Ring the Alarm

"Ring the Alarm"
Single by Beyoncé
from the album B'Day
Released September 10, 2006
Format CD single, 12", digital download
Recorded 2006
Sony Music Studios
(New York City, New York)
Genre R&B, Hip hop
Length 3:23 (Album Version/Main Version)
3:16 (Radio Edit)
Label Columbia
Writer(s) Beyoncé Knowles, Kasseem "Swizz Beatz" Dean, Sean Garrett
Producer Beyoncé Knowles, Swizz Beatz, Sean Garrett
Certification Gold (RIAA)
Beyoncé singles chronology
"Déjà Vu"
(2006)		 "Ring the Alarm"
(2006)		 "Irreplaceable"
(2006)

"Ring the Alarm" is a song recorded by American R&B singer Beyoncé Knowles for her second studio album, B'Day (2006). It was composed by Knowles, Kasseem "Swizz Beatz" Dean, and Sean Garrett. Columbia Records released "Ring the Alarm" as the second single from B'Day in the United States on October 17, 2006, while Irreplaceable (2006) was serviced as the album's second international/third US single. The song's development was motivated by Knowles' role in the Broadway musical adaptation Dreamgirls (2006). The cover art of "Ring the Alarm" proved controversial because Knowles used alligators during the photography session. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), declared that Knowles' posing with a baby alligator was arguably abusive to an animal.

"Ring the Alarm" is an R&B song with punk rock influences. Its introduction features a blaring siren, which sets an aggressive tone. The song's lyrics revolve a woman who feels threatened, and is unwilling to allow another woman to profit from the protagonist's efforts to improve her lover's life. The lyrics of the song were rumored to be about Barbadian recording artist Rihanna's relationship with Jay-Z; Knowles refuted the allegation in an interview with Seventeen magazine. The song was received with mixed reception for contemporary critics, who noted that it was different from Knowles' previous work. While some commended her willingness to take risks, others were polarized about her aggressive vocals. "Ring the Alarm" was nominated for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance at the 49th Grammy Awards.

The single debuted at number 12 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, becoming Beyoncé's highest US debut. It reached number 11 on the chart, becoming her first solo single to peak below the top 10. Its accompanying music video was inspired by the 1992 film Basic Instinct and was directed by Sophie Muller. It was filmed inside a cavernous hangar on the Brooklyn waterfront in New York City. The music video garnered generally mixed reviews critics, who universally thought that it was eccentric. Knowles promoted "Ring the Alarm" through various live performances on televised shows and awards ceremonies, including the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards. The song was included on her set list on The Beyoncé Experience in Los Angeles and her world tour, I Am... Tour.

Contents

Background

Writing and recording

In 2006, Knowles had a starring role in the Broadway musical adaptation of Dreamgirls, that provided inspiration for the content and music of the album.[1] After six months of filming, Knowles was on vacation and went into a studio to begin working on her second solo album B'Day.[1] Knowles said: "[When filming ended,] I had so many things bottled up, so many emotions, so many ideas".[1] She telephoned American songwriter and record producer Sean Garrett, who co-wrote her 2005 multi-platinum single "Check on It", along with Rodney Jerkins and Rich Harrison.[2] She also contacted American hip hop producer-rapper Kasseem "Swizz Beatz" Dean, who co-produced "Check on It".[1] Knowles rented Sony Music Studios and booked Garrett and other producers.[2] He said: "I came to the studio and saw the zone...everybody in here is banging out. Rodney Jerkins had his session, Rich Harrison had his session going on...I started banging out some shit."[1] "Ring the Alarm" was co-written by Knowles, Garrett and Swizz Beatz.[3] The album's tracks were produced while writing the lyrics.[1] It was co-arranged by Knowles and recorded in the same studio. "Ring the Alarm" was produced by Beyoncé, Garrett and Swizz Beatz.[1] The track was one of four songs of the album produced by Swizz Beatz. He stated: "That's just one of the many presents I gave her for her B'Day. I have the most tracks on her album as a single producer".[4] Knowles said about her collaboration with Swizz Beatz, "I love working with Swizz. He's challenging. His beats are so complex it's hard to find a melody. But this just clicked".[5]

Artwork controversy

The artwork of B'Day, including the cover of "Ring the Alarm", caused controversy because Knowles used alligators during the photography session. Knowles said that using the animal, and taping their mouths shut, was her idea. PETA, which had previously confronted her after she used furs for her fashion line's clothing design, contacted a biologist who wrote a letter to Knowles, "As a specialist in reptile biology and welfare, I'm concerned about your posing with a terrified baby alligator for your new album cover. Humans and alligators are not natural bedfellows, and the two should not mix at events such as photo shoots. In my view, doing so is arguably abusive to an animal."[6] Knowles' father and manager, Mathew Knowles, released an official statement a few days later:

It is apparent that there is a consistent plan by some to create chaos around Beyoncés 'B'Day' album release on September 5 in the US. First, it was a petition against the single, 'Déjà Vu', then a rumor regarding conflict between Beyoncé and Rihanna, seizures caused by the 'Ring the Alarm' video, putting out a single to compete with LeToya's album and now to add to all the ridiculous rumors, is my plan to postpone the release of her 'B'Day' album. What will be next? Beyoncé's cut off all her hair? Dyed it green? Maybe she's singing the songs in reverse with some hidden subliminal message! [7]

Music, theme and lyrics

According to the sheet music published at Musicnotes.com by EMI Music Publishing, "Ring the Alarm" is an R&B song set in common time and performed in a moderately slow tempo of eighty-five beats per minute.[8] The song, which incorporates elements of punk rock,[9] is composed in the key A minor and Knowles' vocals range from the note of C♯4 to F5.[8] "Ring the Alarm"'s instrumentation includes drums, clattering percussion instruments,[8][10] and synthesizers.[8] The song features a slapping backbeat[11] and a pounding bass.[12] A blaring siren is used as its introductory sound, creating an aggressive tone.[13] According to Tom Breihan of The Village Voice, the song also makes use of "titanic handclaps, trebly synth plonks and breathing noises."[14] Knowles' strong and shout-filled vocals arrangements are enhanced with a meshing groove as well as echo and shimmer, which overlap with one another to create a neo-warm vibe.[13] Additionally, the song incorporates a mezzo-soprano growl,[13] which further demonstrates the aggressiveness of the lyrics.[15]

Darryl Sterdan, writing for the Canadian website Jam!, described "Ring the Alarm" as "a shrill tantrum of green-eyed monsterdom".[16] Kelefa Sanneh of The New York Times called the song a "canny display of emotional vulnerability."[17] Knowles personally commented on the song: "It's energetic, aggressive and filled with hard beats".[18] She also stated that the album was completed in three weeks, which is the reason most of the record sounds aggressive.[1] In an interview, Knowles stated that she had not intended to write an angry song, and said, "Swizz's track had that tough vibe, like the guy had cheated, and I wanted to write something honest. If you're in a relationship, even if the man's cheating and you end up not wanting him, the thought of another woman benefiting from the lessons you taught him."[19]

Sanneh stated that, lyrically, "Ring the Alarm" features Knowles impersonating a threatened girlfriend.[17] Dave de Sylvi of Sputnikmusic wrote that Knowles shows her unwillingness to allow another woman to profit from the work she did to improve her lover.[20] According to Frances Romero of Time magazine, Knowles' anger is due to the man's wandering eye and her desire to leave, and the thought of having to give him up to some unworthy woman.[21] Tim Finney of Pitchfork Media, described Knowles vocals in the song as "thrillingly sharp with anxiety and paranoia".[22] Tamara Coniff of Billboard magazine noted that the verses of "Ring the Alarm" resemble those of Aretha Franklin.[5]

As the song opens, Knowles telling her lover, "I can’t let you go" and that she would not allow another woman to take everything she owns.[23] According to Jody Rosen of Entertainment Weekly, Knowles delivers the refrain—"Ring the alarm, I've been doin[g] this too long / But I'll be damned if I see another chick on your arm"—"through a thick fog of distortion."[24] Sarah Rodman of The Boston Globe commented that Knowles delivers this line with "grit and urgency" that feel genuine,[11] while Breihan added that Knowles sings it with "with a frantic intensity" and "wailing with force and purpose."[14] In her first verse, Knowles describes her relationship as "not [being] the picture perfect movie everyone would assume."[25] The lyrics of "Ring the Alarm" were rumored to be about singer Rihanna's relationship with rapper Jay-Z.[17][26] In an interview with Seventeen magazine, Knowles said that the lyrics had nothing to do with Rihanna, and that Knowles was unaware of the rumors that had been circulating.[14][27]

