Musically, "Flawless" consists of two parts – "Bow Down" and "Flawless", divided by a speech titled "We Should All Be Feminists" delivered by Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie at a TEDxEuston conference. It is a trap-influenced song, with a dirty groove and a clattering beat. After being released as a radio single, the song peaked at number 41 on the Billboard Hot 100, in addition to charting on several of the magazine's component charts.
On March 17, 2013, Beyoncé released an audio track titled "Bow Down / I Been On" as well as a picture of herself as a child standing in a roomful of trophies on her official website. Hit-Boy produced the first half of the track, "Bow Down", while the second half, "I Been On", was produced by Timbaland. A sample of "I Been On" was also prominently used in an advertisement for O2 and The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour in February 2013. The release "shocked fans and fellow singers alike", as the song caused some controversy over its lyrical content. Kyle Anderson of Entertainment Weekly commented that Beyoncé seemed "to be attacking straw women a generation behind her who dismiss her as little more than Jay-Z's wife. The song was criticized by Rush Limbaugh and Keyshia Cole, among others.
In December 2013, Beyoncé explained the idea behind "Bow Down" on iTunes Radio: "The reason I put out 'Bow Down' is because I woke up, I went into the studio, I had a chant in my head, it was aggressive, it was angry, it wasn't the Beyoncé that wakes up every morning. It was the Beyoncé that was angry. It was the Beyoncé that felt the need to defend herself. And if the song never comes out…OK! I said it! And I listened to it after I finished, and I said, This is hot! I'mma put it out. I'm not going to sell it. I'm just going to put it out. People like it, great; they don't, they don't. And I won't do it every day because that's not who I am. But I feel strong. And anyone that says, 'Oh that is disrespectful,' just imagine the person that hates you. Imagine a person that doesn't believe in you. And look in the mirror and say, 'Bow down, bitch' and I guarantee you feel gangsta! So listen to the song from that point of view again if you didn't like it before."
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie praised the song, stating that she "likes the idea that Beyonce's song might make girls feel that they can ask to try to do these things" and further said "I have had young people in Nigeria who probably would have never heard of my TED talk without Beyonce and who are now talking about feminism."
***Flawless
Beyoncé Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Welcome, Beyoncé, Lativia, Nina, Nicky, Kelly and Ashley
The hip hop rappin' Girls' TYME"
I'm out that H, town coming coming down
I'm coming down, drippin' candy on the ground
H, Town, Town, I'm coming down, coming down
Drippin' candy on the ground
I know when you were little girls
You dreamt of being in my world
Don't forget it, don't forget it
Respect that, bow down, bitches
I took some time to live my life
But don't think I'm just his little wife
Don't get it twisted, get it twisted
This my shit, bow down, bitches
Bow down, bitches, bow bow down, bitches (crown)
Bow down, bitches, bow bow down, bitches (crown)
H Town, vicious
H, H Town, vicious
I'm so crown crown, bow down, bitches
I'm about that H, town, coming coming down
I'm coming down, drippin' candy on the ground
H, Town, Town, I'm coming down, coming down
Drippin' candy on the ground
We teach girls to shrink themselves
To make themselves smaller
We say to girls
"You can have ambition
But not too much
You should aim to be successful
But not too successful
Otherwise you will threaten the man"
Because I am female
I am expected to aspire to marriage
I am expected to make my life choices
Always keeping in mind that
Marriage is the most important
Now marriage can be a source of
Joy and love and mutual support
But why do we teach girls to aspire to marriage
And we don't teach boys the same?
We raise girls to see each other as competitors
Not for jobs or for accomplishments
Which I think can be a good thing
But for the attention of men
We teach girls that they cannot be sexual beings
In the way that boys are
Feminist: the person who believes in the social
Political, and economic equality of the sexes
You wake up, flawless
Post up, flawless
Ridin' round in it, flawless
Flossin on that, flawless
This diamond, flawless
My diamond, flawless
This rock, flawless
My rock, flawless
I woke up like this
I woke up like this
We flawless, ladies tell 'em
I woke up like this
I woke up like this
We flawless, ladies tell 'em
Say I, look so good tonight
God damn, God damn
Say I, look so good tonight
God damn, God damn
Mama taught me good home training
My Daddy taught me how to love my haters
My sister told me I should speak my mind
My man made me feel so God damn fine
You wake up, flawless
Post up, flawless
Ridin' round in it, flawless
Flossin on that, flawless
This diamond, flawless
My diamond, flawless
This rock, flawless
My Roc, flawless
I woke up like this
I woke up like this
We flawless, ladies tell 'em
I woke up like this
I woke up like this
We flawless, ladies tell 'em
Say I, look so good tonight
God damn, God damn
Say I, look so good tonight
God damn, God damn, God damn
The judges give champion Skeleton Crew four stars!
