Video Phone
Encyclopedia
"Video Phone" is a song by American R&B
singer Beyoncé Knowles
from her third studio album, I Am... Sasha Fierce (2008). The track was released as the eighth single
from the album. A remixed version, featuring pop
singer Lady Gaga
was released later. Musically, the song consists of simple lyrics and hidden innuendos, with Gaga and Beyoncé trading verses with each other, in the remix. The lyrics refer to putting up a show on camera.
The song received generally mixed reviews from most of the critics, who noted that Gaga's featured appearance failed to add anything to the tune. The original version charted in the lower regions of the charts of Australia and its Urban chart, Spain, United Kingdom and on the US R&B charts. The remixed version charted at sixty-five on the Billboard Hot 100
, and topped the Hot Dance Club Songs chart. It also charted in Australia and its Urban chart, the Czech Republic, New Zealand, while it bubbled under the main charts of Belgium.
A music video was created to accompany the song featuring Gaga. It portrayed her and Knowles in a number of costumes, brandishing colorful guns towards men and paying homage to the film Reservoir Dogs
and pinup legend Bettie Page
. It received mixed feedback from critics who called it un-interesting, and felt that it did not present anything new. However, they complimented the costumes and the cinematic homage of the video. The video went on to win the BET
award for Video of the Year.
, Sean Garrett
and Lady Gaga
in the remixed version. It was produced by Bangladesh
, The Pen and Knowles. Initially, "Video Phone" was sent to US radio on September 22, 2009. The release was later recalled and in October 2009, Life & Style
reported that Knowles and pop singer Lady Gaga were collaborating for a remixed version of the song. The remixed version featured both Knowles and Lady Gaga trading verses with one another. The remixed version of the song that features Lady Gaga was included on the 2009 deluxe edition of I Am... Sasha Fierce.
Musically the song consists of simple lyrics, with hidden innuendo
s, and is backed by thin-spread beat
s; Beyoncé and Gaga uttering gasps and groans while singing the song. Chris Willman from Yahoo!
said that the lyrics are a reference to "celebration of Skype sex and putting on a solo show, on camera, for a guy you just met at the club." Gaga appeared in the remixed version of the song, singing the verse "You my phone star. And I'm happy when my lights flashin'". According to the sheet music published at Musicnotes.com by Hal Leonard Corporation, the song is set in the time signature
of common time, with a moderate groove tempo of 120 beats per minute
and in the key of A minor
.
from The Guardian
compared the song to "Diva
", stating that "Video Phone" is "Almost equally weird, but much better, [and it] introduces us to the unlikely figure of Beyoncé Knowles, amateur pornographer: 'You want me naked? If you like this position you can tape it.' She doesn't make for the world's most believable Reader's Wife, but it doesn't matter, because the spare, eerie backdrop of groans and echoing electronics is so thrilling." Colin Mcguire from PopMatters
wrote that "'Video Phone' is sexy enough to the point where it almost becomes uncomfortable to think of her listening back to this with her father in the room." Sal Cinquemani from Slant Magazine
said that the song ended the album abruptly.
For the collaboration, Fraser McAlpine from BBC Radio 1
reviewed the song negatively, saying: "So anyway, this brings me to 'Video Phone' – and what exactly is the point of Gaga featuring in this song? I know Beyoncé fans won't like me saying this, but I can't help but think that in this instance it's a case of 'if you can't beat em, join em' [...] For someone as naturally brilliant as Beyoncé (and a better singer than Gaga and Rihanna
put together), perhaps she should actually stop trying so hard and do what she does best - singing proper songs." Chris Willman from Yahoo!
compared the song to Gaga's "Telephone
", where Knowles appears as a featured artist, and said that "Maybe it's because the lack of a video for Gaga's "Telephone" leaves more to the imagination, but if this were a contest, I'd have to say her tune trumps Beyoncé's. [...] [Her] greatest promises of unbridled exhibitionism can't quite make the genre feel fresh."
chart. Upon release as a single in 2009, it debuted at number 70 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
chart and eventually peaked at 37. With "Video Phone", I Am... Sasha Fierce became the first album of the 21st century to have seven entries on this chart, following "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)
", "If I Were a Boy
", "Diva
", "Halo
", "Ego
" and "Sweet Dreams
". On the week ending December 12, 2009, the extended remix of "Video Phone" debuted on the Billboard Hot 100
at number 65, becoming the lowest peaking song from the album. The song sold 28,000 digital downloads, 93% of which were for the extended remix though radio stations preferred to spin the original album version. "Video Phone" also became Knowles' fourteenth number-one Hot Dance Club Songs chart-topper. It is also her sixth consecutive chart-topped. According to Nielsen Soundscan
, the combined versions of "Video Phone" sold 287,000 copies.
