"Baby Boy" was released on October 14, 2003 in the United States as the second single from the album. The single was a commercial success, and topped the US Singles Chart for nine consecutive weeks. It was certified platinum in the US, and was Knowles' longest-running solo number-one single until Irreplaceable who topped for ten consecutive weeks . "Baby Boy" performed well internationally, reaching the top ten in many countries, and achieving platinum status in Australia. The song has been praised by both critics and music industry personnel. "Baby Boy" remains a staple of Knowles' concert set list. The American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers recognized it at the 2005 Pop Music Awards as one of the most performed songs of the year.
In 2005, US singer-songwriter Jennifer Armour filed a copyright infringement lawsuit claiming that Knowles had used the primary musical hook from her song "Got a Little Bit of Love for You". It was settled in favor of Knowles.
Background and writing
Knowles went to Miami, Florida in the United States to work with Canadian record producer Scott Storch for her debut solo album, Dangerously in Love. She and Storch wrote "Baby Boy" with contributions from American songwriter Robert Waller and Knowles' long-time boyfriend rapper-hip hop artist Jay-Z.
Once the track was supposedly done, Knowles had the idea that it would be "perfect" if Jamaican dancehall-reggae artist Sean Paul contributed a vocal track. Knowles contacted Sean Paul about a possible collaboration. Sean Paul agreed and flew in from Jamaica to join the recording sessions of the song. He contributed a toast verse, and they finished recording "Baby Boy" in March 2003, during the latter stages of the album's recording.
Composition and theme
"Baby Boy" is a mid-tempo contemporary R&B song performed with a moderate groove. It is in the key of C minor, and is set to ninety-two beats per minute in common time. "Baby Boy" is a hybrid of R&B and dancehall and has a reggae influence. Storch's knowledge on Indian and Middle Eastern music contributes to its Eastern influences. According to FOX News, "Baby Boy" is based on the 1995 reggae song "Here Comes the Hotstepper" by Jamaican singer Ini Kamoze.
"Baby Boy" is a sequel in ways to "'03 Bonnie & Clyde"; a 2002 Jay-Z song featuring Knowles. The lyrics detail a woman's fantasies, and in keeping with the album's overall theme, Knowles' deemed them as personal to her. Sean Paul remarked, "She's telling me about her fantasies and picturing me and her going here and there, all over the world ... I'm answering back, like, 'I'm wit it.'" The lyrics are constructed in the toast–chorus–verse form; Sean Paul performs the toasting while Knowles sings all other verses and choruses. The pattern is repeated twice; a further chorus and verse follow, resolving at the toasting and final verse.
Release and reception
"Baby Boy" was released as the second single from the album Dangerously in Love. It is dedicated to Beyonce's first and true love; Darien Reyes. It was released as a CD in Canada on May 4, 2003, in Australia on September 9, and in the United States on October 14, 2003 as a 12" single. The track appeared in the revamped version of Sean Paul's 2003 second album, Dutty Rock.
"Baby Boy" was well-received by critics. Rolling Stone magazine reviewer Anthony DeCurtis wrote that Knowles sounded like she was "having fun" on the song,[9] while Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic, an online music database, described Knowles' vocals as "assured and sexy". Mark Anthony Neal of the international webzine PopMatters, regarded the song as one of the "high-profile collaborations" from Dangerously in Love. Lisa Verrico of the daily US newspaper The Times described the song a "Latino-tinged collaboration ... set to clicky beats that sound like castanets". She concluded that "Paul does a reggae rap in the middle, but it's when he chats while Beyoncé half raps that the pair have real chemistry". Yancey Strickler of the Flak magazine wrote that "'Baby Boy''s diwali stutter is enhanced by Sean Paul's dancehall monotone". Entertainment Weekly magazine's Neil Drumming said that "'Baby Boy' goes full-tilt Bollywood 'n da hood, with Sean Paul ripping a pulsing tabla raga".
James Anthony of the British newspaper The Guardian said the track "bridges the gap between the genres of R&B and dancehall". British record label EMI was honored by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) during the 2005 Pop Music Awards as Publisher of the Year for publishing "Baby Boy", among other songs. Scott Storch earned Songwriter of the Year at the same event.
