1+1 (song)

"1+1"
Promotional single by Beyoncé from the album 4
Released May 25, 2011 (2011-05-25)
Format Digital download
Recorded The Studio
(Palms; Las Vegas, Nevada)
Triangle Sound Studio
(Atlanta, Georgia)
Genre R&B, soul
Length 4:32
Label Columbia
Writer Terius Nash, Christopher Stewart, Beyoncé Knowles
Producer The-Dream, Tricky Stewart, Beyoncé Knowles
4 track listing

"1+1" is a song recorded by American recording artist Beyoncé Knowles for her fourth studio album, 4 (2011). Knowles debuted the song on May 25, 2011, on American Idol, and digitally released it as a promotional single in the United States through Columbia Records. Serving as the opening track on 4, the song was written and produced by Knowles, Terius "The-Dream" Nash and Christopher "Tricky" Stewart. "1+1" was originally titled "Nothing but Love" and The-Dream had initally planned to include it on his second studio album, Love vs. Money (2009). A down-tempo power ballad, "1+1" draws from the genres of contemporary R&B and soul music. The song finds Knowles as the female protagonist expressing her endless love to her soul mate. The lyrics make strong statements about the power of the relationship.

"1+1" was generally well received by contemporary music critics, who noted its resemblance to Knowles' 2009 single, "Halo". The song was also complimented for its low-key instrumentation, which provides emphasis on Knowles' vocals. "1+1" peaked at number 82 on the Canadian Hot 100 chart and at number 57 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, among others. The accompanying music video for "1+1" was directed by Knowles herself, alongside Lauren Briet and Ed Burke, and it premiered on August 26, 2011. The video was a "different" direction in the sense that it does not incorporate the heavy dance routines Knowles is known for,[1] and that it experiments with psychedelic visual effects as well as innovative lighting, which give the clip a cinematic feel. The video met with generally positive reception from music critics, who praised its aesthetic and sexual theme and claimed that it will be remembered as one of Knowles' most iconic visual work.

Soon after Knowles' performance on American Idol, a video that surfaced online received considerable coverage from different media. It was filmed by Jay-Z with a camera phone and shows Knowles rehearsing "1+1" backstage at American Idol. The ballad was included on Knowles' set list for a free concert as part of Good Morning America's Summer Concert Series and on her revue, 4 Intimate Nights with Beyoncé, held at the Roseland Ballroom in New York City. Knowles' live performances of "1+1" have received positive reception; a writer from The Huffington Post described her live performance at the American Idol as "an epic, emotionally-charged [one]."[2] American singers Dondria and Tiffany Evans have performed covers of the ballad, with lyrical modifications.

Contents

Background

The-Dream (left) and Christopher Stewart (right) composed "1+1"

"1+1" was written and produced by Knowles, Terius "The-Dream" Nash and C. "Tricky" Stewart.[3] The song was recorded at The Studio in Las Vegas, Nevada and Triangle Sound Studio in Atlanta, Georgia.[4] The-Dream originally titled it "Nothing but Love" and intended to include it on his second studio album, Love vs. Money (2009).[5][6] Shortly after "1+1" was released leaked online, Knowles debuted the ballad by performing a piano version on the finale of the tenth season of American Idol, held at Los Angeles' Nokia Theatre on May 25, 2011. Wearing a purple gown, she sang the song surrounded by smoke and red lighting, declaring, "This is my favorite song".[7] Towards the end of the performance, she fell to her knees and shook the hands of audience members.[8] The performance earned her a standing ovation from the judges and members of the crowd.[7]

In the United States, "1+1" was released on May 25, 2011, through the iTunes Store as a promotional single from 4. This followed the release of the lead single "Run the World (Girls)" in April 2011.[9] It was made available for download only a few hours after Knowles' performance on American Idol.[9] People who pre-ordered 4 at the iTunes Store received a free download of "1+1" on May 25.[5] "1+1" was not sent for airplay, with "Best Thing I Never Had" favored as the second single from 4, following "Run the World (Girls)".[10] The cover art of "1+1" was photographed by American artist Anthony Duran.[4]

