Listen (song)
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| “Listen” | |||||
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| Single by Beyoncé from the album Dreamgirls: Music from the Motion Picture |
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| Released | January 29, 2007 (U.S.) February 19, 2007 (UK) |
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| Format | 7", CD single, digital download | ||||
| Recorded | The Underlab (Los Angeles, California) Sony Music Studios (New York City, New York) |
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| Genre | Soul, adult contemporary | ||||
| Length | 3:37 | ||||
| Label | Music World/Columbia | ||||
| Writer(s) | Henry Krieger, Scott Cutler, Anne Preven, Beyoncé Knowles | ||||
| Producer | The Underdogs | ||||
| Beyoncé singles chronology | |||||
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| Dreamgirls (2006) singles chronology | |||||
| "One Night Only" (2006) |
"Listen" (2007) |
"And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" (2007) |
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"Listen" (Spanish: "Oye") is a soundtrack to the 2006 musical film Dreamgirls performed by American R&B singer Beyoncé Knowles. The lyrics for "Listen" was written by Henry Krieger, the composer of the original 1981 Broadway musical version of Dreamgirls, along with Scott Cutler, Anne Preven and Beyoncé, and was produced by The Underdogs. The song is one of four new compositions written for the film version of Dreamgirls.
The track was released as the lead single from film's soundtrack album on December 5, 2006 in the United States and on February 19, 2007 in the United Kingdom, and can was included as a hidden track on international editions of the singer's second solo studio album, B'Day (2006). "Listen" was nominated for Best Original Song in 2007 at the Golden Globe Awards and the Academy Awards.
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[edit] Context
In the film version of Dreamgirls, Beyoncé Knowles portrays the character of Deena Jones, a pop singer heavily inspired by 1960s Motown star Diana Ross. The story explores the life of The Dreamettes, a fictional '60s group of three female singers Effie White (American singer-actress Jennifer Hudson), Deena Jones and Lorrell Robinson (American singer-actress Anika Noni Rose), who had changed in plight when discovered their record manager is manipulating their personal and career relationships.
Infatuated by Curtis Taylor, Jr., played by American singer-actor Jamie Foxx, Effie became his lover and was placed as the lead singer of the group. However, Curtis replaced her on stage and in his affection, in lieu of Deena.[1] On the film's halfway point, Effie discovers their manager is betraying her; Effie has her crescendo scene when she sings "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going", a song popularized 25 years ago by American singer-actress Jennifer Holliday.[2]
On the second half of the film, Curtis and Deena argued at dinner over Deena's desire to make her film debut in a urban film instead of the Cleopatra prequel Curtis is producing. An angry Curtis asserts his creative and psychological control over his wife, informing Deena that he would not let anyone else "handle" her, because, in his words, "no one knows you the way [he] do". Curtis had informed Deena that her voice "had no personality. No depth. Except for what [he] put in there."
In the context of the film, "Listen" is a 1975 song being recorded by Deena in the Rainbow Record studio, a recording empire established by Curtis. She recorded the song as to "let loose" after knowing Curtis is also controlling her.[1][2]
[edit] Composition
Upon reading the script of the film, director Bill Condon felt the second half of the film needed a song.[2] Because of the presence of "emotional punch" on the first half, which he stated the "Broadway show seemed 'almost over' at intermission", Condon asked the musical team for Dreamgirls "to create a new and equally moving song to energize the second act".[3] Led by Henry Krieger, the composer of the original 1981 Broadway musical version of Dreamgirls, the song was written along with Scott Cutler, Anne Preven and Beyoncé. The track was produced by the R&B-pop production duo The Underdogs.[4]
Used in the film as a last minute recording by Deena before leaving Curtis "to find her own voice as a newly independent woman",[3] Preven called "Listen" a song which "Deena is exclaiming, 'You don't know who I am, and I know I do.'"[5]
"Listen" is a soul song,[1] with ballad influences,[6] performed in a moderately slow pace. Set in common time, it is composed in the key of B♭ major.[7] The lyrics are written in the traditional verse-chorus form. A bridge follows after repeating the pattern, ending with a chorus. A recorded speech about the writing of the song is included in the album, which introduces "Listen".[6] The music of the song takes instrumentation from bass, celli, drums, guitars, keyboards, percussion, violas and violins .[4]
[edit] Release and live performances
In the United States, "Listen" was released both as a CD and 7" single on January 29, 2007, featuring its album and instrumental versions.[8]
Beyoncé performed "Listen" at the 2007 49th Annual Grammy Awards. At the 79th Academy Awards, held the same year, Beyoncé performed the song as a duet with her Dreamgirls co-star Jennifer Hudson.
