Listen (Beyoncé Song)
Listen (Beyoncé Song)
Listen (Beyoncé Song)
1 Context
3 RELEASE
Release
3.1 Reviews
Listen scored generally positive reviews from contemporary music critics. A reviewer from Pitchfork Media
stated that when Beyonc belts out the chorus, the inspiration is real, tangible, and contagious.[24] Describing the song as a devastatingly beautiful ballad, Chuck
Taylor of Billboard magazine wrote, Beyonc delivers
the performance of her career, another dening moment
in the brilliant ick [besides Hudsons 'And I Am Telling
You I'm Not Going'].[11] Peter Travers of Rolling Stone
noted that the song adds grit and touching gravity to
Deena.[25] Another reviewer of the same publication
called the song epic noting that Knowles unfurls the
true range of her magnicent voice.[26] Comparing the
song to Andrew Lloyd Webber's piano weepie[s]", a
writer of The Observer stated that Listen is a bangersto-ballads ratio to die for.[27] Calling the song a showstopper, Sarah Rodman of The Boston Globe wrote:
"['Listen'] is a big, soppy ballad that will move some to
tears and irk others as a stunning example of art imitating
life imitating art without a shred of irony.[10] Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine said that Listen will undoubtedly be the payo for fans of Beyonc's voice who sat
through the rst [thirty-eight] minutes of [B'Day] waiting for the cum shot.[28] By contrast, Jody Rosen's review for Entertainment Weekly was less impressed, describing Listen as gloopy and an inspirational ballad
about 'the song in my heart', which builds to an enormous
schlock-opera climax.[15]
3.3
Chart performance
5 Live performances
Music videos
Two music videos exist for Listen, the rst being a performance one and the second being a Vogue Shoot. The
rst music video premiered on MTV's Making the Video
on November 28, 2006.[49] The other music video was
released online and through the Dreamgirls DVD special
features.
Performance Version
This video, which was directed by Diane Martel, features
Knowles walking through a performance hall in modernday street clothes, performing the song. Once she arrives
onstage and at the songs bridge, she appears in costume
as Deena, dressed in a 1970s-era gown. Intercut into the
video are scenes from Dreamgirls, most of which depict
Deenas relationship with Curtis.[50] These clips, however, were taken out in the directors cut version of the
video;[51] this version appeared on the B'Day Anthology
Video Album. In her rst outt, Beyonc is seen wearing
a Wonder Woman T-shirt.
Vogue Shoot Version
The music video, directed by Matthew Rolston, features
Knowles wearing a modern-day tank top, performing the
song against a blank background which changes back
forth from white and black. Interspersed are some scenes
from a photo shoot within her lm Dreamgirls.[52] This
version appears on the Dreamgirls DVD release. In the
directors cut of this version, Knowles is seen posing for
6 COVER VERSIONS
able, dare I say, ungenerous, about Beyonc - almost as the audience and panel of judges alike.[73] The perforif she were a giant slithering diva/snake hell bent on swal- mance of Amaro also brought Nicole Scherzinger to
lowing poor quivering Burke whole.[56]
tears. She said: This is why I do this. People like you
In addition, Listen was a part of Knowles set list on The inspire me. You made a believer out of me. Thank you.
Abdul said: You are the brightest gift, God bless
Beyonc Experience and I Am... World Tour.[57] On Au- Paula[73]
you.
L.A. Reid declared: Melanie, you are truly
gust 5, 2007, Knowles performed the song at the Madison
amazing.
You have the gift, you have the soul, you have
[58]
Square Garden in Manhattan. Jon Pareles of The New
the
spirit,
you
have the swagger ... you have the X Factor
York Times praised the performance, stating: Beyonc
while Simon Cowell said: When I was asked by a lot of
needs no distractions from her singing, which can be airy
or brassy, tearful or vicious, rapid-re with staccato syl- people why I was bringing this show to America, it was
because I hoped that we were going to nd someone like
lables or sustained in curlicued melismas. But she was in
[73]
[58]
constant motion, strutting in costumes. In Los Ange- you.
