Formation
Beyoncé Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning | Line by Line Meaning
Paparazzi, catch my fly, and my cocky fresh
I'm so reckless when I rock my Givenchy dress (stylin')
I'm so possessive so I rock his Roc necklaces
My daddy Alabama, momma Louisiana
You mix that negro with that Creole make a Texas bamma
I like my baby hair, with baby hair and afros
I like my negro nose with Jackson Five nostrils
Earned all this money but they never take the country out me
I got a hot sauce in my bag, swag
I see it, I want it
I stunt, yellow bone it
I dream it, I work hard
I grind 'til I own it
I twirl on them haters
Albino alligators
El Camino with the seat low
Sippin' Cuervo with no chaser
Sometimes I go off, I go off
I go hard, I go hard
Get what's mine, take what's mine
I'm a star, I'm a star
'Cause I slay, slay
I slay, hey, I slay, okay
I slay, okay, all day, okay
I slay, okay, I slay okay
We gon' slay, slay
Gon' slay, okay
We slay, okay
I slay, okay
I slay, okay
Okay, okay, I slay, okay
Okay, okay, okay, okay
Okay, okay, ladies, now let's get in formation, 'cause I slay
Okay ladies, now let's get in formation, 'cause I slay
Prove to me you got some coordination, 'cause I slay
Slay trick, or you get eliminated
When he fuck me good I take his ass to Red Lobster, 'cause I slay
When he fuck me good I take his ass to Red Lobster, 'cause I slay
If he hit it right, I might take him on a flight on my chopper, 'cause I slay
Drop him off at the mall, let him buy some J's, let him shop up, 'cause I slay
I might get your song played on the radio station, 'cause I slay
I might get your song played on the radio station, 'cause I slay
You just might be a black Bill Gates in the making, 'cause I slay
I just might be a black Bill Gates in the making
I see it, I want it
I stunt, yellow bone it
I dream it, I work hard
I grind 'til I own it
I twirl on them haters
Albino alligators
El Camino with the seat low
Sippin' Cuervo with no chaser
Sometimes I go off, I go off
I go hard, I go hard
Take what's mine, take what's mine
I'm a star, I'm a star
'Cause I slay, slay
I slay, hey, I slay, okay
I slay, okay, I slay, okay
I slay, okay, I slay okay
I slay, okay
We gon' slay, slay
Gon' slay, okay
We slay, okay
I slay, okay
I slay, okay
Okay, okay, I slay, okay
Okay, okay, okay, okay
Okay, okay, ladies, now let's get in formation, I slay
Okay ladies, now let's get in formation, I slay
Prove to me you got some coordination, I slay
Slay trick, or you get eliminated, I slay
Okay ladies, now let's get in formation, I slay
Okay ladies, now let's get in formation
You know you that bitch when you cause all this conversation
Always stay gracious, best revenge is your paper
Beyoncé's "Formation" is an expression of black culture, emancipation, and female empowerment. In the first verse, she dismisses the rumors of her association with the Illuminati and the paparazzi's obsession with her, affirming that she is fresh and confident enough to rock her Givenchy dress. She confidently announces her heritage from Alabama and Louisiana, respectively, expressing pride in her blackness and southern upbringing, and her mixed ancestry: "mix that negro with that creole make a Texas bamma." She goes on to celebrate natural hairstyles, particularly afros, and black features like Jackson Five nostrils.
The chorus is an expression of Beyoncé's unapologetic confidence, exhorting other women to join her in "formation" and show their coordination and confidence. She uses the imagery of alligators, El Camino with the seat low, and sipping Cuervo with no chaser to glamorize her luxurious lifestyle, which she earned by working hard and not forgetting her origins.
The second verse switches to more hedonistic lyrics, as Beyoncé boasts that men cannot resist her sexual charm and that she can afford to spoil them if they please her in bed. She empowers herself and the listener by claiming: "you just might be a black Bill Gates in the making," implying that black people could become as wealthy and influential as the white tech mogul. The song ends with Beyoncé defining her ultimate weapon: keeping her head high, staying gracious, and making money.
Line by Line Meaning
Y'all haters corny with that illuminati mess
Stop saying I'm a part of illuminati, you haters are boring and corny.
Paparazzi, catch my fly, and my cocky fresh
Paparazzi capture my confident and fresh style.
I'm so reckless when I rock my Givenchy dress (stylin')
I'm wild and bold when I wear my fabulous Givenchy dress.
I'm so possessive so I rock his Roc necklaces
I'm possessive of Jay-Z and his Roc-A-Fella chains.
My daddy Alabama, momma Louisiana
My family is from Alabama and Louisiana.
You mix that negro with that Creole make a Texas bamma
Mixing black and Creole ancestry creates a unique identity in Texas.
I like my baby hair, with baby hair and afros
I love my natural, curly hair, both grown-out and shaved.
I like my negro nose with Jackson Five nostrils
I'm proud of my African American nose and its wide shape.
Earned all this money but they never take the country out me
I've made a lot of money but remain true to my Southern roots.
I got a hot sauce in my bag, swag
I always have hot sauce with me because I'm proud of my Southern food heritage.
When he fuck me good I take his ass to Red Lobster, 'cause I slay
When a man satisfies me, I reward him with a meal at Red Lobster.
If he hit it right, I might take him on a flight on my chopper, 'cause I slay
If a man pleases me, I might take him on a helicopter ride.
Drop him off at the mall, let him buy some J's, let him shop up, 'cause I slay
I might take a man shopping for Jordans after our good night together.
I might get your song played on the radio station, 'cause I slay
I could help promote your music on the radio because of my influence.
You just might be a black Bill Gates in the making, 'cause I slay
You could be the next successful Black entrepreneur like Bill Gates.
Okay ladies, now let's get in formation, 'cause I slay
Let's come together and empower each other because we are strong and confident.
Prove to me you got some coordination, 'cause I slay
Show me your skills and talent because we are fierce and competitive.
Slay trick, or you get eliminated
Be successful or get left behind.
Always stay gracious, best revenge is your paper
Stay kind and generous, success is the best form of revenge.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Asheton Hogan, Aaquil Iben Shamon Brown, Khalif Malik Ibin Shaman Brown, Beyonce Giselle Knowles, Michael Len Williams
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
The release was followed by a controversy when Beyoncé and video director Melina Matsoukas were accused of taking scenes directly from That B.E.A.T., a mini-documentary about the New Orleans bounce movement. Read Full BioBeyoncé surprised everyone by dropping new song "Formation" a day before the Super Bowl 50, complete with a provocative and empowering video. "Formation" was made available for free for a limited time on TIDAL and was performed by Beyoncé for the first time during the Super Bowl 50 halftime show.
The release was followed by a controversy when Beyoncé and video director Melina Matsoukas were accused of taking scenes directly from That B.E.A.T., a mini-documentary about the New Orleans bounce movement. The video also features several appearances from Beyoncé's daughter, Blue Ivy and husband Jay Z.
The song has been described as one of Beyoncé's most political works, calling African American women to stand side by side, in formation.
Andrea1542
This song makes me feel like a bad ass while I'm laying in my bed doing absolutely nothing. I slay.
Rey Liy
Yesss
t.a
u do😌
Kjun Buny
At the end of the day, slay it... said and done.. Nike check...
Bruise Lee
Same HAHAHA
The Chels
Yes you do !!!!
Tiffany Sherese
Formation's chorus is a double meaning. " Ok ladies now let's get in formation." " Ok ladies now let's get INFORMATION." Absolute genius!
Mikkel Harvell
Never thought about it like that.. 👍🏿
AanimaVilis
Calm down. It's just word play.
Bcrbes
Her mind