Chart performance
"Baby Boy" attained a positioning on the commercial charts before its physical release in the US. The track led to a higher Billboard 200 chart placing for Dangerously in Love, and helped the album to attain multi-platinum certification in the US. The single debuted on the Billboard Hot 100, the US' official singles chart, at number fifty-seven while "Crazy in Love" was still in the top spot. "Baby Boy" dominated the US airplays, charting atop the Hot 100. It reached the chart's top spot eight weeks after its debut, and stayed there for nine consecutive weeks. The single stayed number one for a week longer than "Crazy in Love" had, becoming Knowles' longest-charting number-one single. The feat was not broken until Knowles' 2006 single "Irreplaceable", from her second album B'Day, spent ten weeks at the top spot in late 2006 to early 2007 due to heavy radio play. The single stayed on the Hot 100 for twenty-nine weeks, and was certified platinum on June 6, 2006 by the Recording Industry Association of America. "Baby Boy" achieved success on Billboard crossover and mainstream radio charts, appearing on the Top 40 Tracks, Rhythmic Top 40 and Top 40 Mainstream, as well as on the Hot 100 Airplay, Dance Radio Airplay and Hot Dance Music/Club Play.
Internationally, "Baby Boy" performed just as well, peaking inside the top ten on most charts. The single debuted at number two in the United Kingdom, becoming the chart's highest debut and "Baby Boy"'s highest entry internationally. Though it spent eleven weeks on the chart, it failed to top it (being held off by "Where Is The Love?" by The Black Eyed Peas). In most European countries, the single entered the top ten. In Australia and New Zealand, "Baby Boy" peaked at number three and two, respectively. It was certified platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association with sales in excess of 70,000 units.
Music video
The music video for "Baby Boy" was filmed by English director Jake Nava, who also shot Knowles' "Crazy in Love" video. It was recorded in Miami, Florida on August 7–8, 2003. Parts of the video were captured in a house with different styles rooms: one in a Japanese style and one in an old English style.
Scenes featuring Knowles and Sean Paul are shown separately. The video begins with Sean Paul sitting on a throne while toasting; Knowles is leaning against the wall dancing. In the following scene, Knowles is seen on a bed tossing herself. Sean Paul is shown with several women who are lying on the floor caressing each other. Knowles walks towards the beach; she spots a man, and the two touch and flirt. At a party, Knowles dances with a man. Water floods the floor as she sings "the dance floor becomes the sea". The original track is interpolated towards the end with an Arabic instrumental, designed for the music video. This section showcases Knowles vigorously dancing on the sand.
Sal Cinquemani of the online publication Slant Magazine, described the video as a "baby-oil-logged follow-up" to "Crazy in Love"'s "bootylicous video". "Baby Boy" premiered on MTV's program Total Request Live on August 25, 2003 at number ten and reached the top spot. It stayed on the show for forty-one weeks, the same chart run "Me, Myself & I" earned.
Copyright infringement lawsuit
In 2005, US singer-songwriter Jennifer Armour filed a copyright infringement lawsuit claiming that Knowles had used some lyrics and the musical hook from her song "Got a Little Bit of Love for You". In 2003, Armour's former label manager had submitted a demo recordings to record labels, including Knowles' Columbia Records and Sean Paul's Atlantic Records. According to the district court, an Expert witness (Chair, Dept. of Music Theory & Composition, Shepherd School of Music, Rice University) determined the songs to be "substantially similar" (a requirement for an infringement finding). With regard to the musical hook the Expert stated in his report, "When the aural comparisons of the two songs are presented in the key of C Minor (for easy comparison) and presented back-to-back, in AB fashion, even the least musically inclined listener should immediately determine that the two songs are strikingly similar; I daresay that many listeners may even perceive them as being the same song! And again, transposing a song for this purpose does not alter any fundamental qualities or characteristics of the song but merely assists the ability of those unfamiliar with the technicalities of music in making a comparison." The district court judge nonetheless ruled that she, herself, could not hear the similarities between the two songs and dismissed the case, denying the motion for the songs or case to be heard by a jury.