Composition

"1+1" is a downtempo power ballad derived from the genres of R&B and soul music.[3][11] The song features "a soft, almost non-existent" backing beat[12] and makes use of a guitar and a piano as its foundation,[13] while wind chimes, sprinkling strings and funk-influenced bass instrumentation are also present.[14][15] According to the sheet music published by EMI Music Publishing, "1+1" is set in 12/8 time with a slow tempo of 50 beats per minute. It is written in the key of G♭ major, and Knowles' voice spans from G♭2 to C♭6.[16] According to Michael Cragg of The Guardian, "1+1" demonstrates Knowles' "raw vocals".[17] In an interview with Billboard magazine, Knowles stated that this was something she wanted to use her album 4 to showcase: "I used a lot of the brassiness and grittiness in my voice that people hear in my live performances, but not necessarily on my records."[17]

The low-key instrumentation allows Knowles's voice to display all the emotional points,[18] which according to Amos Barshad of New York magazine, was similar to the style of Whitney Houston,[19] a view shared by Tim Finney of Pitchfork Media.[14] According to a journalist from The Huffington Post, "1+1" contrasts with "Run the World (Girls)", in which Knowles "replac[es] the defiance [of the latter] with devotion".[2] Matthew Perpetua of Rolling Stone felt that "1+1" was comparable to Sam Cooke's "Wonderful World" (1960) and Prince's "Purple Rain" (1984).[20] Erika Brooks Adickman of Idolator noted that the song bears similarities to Alicia Keys' "If I Ain't Got You" (2004) as well as Schoolhouse Rock!'s "Three Is a Magic Number" (1996) and compared Knowles's vocals on "1+1" to her previous single, "Halo" (2009).[21] On the other hand, Gabi Gregg from MTV TJ said the ballad is reminiscent of Knowles' Dangerously in Love era (2003).[22] Jillian Mapes of Billboard magazine wrote that the guitar solo is similar to the one in Bon Jovi's power ballads.[15]

The song's title is based on the introductory line, "I don't know much about algebra, but I know that one plus one equals two".[21] Using simple arithmetic to describe her undying love for her partner, Knowles sings to her love interest,[13][23] and explains that the only thing she's sure about is her feelings for this man.[18] Contessa Gayles from AOL Music wrote, " '1+1' is about making love in apocalyptic circumstances".[24] Adopting a breathy, orgasmic voice, Knowles repeatedly pleads with her love interest, "Pull me in close and don't let me go / Make love to me when the world's at war" in the hook lines as well as the chorus lines while the music stays steady and soft.[25][14] As she continues to chant, "So when the world's at war / Let our love heal us all", she projects a universal "all you need is love" feeling, as noted by Jillian Mapes.[15] Building an even more intense "make-love-not-war sentiment" in the second verse,[26] Knowles sings, "Hey! I don't know much about guns but I [...] I've been shot by you", as she pushes the final word "you" up at least a full octave.[27] She then continues: "Hey! And I don't know when I'm gonna die, but I hope that I'm gonna die by you / Hey! And I don't know much about fighting, but I, I know I will fight for you / Hey! Just when I ball up my fist, I realize that I'm laying right next to you".[17][23] According to Thomas Conner of the Chicago Sun-Times, this is intended to show that love conquers all.[25]

Critical reception

"1+1" was praised by music critics, who complimented the effective display of Knowles's emotive vocals due to the use of light instrumentation, and approved that the ballad was the opening song on 4. Nadine Cheung from AOL Radio praised the low-key instrumentation, which highlights Knowles' vocals,[18] and AOL Music's Contessa Gayles called it "an achy, screechy ballad – in the best way possible".[24] Brandon Soderberg from Pitchfork Media wrote, "she really digs in and sells the song's knotty qualities, and when that over-the-top guitar break appears exactly when it should, it's cathartic. At that precise moment, this passionate pastiche of timeless pop becomes a classic all its own."[28] Ryan Dombal, writing for the same music webzine, commented that Adele's 'Someone Like You' is the only recent pop ballad which comes close to "the power" of "1+1".[29] Michael Cragg of The Guardian called the song a "loved up ballad" and praised Knowles for showcasing her raw vocals.[17] Describing "1+1" as "[having] no interest in [Knowles's] typical pursuit of forward-thinking, energetic fare, preferring to throw the emphasis on her radio-destroying vocal chords", David Amidon of PopMatters wrote that the song "is the best result of this, finally providing Beyoncé a song that can compete with the favorites of this generation's parents."[30]

