With the release of Beyoncé’s newest visual album many of us found ourselves scrambling to find a friend with an HBO go account. Some even signed up for the free trial of Tidal to view the hour-long feature. I took it upon myself, an enthusiastic member of the Beyhive, to create a guide to the new album—equipped with song descriptions, memorable quotes and visuals. Here is the breakdown of each song on the new album Lemonade:
Pray You Catch Me
This song starts the album off in a chapter of intuition. Bey sings of questioning the honesty and faithfulness of a partner and of men in general. She is doubting the trustworthiness of her partner in this song filled with sadness and doubt.
“You can taste the dishonesty it’s all over your breath”
Hold Up
This song is meant to represent the emotional stage of denial. Angry lyrics disguised by a happy beat and reggae tune combine with scenes of Bey smashing a car with a baseball bat to create the perfect song for someone in denial.
“What a wicked way to treat the girl who loves you”
Don’t Hurt Yourself (feat. Jack White)
Following the denial found in “Hold Up”, comes the pure anger of “Don’t Hurt Yourself” which, with the help of Jack White, becomes a fierce rock song. Perfect to yell along with and release any rage you may be holding on to.
“When you hurt me, you hurt yourself. Don’t hurt yourself”
Sorry
The next chapter of the visual album is titled Apathy. Basically, this song is the new perfect anthem for girls everywhere. Bey lounges in a throne, naturally, stating her indifference and makes it known that she is in no way sorry. This girl-party of a video even features Serena Williams dancing alongside the Queen herself. The song ends with Bey stating regret for ever putting the ring on her finger. She then sings of “Becky with the good hair” sending the Beyhive on a witch-hunt for the now infamous “Becky”.
“He only want me when I’m not there. He better call Becky with the good hair.”
6 Inch (feat. The Weeknd)
Following the apathy, comes a period of emptiness in this emotional album. This song features The Weeknd and becomes a sort of feminist anthem with an ominous backdrop.
“Stars in her eyes, she fights for the power, keeping time.”
Daddy Lessons
The next chapter features Bey’s first attempt at classic, grassroots country music. This song is about accountability. She sings about her father raising her to be strong and not to trust certain men in her life. The song plays over scenes from her childhood illustrating her sometimes turbulent relationship with her father.
“My daddy warned me about men like you. He said ‘baby girl he’s playing you.’”
Love Drought
In the next phase, Bey sings of reformation—trying to rebuild what has broken and reform the broken relationship.
“You and me could stop this love drought”
Sandcastles
This song is the most emotional on the album. Beyoncé sits and sings with nothing but a piano to support her impeccable vocals. Have your tissues ready for this one. The song is set to scenes of Bey and Jay-Z together looking lovingly at each other and is supposed to represent forgiveness.
“We built sandcastles that washed away”
Forward (feat. James Blake)
This song, although the shortest on the album, has one of the biggest impacts. James Blake sings “Forward” and creates a huge turning point in the album toward resurrection. The song can be applied not only to the relationship that we have followed up until now, but also to the Black Lives Matter message that has been present throughout the whole album.
“It’s time to listen, it’s time to fight”
Freedom (feat. Kendrick Lamar)
This song, my favorite on the album, is a soulful, motivational song. The empowering anthem is supposed to represent the hope of freedom. It features a quote from Beyoncé’s grandmother, “I was served lemons but I made lemonade”, providing the title for the whole album. The video features chilling moments of Beyoncé singing a cappella in a white dress.
“I’ma keep runnin’ cause a winner don’t quit on themselves”
All Night
Finally the emotional turmoil wraps up with redemption. This song is all about fresh starts and how nothing real can truly be threatened. Scenes of happy moments with Beyoncés family play and the song leaves listeners feeling secure and uplifted after the marital strife.
“Every diamond has imperfections, but my love’s too pure to watch it chip away”
After a rollercoaster of emotions, we are left with a feeling of resolution from Bey’s newest album. If this album truly is autobiographical, best of luck to Jay-Z and Bey as they work out their marriage and to Becky as the Beyhive comes after her. I hope you enjoy the album as much as I do!
Sources:
http://mashable.com/2016/04/21/beyonce-lemonade-hbo-what-is-it/
http://www.vibe.com/2016/04/beyonce-lemonade-hbo/
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