Beautiful Monster
Encyclopedia
"Beautiful Monster" is a song by American singer Ne-Yo
from his fourth studio album, Libra Scale
. The song was released to iTunes
as the album's first single on June 8, 2010. The song was written by Ne-Yo, Stargate
and Sandy Vee, and it was produced by Stargate and Sandy Vee. It is an uptempo dance
song, including influences of different musical styles including European. It has received initial positive reception, with Ne-Yo's vocals being compared to the vocal styling of Michael Jackson
.
, responsible for producing some of his biggest hits such as "So Sick
", "Because of You
", and "Closer
" The remix features Brooklyn hip-hop artist Israel The ILLa Real. "Beautiful Monster" premiered online on May 25, 2010.
, Europop
, and Ibiza influences, featuring Ne-Yo's R&B
vocals over "strobing dancefloor beats." "Beautiful Monster", a pop piece, features a Eurodisco feel, described as "spookily anthemic", having "big filler sweeps", house
beats, and "decimated snare builds" of '90's
electronica
. The song has been compared to the sound of Michael Jackson
, specifically Ne-Yo's "backing vocals and audible breath intake" according to Bill Lamb of About.com
. Alistair Dickinson of PopMatters
said "Ne-Yo’s Michael Jackson-esque wails and screams are still in full effect". The song is composed of "out-of-tranc-y keyboard lines" and a "throbbing drumbeat." "Beautiful Monster" consists lyrically about being attracted to a dangerous woman. August Brown of The Los Angeles Times compared the "topical and sonic" content of the song to Lady Gaga
's work on The Fame Monster
, specifically the lyrical basis of "Bad Romance
" and "Monster".
Meanwhile, Ne-Yo himself described the lyrical background to the song to noted UK R&B writer Pete Lewis - Assistant Editor of Blues & Soul
- thus: "The song itself is a small piece of a much larger puzzle. In that the album it comes from - Libra Scale - is based upon this short story that I wrote, which basically follows these three characters who are forced to choose between money-power-and-fame versus love... And the song 'Beautiful Monster' actually represents the mind-state of the man in the story whenever he comes into contact with his love interest-slash-nemesis. Whose name is Diamond Eye, and who really is best described as 'a beautiful monster'! You know, she's forbidden fruit; she's that girl who you know is gonna be nothing but trouble... But - because she's so intriguing - even if it literally might cost you your life, you still cannot resist her aura. Which is where the hook 'She's a monster, a beautiful monster; But I don't mind' comes from!"
favored the track's "burbling Eurodisco feel", and commented, "It also always feels like the ghost of Michael Jackson
is never far away in the music of Ne-Yo." Alistair Dickinson of PopMatters
also gave the song a positive review, comparing it to Michael Jackson. Brad Wete of Entertainment Weekly
compared the song to Ne-Yo's previous hit "Closer
", stating, "Ne-Yo’s brand of progressive R&B has a been a winner so far. 'Monster' should be a beast, too." Although Mariel Concepcion of Billboard
said the song did not boast the lyricism of Ne-Yo's past songs, she said, "the beat's thumping bassline and the singer/songwriter's smooth voice make for a perfect combination on this summer hit in the making."
for sales over 30,000 units.
on July 1, 2010, on the Rede Globo
Brazilian TV show Altas Horas, on August 14, 2010 and on German talent show Popstars: Girls forever
on September 23, 2010.
Source:
Ne-Yo
Shaffer Chimere Smith, Jr. , better known by his stage name Ne-Yo, is an American pop and R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, dancer and actor. Beginning his career as a songwriter, Ne-Yo penned the hit "Let Me Love You" for singer Mario...
from his fourth studio album, Libra Scale
Libra Scale
Upon its release, Libra Scale received generally favorable reviews from most music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 73, based on 14 reviews, which indicates "generally favorable reviews"...
. The song was released to iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
as the album's first single on June 8, 2010. The song was written by Ne-Yo, Stargate
Stargate (production team)
This is a list of songs written and produced by the Norwegian production team Stargate.-Produced singles:-1999:5ive - Invincible*05. "Two Sides to Every Story"*06. "You Make Me a Better Man"Noora Noor - Curious*01. "Curious"...
and Sandy Vee, and it was produced by Stargate and Sandy Vee. It is an uptempo dance
Dance music
Dance music is music composed specifically to facilitate or accompany dancing. It can be either a whole musical piece or part of a larger musical arrangement...
song, including influences of different musical styles including European. It has received initial positive reception, with Ne-Yo's vocals being compared to the vocal styling of Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
.