Jocelyn Vena of MTV News wrote, "Beyoncé may not know a thing about algebra, but when it comes to the math of power ballads, she totally gets it."[23] Matthew Perpetua of Rolling Stone wrote that "the album [4] opens with its most tender ballad, a slow-burning number that calls back to both Sam Cooke's 'Wonderful World' and Prince's 'Purple Rain' without sounding like a retread of either tune [...] it sounds best in the context of the album, where its slow, steady build to a cathartic guitar break is the perfect introduction to a set of mostly low-key tracks about love and heartbreak."[20] Similarly considering "1+1" to be "the perfect opener" of 4, Joanne Dorken of MTV UK wrote that it exposes a more vulnerable side of Knowles and that it will remain "a classic stripped-back slow jam from the diva."[31] Praising Knowles' vocals, Jon Caramainca of The New York Times stated that "['1+1'] requires a vocal muscle few singers possess, and even fewer would care to deploy."[27] Writing for The Baltimore Sun, Wesley Case included "1+1" in his list of Five Great Songs and praised song's concept, writing that he began crying when he heard the album version and called it "gut-wrenching" and "gorgeous".[32] Case appreciated Knowles' sensitivity and concluded that it "fades to black like an ellipsis and it's so damn beautiful."[32]

Cameron Adams of the Herald Sun wrote that "1+1" is an "amazing [and] arguably the most honest and tender Knowles has sounded, singing 'help me let my guard down, make love to me'".[33] Similarly, Claire Suddath of Time magazine commented that "1+1" is probably the finest ballad Beyoncé has delivered in years.[34] Amos Barshad of New York magazine described "1+1" as "a big grand love ballad".[19] Andy Kellman of Allmusic picked "1+1" as one of the album's top songs, describing it as "a sparse and placid vocal showcase, [which] fades in with a somber guitar line, throws up occasional and brief spikes in energy, and slowly recedes."[35] Chris Coplan of Chicago-based music website Consequence of Sound commented that on "1+1", Knowles "shifts the focus over to the purity of her voice backed by a simple piano."[12] Leah Collins of Canada's Dose described the song as a "melodramatic soul ballad".[26] A reporter from The Huffington Post stated that "1+1" is a departure from "Run the World (Girls)" and that it is one of the first representations that "Knowles is keeping her promise that a whole new array of sounds will make their way into 4."[2] Similarly, Rap-Up favored the track stating that "If 'Run the World (Girls)' wasn't your thing, this should do the trick."[36] By contrast, Katy Hasty from HitFix criticized the song's lyrics and wrote that it "seem[s] the lyrics to '1+1' were penned by a second-grader."[37] Erika Brooks of Idolator gave "1+1" a mixed review, calling an "achy, rafter-reaching ballad", but dismissed the song as one that may grow on you, similar to lead single "Run the World (Girls)", and added that "as far as songs that combine relationships with arithmetic, we prefer the Spice Girls' '2 Become 1'".[38]

Recognition

The Guardian's critic Sean Michaels ranked "1+1" at number one on his list of The 10 Best Tracks of 2011.[39] Allison Stewart of The Washington Post placed the ballad at number one on her list of the Special Year-End Best-of Edition, writing that Knowles "just kills this otherwise unremarkable ballad. Her obvious pride in her abilities, in her Beyonce-ness, informs every note, but it doesn't seem showoff-y. It's just sweet."[40] The staff members of Pitchfork Media placed the "1+1" at number 26 on their list of The Top 100 Tracks of 2011,[14] writing:

Following Beyoncé's work on "1+1" is like a journey to the center of her craft, a stripping away of every distraction until all that's left is her voice. Without it, "1+1" would be a muted ballad: Its simple guitar line and stardust-sprinkled strings serve no purpose other than to evoke a sense of familiar romantic intimacy, and then to elegantly step aside while Beyoncé delivers one of her most wonderfully impassioned performances ever. "1+1" possesses that slightly scary intensity that has been R&B's worst-kept secret weapon since Whitney Houston's "I Have Nothing", but it also demonstrates perfectly how Beyoncé stands apart from every other big-chested diva getting her Whitney on. She lets the song sing through her with a clarity that is never clinical, a strength that never sabotages, and an expressiveness that is precisely as sentimental as its subject matter requires. Beyoncé is R&B's field marshal, demanding of her listeners and herself an absolute fidelity to the music's emotional possibilities, with a perfectly modulated vehemence that is as captivating as it is tyrannical.[14]

Chart performance

"1+1" entered the US Hot Digital Songs chart at number 33 on June 11, 2011, having sold 57,000 downloads in the previous week. As a result, the song also appeared at number 57 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.[10][41] The following week, it fell to number 89 on the Hot 100 chart. Overall, it charted for only two weeks.[42] For the week ending June 11, 2011, the song charted on the US Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles at number 5.[43] That same week, "1+1" entered the Canadian Hot 100 chart at number 82.[44] Following the release of 4 and based solely on digital downloads, "1+1" appeared on the UK Singles Chart at number 67[45] and on the UK R&B Chart at number 23 in the July 9, 2011 issue.[46] After the release of its music video, "1+1" moved from number 125 to number 71 on the UK Singles Chart on September 11, 2011.[47] The following week, it reached a high point of number 21 on the R&B chart.[48] Selling 18,263 downloads, the song opened at number 25 on the South Korea Gaon International Singles Chart for the week ending July 2, 2011.[49]

Music video

Background and synopsis

It was reported in early August 2011 that Knowles was recording new music videos for several songs from 4, including "1+1" which was shot by August 3, 2011.[50] The video premiered on August 26, 2011 on E! News at 7:00 pm EST/PST and it was posted on Knowles' website one hour later.[51] It was directed by Knowles herself, alongside Lauren Briet and Ed Burke.[1][52][53] The video was described by her official website as "the story of love at its best. It's about commitment and fulfillment and it's Beyoncé at her most beautiful. The video experiments with psychedelic visual effects and innovative lighting that gives the clip a cinematic feel."[51] The music video for the song is four and a half minutes long.[54] The director's cut of "1+1" was released on November 1, 2011. It features slightly different scenes to the original.[55]

The song's video features close-up shots of Knowles and incorporates psychedelic light effects and symmetrical filming photography. As the acoustic guitar begins playing, Knowles' face comes into view. She stands with her blond hair draped just below her exposed shoulders. As she intently stares into the camera, her skin glistens as though it has been coated with a honey-like and glittery substance.[1] Turning her head from right to left, with her eyes fixed off-camera, Knowles starts belting out the first verse. As the chorus is reached, scenes of Knowles in a darkened room are shown. Additionally, she places her face delicately against dripping water, gently brushing it with her lips and palms. The scenery changes and Knowles is back in the darkened chamber, where she removes her dress.

A quick shot of the "IV" tattoo inked on Knowles' left ring finger is shown (a reference to her album's title, 4),[56] before she bathes in a tub of flowers as well as berries and blows billows of smoke. As she continues to caress her upper-body, an array of light imagery is projected behind her, serving as a backdrop. During the second verse, the video begins to use symmetrical visual arts. Knowles appears standing in front of a purple background, draped by large and billowing garments. As the song progresses, her emotions are heightened; zoomed shots of tears trickling down her cheeks are shown. A man appears behind Knowles and begins closely embracing her in endearment. The man is nondescript, and his muscular arms grip Knowles' body before taking her through a series of dips and bends, while he remains mostly in the background. With tears still rolling down her cheeks, Knowles chants to her love interest to make love to her on the song's vocal finale. As the guitar melodies close the song, Knowles is seen engulfed by the colorful light and special effects. The video ends with the camera returning to a glistening Knowles with blackened scenery in the background.