Release

I want to personally respond to the report on Vibe.com about my next single, 'Ring The Alarm.' I am very proud of this song and I believe the video is one of the best I have ever done. I am excited about its premiere on Yahoo today, Wed[nesday], Aug[ust] 16[, 2006]. It's energetic, aggressive and filled with hard beats and I cannot wait for my fans to see it. I always believed this would be a powerful song. My thoughts about releasing 'Green Light' (2007) and 'Get Me Bodied' was to go first to the international market, but the vibrancy of 'Ring The Alarm' is something I wanted the whole world to see and hear right now. 'Green Light' and 'Get Me Bodied' are definite single contenders, but right now it's all about 'Ring The Alarm.'" —Beyoncé Knowles on the release on "Ring the Alarm".[18]

In June 2006, Knowles invited Tamara Coniff of Billboard to a New York recording studio where she played "Ring the Alarm" and "Freakum Dress" (2006) for the prospect of the next two singles,[5] and she also had plans for "Green Light" (2007) and "Get Me Bodied" (2007) to hit international markets. However, she ultimately opted for "Ring the Alarm" to be released as the second single of the album in the United States, following "Déjà Vu" (2006).[18] On September 10, 2006, it officially impacted radio stations in the United States.[28] A two-track CD single was released in the same country on October 3, 2006,[29] and a five-track remix CD was later released on October 17, including the Karmatronic Remix, Migtight Remix, Tranzformas Remix, Pha Remix and Grizz Remix.[30] Knowles later approached English production team Freemasons to remix "Déjà Vu". A club-oriented version was produced and appeared on the team's debut album, Shakedown, released in 2007.[31]

Critical response

Contemporary critics received "Ring the Alarm" with polarized responses, with most of them noting that the song is completely different from Knowles' previous work. Eb Haynes of AllHipHop said the track is "emotionally high-powered" which "rose speculations so arresting, while insignificant".[32] The Boston Globe's Sarah Rodman complimented the way the song's lyrics express rage and vulnerability, and praised its "dread-filling siren blare", its beat, and the distorted vocals of Knowles. Rodman also commented that "Ring the Alarm" finds "Beyoncé in full hell-hath-no-fury mode".[11] Jonah Weiner of Blender magazine wrote that "Ring the Alarm" tackles "a Beyoncé evergreen: the inseparability of romance and finance."[10] Billboard magazine viewed "Ring the Alarm" as another female empowering track of Knowles.[33] Jody Rosen of Entertainment Weekly called "Ring the Alarm" torrid, and wrote that Knowles, "sounds positively horrified by the prospect of relinquishing the luxury goodies her boyfriend has bought her — 'chinchilla coats,' 'the house on the coast' — to another woman."[24] Brian Hiatt of Rolling Stone stated that Knowles sings "sings with enough frantic, quavering intensity to make you believe she really is crazy in love."[9] Marcos Chin of Vibe magazine described the song as "both a sexual invitation and a threat."[34] Norman Meyers of Prefix Magazine wrote the "Ring the Alarm" is evidence of Knowles' willingness to take chances.[15]

Spence D. of IGN Music Music also gave the song a positive review, stating that Knowles' "best examples of her vocal stylings meshing with the grooves" come from "Ring the Alarm".[13] Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine wrote that "Ring the Alarm" was a bold choice for a single.[35] Dave de Sylvi of Sputnikmusic also said that the song was a brave choice for a single, and called it, "angry and lyrically incendiary".[20] Calling "Ring the Alarm" a "bunny-boiling bonanza", Rach Read of TeenToday added that the song is a definite highlight and that "it's great to see an artist at the top of her game prepared to take risks with a track as unhinged as this (with video to match!)."[12] Chris Richards of The Washington Post defined Knowles' character in the song as a "jealousy-crazed ex", and expressed his disappointment that the song could not manage a more convincing refrain.[36] Andy Kellman of Allmusic called it "an angered, atonal, and out-of-character song".[37] On his review of the album, Tim Finney of Pitchfork Media wrote that the track sounds "genuinely (and marvelously) incoherent."[22] Bernard Zuel of The Sydney Morning Herald called "Ring the Alarm" a "posturing and eventually annoying" track.[38]

Recognition and accolades

Bill Lamb of About.com commented, "Surprisingly the first two singles released from B'Day, "Déjà Vu" and "Ring the Alarm," are among the weakest songs [on the album]".[39] He also ranked it at number nine on his of the Top 10 Most Annoying Pop Songs of 2006, and wrote that, "it possibly helped save B'Day from sinking out of the public eye before we all got to rejoice in the splendor that is "Irreplaceable." However, those sirens, that maniacal Sharon Stone shtick in the video... it was all a bit much."[40] However, Lamb also placed "Ring the Alarm" at the eighty-eighth position on his list of the Top 100 Pop Songs 2006, writing: "Beyonce's second single from B'Day featured one of the most intense videos of the year...and those sirens."[41] Vibe magazine placed the song at the forty-eighth place on its list of the Top 60 Songs of 2006, complimenting the vocal distortion of the song and the way Knowles shouts while delivering some of the lyrics in the chorus and the hook.[42] Frances Romero of Time magazine listed "Ring the Alarm" at the ninth position on her list of the "Top 10 Angry Breakup Songs" of the 2000s decade, writing: "Critics had mixed feelings about the song, which was a marked departure from Beyoncé's previous material. [...] In the end, what it does show is that Beyoncé will have her way."[21] The single was nominated for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance at the 49th Grammy Awards but lost out to Mary J. Blige's rendition of her 2005 single "Be Without You".[43]