Background
"Beautiful Monster"'s original cover art was revealed online on May 21, 2010, which was a close-up of Ne-Yo's profile with a mysterious woman lurking in a forest in the background. Although another cover art was revealed with the forest background altered to a city including buildings and a flashing car light, the original cover with the forest background was eventually selected as the official cover art. The song was written by Ne-Yo and produced by longtime collaborators StargateStargate (production team)
This is a list of songs written and produced by the Norwegian production team Stargate.-Produced singles:-1999:5ive - Invincible*05. "Two Sides to Every Story"*06. "You Make Me a Better Man"Noora Noor - Curious*01. "Curious"...
, responsible for producing some of his biggest hits such as "So Sick
So Sick
"So Sick" is an R&B–pop song by American singer-songwriter Ne-Yo. The track was produced by Norwegian production team Stargate for Ne-Yo's debut album In My Own Words....
", "Because of You
Because of You (Ne-Yo song)
"Because of You" is a 2007 song by singer and songwriter Ne-Yo. It is the first single from his second album of the same name. The single started radio play the week of February 4, 2007.-Song information:...
", and "Closer
Closer (Ne-Yo song)
"Closer" is a 2008 Single by American pop/R&B singer Ne-Yo. The song was produced by Stargate.The song was released as the first single from his third album Year of the Gentleman. It reached #1 in the UK, scoring Ne-Yo his second UK No.1 following 2006's So Sick...
" The remix features Brooklyn hip-hop artist Israel The ILLa Real. "Beautiful Monster" premiered online on May 25, 2010.
Composition
The song is an uptempo recording, containing new raveNew Rave
New rave is a term applied to several types of music that fuse elements of electronic music, new wave, rock, indie, techno, bastard pop, breakbeat hardcore and electro house...
, Europop
Europop
Europop refers to a style of pop music that first developed in today's form in Europe, throughout the late 1970s. Europop topped the charts throughout the 1980s and ’90s...
, and Ibiza influences, featuring Ne-Yo's R&B
Contemporary R&B
Contemporary R&B is a music genre that combines elements of hip hop, soul, R&B and funk.Although the abbreviation “R&B” originates from traditional rhythm and blues music, today the term R&B is most often used to describe a style of African American music originating after the demise of disco in...
vocals over "strobing dancefloor beats." "Beautiful Monster", a pop piece, features a Eurodisco feel, described as "spookily anthemic", having "big filler sweeps", house
House music
House music is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago, Illinois, United States in the early 1980s. It was initially popularized in mid-1980s discothèques catering to the African-American, Latino American, and gay communities; first in Chicago circa 1984, then in other...
beats, and "decimated snare builds" of '90's
1990s in music
For music from a year in the 1990s, go to 90 | 91 | 92 | 93 | 94 | 95 | 96 | 97 | 98 | 99This article includes trends in popular music in the 1990s....
electronica
Electronica
Electronica includes a wide range of contemporary electronic music designed for a wide range of uses, including foreground listening, some forms of dancing, and background music for other activities; however, unlike electronic dance music, it is not specifically made for dancing...
. The song has been compared to the sound of Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
, specifically Ne-Yo's "backing vocals and audible breath intake" according to Bill Lamb of About.com
About.com
About.com is an online source for original information and advice. It is written in English, and is aimed primarily at North Americans. It is owned by The New York Times Company....
. Alistair Dickinson of PopMatters
PopMatters
PopMatters is an international webzine of cultural criticism that covers many aspects of popular culture. PopMatters publishes reviews, interviews, and detailed essays on most cultural products and expressions in areas such as music, television, films, books, video games, comics, sports, theater,...
said "Ne-Yo’s Michael Jackson-esque wails and screams are still in full effect". The song is composed of "out-of-tranc-y keyboard lines" and a "throbbing drumbeat." "Beautiful Monster" consists lyrically about being attracted to a dangerous woman. August Brown of The Los Angeles Times compared the "topical and sonic" content of the song to Lady Gaga
Lady GaGa
Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta , better known by her stage name Lady Gaga, is an American singer and songwriter. Born and raised in New York City, she primarily studied at the Convent of the Sacred Heart and briefly attended New York University's Tisch School of the Arts before withdrawing to...