les, Knowles performed the song, dressed in a glittering
silver dress with mink fur. It was executed without any
backup dancers, and live instrumentation.[59] Jim Farber
of Daily News noted that during the performance of the
song at the I Am... World Tour, Knowles blended her
alter ego Sasha Fierces potent and her own pained personality and added that those two emotions made this
Beyonc's greatest live moment[60] When Knowles performed the song in Sunrise, Florida, on June 29, 2009,
she was wearing a glittery gold leotard. As she sang,
animated graphics of turntables, faders and other club
equipment were projected behind Knowles, her dancers
and musicians.[61] Knowles was accompanied by her two
drummers, two keyboardists, a percussionist, a horn section, three imposing backup vocalists called the Mamas
and a lead guitarist, Bibi McGill.[62] Listen was included as on her live albums The Beyonc Experience Live
(2007),[63] and the I Am... World Tour (2010).[64]
6
6.1
Cover versions
Glee version
6.3
6.2
5
performance and shes got one of the best voices in the
competition, while Mel B conrmed that Davis has denitely got the X-Factor.[83] On March 30, 2012, Katelin
Koprivec sang Listen on the Australian talent show,
Young Talent Time.[84] Sarah De Bono also sang Listen
on The Voice (Australia) on May 21, 2012.[85] Michelle
Grin of The Age wrote that Bono had the lungs to
carry it o but not quite [like] Beyonc's commanding delivery.[85] Her version of the song peaked at number 13 on the Australian Singles Chart.[86] On November 3, 2012, Jahmne Douglas performed the song on
the ninth series of The X Factor in the UK, receiving
praise from the judges of the show. Sarah Fitzmaurice
of the Daily Mail wrote that Douglas proved he had an
amazing voice while he belted out the song.[87] Alex
Fletcher of Digital Spy also noted that the cover was a
belter and the singer bloody well nailed it.[88] On May
10, a 12-year-old girl Michle won the contest of The
Voice Kid in Germany after performing the song on the
nal show.[89] Sam Bailey sang Listen on August 31,
2013 during the tenth season of The X Factor in the UK.
It was described as the highlight of the episode and Bailey
received standing ovation from the judges.[90][91] Louise
Saunders from the Daily Mail noted that Baileys cover
was touching... emotional, and awless.[91] American
Idol runner-up Jessica Sanchez sang Listen on March
16, 2014 during Solaire Resort & Casino's rst anniversary concert.[92]
References
[3] Scott, A. O. (December 15, 2006). Three-Part Heartbreak in Motown. The New York Times. The New York
Times Company. Retrieved February 4, 2011.
[23] iTunes Store - Beyonc - Listen (Music from the Motion Picture)". iTunes Netherlands. Apple Inc. Retrieved
February 3, 2011.
REFERENCES
[43] UK Top 100 Singles Chart (December 27, 2008)". Ofcial Charts Company. ChartsPlus. Archived from the
original on July 24, 2012. Retrieved February 2, 2011.
[44] UK Top 100 Singles Chart (January 3, 2009)". Ocial
Charts Company. ChartsPlus. Archived from the original
on July 29, 2012. Retrieved February 2, 2011.
[45] Sexton, Paul (December 22, 2008). Alexandra Burke Is
'X Factor' On UK Charts. Billboard (Prometheus Global
Media). Retrieved February 4, 2011.
[46] UK Top 100 Singles Chart (November 14, 2009)". Ofcial Charts Company. ChartsPlus. Archived from the
original on July 29, 2012. Retrieved February 2, 2011.
[47] The Ocial Beyonc and Destinys Child Top 40 Revealed!". Ocial Charts Company. Retrieved July 5,
2013.
[48] Beyonc - Listen. Federation of the Italian Music Industry. Hung Medien. Retrieved February 4, 2011.
[49] Video Premiere: Beyonc". MTV News. MTV Networks. November 28, 2006. Retrieved February 4, 2011.
[50] Martel, Diane - Director (2006). Listen (Music video).
United States: Sony BMG.
[51] Matel, Diane - Director (2006). Listen (Directors cut)
(Music video). United States: Sony BMG.
[52] Rolston, Matthew - Director (2006). Listen (Music video).
United States: VH1.
[53] Moss, Corey (February 14, 2007). Beyonc Turns Heads
With Sports Illustrated Cover, Shakira Duet. MTV
News. MTV Networks. Retrieved March 7, 2011.
