9.4.8.1. B’Day
It’s a weekend of celebration centered on Beyonce. Because in tandem with her 40th birthday, many music lovers are also commemorating the 15th anniversary of Queen Bey’s sophomore album – the aptly-titled ‘B’Day.’
Today’s From The Vault pick is one of its most renowned cuts, the infectious ‘Get Me Bodied’.
On first listen, ‘Bodied’ instantly became a stand-out track to many a critic and a fan alike. With its minimalistic production and vocal fireworks, it was the club banger that the album’s first single wasn’t and seemed like the perfect canvas for the entertainer to service something visually enticing.
Produced by Swizz Beatz and written by Beyonce alongside Sean Garrett, sister Solange, and Makeba Riddick, it was released as the final single from the LP.
Though it initially peaked at #68 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2007 (due to a wide range of tracks from the album simultaneously charting), it suddenly made a chart return in 2013 at #46, after a video of a woman named Deborah Cohan and her doctors dancing to the song before she underwent a double mastectomy went viral.
Directed by Anthony Mandler, the song’s visual was an event in itself as it marked the reunion of Destiny’s Child and also featured Solange.
Inspired by Bob Fosse, the retro affair didn’t disappoint when it came to the choreography. Indeed, using the instructional extended mix of the song, the last few minutes of the visual see Bey and her entourage leaving it all on the dancefloor, for our immense pleasure.
Even though Bey’s 2013 self-titled set and its follow-up ‘Lemonade’ seem to have been elevated to monumental status in the past few years, we strongly feel the ‘B’Day’ album – alongside ‘4’ – stands as an essential to Mrs. Carter’s artistry. It ushered in a new version of Beyonce, one that was raw, adventurous, honest, and unhinged in the most artistically epic way.
Whether you are jamming to ‘Kitty Kat’, crying to ‘Resentment’, cussing someone out while listening to ‘Irreplaceable’, or droppin’ down low and sweepin’ the floor with it, we hope you’ll join us in wishing this classic a happy anniversary.