's work on The Fame Monster
The Fame Monster
The Fame Monster is the third EP by American recording artist Lady Gaga. It was released on November 18, 2009 through Interscope Records. Initially planned to be included on a re-release of Gaga's debut studio album, The Fame, she announced that the eight tracks would be included on a standalone...
, specifically the lyrical basis of "Bad Romance
Bad Romance
"Bad Romance" is a song by American recording artist Lady Gaga. It was released as the lead single from her third extended play , and second major release The Fame Monster . Written by Lady Gaga and produced by RedOne, the track was inspired by Gaga's fear of negative love relationships and the...
" and "Monster".
Meanwhile, Ne-Yo himself described the lyrical background to the song to noted UK R&B writer Pete Lewis - Assistant Editor of Blues & Soul
Blues & Soul
Blues & Soul is a British music magazine covering black music. Genres covered include soul, R&B, jazz, hip hop, reggae and world music. It was first published in 1966 and is known for first using the term Northern Soul....
- thus: "The song itself is a small piece of a much larger puzzle. In that the album it comes from - Libra Scale - is based upon this short story that I wrote, which basically follows these three characters who are forced to choose between money-power-and-fame versus love... And the song 'Beautiful Monster' actually represents the mind-state of the man in the story whenever he comes into contact with his love interest-slash-nemesis. Whose name is Diamond Eye, and who really is best described as 'a beautiful monster'! You know, she's forbidden fruit; she's that girl who you know is gonna be nothing but trouble... But - because she's so intriguing - even if it literally might cost you your life, you still cannot resist her aura. Which is where the hook 'She's a monster, a beautiful monster; But I don't mind' comes from!"
Critical reception
August Brown of The Los Angeles Times complimented the song, calling "his most evocative effort" and Ne-Yo's vocals, stating, "no male pop singer short of T-Pain can stack harmonies better right now, and when he peels off those runs of "I don't mind" after the choruses". However Brown commented that, "Ne-Yo is better at writing dark edges into songs than performing them himself; he's just too put-together to truly do the freakily possessed lover act." Bill Lamb of About.comAbout.com
About.com is an online source for original information and advice. It is written in English, and is aimed primarily at North Americans. It is owned by The New York Times Company....
favored the track's "burbling Eurodisco feel", and commented, "It also always feels like the ghost of Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
is never far away in the music of Ne-Yo." Alistair Dickinson of PopMatters
PopMatters
PopMatters is an international webzine of cultural criticism that covers many aspects of popular culture. PopMatters publishes reviews, interviews, and detailed essays on most cultural products and expressions in areas such as music, television, films, books, video games, comics, sports, theater,...
also gave the song a positive review, comparing it to Michael Jackson. Brad Wete of Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly is an American magazine, published by the Time division of Time Warner, that covers film, television, music, broadway theatre, books and popular culture...
compared the song to Ne-Yo's previous hit "Closer
Closer (Ne-Yo song)
"Closer" is a 2008 Single by American pop/R&B singer Ne-Yo. The song was produced by Stargate.The song was released as the first single from his third album Year of the Gentleman. It reached #1 in the UK, scoring Ne-Yo his second UK No.1 following 2006's So Sick...
", stating, "Ne-Yo’s brand of progressive R&B has a been a winner so far. 'Monster' should be a beast, too." Although Mariel Concepcion of Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
said the song did not boast the lyricism of Ne-Yo's past songs, she said, "the beat's thumping bassline and the singer/songwriter's smooth voice make for a perfect combination on this summer hit in the making."
Chart performance
"Beautiful Monster" was most successful in the United Kingdom, where it became Ne-yo's third number 1 single after "So Sick" in March 2006 and "Closer" in June 2008, and reached the top 10 in Korea and Italy, becoming Ne-Yo's highest peak there. It was certified Platinum in ItalyItaly
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
for sales over 30,000 units.