On appeal, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit affirmed the district court's ruling, but ruled with different reasoning. It held that there was no infringement based on Knowles' claim that Armour's demo tape was received shortly after the writing of Knowles' song had been substantially completed. However, the court did not address the issue of substantial similarity
Baby Boy
Beyoncé Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ah dat di gyal dem need and ah cry for every day without apology
Buck dem di right way, dat ah my policy (ya man, right way)
Sean de Paul 'longside Beyoncé (uh-huh), now hear di man say
Dis ah dutty yeah (a big tune), dutty yo (yo, yo)
Dutty yeah (yo, yo), dutty yo (yo, yeah)
Beyoncé sing it now, girl
Fulfill my fantasies (come on, girl, tell me how you feel)
I think about you all the time
I see you in my dreams
(I see you in my dreams, you done know di love is real)
Baby boy, not a day goes by
Without my fantasies (come on, girl tell me what's the deal)
I think about you all the time
I see you in my dreams
(I see you in my dreams, you done know di love is real)
Ah, oh, my baby's fly, baby, oh (oh, na, na, na)
Yes, no, hurt me so good, baby, oh (this hot, oh, na, na, na)
I'm so wrapped up in your love, let me go (yo, oh, na, na, na)
Let me breathe, stay out my fantasies (yo, yo, yo, alright)
Well, woman ah ready fi gimme da ting, they ready fi really get it live
Tellin' me all about di tings weh you ah fantasize
I know you dig di way me step, di way me mek mi stride
Follow your feelings, baby girl becah they cannot be denied
Come check me inna di night and mek we get it amplified
Me nuh quick fi run da ship, me nah go slip, me nah go slide
In other words the love I got to give is certified
Fi give you di toughest, longest type ah ride, girl
Baby boy, you stay on my mind
Fulfill my fantasies (come on, girl, tell me how you feel)
I think about you all the time
I see you in my dreams
(I see you in my dreams, you done know di love is real)
Baby boy, not a day goes by
Without my fantasies (come on, girl tell me what's the deal, bye, bye, bye)
I think about you all the time
I see you in my dreams
(I see you in my dreams, you done know di love is real)
Picture us dancin' real close
In a dark, dark corner of a basement party (oh, na, na, na)
Every time I close my eyes
It's like everyone left but you and me (oh, na, na, na)
In our own little world
The music is the sun
The dance floor becomes the sea (oh, na, na, na) (ah we dat, girl)
Feels like true paradise to me (oh, na, na, na) (intimacy)
Baby boy, you stay on my mind
Fulfill my fantasies (come on, girl, tell me how you feel)
I think about you all the time
I see you in my dreams
(I see you in my dreams, you done know di love is real)
Baby boy, not a day goes by
Without my fantasies (come on, girl tell me what's the deal, bye, bye, bye)
I think about you all the time (oh)
I see you in my dreams
(I see you in my dreams, you done know di love is real)
Baby boy, you stay on my mind (yo, yo, B)
Baby boy, you are so damn fine (yeah, yeah, girl)
Baby boy, won't you be mine? (Yo, yo, B)
Baby boy, let's conceive an angel
Baby boy, you stay on my mind, oh (yo, yo, B)
Baby boy, you are so damn fine, oh (yeah, yeah, girl)
Baby boy, won't you be mine? (Yo, yo, B)
Baby boy, let's conceive an angel
You's a top, top girl
Me and you together is a wrap, dat girl
Drive 'round di town inna your drop top, girl
You nuh stop shop, girl
Likkle more di Dutty wan' rock dat world
You's a top, top girl
Me and you together is a wrap, dat girl
Drive 'round di town inna your drop top, girl
You nuh stop shop, girl
Likkle more di Dutty wan' rock dat world (oh, na, na, na)
Baby boy, you stay on my mind
Fulfill my fantasies (come on, girl, tell me how you feel)
I think about you all the time
I see you in my dreams
(I see you in my dreams, you done know di love is real, oh na, na, na)
Baby boy, not a day goes by
Without my fantasies (come on, girl tell me what's the deal, oh na, na, na)
I think about you all the time (oh)
I see you in my dreams
(I see you in my dreams, you done know di love is real)
We stepping out hotter this year (hotter, hotter under ya)
We stepping out hotter this year (hotter, hotter under ya)
I know you gon' like it
I know you gon' like it
I'm stepping out hotter this year (hotter, hotter under ya)
I'm stepping out hotter this year (hotter, hotter under ya)
So don't you fight it
So don't you fight it
The lyrics to Beyoncé's song "Baby Boy" convey her infatuation with a man and her overwhelming desire to fulfill her fantasies with him. The song talks about the gyal dem's need and how they cry for it without apology. Sean Paul is featured in the song to add to the overall rhythm and tone of the song with his Jamaican accent as he speaks, "Dis ah dutty yeah." The chorus centers around the line "Baby boy, you stay on my mind, fulfill my fantasies," where Beyoncé states her desire to be with the man all the time and to fulfill her wildest dreams with him.
The second verse and chorus continue to explore the same themes, with Beyoncé saying that she cannot stop thinking about the man and how he is always on her mind. The verse also talks about the dark, intimate corners of parties where they can dance closely, with the music being the sun, and the dancefloor becoming the sea; all of which come together to make the song catchy and sensual.
The bridge concludes with Beyoncé further expressing her affection for the man, hoping that they could conceive an angel together. The song's final verse speaks of the women's appeal and how the man would want to be with the lyricist because of that appeal. Throughout the song, Beyoncé emphasizes her feelings and desire for the man, backed by an excellent instrumental and Sean Paul's presence, making it one of her most popular songs.
