Is The Meaning Behind Beyonce's Music Misunderstood?

I'm not sure if Beyoncé identifies as a feminist, but I've always considered her to be one. The singer/songwriter—whose album, I Am…Sasha Fiercewas recently released—constantly revisits themes of independence, strength, self-worth, and confidence. ("Independent Women" is undeniably as anthemic as Aretha Franklin's "Respect," as far as female battle cries go.) Although her new single, "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" has some shifting in their seats at the idea that marriage is the ultimate goal of a single woman, it's important to remember that critics have been misinterpreting Beyoncé's overtly pro-woman lyrics as being anti-feminist ever since 1999's "Bills, Bills, Bills."

Remember when people were all up in arms about the lyrics, "Can you pay my bills? / Can you pay my telephone bills? / Can you pay my automo' bills?" thinking that they promoted the lifestyle of a kept woman? If you pay closer attention, you'll discover that the song is really about a deadbeat who is running up debt in his girlfriend's name.

And now you ask to use my car
Drive it all day and don't fill up the tank
And you have the audacity to even come and step to me and ask to hold some money from me
Until you get your check next week…Now you been maxing out my card
Give me bad credit, buying gifts with my own ends
Haven't paid the first bill, but you instead you heading to the mall
Going on shopping sprees, perpetrating to your friends that you be ballin'.

Similarly, although the title of "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" suggests that single women should be angling to land a man, in fact, the song is really about having a good time after breaking up with someone who didn't want to make a commitment but bugs out when she talks to other men. Speaking to him she says:

Cuz if you liked it then you should have put a ring on it
Don’t be mad once you see that he want it
If you liked it then you should have put a ring on it
I put gloss on my lips, a man on my hips
Hold me tighter than my Dereon jeans
Acting up, drink in my cup
I could care less what you think
I need no permission, did I mention
Don’t pay him any attention.

Another track off of I Am…Sasha Fierce, "If I Were a Boy," has Beyoncé observing that although gender is an at times unfair construct, on the plus side, the nature of being on the shit end of the gender schtick means that women often become much more socially adroit than men:

If I were a boy
I’d put myself first
And make the rules as I go
Cause I know that she’d be faithful
Waitin’ for me to come home
It’s a little too late for you to come back
Say its just a mistake
Think I’d forgive you like that
If you thought I would wait for you
You thought wrong
But you’re just a boy
You don’t understand
Yeah you don’t understand
How it feels to love a girl
Someday you'll wish you were a better man
You don’t listen to her
You don’t care how it hurts
Until you lose the one you wanted
Cause you’ve taken her for granted
And everything you have got destroyed
But you’re just a boy

Some heavy shit, right? Back in 2005, before things got so complicated with Jigga, she was crazy in love, and wanted to shower him with affection, which she reflected upon in "Cater 2 U."

Baby I see you workin' hard
I wanna let you know I'm proud
Let you know that I admire what you do
Don't know if I need to reassure you
My life would be purposeless without you
If I want it, I got it
When I ask you, you provide it
You inspire me to be better,
You challenge me for the better
Sit back and let me pour out my love letter
Let me help you
Take off your shoes
Untie your shoestrings
Take off your cufflinks
Do ya wanna eat boo?
Let me feed you
Let me run your bathwater
Whatever you desire...I'll supply ya
Sing you a song, turn your game on
I'll brush your hair... put your du-rag on
You want a foot rub?
You want a manicure?
Baby I'm yours I wanna cater 2 U boy
Let me cater 2 you
Cause baby this is your day
Do anything for my man
Baby you blow me away
I got your slippers,
your dinner,
your dessert
And so much more
Anything you want
Let me cater 2 u
I promise ya i'll keep myself up
remain the same chick, you fell in love with
I'll keep it tight, I'll keep my figure right
I'll keep my hair fixed, keep rocking the hottest outfits
When you come home late, tap me on my shoulder I'll roll over
Baby I heard you, I'm here to serve you
If it's love you need
To give it is my joy
All I want to do is cater 2 U boy

I can totally see why that song would have some women reacting with a, "WTF?" But, as a love letter, I think it's really beautiful, and the same women who would cringe at that idea would probably think it was sweet if it were written by a man for a woman. We're quick to get pissed at ignorant assholes who assume that feminism is all about hating men. So why are we just as quick to say that wanting to dote on one is anti-feminist? There's a giant difference between wanting to do something for a man and having to do it. Wanting to be appreciative of someone you think deserves it is totally okay, regardless of what's between either of your legs.

And as far as the whole "I'll keep my figure right" thing: Look, I'm about to get married, and I'd be psyched if my fiancé said something like that to me. Besides, Beyoncé's music obviously draws on her personal experiences, and I think she's gonna keep her "figure right" no matter who she's with, so I think she's just reminding him how hot she is.

But momentary waves of euphoric love haven't kept Ms. Knowles from being grounded. In "Me, Myself, and I" from her album Dangerously In Love she intimates that, in the end, she doesn't need a man. (Last week, when she was on Oprah discussing her marriage, she said, "The most important thing is to make sure you have your own life before you're someone else's wife."):

Cuz I realized I got
Me myself and I
That's all I got in the end
That's what I found out
And it ain't no need to cry
I took a vow that from now on
I'm gonna be my own best friend

Words to live by.

Related: Oprah: Beyonce Still Won't Talk About Being Married To Jay-Z

Send an email to Tracie, the author of this post, at tracie@jezebel.com.

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