A perfect score, the challenger, Girls' TYME, receives three stars!
Skeleton Crew, champions once again
Congratulations, we'll see you next week
In the opening lines of 'Flawless', Beyoncé introduces the world to her former girl group – 'Girls' TYME' – while also paying tribute to her roots in Houston, which is often referred to as 'H-Town'. She asserts her dominance as an artist and leader by referencing her group in the past tense and showcasing her solo career by singing iconic lines such as "I'm coming down, drippin' candy on the ground". Beyoncé delivers an inspiring message of feminism by demanding respect from her listeners with the lyrics, "This my shit, bow down, bitches" and "We teach girls to shrink themselves." She also highlights the double standards between men and women, particularly when it comes to marriage and sexuality. Finally, she brings the song full circle by incorporating audio from a televised talent competition that her former group competed in.
Line by Line Meaning
Your challengers are a young group from Houston
The opposing group in this particular competition are a collection of teens from Houston with their own aspirations and talents.
Welcome, Beyoncé, Lativia, Nina, Nicky, Kelly and Ashley
The team competing in the event consists of Beyoncé and five other people who all possess different skills and abilities linked to music and performance.
The hip hop rappin' Girls' TYME
The Girls' TYME group were confident and capable R&B & Hip-Hop performers who were interested in pursuing their career in music.
I'm out that H, town coming coming down
I'm coming down, drippin' candy on the ground
H, Town, Town, I'm coming down, coming down
Drippin' candy on the ground
Beyoncé is returning to her hometown of Houston and the excitement of reuniting with it is reflected in the confident way she walks, moves and dances
I know when you were little girls
You dreamt of being in my world
Don't forget it, don't forget it
Respect that, bow down, bitches
Beyoncé was aware that the Girls' TYME group probably looked up to her when they were younger and hoped to one day showcase their talents on a stage similar to hers. Beyoncé is aware of the impact she has had and commands respect for the same.
I took some time to live my life
But don't think I'm just his little wife
Don't get it twisted, get it twisted
This my shit, bow down, bitches
Beyoncé took some time for herself, but that didn't make her less committed to her craft or allow people to underestimate her abilities.
Bow down, bitches, bow bow down, bitches (crown)
Bow down, bitches, bow bow down, bitches (crown)
H Town, vicious
H, H Town, vicious
I'm so crown crown, bow down, bitches
Beyoncé is the queen of Houston and the rapper of her day, and the rest ought to bow down to and recognize it.
We teach girls to shrink themselves
To make themselves smaller
We say to girls
"You can have ambition
But not too much
You should aim to be successful
But not too successful
Otherwise you will threaten the man"
Because I am female
I am expected to aspire to marriage
I am expected to make my life choices
Always keeping in mind that
Marriage is the most important
Now marriage can be a source of
Joy and love and mutual support
But why do we teach girls to aspire to marriage
And we don't teach boys the same?
We raise girls to see each other as competitors
Not for jobs or for accomplishments
Which I think can be a good thing
But for the attention of men
We teach girls that they cannot be sexual beings
In the way that boys are
Feminist: the person who believes in the social
Political, and economic equality of the sexes
Girls are trained to be smaller, nurture more modest ambitions, and avoid appearing overtly competent in order to prevent males from feeling vulnerable. Girls are also conditioned to prize and prioritize marriage beyond all other possibilities. Additionally, girls are admonished for displaying signs of sexual agency in the same way that boys are celebrated for it. An avowed feminist would desire to promote social, political, and economic equity irrespective of gender roles.
You wake up, flawless
Post up, flawless
Ridin' round in it, flawless
Flossin on that, flawless
This diamond, flawless
My diamond, flawless
This rock, flawless
My rock, flawless
I woke up like this
I woke up like this
We flawless, ladies tell 'em
I woke up like this
I woke up like this
We flawless, ladies tell 'em
Say I, look so good tonight
God damn, God damn
Say I, look so good tonight
God damn, God damn
Beyoncé has laid out several facts here. A big diamond ring, a stylish car, etc. And yet she acknowledges that she can take credit for these successes because she has woken up like this, just as naturally pretty as the person she is intrinsically. Her femininity is in of itself a success story on which girls can model themselves.
Mama taught me good home training
My Daddy taught me how to love my haters
My sister told me I should speak my mind
My man made me feel so God damn fine
Beyoncé was raised right with positive values and learned to treat everyone respectfully. She also has a supportive partner who makes her feel good about herself.