Music video
The video for "Beautiful Monster" premiered on July 14, 2010 along with the video for "Champagne Life". The video begins in an alley where Ne-Yo sings the 1st verse while he flips over a taxi cab with mysterious powers. Then, guys in white suits comes in with one white monstorous eye on their left dancing and Ne-Yo takes them out during the chorus. After one guy flies up in the air, Ne-Yo jumps down to the pink carpet which leads to a club where 4 people are seen dancing and at the end of the 2nd verse, the club freezes and Ne-Yo just stood there. As the 2nd chorus begins, the 4 people with one monstorus eyes (Like the people in white suits earlier in the 1st verse of the video) begin to dance and used their powers to throw Ne-Yo in the next room. At the end of the video, Ne-Yo spots a woman with white monster eyes (meaning to be a beautiful monster) starts staring at Ne-Yo with 2 bodyguards beside her and then, people show up to dance with Ne-Yo as the video fades out in white.Promotion
Ne-Yo performed the song for the first time in Brooklyn on June 14, 2010. He also performed the song on So You Think You Can DanceSo You Think You Can Dance (U.S. TV series)
So You Think You Can Dance is an American dance competition and reality show that airs on Fox in the United States.The series first premiered on July 20, 2005, and was created by American Idol producers Simon Fuller and Nigel Lythgoe and is produced by 19 Entertainment and Dick Clark Productions...
on July 1, 2010, on the Rede Globo
Rede Globo
Rede Globo , or simply Globo, is a Brazilian television network, launched by media mogul Roberto Marinho on April 26, 1965. It is owned by media conglomerate Organizações Globo, being by far the largest of its holdings...
Brazilian TV show Altas Horas, on August 14, 2010 and on German talent show Popstars: Girls forever
Popstars: Girls forever
Popstars: Girls forever is the ninth season of Popstars , in which young aspiring female singers/dancers competed in order to claim their spots to make it into the next girl group...
on September 23, 2010.
Track listing
- Digital download
- "Beautiful Monster" – 4:11
- German CD single
- "Beautiful Monster" (Album Version) – 4:12
- "Beautiful Monster" (Mixin Marc & Tony Svejda Remix Edit) – 4:11
- Digital download (The Remixes)
- "Beautiful Monster" (Mixin Marc & Tony Svejda Remix Edit) – 4:11
- "Beautiful Monster" (Tony MoranTony MoranAnthony "Tony" Moran is a remixer/producer and DJ known for remixing popular songs. In 2007, he hit number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart with "Walk Away" featuring Kristine W.-Career:...
& Warren Rigg Save The Soul Edit) – 4:33 - "Beautiful Monster" (Low Sunday Terrified Edit) – 4:24
- "Beautiful Monster" (Mixin Marc & Tony Svejda Remix Extended) – 6:36
- "Beautiful Monster" (Tony MoranTony MoranAnthony "Tony" Moran is a remixer/producer and DJ known for remixing popular songs. In 2007, he hit number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart with "Walk Away" featuring Kristine W.-Career:...
& Warren Rigg Save The Soul Club) – 9:43 - "Beautiful Monster" (Low Sunday Terrified Club) – 7:22
- "Beautiful Monster" (Mixin Marc & Tony Svedja Remix Instrumental) – 6:36
- "Beautiful Monster" (Tony MoranTony MoranAnthony "Tony" Moran is a remixer/producer and DJ known for remixing popular songs. In 2007, he hit number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart with "Walk Away" featuring Kristine W.-Career:...
& Warren Rigg Save The Soul Anthem Dub) – 9:43 - "Beautiful Monster" (Low Sunday Terrified Dub) – 8:00
Personnel
- SongwritingSongwriterA songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
– Shaffer SmithNe-YoShaffer Chimere Smith, Jr. , better known by his stage name Ne-Yo, is an American pop and R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, dancer and actor. Beginning his career as a songwriter, Ne-Yo penned the hit "Let Me Love You" for singer Mario...
, Mikkel S. Eriksen, Tor Erik HermansenStargate (production team)This is a list of songs written and produced by the Norwegian production team Stargate.-Produced singles:-1999:5ive - Invincible*05. "Two Sides to Every Story"*06. "You Make Me a Better Man"Noora Noor - Curious*01. "Curious"...
