Released: June 24, 2003
Genre: R&B
Label: Columbia ∙ Music World
Producer: Nat Adderley, Jr ∙ Sherrod Barnes ∙ Mark Batson ∙ Craig Brockman ∙ D-Roy ∙ Missy Elliott ∙ Focus…∙ Rich Harrison Andreao “Fanatic” Heard ∙ Beyoncé Knowles ∙ Errol “Poppy” McCalla, Jr ∙ Mr. B ∙ The Neptunes ∙ Nisan Stewart ∙ Scott Storch ∙ Kanye West ∙ Bryce Wilson
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Beyoncé has amazed us with her remarkable talent since the 1990s, when we were formally introduced to her through her being a lead singer of the successful girl groups of all time, Destiny’s Child. By 2003, the group had successful with their first three albums (Destiny’s Child, The Writing’s On the Wall & Survivor) and hit singles No, No, No, Bills, Bills, Bills, Say My Name, Jumpin’ Jumpin’, Survivor, Bootylicious, Independent Women Pt. 1.
The group went on hiatus after the release of Survivor, each working on their own solo projects. Beyoncé’s Dangerously In Love is what came from those studio sessions, and when I say thank GOD!!! THANK GOD. I had just turned 11 years old when DIL was released. Dangerously In Love explores and showcases Beyoncé’s musical talents along with her versatility as an artists, with elements of R&B/soul, reggae, hip hop & Arabic music.
Dangerously In Love debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart with first-week sales of 317,000 copies. The album has since sold over 11 million copies worldwide, and is certified 6x platinum by the RIAA. Dangerously In Love established Beyoncé as a solo artist, and solidified her solo success fully…becoming one of the most marketable artists of her generation.
Ladies & Gentlemen, I present to you Beyoncé’s “Dangerously In Love.”
Crazy in Love (featuring Jay-Z)
Written by Beyoncé Knowles ∙ Rich Harrison ∙ Shawn Carter ∙ Eugene Record
Crazy in Love is such a classic record, that I think it’s probably one of the greatest pop records of all time. Released as the lead single, Crazy In Love gave Beyoncé the push to become the household name that she is today. It was her breakthrough hit single, and was a pop culture phenomenon.
Lyrically, the funk, hip hop & R&B influenced song is about the obsessive you can be over the one you loved. Like if someone’s love for you has you acting out of your character, that person has you SPRUNG chile. The second collaboration with then-rumored beau Jay-Z became a hit based off of heavy rotation alone. The song was Beyoncé’s first number one hit single on the Hot 100 chart, and has been certified 6x platinum by the RIAA.
***Crazy in Love contains a sample of Are You My Woman (Tell Me So) by The Chi-Lites
Naughty Girl
Written by Beyoncé Knowles ∙ Scott Storch ∙ Robert Waller ∙ Angela Beyincé ∙ Pete Bellotte ∙ Giorgio Moroder ∙ Donna Summer
Naughty Girl is a top tier R&B song! I love to tell people how it is truly one of the highlights of the album, and has the singer being very sultry and seductive whole highlight how she is desiring a one night stand. With elements of R&B, dancehall, funk, reggae and Arabic music, Naughty Girl gave Beyoncé a top 5 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at number 3.
***Naughty Girl contains an interoperation of Love To Love You Baby by Donna Summer.
Baby Boy (featuring Sean Paul)
Written by Beyoncé Knowles ∙ Scott Storch ∙ Robert Waller ∙ Sean Paul Henriques ∙ Shawn Carter
Baby Boy is a song where the singer is lyrically giving us a detail of her fantasies she wants fulfilled, and it is a timeless affair. With elements of R&B, dancehall, reggae, & house, Baby Boy features legendary Jamaican rapper Sean Paul..adding the wonderful and nostalgic vibes this song will always give me. Released as the second single, the song was a hit record for the duo, peaking at number 1 on the pop and R&B charts. Baby Boy has been certified platinum by the RIAA.
***Baby Boy contains an interpolation of No Fear by O.G.C., and Here Comes the Hotstepper by Ini Kamoze.
Hip Hop Star (featuring Big Boi and Sleepy Brown)
Written by Beyoncé Knowles ∙ Bryce Wilson ∙ Makeda Davis ∙ Antwan Patton ∙ Shawn Carter
Hip Hop Star doesn’t get the recognition it deserveS! Produced by Beyoncé, Bryce Wilson (of Groove Theory) and Big Boi of OutKast (who also was featured on this song with Sleepy Brown,) Hip Hop Star is lyrically about asking a curious potential love interested if they want to ride with her being a superstar!
Be With You
Written by Beyoncé Knowles ∙ Rich Harrison ∙ Angela Beyincé ∙ Snuggie Otis ∙ George Clinton Jr. ∙ William Collins ∙ Gary Cooper
Be With You is an album CUT! From a lyrical perspective, the song is about the singer professing how much she wants to be with the man she is so infatuated with. Whewwwww the vocals were on point too! How could you say no to being with Beyoncé?
***Be With You contains samples of Ain’t Nothing I Can Do by Tyrone Davis & Strawberry Letter 23 by Shuggie Otis & an interpolation of I’d Rather Be With You by Bootsy’s Rubber Band.
Me, Myself and I
Written by Beyoncé Knowles ∙ Scott Storch ∙ Robert Waller
Me, Myself and I is one of the best highlights from the album. From a lyrical perspective, the song is about the singer establishing boundaries with herself after ending her relationship with her womanizing boyfriend, and the consequences that follows. The musical stylings of Me, Myself and I was a departure from what she had released at the time, sounding similar to an 80s ballad. I love how the song serves as an empowerment anthem for women (& for me cause I needed to revisit how amazing this song is). Me, Myself and I was a top 5 hit for Beyoncé, peaking at number 2 and 4 on the R&B and pop charts respectively.