The judges give champion Skeleton Crew four stars!
A perfect score, the challenger, Girls' TYME, receives three stars!
Skeleton Crew, champions once again
Congratulations, we'll see you next week
The judges have rated the Skeleton crew as the better group, granting them higher points, while the Girls' TYME crew received lower points even after putting up a good fight. Beyoncé congratulates the contested winners.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Raymond Deandre Martin, Rashad Muhammad, Chauncey Alexander Hollis, Terius Nash, Beyonce Knowles
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mateniathomo1002
spread these words!
We teach girls to shrink themselves
To make themselves smaller
We say to girls
"You can have ambition
But not too much
You should aim to be successful
But not too successful
Otherwise you will threaten the man"
Because I am female
I am expected to aspire to marriage
I am expected to make my life choices
Always keeping in mind that
Marriage is the most important
Now marriage can be a source of
Joy and love and mutual support
But why do we teach girls to aspire to marriage
And we don't teach boys the same?
We raise girls to see each other as competitors
Not for jobs or for accomplishments
Which I think can be a good thing
But for the attention of men
We teach girls that they cannot be sexual beings
In the way that boys are
Feminist: the person who believes in the social
Political, and economic equality of the sexes
@Masechaba
We teach girls to shrink themselves
To make themselves smaller
We say to girls
"You can have ambition
But not too much
You should aim to be successful
But not too successful
Otherwise you will threaten the man"
Because I am female
I am expected to aspire to marriage
I am expected to make my life choices
Always keeping in mind that
Marriage is the most important
Now marriage can be a source of
Joy and love and mutual support
But why do we teach girls to aspire to marriage
And we don't teach boys the same?
We raise girls to each other as competitors
Not for jobs or for accomplishments
Which I think can be a good thing
But for the attention of men
We teach girls that they cannot be sexual beings
In the way that boys are
Feminist: the person who believes in the social
Political, and economic equality of the sexes
@sndn7068
We teach girls to shrink themselves“
To make themselves smaller
We say to girls
You can have ambition”
But not too much
You should aim to be successful
But not too successful
”Otherwise you will threaten the man
Because I am female
I am expected to aspire to marriage
I am expected to make my life choices
Always keeping in mind that
Marriage is the most important
Now marriage can be a source of
Joy and love and mutual suppor
But why do we teach to aspire to marriage
?and we don’t teach boys the same
We raise girls to see each other as competitors
Not for jobs or for accomplishments
Which I think can be a good thing
But for the attention of men
We teach girls that they cannot be sexual beings
In the way that boys are
Feminist: the person who believes in the social
Political and economic equality of the sexes”
(Featuring Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche)
HAPPY WOMEN'S DAY (Two days late)
@Ana-kz5fv
"We teach girls to shrink themselves
To make themselves smaller
We say to girls, you can have ambition
But not too much
You should aim to be successful but not too successful
Otherwise you will threaten the man
Because I am female
I am expected to aspire to marriage
I'm expected to make my life choices
Always keeping in mind
That marriage is the most important
Marriage can be a source of joy and love and mutual support
But why do we teach girls to aspire to marriage
And we don't teach boys the same
We raise girls to see each other as competitors
Not for jobs or accomplishments
Which I think can be a good thing
But for the attention of men
We teach girls that they cannot be sexual beings
In the way that boys are
Feminist, a person who believes in the social
Political and economic equality of the sexes."
@grod805
I love how she looks psycho crazy, scary, sexy, dark, flirty, intimidating. All at the same time in this video.
@kathleenreid1183
Yesssss!
@User-uq1pj
She’s amazing
@margarettreacy259
Cos she got a Scorpio moon in her birth chart 😁 I'm a Scorpio So I know 🥰😁🔥💋
@jamariondavis2550
Harmony 😤
@philapholisangozi6363
She straight up resemble her sister a lot in this video.
@mnaii6343
We teach girls to shrink themselves to make themselves smaller. We say to girls, ‘You can have ambition but not too much. You should aim to be successful but not too successful otherwise you will threaten the man.’ Because I am female I am expected to aspire to marriage. I am expected to make my life choices always keeping in mind that marriage is the most important. A marriage can be a source of joy and love and mutual support, but why do we teach girls to aspire to marriage and we don’t teach boys the same? We raise girls to see each other as competitors, not for jobs or for accomplishments, which I think can be a good thing, but for the attention of men. We teach girls that they can not be sexual beings in the way that boys are. Feminist: A person who believes in the social, political and economic equality of the sexes.
@thequintessential5503
that was a funny joke
@dammitrachel6405
+The Conrad like yourself?
@thequintessential5503
No like your dad