Remarks:
Also known as “Angel“, it has not (yet) charted. It is from her album “Beyonce” (2013). What a gorgeous song and gorgeous video! And great lyrics too.
The video is Beyonce’s tribute to Houston. It shows Houston’s own Scarface, Willie D, Paul Wall and others. It was shot in the Third Ward where she is from, a place that gets little shine. For someone all Hollywood and famous like her, that is beautiful.
It looks like it was filmed by a National Geographic photographer. The director, @lilinternet, does in fact have background in art photography. The video is influenced by the film “Baraka” (1992), Juvenile’s video “Ha” (1998) and Marxist Situationist art theory.
Lyrics:
[Verse 1:]
Baby put your arms around me
Tell me I’m the problem
Know I’m not the girl you thought you knew and that you wanted
Underneath the pretty face is something complicated
I come with a side of trouble
But I know that’s why you’re staying
[Hook:]
Because
You’re
No
Angel
Either, baby
Cause you’re
No
Angel
Either, baby
Cause you’re
No
Angel
Either, baby
Cause you’re
No
Angel
Either, baby
[Verse 2:]
No I’m not an angel either, but at least I’m trying
I know I drive you crazy, but would you rather that I be a machine
Who doesn’t notice when you late or when you’re lying
I love you even more than who I thought you were before
[Hook]
[Bridge:]
Tell me do you want to ride
Tell me do you want to ride
Ride around, ride around
Ride around
You ride around in that H-town
If there’s candles near your bed, no need for a spell
Stop acting so scared, just do what I tell
First go through my legs, go back on your head
And whatever you want, yeah baby I’ll bet it comes true
[Verse 1]
[Hook]
This is what parts of Texas is like?
Really like this video, Abagond, sort of expecting Prince to come out at one stage and sing. (Or David Bowie, for more surreal-ness.)
Although when you say:
“The director, @lilinternet, does in fact have background in art photography. The video is influenced by the film “Baraka” (1992), Juvenile’s video “Ha” (1998) and Marxist Situationist art theory..”
Admittedly, I don’t really understand any of that, having never heard of these references or names.
But since song and video are so enjoyable, I don’t think that matters.
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It’s a strange song (kind of sounds like the ’80s got drunk), but the video is mesmerizing and makes me want to talk to these people and hear their life stories. I wonder what happened to poor Keon at 2:47-2:51?
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Not a big fan of the new Beyonce stuff. Third award is a historic district in Houston. Don’t think this video did it justice. Just my opinion.
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The song leaves you quite mesmerised, it’s pretty. On the video, I know Beyonce grew up in an upper middle class neighbourhood in Houston, meaning, not among the likes of those in this video. I must agree with an online reviewer of this video, I don’t particularly like these kinds of videos where huge stars use the images of poor communities they’ve never been a part of for street cred and to appear edgy, I think it’s a bit exploitative. Perhaps it would be better to do outreach work in those communities you find so intriguing rather than using them as “things” in your video. I prefer the culture someone like Lauryn Hill captured in her videos like Doo Wop (That thing) and The Sweetest Thing.
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@Ebonymonroe: That is the problem i was having with this video, Beyonce grew up middle class, i was feeling some kind of way about this. It did feel exploitive to me. But that’s just me. Not really feeling the song either.
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We’re in agreement Mary B. I really don’t like Trap music, but of the genre . . .. this is as good as it could be, to me. Lol
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these “artists” love to use blacks as props in their vids even other black folks. it is disgusting seeing people that did not come from that and not having those experiences using people from those communities to look cool. the song is called no angel and we now how people look down at folks that grew up in communities like the one in the vid and will demonize them and stereotype them. sure have the song be titled no angel while showing the stereotypes of blacks having tricked out rides and chasing money.
I don’t care for this, I like Janelle monae’s electric lady vid better
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@mstoogood4yall: I love Janelle Monae’s “Electric Lady” That is a fun and danceable video. Great points. I just hope the “Beygency” doesn’t come for us. LOL!
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Has anyone really read the words to this song?
It sounds like she is singing and talking to her husband…. hmmm
No I’m not an angel either, but at least I’m trying
I know I drive you crazy, but would you rather that I be a machine
Who doesn’t notice when you late or when you’re lying
I guess there was a reason for Solange to drop kick JayZ in the elevator 😉
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