**Me, Myself and I was sampled for 24/7 by Meek Mill featuring Ella Mai & Sorry (Homecoming) (Live) by Beyoncé.
Yes
Written by Beyoncé Knowles ∙ Bernard Edwards Jr ∙ Shawn Carter
Yes is another album cut that is a gem in Bey’s catalog altogether. Lyrically, the song is speaking to how the singer has said yes to dating a potential partner & everything he has requested for, but when she voices her opinion in regards to engaging in sexual activities, he feels some type of way. I’ll say Yes is an empowerment type of record because she is practically telling the man he should be lucky to even be in her presence period. He should be grateful to be honest! Nevertheless in the end, she tells him to not call anymore because he showed her his true colors and intentions.
Signs (featuring Missy Elliott)
Written by Missy Elliott ∙ Nisan Stewart ∙ Craig Brockman
Signs is a collaboration with the iconic Missy Elliott which is lyrically about romantic experiences with each of the zodiac signs, and how much the singer loves them all…regardless of their positive and negative traits. A CLASSIC!
Speechless
Written by Beyoncé Knowles ∙ Andreao “Fanatic” Heard ∙ Sherrod Barnes ∙ Angela Beyincé
Speechless is a SONGGGGG okay?! A sensual ballad, Speechless is a R&B ballad that is simply about LUST! It is truly one of her sexiest songs, and is true brilliance. Speechless showcases the beauty of Beyoncé showing her vulnerability for her significant other in the bedroom. I truly believe it should have been released as a single. Chef’s kiss!
That’s How You Like It (featuring Jay-Z)
Written by Delroy Andrews ∙ Brian Bridgeman ∙ Beyoncé Knowles ∙ Randy DeBarge ∙ Shawn Carter ∙ Eldra DeBarge ∙ Etterlene Jordan
That’s How You Like It is the third collaboration between Beyoncé & Jay-Z, and is lyrically about what the singer wants in a man, and what she likes about him **coughs Jay-Z**
**That’s How You Like It contains an interpolation of I Like It by DeBarge.
The Closer I Get to You (duet with Luther Vandross)
Written by Reggie Lucas ∙ James Mtume
The Closer I Get To You is a top tier classic soul record that was originally recorded by Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway, that was covered for Dangerously In Love and the iconic and incomparable Luther Vandross’ final studio album (Dance with My Father).
Don’t get me wrong, the original is spectacular and easily one of the greatest songs of all time. But the way they ate that song up and left zero crumbs is seriously one of the greatest covers I’ve ever heard. Top tier af! The Closer I Get To You was released as the final single from the album, peaking at 62 on the R&B charts.
***The Closer I Get To You was originally recorded by Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway.
Dangerously in Love 2
Written by Beyoncé Knowles ∙ Errol “Poppi” McCalla Jr
Dangerously In Love 2 is the title track, and serves as a remixed version of the song of the same name that was released on Destiny’s Child’s Survivor album in 2001. Lyrically, the song is self-explanatory: being so in love with your person, that it starts to feel obsessive. Just know, this song will be played at my wedding. Period. The song earned the singer a Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Performance.
***Dangerously In Love is a remix of Dangerously In Love by Destiny’s Child.
Beyoncé Interlude
Written by Beyoncé Knowles
I believe that harmonies are colors
Every time I paint, it sharpens my harmony
Yesterday, I tried to paint you
But the colors weren’t beautiful enough
Your love goes beyond what I can say
Love, Beyoncé
Gift from Virgo
Written by Beyoncé Knowles ∙ Shuggie Otis
Gift From Virgo is one of my top ten favorite Beyoncé ballads of all time. Lyrically, the song is a passionate love song sounds like a letter where she’s expressing how she feels about the one she’s in love with. Like if you gotta gift from someone for your birthday or Christmas, and they had an attached letter with it..that’s what it sounds like. Definitely a gem in Bey’s catalog.
***Gift From Virgo contains a sample of Shuggie Otis’ Rainy Day.
Daddy
Written by Beyoncé Knowles ∙ Mark Batson
Released as a promotional single, Daddy is an ode to Beyoncé’s father Mathew Knowles..and his loyalty and devotion to his loved ones, especially his daughters. From a lyrical perspective, the song examines the bond fathers and daughters share..and how she wants her future husband and son to have the healthy and positive similarities that her father possesses.
The song was originally not intended to be on the final track listing of the album, so Beyoncé secretly put Daddy as a hidden track..shocking and leaving Mathew speechless. Mr. Knowles was the manager of Destiny’s Child for years and even Beyoncé’s solo career for some time, so this song truly shows appreciation for the hard work he put into his daughter’s career. I definitely play this song every Father’s Day for mine because it’s such a touching tribute to fathers period. Fathers don’t get enough love and appreciation and need it for sure.
***Daddy contains an interpolation of So Emotional by Whitney Houston.
Dangerously In Love was a defining point in Beyoncé’s life and career. 20 years of this album has me reflecting on how she has evolved and grown as an artist. She’s given us so many timeless classics, but a visit back to her baby (this album,) will always give nostalgic vibes. I don’t think people understand how BIG Crazy in Love was to us when we were kids. Like Bey was EVERYWHERE, and we’ve been on the ride ever since. 10s across the board. -MW.
markizdj.com 