Like a Boy

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“Like a Boy”
Single by Ciara from the album Ciara: The Evolution
B-side	"Get Up" "Love You Better"
Released	February 13, 2007 March 30, 2007 April 2, 2007
Format	Digital download, CD single
Recorded	Chalice Studios, Los Angeles, California
Genre	R&B, pop, hip hop
Length	3:57
Label	LaFace/Jive
Writer(s)	Ciara Harris Candice Nelson Balewa Muhammad J. Que Ezekiel Lewis Calvin Kenon
Producer	Calvo Da Gr8, Ciara Harris, The Clutch
Ciara singles chronology
"Promise" (2006) "Like a Boy" (2007) "Promise Ring" (2007)
Alternate cover
iTunes EP Cover

"Like a Boy" is a song performed by American singer Ciara for her second album Ciara: The Evolution (2006). Written by Ciara, Candice Nelson, Balewa Muhammad, J. Que, Ezekiel Lewis, and Calvin Kenon, it is the third release in the U.S. and second single in Europe (see 2007 in music).

The release was confirmed in a MTV News article and chosen before polling ended for Ciara's second single on her official myspace page, being picked over "That's Right" and "Can't Leave 'Em Alone". Although the single was a moderate hit, it failed to match the success of its North American predecessor. It was solicited to mainstream urban radio on February 13, 2007. The single was released in the UK on April 2, 2007.

[edit] Theme and composition

"Like a Boy" details about double standards in society of how men in relationships can do certain things, but when women do the same it is looked down upon. According to Ciara, "it's a record for my women" and she had "a lot of girl talks". Ciara wanted to know if "the roles were reversed". "It's a female-empowerment record".^[1] The protagonist wishes to "act like a boy". The song is notable for its mixture of synthesized orchestral strings and hard-pounding hip-hop instrumental. Ciara also co-produced the song along with The Evolution track "My Love".

[edit] Critical reception and promotion

"Like a Boy" was well-received by critics. Bill Lamb of About.com wrote that Ciara gives a "breathlessness delivering" and says the song is "intoxicating".^[2] Jody Rosen of Entertainment Weekly wrote the song is "par excellence" and "stirring revenge fantasy".^[3] Manchester Evening News published that the song has an "epic instrumental", "gymnastic style vocals", and "photocopied lyrics", but it is "guaranteed to be a smash hit in the U.S."^[4] Sophie Bruce of Entertainment Wise published "Ciara wishes she could act in the game of love" and says Ciara has "stylish breathy vocals", and "is drawing comparisons to Aaliyah".^[5] Chocolate Magazine published it is "one of her best tracks so far" and shows her mature side.^[6]

YourSpins.com had a contest where fans had a chance to remix "Like a Boy" and meet Ciara, if the remix is saved.^[7] On April 3, 2007, Ciara made an appearance on the reality show Dancing with the Stars, where she performed "Like a Boy". She did her famous matrix in a pair of high heels. While the song was at the height of its popularity Ciara's name was featured in a Sprint campaign along with Joss Stone and My Chemical Romance. On June 26, 2007, Ciara performed a medley of "Like a Boy" and That's Right at the 2007 BET Awards.

[edit] Music video

Ciara in "Like a Boy" video, on the right side dressed as a female and on the left side dressed as a male.

The music video for "Like a Boy" was directed by Diane Martel (credited as Ms. D), who also directed Ciara's "Promise" video. It was shot in late January, over a three-day period. The video premiered on Yahoo! Music and BET's Access Granted on February 21, 2007.^[8] The video received a "First Look" on MTV's TRL on February 23, 2007 and debuted at #10 on February 26, 2007 and peaked at #4. "Like a Boy" premiered on The Box on March 9, 2007. On March 8, 2007, it debuted on BET's 106 & Park at #8 and peaked at #1.^[9] It peaked at #5 on the iTunes video charts. The song made number thirty-three on BET's Top 100 Video Countdown of 2007.

The black and white video begins with Ciara dressed like a boy sitting in a chair. She is sporting painted on tattoos and says, "2007. Ladies, I think it's time to switch roles." Next, Ciara confronts her boyfriend played by football player Reggie Bush throughout the video. During the first verse and chorus, Ciara dances with her male alter ego. The rest of the video, Ciara and female dancers, who are all dressed in more masculine styles, perform masculine choreography. After the bridge, there is a breakdown and Ciara performs her famous matrix as in the "Goodies" video. The video version of the song features different edits from the album version.

"Like a Boy" was nominated for "Best Choreography in a Video" at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards, but the award was given to Justin Timberlake's "My Love" featuring T.I.

Ciara’s Video Tattoos^[10]

• "Need Love" - The one on the top part of her hand
• "Like a Boy" - The side part of her right hand
• "Fear No Man but God" - On her arm
• An angel and it says "Sucker for Love"
• A caricature of a tomboy and the girl has her hat to the back. It says "Princess" and symbolizes Ciara.
• "Rest in Peace, Baby Angel Astin" - Ciara’s niece that passed away not long after birth.
• "C" with a crown on it on her neck.
• "A" - On her left hand which stands for Atlanta. It has Decatur and above it says "Zone Three", which is Riverdale and where Ciara has the keys to the city.

[edit] Chart performance

"Like a Boy" debuted on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart at #16. In the March 17, 2007 Billboard issue, "Like a Boy" debuted at #81 on the Billboard Hot 100.^[11] The single reached #9 on the Hot 100 Airplay with spins from Mainstream Urban and Rhythmic formats. The song peaked at #6 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Rhythmic Top 40 and #18 on the Top 40 Mainstream.^[12] The release suffered weak digital downloads and the song peaked at #29 on the Hot Digital Songs, which caused the single to peaked in the top twenty of the Billboard Hot 100 at #19 for two non-consecutive weeks. "Like a Boy" become a dance hit, entering the Hot Dance Club Play chart at #39 and peaking at #23. The song peaked at #10 on the Hot Dance Airplay chart.

"Like a Boy" debuted at #19 in Sweden and peaked at #8 in its second week. The single debuted in the United Kingdom at #35 on downloads alone. After the physical single release, "Like a Boy" moved 12 spots from #28 to #16 where it peaked. Even though the music video received heavy rotation, the single was a moderate success peaking in the top twenty in most European countries. The single for "Like a Boy" was not released in Australia, although a CD single tracklisting was revealed. On the United World Chart, "Like a Boy" reached #25. The single debuted and peaked at a disappointing #29 for one week in New Zealand. The song charted for two weeks before dropping out the Top 40.

"Like A Boy" was ranked #68 on Top Hot 100 Hits of 2007, and is the most successful year-end single from The Evolution album. Although the most successful song in her career is "1,2 Step." that was ranked #5 in 2005.

[edit] Formats and track listings

These are the formats and track listings of major single releases of "Like a Boy".

[edit] Charts

[edit] Official versions and remixes

• Album Version
• Video Version
• Instrumental
• Mysto & Pizzi Remix
• Rafael Lelis Remix
• Soul Seekerz Remix
• Kardinal Beats Remix
• Primekiller Remix
• Pugh Remix
• Therapy Vocal Session
• Jonathan Peters Deep Mix Club 1
• Jonathan Peters Deep Mix Club 2
• Bimbo Jones Mix

[edit] References