Line by Line Meaning
Certified quality
The love Beyoncé has to offer is real and of high value
Ah dat di gyal dem need and ah cry for every day without apology
Beyoncé knows that her love is what most women crave and she's unapologetic about it
Buck dem di right way, dat ah my policy (ya man, right way)
She has a policy of treating her man the right way
Sean de Paul 'longside Beyoncé (uh-huh), now hear di man say
Sean Paul and Beyoncé are making music together
Dis ah dutty yeah (a big tune), dutty yo (yo, yo)
This is a hot song with dirty lyrics
Dutty yeah (yo, yo), dutty yo (yo, yeah)
The song is raunchy and explicit
Baby boy, you stay on my mind
Beyoncé constantly thinks about the man she loves
Fulfill my fantasies (come on, girl, tell me how you feel)
She wants him to fulfill her deepest desires and wants to know how it makes her feel
I think about you all the time
He's always on her mind
I see you in my dreams
She dreams about him often
(I see you in my dreams, you done know di love is real)
She believes that her love for him is genuine
Baby boy, not a day goes by
She thinks about him every day
Without my fantasies (come on, girl tell me what's the deal)
She wants to know what he feels about fulfilling her desires
Ah, oh, my baby's fly, baby, oh (oh, na, na, na)
She is impressed with how good-looking and well-dressed her man is
Yes, no, hurt me so good, baby, oh (this hot, oh, na, na, na)
He has a way of causing pleasurable pain during intimacy
I'm so wrapped up in your love, let me go (yo, oh, na, na, na)
She is deeply in love with him but wants some space
Let me breathe, stay out my fantasies (yo, yo, yo, alright)
She wants some time apart from him, free from any fantasies or desires
Well, woman ah ready fi gimme da ting, they ready fi really get it live
She is ready to be physically intimate with him
Tellin' me all about di tings weh you ah fantasize
He tells her about his fantasies
I know you dig di way me step, di way me mek mi stride
She knows he loves the way she moves and walks
Follow your feelings, baby girl becah they cannot be denied
She encourages him to follow his feelings because they're hard to resist
Come check me inna di night and mek we get it amplified
She wants him to meet her at night and take the physical intimacy to another level
Me nuh quick fi run da ship, me nah go slip, me nah go slide
She's not one to run away from a relationship once it gets serious
In other words the love I got to give is certified
She has good intentions and her love is genuine
Fi give you di toughest, longest type ah ride, girl
She is willing to give him the most intense physical experience
Picture us dancin' real close
She fantasizes about dancing in close proximity with him
In a dark, dark corner of a basement party (oh, na, na, na)
Her fantasy involves them being alone in a hidden part of a club
Every time I close my eyes
She thinks about him whenever she's not physically with him
It's like everyone left but you and me (oh, na, na, na)
All she can focus on is the two of them being alone in her fantasy
In our own little world The music is the sun
Her fantasy is like a world where only they exist and the music sets the mood
The dance floor becomes the sea (oh, na, na, na) (ah we dat, girl)
She imagines them being surrounded by a vast space, where they can be intimate without any interruptions
Feels like true paradise to me (oh, na, na, na) (intimacy)
This intimate moment feels like heaven to her
Baby boy, you are so damn fine, oh (yeah, yeah, girl)
She is attracted to his physical appearance
Baby boy, won't you be mine? (Yo, yo, B)
She wants him to be her boyfriend or partner
Baby boy, let's conceive an angel
She wants to have a child with him
We stepping out hotter this year (hotter, hotter under ya)
They plan on making a splash this year
I know you gon' like it I'm stepping out hotter this year (hotter, hotter under ya)
She thinks he'll enjoy the excitement they're bound to create this year
So don't you fight it
She wants him to be on board with their plans and not resist them
Lyrics © TuneCore Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Written by: Beyonce Gisselle Knowles, Ini Kamoze, Robert G. Waller, Scott Storch, Sean Paul Henriques, Shawn Corey Carter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lilkenx8039
Back when a featuring wasn't just a 20 seconds verse.
@lglg7731
😂😂😂😂😂
@obbymillion
Lol 😂😂😂
@myeishacarter9861
Exactly
@georgewashington419
So true though 😂
@tn2113
😂 lls
@TruthTriumphs786
I think the 2000 till 2010 was full of talented singers and dancers.
@lamorena-956
I agree nothing better than that
@shivangjoshi4931
Bey, Shakira, Jlo, Britney
Definitely
@ericasantos5226
Damn straight 🙌🏾