[54] MTV News sta (February 12, 2007). Mo' Grammys:
We Salute John Mayers Japanese, Princes Eternal Cool
And More. MTV News. MTV Networks. Retrieved
March 7, 2011.
[55] Mike Larkin (December 21, 2008). Alexandra Burke
claims X Factor title after seeing o rivals in nal. Daily
Record. Trinity Mirror. Retrieved February 4, 2011.
[56] Ellen, Barbara (May 24, 2009). Shes a woman of two
halves. The Observer. Guardian Media Group. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
[40] UK Top 100 Singles Chart (December 13, 2008)". Ocial Charts Company. ChartsPlus. Retrieved February 2,
2011.
[60] Farber, Jim (June 22, 2009). Beyonc shows 'Fierce' and
softer sides in tour kicko at the Garden. Daily News.
Daily News, L.P. Retrieved May 12, 2013.
[62] Ratli, Ben (June 22, 2009). Flash, Concepts and, Yes,
Songs. The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved January 10, 2011.
[63] The Beyonc Experience (Live) [Audio Version]" (in
Dutch). iTunes Belgium. Apple Inc. November 19, 2007.
Retrieved January 9, 2011.
[64] I Am...World Tour (in Dutch). iTunes Belgium. Apple
Inc. November 26, 2010. Retrieved January 9, 2011.
[79] Sjostrom, Jan (November 20, 2010). Director Longbottom tweaks 'Dreamgirls, coming to Kravis, but touring
show retains power of original. Palm Beach Daily News.
Cox Media Group. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
[80] Hetrick, Adam; Jones, Kenneth (September 1, 2009).
"Dreamgirls Tour to Feature Duet Version of 'Listen' and
New Act II Opener. Playbill. Playbill, Inc. Retrieved
February 1, 2015.
[65] Glee: Fall Preview. Fox News Channel. Fox Entertainment Group. September 4, 2010. Retrieved February 4,
2011.
[82] Miss Virginia wins 2010 Miss America crown. USA Today. Gannett Company. January 30, 2010. Retrieved
December 22, 2011.
[83] Mother of Four Marina Davis Singing Beyonces Listen The X Factor Australia 2011 Audition. Sydneyaffairs.com. September 7, 2011. Retrieved April 13, 2012.
[84] B, Andrew (March 30, 2012). Young Talent Time
Michael Jackson Tribute Special!". Throng.com.au. Retrieved April 13, 2012.
[85] Grin, Michelle (May 22, 2012). The Voice recap
Second Live Monday night. The Age (Fairfax Media).
Retrieved May 26, 2012.
[86] Sarah De Bono Listen. australian-charts.com. Hung
Medien. Retrieved June 4, 2012.
[87] Fitzmaurice, Sarah (November 3, 2012). "'I'm speechless... I guess I'll see you in the nal': Tulisa Contostavlos backs Jahmene Douglas as he performs huge Beyonc
track on The X Factor. Daily Mail. Daily Mail and General Trust. Retrieved May 28, 2013.
[88] Fletcher, Alex (November 3, 2012). "'X Factor' Live
Shows Week Five - Number Ones Week: Live Blog.
Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi (UK) Ltd. Retrieved
May 28, 2013.
[89] Michle: Listen - Video - The Voice Kids (in German).
Sat.1. ProSiebenSat.1 Media. May 10, 2013. Retrieved
May 28, 2013.
[90] Fletcher, Alex (August 31, 2013). "'X Factor': Prison
ocer Sam Bailey stuns judges with Beyonc cover.
Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi (UK) Ltd. Retrieved
September 3, 2013.
[91] Saunders, Louise (August 31, 2013). "'Everything goes
away when I sing. I can be someone else': Prison ocer Sam Bailey receives a standing ovation from X Factor
judges after moving audition. Daily Mail (Daily Mail and
General Trust). Retrieved September 3, 2013.
[92] Serato, Arniel C. Jessica Sanchez to sing Philippine National Anthem at Manny Pacquiao-Timothy Bradley rematch on April 12. Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved July 21, 2014.
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10
External links
EXTERNAL LINKS
11
11.1
11.2
Images
11.3
Content license