, Sandy Wilhelm, K.E. - ProductionRecord producerA record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
– StargateStargate (production team)This is a list of songs written and produced by the Norwegian production team Stargate.-Produced singles:-1999:5ive - Invincible*05. "Two Sides to Every Story"*06. "You Make Me a Better Man"Noora Noor - Curious*01. "Curious"...
, Sandy Vee - RecordingSound recording and reproductionSound recording and reproduction is an electrical or mechanical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording...
– Mikkel S. Eriksen - MixingAudio mixing (recorded music)In audio recording, audio mixing is the process by which multiple recorded sounds are combined into one or more channels, most commonly two-channel stereo. In the process, the source signals' level, frequency content, dynamics, and panoramic position are manipulated and effects such as reverb may...
– Sandy Vee, Phil TanPhil TanPhil Tan is an Atlanta, GA-based music/audio engineer.He is a 3-time Grammy Award recipient, as mixing engineer for Mariah Carey's "The Emancipation of Mimi" , Ludacris' "Release Therapy" and Rihanna's "Only Girl " .Among the artists on Tan's list of credits: Jill Scott, Jennifer... - Additional engineeringAudio engineeringAn audio engineer, also called audio technician, audio technologist or sound technician, is a specialist in a skilled trade that deals with the use of machinery and equipment for the recording, mixing and reproduction of sounds. The field draws on many artistic and vocational areas, including...
– Carlos Oyandel, Damien Lewis - Mixing assistant – Josh Houghkirk
- InstrumentsMusical instrumentA musical instrument is a device created or adapted for the purpose of making musical sounds. In principle, any object that produces sound can serve as a musical instrument—it is through purpose that the object becomes a musical instrument. The history of musical instruments dates back to the...
– Mikkel S. Eriksen, Tor Erik Hermansen, Sandy Vee - VocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
– Ne-YoNe-YoShaffer Chimere Smith, Jr. , better known by his stage name Ne-Yo, is an American pop and R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, dancer and actor. Beginning his career as a songwriter, Ne-Yo penned the hit "Let Me Love You" for singer Mario...
Source:
Charts
| Chart (2010) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| France (SNEP) Download Chart | 50 |
| South Korea (GAON) | 3 |
Year-end charts
| Chart (2010) | Position |
|---|---|
| European Hot 100 Singles | 73 |
| German Singles Chart Media Control Charts The official music charts in Germany are gathered and published by the company Media Control GfK International on behalf of Bundesverband Musikindustrie... |
92 |
| Hungarian Airplay Chart | 82 |
| Italian Singles Chart | 17 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play | 39 |
Certifications
| Country | Provider | Certification |
|---|---|---|
| Italy | FIMI | Platinum |
| UK | BPI British Phonographic Industry The British Phonographic Industry is the British record industry's trade association.-Structure:Its membership comprises hundreds of music companies including all four "major" record companies , associate members such as manufacturers and distributors, and hundreds of independent music companies... |
Silver |
Chart procession and succession
|-Radio adds
| Country | Date | Format |
|---|---|---|
| United States | June 8, 2010 | Mainstream Contemporary hit radio Contemporary hit radio is a radio format that is common in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia that focuses on playing current and recurrent popular music as determined by the Top 40 music charts... airplay |
| Rhythmic Rhythmic Contemporary Rhythmic contemporary, also known as rhythmic top 40, rhythmic contemporary hit radio or rhythmic crossover, is a music radio format that includes a mix of EDM, upbeat rhythmic pop, hip-hop and R&B hits. Rhythmic contemporary rarely uses rock music or country music in its airplay, but it may... airplay |
Purchaseable release
| Country | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | June 8, 2010 | Digital download Music download A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment... |
Island Def Jam |
| Canada | |||
| United Kingdom | August 1, 2010 | Digital download | Mercury Mercury Records Mercury Records is a record label operating as a standalone company in the UK and as part of the Island Def Jam Motown Music Group in the US; both are subsidiaries of Universal Music Group. There is also a Mercury Records in Australia, which is a local artist and repertoire division of Universal... |