Chart performance

"Ring the Alarm" was released as the second US single from B'Day, while "Irreplaceable" was serviced as the second single elsewhere and later as the third US single. On September 23, 2006, the song debuted at number twelve on the US Billboard Hot 100, selling more that 56,000 digital downloads.[44] It was the highest US debut that week, and the highest of Knowles' career at that time.[45][46] The single peaked at number eleven on September 30,[47] and was Beyoncé's lowest peaking single until "Get Me Bodied" which peaked at number sixty-eight.[48] Several weeks after leaving the US Hot 100, the single charted again on January 13, 2007, at number eighty-one,[49] and it remained on the chart for 14 weeks.[50] The single was more successful on Billboard's component charts. "Ring the Alarm" reached the top spot on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play, Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Sales and Hot 100 Singles Sales, number three on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and number seven on the Hot Digital Songs. It appeared on the Rhythmic Top 40 at number twenty-one.[48][51][52] Outside the US, "Ring the Alarm" had a poor reception. In Sweden, the single debuted at number fifty-seven on January 15, 2007, a week after it re-entered the Hot 100.[50] Although not released as a single in the United Kingdom, "Ring the Alarm" charted for nine non-consecutive weeks on the UK Singles Chart and peaked at number 112 on December 9, 2006.[53]

Music video

Background

The music video for "Ring the Alarm" was the second video of Knowles' to be directed by Sophie Muller, who worked on "Déjà Vu".[54][55] The video was filmed inside a cavernous hangar located on the waterfront in Brooklyn, New York City. After the filming had finished, Knowles went back to the studio to continue working on B'Day for three days.[56] "Ring the Alarm"'s video remakes a scene from the 1992 film Basic Instinct, referred to by Natalie More of In These Times as an infamous scene.[57][58] Knowles told Elysa Gardner of USA Today that she considered the video to be a movie scene; "I put six months aside, worked with a coach for two months. And that carried through to my music. I treated the video for 'Ring the Alarm' like a movie scene. I was thinking, 'I've got to make my acting coach proud."[59] Knowles wears a white skirt and turtleneck to emulate Sharon Stone.[57] The video premiered at Yahoo! Music on August 16, 2006[18] and debuted on MTV's Total Request Live at number 10 on August 22.[60] The video reached number one and remained on the show for 35 days until it was replaced by "Irreplaceable".[60][61] The video for "Ring the Alarm" was released to the iTunes Store in the US as a Video Triple on November 21, 2006.[62]

Synopsis and reception

The video starts with Knowles lying on a table, lit with a flashing bright red light. While a siren is blaring, she half-stands and sings while dancing on the table. She proceeds to an interrogation room similar to the one in the film Basic Instinct. Knowles sings the first verse in a house with a seashore backdrop. She wants to escape, and struggles with masked and uniformed guards in a hallway. She is then returned to the interrogation room. In between cuts, she sings in a corner of a room, is seen reflected in a mirror while screaming, and among a group of reporters. As the song closes, Knowles is shown crying. The video ends with a close-up view of Knowles putting on red lipstick. The scene shows only Knowles' lips.

The video gained mixed responses from critics. Kellman stated that it "invited all kinds of perplexed analysis".[37] Jose Antonio Vargas of the The Washington Post called Knowles' persona in the video a "ranting, angry woman".[63] Elizabeth Goodman of Rolling Stone speculated that the use of guards in riot gear is a reference to Alias.[25] Tom Breihan of The Village Voice described it as a "quick-and-dirty" video and a "fast montage of disconnected and disconnecting images".[14] Roger Friedman of Fox News called it a "bizarre video depicting a wildly angry and unappealing Beyoncé telling off someone (maybe Jay-Z?) for cheating as if she were an enraged guest on Maury Povich."[64]