[edit] Criticism and recognitions
Beyoncé scored positive reviews for "Listen", most of whom complimenting her vocal performance. Pitchfork reviewer stated that "when [Beyoncé] belts out the chorus, the inspiration is real, tangible, and contagious."[9] Chuck Taylor of Billboard magazine said, "Beyoncé delivers the performance of her career in 'Listen,' another defining moment in the brilliant flick [besides Hudson's 'And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going']. In this devastatingly beautiful ballad, she shimmers with evocative emotion, rising to new heights alongside a golden melody with spellbinding, rafter-raising production."[10] Peter Travers of the Rolling Stone magazine that the song "adds grit and touching gravity to Deena".[11] Jody Rosen's review for Entertainment Weekly was less impressed, describing "Listen" as "an inspirational ballad about 'the song in my heart', which builds to an enormous schlock-opera climax" and "gloopy".[12]
The song, alongside "Love You I Do" and "Patience", was nominated for the 2007 Academy Award for Best Original Song. It was also nominated for Best Original Song during the 2006 International Press Academy Satellite Award and the Golden Globe Award. Dreamgirls received seven nominations at the 12th Annual Critics Choice Awards, where the film won four awards, including Best Original Song for "Listen".
[edit] Music video
Three music videos were made to promote the song. The first version premièred on MTV's Making the Video on November 29.
The first "Listen" music video, which was directed by Diane Martel, features Beyoncé walking through a performance hall in modern-day street clothes, performing the song. Once she arrives onstage and at the song's bridge, she appears in costume as Deena, dressed in a 1970s-period gown. Intercut into the video are scenes from Dreamgirls, most of which depict Deena's relationship with her husband and employer, Curtis Taylor, Jr. The director's cut of this version appeared on the B'Day Anthology Video Album. This version is reminiscent of her idol Whitney Houston's "Greatest Love of All" video.
The second music video, directed by Matthew Rolston. This video features Beyoncé wearing a modern-day tank top, performing the song against a blank white background. Interspersed are some scenes from a Vogue photo shoot scene in the film. This version appears on the Dreamgirls DVD release.
In the director's cut of the video, Beyoncé is seen in an original photo shoot in clothing she seems to be unhappy in. During the bridge she is finally tired of people changing her image so she removes all her excess clothing and goes up stairs to the roof where she finishes the song.
[edit] Track listing
- US CD / 7" single:
- "Listen" (Album version) – 3:39
- "Listen" (Instrumental) – 3:37
- International CD / 7" single:
- "Listen" – 3:37
- "Irreplaceable" (DJ Speedy remix) – 4:17
[edit] Charts
| Chart (2007) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Austria Top 75 | 32 |
| Billboard Eurochart Top 100 | 24 |
| German Singles Top 100 | 18 |
| GIB Singles Chart | 1 |
| Irish Singles Chart | 6 |
| Italian Singles Chart | 3 |
| Netherlands Urban Top 100 | 28 |
| Swiss Singles Top 100 | 10 |
| UK Singles Chart | 16 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 61 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs | 23 |
| U.S. Billboard Pop 100 | 56 |
[edit] Awards
| Year | Result | Award | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Won | International Press Academy Satellite Award | Best Original Song - Motion Picture For: Dreamgirls |
| 2007 | Won | BFCA Critics' Choice Awards | Best Original Song - Motion Picture For: Dreamgirls |
| 2007 | Nominated | Golden Globe Awards | Best Original Song - Motion Picture For: Dreamgirls |
| 2007 | Nominated | Black Reel Awards | Best Song, Original or Adapted- Motion Picture For: Dreamgirls |
| 2007 | Won | Satellite Awards | Best Original Song - Motion Picture For: Dreamgirls |
| 2007 | Nominated | Academy Awards | Best Original Song - Motion Picture For: Dreamgirls |
| Preceded by "Promise" by Ciara |
GIB Singles Chart number one single February 18, 2007 - February 25, 2007 |
Succeeded by "Over It" by Katharine McPhee |
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Scott, A. O. (2006-12-15). Three-Part Heartbreak in Motown. The New York Times. Retrieved on 2008-03-30.
- ^ a b c Reid, Shaheem. "Beyonce Wants End To Drama Over New Drama 'Dreamgirls'; Sets Tour", MTV News, (2006-12-13). Retrieved on 2008-03-30.
- ^ a b Ulmer, James (2006-09-10). After Conquering ‘Chicago,’ It’s On to Motown. The New York Times. Retrieved on 2008-03-30.
- ^ a b (2007) Album notes for B'Day deluxe edition. Sony Music BMG Entertainment.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (2006-01-02). In the mix: The Oscar song race rocks a who's who list of top stars. Variety. Reed Business. Retrieved on 2008-03-30.
- ^ a b Gardner, Elysa (2006-08-31). Beyoncé, raising her voice. USA Today. Retrieved on 2008-03-30.
- ^ Listen. Sheet Music Plus. Retrieved on 2008-03-30.
- ^ Listen. Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved on 2008-03-30.
- ^ Pitchfork: Track Reviews - Listen. Pitchfork Media. Retrieved on 2008-03-30.
- ^ Taylor, Chuck. Listen. Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved on 2008-03-30.
- ^ Travers (2006-11-21). Dreamgirls. Rolling Stone. Retrieved on 2008-03-30.
- ^ Rosen (2007-09-01). Music Review: B'Day (2006)-Beyonce Knowles. Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved on 2007-12-28.
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