Reception

Jennifer Cady of E! News found the video "sexy" and "pretty stripped down", further writing: "There are no catchy choreographed dances or freakum dresses, just Queen Bey looking gorgeous in lingerie and belting out her love and devotion to her man." Cady added that that the video was entertaining because of Knowles "seriously magical hair" and her skin, which was sparkling like Edward Cullen.[57] Tanner Stransky of Entertainment Weekly concluded that although the video was different from the previous "heavily produced spectacles" Knowles has made, "it's hard to take your eyes off it".[58] Spencer Kornhaber of The Atlantic criticized the sex appeal which was used in the videos for Lady Gaga's "You and I" (2011) and Katy Perry's "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)" (2011) but felt that "Beyonce's game is unique in its reliance on pure visual magnetism".[59] He wrote that even when Knowles is "inhabiting apocalyptic warzones or Mad Men-era domestic scenes", she is always classical. Kornhaber concluded that the video for "1+1" is "catchy, fun dance, pretty face, pretty body", which according to him, is what "Beyonce [has] always been about".[59] Melinda Newman from the website HitFix found "some lovely kaleidoscopic shots and billowing sheets".[60] She added that "[...] we never see her '+1' other than an arm and back shot, but that works to the video's advantage".[60]

Similarly, Willa Paskin of New York magazine praised the final minute of the video in which "we are treated to what is supposed to be the instrumental equivalent of an orgasm", illustrated by split-screen kaleidoscope effects and capped off by Knowles staring into the camera "in postcoital contentment".[54] Mawuse Ziegbe of The Boston Globe noted that Knowles's sex appeal was at its maximum in the video for "1+1".[61] She compared the kaleidoscope effects with Lady Gaga's "Born This Way" (2011) and finished her review by writing, "ultimately, the clip shows the diva doesn't need the elaborate costumes, club-anthem rhythms and booty-quivering grooves to bring the heat. But a lustrous, fling-ready mane is always handy."[61] Similarly, a writer for MTV UK praised the video's "light effects and symmetrical camera tricks" which "[sell] sex as art".[62] Leah Collins of the Canadian magazine Dose commented that Knowles was "gifted with seemingly supernatural powers of hotness" in the video.[63] A writer for Rolling Stone found the video for "1+1" to be "the moistest music video ever made", adding that it "perfectly matches the sultry, romantic tone of the song".[64] Maura Johnston of The Village Voice found a "'What D'Angelo's 'Untitled (How Does It Feel)' Feels Like For A Girl' vibe" in the video for "1+1" and compared it to the one for "Sweet Dreams" (2009).[65]

Rob Markman of MTV News wrote that the choreography is very different from the Knowles' standard dance routines, which feature high-powered steps, swaying hips and "her patented bootylicious shake". He commented, "Instead, Beyoncé settles for ballet-style steps, moving in a leotard and long, flowing cape."[1] Markman added that the video will most likely remain "under the radar" in comparison to the highlights in her high-budgeted reel, which includes clips like "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" (2008) and "Crazy in Love" (2003). He concluded that "[...] much like the song, the visuals for '1+1' shouldn't be measured in terms of size, but rather in emotive presentation and subdued sexiness".[1] A writer for The Huffington Post wrote that the music video for "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" was Knowles's most iconic visual work, but added that after the premiere of the video for "1+1", "it may now have company".[66] David Malitz of The Washington Post stated that Knowles looks like Hurricane Irene at the beginning of the video, but added that she looks like "any number of chillwave videos" at the end.[67] A more mixed review was given by OK! magazine, which described the video as cheesy.[68] L Magazine's Mike Conklin was unsatisfied with the video, writing that since Knowles is rightfully considered to be among "the absolute best [artists]", she can do do better."[69]

Live performances

Knowles first performed "1+1" live on American Idol on May 25, 2011.[7] A writer from The Huffington Post called it "an epic, emotionally-charged performance" and praised the fact that Knowles "channel[led] every particle of the room's energy into her lung-bursting calls and cries."[2] Becky Bain of Idolator wrote, "Beyoncé, you are our American Idol ... She sounds and looks amazing, and though we were iffy when we first heard [the studio version of] the song ... this live performance sealed the deal for us."[70] Shortly after Knowles' performance on American Idol, a video that surfaced online received considerable coverage from music critics.[29] It became an instant viral video as soon as it hit the web.[51] The clip was filmed using a camera phone and it shows Knowles rehearsing "1+1" backstage at American Idol with no microphone and simple keyboard accompaniment.[29] The video was filmed by Knowles's husband, Jay-Z. In an introduction to the video on his Life + Times website he wrote: "Sometimes you need perspective. You've been right in front of greatness so often that you need to step back and see it again for the first time."[29] While reviewing 4, Pitchfork Media's Ryan Dombal complimented the video, writing:

One of the year's best music videos was directed by Jay-Z and cost about zero dollars to make. The video has a similar impromptu charm to the many intimate, one-shot performance clips popularized by Vincent Moon's Take-Away Shows, its appeal compounded by the shock of seeing such a notoriously manicured superstar without embellishment. It's all quite endearing and personal – two words one might not often associate with this superhumanly talented and famous couple.[29]

On July 1, 2011, Knowles performed a free concert as part of Good Morning America's Summer Concert Series. She sang "1+1" while kneeling on top of a white grand piano.[71] Knowles also performed the song live on the TV show, The View.[72] She sang "1+1" live on August 14, 2011 during 4 Intimate Nights with Beyoncé, held in Roseland Ballroom, New York City.[73] Wearing a gold dress, she performed the song in front of 3,500 people while her band and orchestra were watching on.[73][74] During the performance, Knowles climbed on top of a piano and sang on her knees.[75] Erika Ramirez of Billboard magazine wrote that Knowles performed "1+1", "wrapped up in smoke and red hued lights, reminiscent of her live performance on the American Idol finale."[76] Ramirez stated that Knowles sang the ballad with "impeccability."[76] Mike Wass of Idolator praised how Knowles "wrung every ounce of emotion from the lyrics of '1+1' and hit each note perfectly", concluding that it was "an impressive display."[77] Entertainment Weekly's Brad Wete wrote that Knowles' voice "rang soulfully, only breaking to let the crowd fill in gaps for a sing-along feel."[73] Joycelyn Vena of MTV News commented that on "1+1", Knowles' vocal abilities "outshined it all."[78] On September 14, 2011, Knowles stopped at Target perform at the managers meeting. Wearing a red dress, she sung "1+1" accompanied by three backup singers and a pianist.[79] During the ITV special A Night With Beyoncé which aired on December 4 in the United Kingdom, Knowles performed "1+1" to a selected crowd of fans.[80]

Other versions and usage in media

The-Dream's demo of "1+1", originally titled as "Nothing But Love", leaked onto the Internet in late May 2011.[81][82] In late June 2011, American recording artist Dondria posted a video of herself, singing "1+1" while seated in front her computer.[83] On July 12, 2011, Rap-Up reported that the American singer, Tiffany Evans, who had previously covered "Speechless" from Knowles's first studio album, Dangerously in Love (2003), had also covered the "1+1", with some lyrical modifications.[84]

Knowles appeared on Entertainment Tonight on June 16, 2011 to promote the exclusive-to-Target deluxe edition of 4 and gave fans a sneak preview of its television commercial.[85] The 30-second commercial, which features "1+1" and "Countdown" playing in the background, began airing in the United States on June 24, 2011.[86][87]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from 4 liner notes.[4]

  • Lee Blaske – strings
  • Val Brathwaite – mixer assistant
  • Steven Dennis – engineer assistant
  • Mark Gray – engineer assistant
  • Nikki Gallespi – drums
  • Beyoncé Knowles – vocals, producer, songwriter
  • Tony Maserati – mixer

Charts

Chart (2011) Peak
position
Canadian Hot 100[44] 82
South Korea Gaon International Singles Chart[49] 25
Portuguese Ringtone Chart[88] 14
UK Singles Chart[47] 71
UK R&B Chart[48] 21
US Billboard Hot 100[10] 57
US Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles[43] 5