In Australia, the original version of the song, debuted at 89 and peaked at 66 on the ARIA Singles Chart
. The remixed version debuted at 40 on November 30, 2009 and peaked at 31 the next week. The original and the remixed version, respectively, both peaked at 29 on the ARIA Urban Chart. In New Zealand, the remixed version debuted at 33 and peaked at 32 after two weeks. In the United Kingdom, the original version of "Video Phone" debuted on the UK Singles Chart
at 91, and peaked at 58. The original and remixed version peaked on the UK R&B Chart
at 21 and 36 respectively. Across Europe, the remixed version of the song charted in Spain and outside the official charts in Belgium (Flanders and Wallonia). In the Czech Republic, the extended remix of "Video Phone" debuted at thirty-nine on issue date February 17, 2010.
for the extended remix of "Video Phone" was directed by Hype Williams
. On October 15, 2009, a spokesperson for Williams confirmed to MTV
, that reports of Gaga and Beyoncé working on the music video together were true. It was shot at Brooklyn's Greenpoint neighborhood, under tight security. The artists were reported to be wearing fashionable dresses, with Knowles in "a feathered dress" and Gaga sporting "something wild". In an interview with New York's Z100
radio station, Gaga further commented on her collaboration with Knowles, for the music video. She said,
The video was initially set to premiere on November 5, 2009 but did not actually premiere until November 17, 2009.
's 1992 film Reservoir Dogs
. As the main section of the song begins, cameras zoom in on Knowles as she dances in a black and white latex leotard while holding sunglasses with hand signals on them. When the first verse begins, Knowles seductively dances for two men who have cameras as heads. Another scene shows her teasing men with futuristic toy guns while wearing a skin-colored latex top. During Gaga's verse, she and Knowles appear wearing white leotards; they both sing to the camera while shooting more toy guns in open fire. Knowles next brandishes a bow
and fires arrows at a cameraman who strapped to a rotating dart board. She and Gaga, now in front of a white backdrop, perform a synchronized dance together, with Gaga wearing a pair of yellow Louboutins
heels. Knowles then appears dressed as an homage to Bettie Page
, while handling several different firearm
s. Throughout the video, the two singers fire their guns and arrows at men. The video ends with Knowles shooting a gun while perched upon a stationary motorcycle and surrounded by images from the start of the video.
commented that the video was an "almost seizure-inducing parade of cinematic homages and wardrobe changes." He also compared Knowles' look to Page, as well as Katy Perry
and rapper M.I.A
. The Daily Mail
gave a positive review of the video, calling it avant-garde
and naughty. New York
magazine's Amy Odell commented that "The intricacy of her [Knowles'] wardrobe [in the video] suggests she's feeling the Gaga pressure." She further added: "In a burgeoning phenomenon we might call the Gaga Effect, divas everywhere may feel the pressure to push avant-garde fashion to the max to keep up with the pantsless wonder. Beyoncé's fashion efforts in 'Video Phone' — which make her epic diva money fan a mere distant memory — deserve a look-by-look analysis, because she tried really hard.
Top 100 Videos of 2009 countdown.
In 2010, the music video of "Video Phone" received a nomination at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards Japan
, in the category of "Best Collaboration Video". The video received two nominations at the 2010 BET Awards
for "Video of the Year" and for "Best Collaboration", winning the former category on April 27, 2010.
On August 3, 2010, the video received five nominations at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards
, in the categories of Best Choreography, Best Collaboration, Best Pop Video, Best Female Video and Best Art Direction.
2009 version (featuring Lady Gaga)
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...
singer Beyoncé Knowles
Beyoncé Knowles
Beyoncé Giselle Knowles , often known simply as Beyoncé, is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress. Born and raised in Houston, Texas, she enrolled in various performing arts schools and was first exposed to singing and dancing competitions as a child...
from her third studio album, I Am... Sasha Fierce (2008). The track was released as the eighth single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
from the album. A remixed version, featuring pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
singer 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...
was released later. Musically, the song consists of simple lyrics and hidden innuendos, with Gaga and Beyoncé trading verses with each other, in the remix. The lyrics refer to putting up a show on camera.
The song received generally mixed reviews from most of the critics, who noted that Gaga's featured appearance failed to add anything to the tune. The original version charted in the lower regions of the charts of Australia and its Urban chart, Spain, United Kingdom and on the US R&B charts. The remixed version charted at sixty-five on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
, and topped the Hot Dance Club Songs chart. It also charted in Australia and its Urban chart, the Czech Republic, New Zealand, while it bubbled under the main charts of Belgium.
