Like a boy
"Like a boy" | |
---|---|
Song | |
B-side | "Love You Better" "Get Up" |
"Like a Boy" is a song written by Ciara Harris, Candice Nelson, Balewa Muhammad, J. Que, Ezekiel Lewis, and Calvin Kenon and produced by Harris, Calvo Da Gr8, and The Clutch. It is the second single from Ciara's second album Ciara: The Evolution and the first single taken from the album in Europe. The release was confirmed in a MTV News article and chosen before polling ended for Ciara's second single on her official myspace page, being picked over "That's Right" and "Can't Leave 'Em Alone". It was solicited to mainstream urban radio on February 13. The single is due to be released in the UK on April 2 2007.
Song information
"Like a Boy" details about double standards in society of how men in relationships can do certain things, but when women do the same it is looked down upon. Ciara wishes sometimes she "could act like a boy". The song is notable for its mixture of synthesized orchestral strings and hard-pounding hip-hop instrumental.
“Like a Boy” has been well-received by critics. Bill Lamb of About.com wrote that Ciara gives a "breathlessness delivering" and says the song is "intoxicating".[1] Jody Rosen of Entertainment Weekly wrote the song is "par excellence" and "stirring revenge fantasy".[2]
YourSpins.com has a contest where fans have a chance to remix "Like a Boy" and meet Ciara, if the remix is saved.[3]
Music video
The video for "Like a Boy" was directed by Diane Martel, who also directed Ciara's "Promise" video. It was shot in late January, over a three-day period. The video premiered on Yahoo! Music and BET's Access Granted on February 21.[4] The video received a "First Look" on MTV's TRL on February 23 and debuted at #10 on February 26 and peaked at #4. On March 8, it debuted on BET's 106 & Park at #8 and peaked at #1. "Like a Boy" premiered on The Box on March 9. The video is currently at #5 on iTunes.
The black and white video begins with Ciara dressed like a boy sitting in a chair. She is sporting fake tattoos and says, "2007. Ladies, I think it's time to switch roles." Next, Ciara confronts her boyfriend played by football player Reggie Bush throughout the video. During the first verse and chorus, Ciara dances with her male alter ego. The rest of the video, Ciara and female dancers, who are all dressed as gangsters, perform masculine choreography. After the bridge, there is a breakdown and Ciara performs her famous matrix as in the "Goodies" video. The video version of the song features different edits from the album version.
Chart performance
"Like a Boy" debuted on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart at seventy-five. The following week, the song climbed thirty-three spots to forty-two, the next week it moved to twenty-five and debuted on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart at sixteen. In the March 17, 2007 Billboard issue, "Like a Boy" debuted at eighty-one on the Billboard Hot 100.[5] The single is currently at thirty-one.
"Like a Boy" debuted at number nineteen in Sweden and currently peaked at eight in its second week. The single debuted in the United Kingdom at #35 on downloads only.
Charts
Chart (2007) | Peak position |
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U.S. Billboard Hot 100[6] | 31 |
U.S. Billboard Hot RingMasters[7] | 15 |
U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs[7] | 15 |
U.S. Billboard Rhythmic Top 40[8] | 24 |
U.S. Billboard Hot Digital Songs[7] | 39 |
U.S. Billboard Pop 100[7] | 51 |
Official UK Singles Chart[9] | 28 |
Ireland Singles Chart[10] | 43 |
Sweden Singles Chart[11] | 8 |
Lithuania Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs[12] | 1 |
Lithuania Airplay Chart[13] | 9 |
Deutsche Black Charts[14] | 4 |
Latvia[15] | 22 |
Euro 200[16] | 151 |
United World Chart[17] | 76 |
Versions/Remixes
- Album Version
- Video Version
- Rafael Lelis Remix
- Soul Seekerz Remix
- Kardinal Beats Remix
- Primekiller Remix
- Pugh Remix
Track listing
- U.S. CD Single/UK CD1 Single
- "Like a Boy" [Main] - 4:00
- "Like a Boy" [Instrumental] - 3:57
- UK CD2 Single
- "Like a Boy" [Main Version]
- "Love You Better" [Main Version]
- "Get Up" (featuring Chamillionaire) [Main Version]
- "Get Up" [Monto Blanco Vocal Mix]
References
- ^ Ciara: The Evolution About.com Review Retrieved March 29 2007
- ^ Ciara: The Evolution Entertainment Weekly Review Retrieved March 29 2007
- ^ "Create Your Own Remix" Retrieved February 14, 2007
- ^ "Like a Boy" Music Video Premiere Retrieved February 15, 2007
- ^ Jonathan Cohen, "Mims Remains 'Hot' At No. 1, Akon Stays Close", Billboard.com, March 8, 2007.
- ^ Ciara - Billboard Artist Chart History
- ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference
Billboard
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Ciara - Billboard singles
- ^ Everyhit.com Ciara Artist Search
- ^ Ireland Singles Top 50
- ^ Swedish Charts
- ^ LCC Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
- ^ Lithuania Airplay Chart
- ^ Deutsche Black Charts(updated weekly)
- ^ European Hit Radio
- ^ Euro 200
- ^ [1]