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Markman, Rob (August 25, 2011). "Beyonce Strips Down For '1+1' Video". MTV News. MTV Networks. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1669721/beyonce-one-plus-one-music-video.jhtml. Retrieved August 23, 2011. 
  2. ^ a b c d "Beyonce: '1+1' Song Premiere On 'American Idol' (Video)". The Huffington Post. AOL Inc.. May 25, 2011. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/26/beyonce-1-plus-1-song-premiere-video_n_867309.html. Retrieved June 6, 2011. 
  3. ^ a b Corner, Lewis (May 26, 2011). "Beyonce releases new song '1+1'". Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi Médias. http://www.digitalspy.com.au/music/news/a321610/beyonce-releases-new-song-11.html. Retrieved May 27, 2011. 
  4. ^ a b c "Album Credits". Columbia Records. Archived from the original on July 12, 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.beyonceonline.com%2Fus%2Falbumcredits&date=2011-07-12. Retrieved July 12, 2011. 
  5. ^ a b Jones, Anthony (May 26, 2011). "Beyonce debuts new single '1 + 1'". All Headline News. http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/90049749?Beyonce%20debuts%20new%20single%20%26%23147%3B1%20%2B%201%26%23148%3B. Retrieved May 27, 2011. 
  6. ^ Ramirez, Erika (May 26, 2011). "Beyonce Performs New Song, '1 + 1': Watch". Billboard. New York: Prometheus Global Media. http://www.billboard.com/column/the-juice/beyonce-performs-new-song-1-1-watch-1005204892.story. Retrieved May 27, 2011. 
  7. ^ a b c "Beyoncé Debuts '1+1' on American Idol [Video]". Rap-Up. Devin Lazerine. May 25, 2011. http://www.rap-up.com/2011/05/25/beyonce-debuts-11-on-american-idol-video/. Retrieved May 26, 2011. 
  8. ^ Graham, Adam (May 25, 2011). "Beyoncé Dons Her Diva Crown On 'American Idol' Finale". MTV News. MTV News. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1664616/beyonce-american-idol-finale.jhtml. Retrieved May 26, 2011. 
  9. ^ a b Corne, Lewis (May 26, 2011). "Beyoncé releases new song '1+1'". Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi Médias. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a321610/beyonce-releases-new-song-11.html. Retrieved May 27, 2011. 
  10. ^ a b c Trust, Gary (June 11, 2011). "'Idols' Scott McCreery & Laura Alaina Top Hot 100 Debuts, Adele Still No. 1". Billboard. New York: Prometheus Global Media. http://www.billboard.com/news/idols-scotty-mccreery-lauren-alaina-top-1005211922.story. Retrieved July 3, 2011. 
  11. ^ Mansfield, Brian (May 25, 2011). "'Idol': Lauren sings with Carrie; Beyonce debuts a single". USA Today (Gannett Company). http://content.usatoday.com/communities/idolchatter/post/2011/05/idol-lauren-sings-with-carrie-beyonce-debuts-a-single/1. Retrieved May 26, 2011. 
  12. ^ a b Coplann, Chris (May 25, 2011). "Check Out: Beyoncé – "1+1″". Consequence of Sound. Alex Young. http://consequenceofsound.net/2011/05/check-out-beyonce-11/. Retrieved June 6, 2011. 
  13. ^ a b "New Music: Beyonce – '1+1'". Rap-Up. Devin Lazerine. May 25, 2011. http://www.rap-up.com/2011/05/25/new-music-beyonce-11/. Retrieved May 26, 2011. 
  14. ^ a b c d e "The Top 100 Tracks of 2011". Pitchfork Media. December 12, 2011. http://pitchfork.com/features/staff-lists/8726-the-top-100-tracks-of-2011/8/. Retrieved December 17, 2011. 
  15. ^ a b c Mapes, Jillian (June 17, 2011). "Beyonce, '1+1'". Billboard. New York: Prometheus Global Media. http://www.billboard.com/#/new-releases/beyonce-1-1-1005254812.story. Retrieved July 1, 2011. 
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External links

Book: 4 (Beyoncé Knowles album)
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Beyoncé singles
Dangerously in Love
#1's
B'Day
I Am... Sasha Fierce
4
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Promotional singles
"Daddy" · "Summertime" · "One Night Only" · "Upgrade U" · "Fever" · "Why Don't You Love Me" · "Wishing on a Star" · "1+1" · "Party"
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