A music video was created to accompany the song featuring Gaga. It portrayed her and Knowles in a number of costumes, brandishing colorful guns towards men and paying homage to the film Reservoir Dogs
Reservoir Dogs
Reservoir Dogs is an American crime film marking debut of director and writer Quentin Tarantino. It depicts the events before and after a botched diamond heist, but not the heist itself. Reservoir Dogs stars an ensemble cast: Harvey Keitel, Steve Buscemi, Tim Roth, Michael Madsen, Chris Penn, and...
and pinup legend Bettie Page
Bettie Page
Bettie Mae Page was an American model who became famous in the 1950s for her fetish modeling and pin-up photos. She has often been called the "Queen of Pinups"...
. It received mixed feedback from critics who called it un-interesting, and felt that it did not present anything new. However, they complimented the costumes and the cinematic homage of the video. The video went on to win the BET
Black Entertainment Television
Black Entertainment Television is an American, Viacom-owned cable network based in Washington, D.C.. Currently viewed in more than 90 million homes worldwide, it is the most prominent television network targeting young Black-American audiences. The network was launched on January 25, 1980, by its...
award for Video of the Year.
Background and composition
"Video Phone" was written by Beyoncé Knowles, Shondrae CrawfordBangladesh (producer)
Shondrae Crawford, better known as Bangladesh or Mr. Bangladesh, is a Grammy Award winning American record producer and disc jockey and rapper, who was born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa, and now lives in Atlanta, Georgia.- Life and career :...
, Sean Garrett
Sean Garrett
Garrett Hamler, better known by his stage name Sean Garrett is an American singer-songwriter, rapper, and record producer. He has produced fifteen number one singles in only seven years of producing music. That number puts him in fifth place on the Billboard list of producers with the most number...
and 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...
in the remixed version. It was produced by Bangladesh
Bangladesh (producer)
Shondrae Crawford, better known as Bangladesh or Mr. Bangladesh, is a Grammy Award winning American record producer and disc jockey and rapper, who was born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa, and now lives in Atlanta, Georgia.- Life and career :...
, The Pen and Knowles. Initially, "Video Phone" was sent to US radio on September 22, 2009. The release was later recalled and in October 2009, Life & Style
Life & Style (magazine)
Life & Style, officially Life & Style Weekly is an American celebrity gossip magazine, launched in 2004 by the Bauer publishing conglomerate....
reported that Knowles and pop singer Lady Gaga were collaborating for a remixed version of the song. The remixed version featured both Knowles and Lady Gaga trading verses with one another. The remixed version of the song that features Lady Gaga was included on the 2009 deluxe edition of I Am... Sasha Fierce.
Musically the song consists of simple lyrics, with hidden innuendo
Innuendo
An innuendo is a baseless invention of thoughts or ideas. It can also be a remark or question, typically disparaging , that works obliquely by allusion...
s, and is backed by thin-spread beat
Beat (music)
The beat is the basic unit of time in music, the pulse of the mensural level . In popular use, the beat can refer to a variety of related concepts including: tempo, meter, rhythm and groove...
s; Beyoncé and Gaga uttering gasps and groans while singing the song. Chris Willman from Yahoo!
Yahoo!
Yahoo! Inc. is an American multinational internet corporation headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, United States. The company is perhaps best known for its web portal, search engine , Yahoo! Directory, Yahoo! Mail, Yahoo! News, Yahoo! Groups, Yahoo! Answers, advertising, online mapping ,...
said that the lyrics are a reference to "celebration of Skype sex and putting on a solo show, on camera, for a guy you just met at the club." Gaga appeared in the remixed version of the song, singing the verse "You my phone star. And I'm happy when my lights flashin'". According to the sheet music published at Musicnotes.com by Hal Leonard Corporation, the song is set in the time signature
Time signature
The time signature is a notational convention used in Western musical notation to specify how many beats are in each measure and which note value constitutes one beat....
of common time, with a moderate groove tempo of 120 beats per minute
Tempo
In musical terminology, tempo is the speed or pace of a given piece. Tempo is a crucial element of any musical composition, as it can affect the mood and difficulty of a piece.-Measuring tempo:...
and in the key of A minor
A minor
A minor is a minor scale based on A, consisting of the pitches A, B, C, D, E, F, and G. The harmonic minor scale raises the G to G...
.
Critical reception
Alexis PetridisAlexis Petridis
Alexis Petridis is a British journalist, head rock and pop critic for UK newspaper The Guardian, as well as a regular and contributor to the magazine GQ.Petridis began his career writing for Varsity whilst a student at the University of Cambridge...
from The Guardian
The Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
compared the song to "Diva
Diva (Beyoncé Knowles song)
"Diva" is a song by American R&B singer Beyoncé Knowles. The song was written and produced by Shondrae "Bangladesh" Crawford, Sean Garrett, and Knowles for her third studio album, I Am... Sasha Fierce . It was released as the album's third overall single in the United States alongside the third...