Live performances

Knowles performed "Ring the Alarm" at the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards on September 1, 2006, wearing a flowing trench coat, a corset and hotpants.[65] James Montgomery of MTV News commented that as Knowles sang, she "...stripped and stalked."[66] Jocelyn Vena of the same publication, wrote that she had a "frantic performance" of the song along with a "fiercely choreographed breakdown" at the end.[67] She later performed the song on the American morning news and talk show, Good Morning America.[68] "Ring the Alarm" was included on Knowles' set list for her The Beyoncé Experience concert in Los Angeles, and I Am... Tour venues, including the Odyssey Arena in Belfast, the O2 Arena in London, and at venues in Athens and Sydney.[69]

During a performance in Orlando, Florida on July 26, 2007, Knowles sang "Ring the Alarm" after performing "Dangerously in Love 2" (2003).[70] During that show, Knowles fell down a flight of stairs on stage and was videoed by several fans.[71] She told her audience that it "...hurt so bad" and asked, "Don't put [the footage] on YouTube."[71] However, the next morning, several clips of Knowles' fall were available on YouTube,[71] and was reported in the media.[70] The videos were quickly removed from YouTube because users had transgressed the website's terms of use."[71] YouTube said that users posting their footage of the incident were guilty of infringement because "...even if [they] took the video [themselves], the performer controls the right to use his/her image in a video, the songwriter owns the rights to the song being performed and sometimes the venue prohibits filming without permission."[71] After being removed, clips of Knowles' fall were reposted on YouTube and other video-sharing sites like eBaum's World and Dailymotion.[71] Jay-Z later stated on radio that even though Knowles is "...a great performer who's on point 99 percent of the time, she's still human."[70]

Knowles performed "Ring the Alarm" on August 5, 2007, at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan,[70][72] wearing a long red overcoat.[70] Jon Pareles of The New York Times praised her performance, stating: "Beyoncé needs no distractions from her singing, which can be airy or brassy, tearful or vicious, rapid-fire with staccato syllables or sustained in curlicued melismas. But she was in constant motion, strutting in costumes [...]".[72] In Los Angeles, Knowles gave a full-length performance of the song, dressed in a golden, translucent slip and golden, sparkling panties. She performed with several female and male backup dancers and live instrumentation.[73] When she performed the song in Sunrise, Florida on June 29, 2009, Knowles wore a glittery gold leotard. As she sang, animated graphics of turntables, faders and other club equipment were projected behind Knowles, her dancers and musicians.[74] Knowles was accompanied by two drummers, two keyboardists, a percussionist, a horn section, three backup vocalists called the Mamas and a lead guitarist, Bibi McGill.[59] "Ring the Alarm" was included on her live album, The Beyoncé Experience Live (2007).[75]

Formats and track listing

  • US CD single and 12-inch vinyl[29]
  1. "Ring the Alarm" – 3:26
  2. "Ring the Alarm" (instrumental) – 3:25
  1. "Ring the Alarm" (Karmatronic Remix) – 3:21
  2. "Ring the Alarm" (Migtight Remix) – 3:21
  3. "Ring the Alarm" (Tranzformas Remix) – 4:14
  4. "Ring the Alarm" (Jazze Pha Remix) – 3:48
  5. "Ring the Alarm" (Grizz Remix) – 3:32
  • US Dance Mixes EP[76]
  1. "Ring the Alarm" (Freemasons Club Mix) – 8:33
  2. "Ring the Alarm" (Karmatronic Remix) – 3:19
  3. "Ring the Alarm" (Migtight Remix) – 3:19
  • US Urban Mixes EP[77]
  1. "Ring the Alarm" (Tranzformas Remix) (feat. Collie Buddz) – 4:12
  2. "Ring the Alarm" (Jazze Pha Remix) – 3:47
  3. "Ring the Alarm" (Grizz Remix) – 3:32

Credits and personnel

Credits are taken from B'Day liner notes.[3]

Charts and certifications

Weekly charts

Chart (2006) Peak
position
Japan (Oricon Style)[78] 75
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[50] 56
UK Singles Chart[53] 112
US Billboard Hot 100[79] 11
US Hot Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[80] 1
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[81] 3
US Pop 100 (Billboard)[82] 19

Year-end charts

Chart (2006) Position
US Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs[83] 55

Certifications

Country Provider Certifications
United States RIAA Gold[84]

In popular culture

References

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Book: B'Day
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Beyoncé singles
Dangerously in Love
#1's
B'Day
"Déjà Vu" · "Ring the Alarm" · "Irreplaceable" · "Beautiful Liar" · "Get Me Bodied" · "Green Light"
I Am... Sasha Fierce
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