT lol but it seems people are always bashed for voicing their unpopular opinion on this girl... I dont understand it.

Whether you want to call it shoving or sponsering its technically the same thing and me personal I dont LIMIT myself to what AMERICA sponsers.. I dont listen to what AMERICA tells me to or what American PUSHES in my face... Beyonce is overexposed and you can use different words to describe that in whatever kind of angle you want... I just rather listen to artists who make good music, challenges their creativity, etc.. not music that is driven behind a commercial machine..which America doesnt sponsor but instead an image... if you like that... OKAY.. thats you.. doesnt mean everyone has to....thats just my 2cents.. and some nickels..

Terrib3Towel said:

ABeautifulOne said:

That's a lie. Check your Dangerously In Love facts...

Beyonce's Dangerously in love shipped about 4,688,000 in the U.S.

What do I win?

Or is that considered 5x platium?

You don't win a thing but I just find it interesting demerit an artist because they aren't your cup of tea.

fuck Beyonce.. Yeah I said it

lol You guys are so funny.

Though, is it surprising that she's experiencing a decline. All artists experience it at some point in their careers. It's about that time for her as well.

I don't think it's about her music being better or worse, just that crowd is getting younger and reaching out to the newer ones while the others are growing up and exploring other options. Well, I could be wrong...

Terrib3Towel said:

Beyonce's Dangerously in love shipped about 4,688,000 in the U.S.

What do I win?

Or is that considered 5x platium?

Shipped is not the same as scanned. Since the advent of SoundScan in the early nineties we are able to count the actual number of units sold, verses the bloated shipped number. I worked in record stores for a long time and I can also tell you that sales totals don't take into acount returns.

TonyVanDam said:

Paris9748430 said:

OK, so her album sold slightly less than her last album. I don't see that as anything other than her albums aren't selling as much as they used to. It happens to EVERYBODY!

And why is THAT^?

Take your time thinking about it, I'll wait. I'm looking forward to hear you try to justify Beyonce's musical setback.

Other musical artists? Bad album? People not interested anymore?

mjscarousal said:

Paris9748430 said:

Her 30th birthday. Most Pop Artists peak before they turn 30.

That is not true... *coughs* Janet Jackson (34), Michael Jackson (35-38) and Madonna (35)

She peaked way to early if you ask me which was techincally at (28)

[Edited 12/6/11 22:21pm]

Arguably Michael peaked from 21-25.

Sheesh.

[Edited 12/7/11 12:51pm]

Overhyped 4 sux badly, so it's not surprising that the sales are flat.

You know what? A few years ago, I would've agreed with the sentiments of how Beyonce's this and that, but now, I'm starting to believe that y'all just love to talk about her and her "failing sales". If sales don't matter to some of you, why come in here and celebrate because a woman only doing platinum. I would go further but typing any more than that is no longer an option here.

Timmy84 said:

You know what? A few years ago, I would've agreed with the sentiments of how Beyonce's this and that, but now, I'm starting to believe that y'all just love to talk about her and her "failing sales". If sales don't matter to some of you, why come in here and celebrate because a woman only doing platinum. I would go further but typing any more than that is no longer an option here.

This is where I ended up, too. I started to feel like I was feeding the sickness.

Each single she releases is better than the former, in my opinion. Run The World was rather mediocre, but I like the other two much more. I may end up buying a copy and contributing to her becoming successful again.