", stating that "Video Phone" is "Almost equally weird, but much better, [and it] introduces us to the unlikely figure of Beyoncé Knowles, amateur pornographer: 'You want me naked? If you like this position you can tape it.' She doesn't make for the world's most believable Reader's Wife, but it doesn't matter, because the spare, eerie backdrop of groans and echoing electronics is so thrilling." Colin Mcguire from 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,...
wrote that "'Video Phone' is sexy enough to the point where it almost becomes uncomfortable to think of her listening back to this with her father in the room." Sal Cinquemani from Slant Magazine
Slant Magazine
Slant Magazine is an online publication that features reviews of movies, music, TV, DVDs, theater, and video games, as well as interviews with actors, directors, and musicians. The site covers various film festivals like the New York Film Festival.- History :...
said that the song ended the album abruptly.
For the collaboration, Fraser McAlpine from BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
reviewed the song negatively, saying: "So anyway, this brings me to 'Video Phone' – and what exactly is the point of Gaga featuring in this song? I know Beyoncé fans won't like me saying this, but I can't help but think that in this instance it's a case of 'if you can't beat em, join em' [...] For someone as naturally brilliant as Beyoncé (and a better singer than Gaga and Rihanna
Rihanna
Robyn Rihanna Fenty , better known as simply Rihanna, is a Barbadian recording artist. Born in Saint Michael, Barbados, Rihanna moved to the United States at the age of 16 to pursue a recording career under the guidance of record producer Evan Rogers...
put together), perhaps she should actually stop trying so hard and do what she does best - singing proper songs." Chris Willman from Yahoo!
Yahoo!
Yahoo! Inc. is an American multinational internet corporation headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, United States. The company is perhaps best known for its web portal, search engine , Yahoo! Directory, Yahoo! Mail, Yahoo! News, Yahoo! Groups, Yahoo! Answers, advertising, online mapping ,...
compared the song to Gaga's "Telephone
Telephone (song)
"Telephone" is a song written and performed by Lady Gaga. It was released from her third extended play and second major release The Fame Monster . The song, featuring American R&B singer Beyoncé Knowles, was written by Gaga and Rodney Jerkins...
", where Knowles appears as a featured artist, and said that "Maybe it's because the lack of a video for Gaga's "Telephone" leaves more to the imagination, but if this were a contest, I'd have to say her tune trumps Beyoncé's. [...] [Her] greatest promises of unbridled exhibitionism can't quite make the genre feel fresh."
Chart performance
After the album's release in 2008, the song charted on the US Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop SongsHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,...
chart. Upon release as a single in 2009, it debuted at number 70 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,...
chart and eventually peaked at 37. With "Video Phone", I Am... Sasha Fierce became the first album of the 21st century to have seven entries on this chart, following "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)
Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)
"Single Ladies " is a song by American recording artist Beyoncé Knowles from her third studio album, I Am... Sasha Fierce. It was released by Columbia Records on October 12, 2008 as the album's lead single, and appeared with "If I Were a Boy" as a double A-side single, demonstrating the...
", "If I Were a Boy
If I Were a Boy
"If I Were a Boy" is a pop song recorded by American R&B singer Beyoncé Knowles. It was composed by Toby Gad and BC Jean. Jean initially recorded her version of the song which was rejected by Jean's record company. Knowles then recorded a new version for her third studio album, I Am... Sasha Fierce...
", "Diva
Diva (Beyoncé Knowles song)
"Diva" is a song by American R&B singer Beyoncé Knowles. The song was written and produced by Shondrae "Bangladesh" Crawford, Sean Garrett, and Knowles for her third studio album, I Am... Sasha Fierce . It was released as the album's third overall single in the United States alongside the third...
", "Halo
Halo (Beyoncé Knowles song)
"Halo" is a song recorded by American R&B singer Beyoncé Knowles for her third studio album I Am... Sasha Fierce . Columbia Records released the song as the fourth single of the album, to mainstream radio in the United States on January 20, 2009. It was composed by Ryan Tedder, Evan Bogart, and...
", "Ego
Ego (Beyoncé Knowles song)
"Ego" is a song recorded by American R&B singer Beyoncé Knowles for the deluxe edition of her third studio album, I Am... Sasha Fierce . The song was composed by Elvis Williams, Harold Lilly, and Knowles. "Ego" was officially remixed with additional vocals from hip hop artist, Kanye West...
" and "Sweet Dreams
Sweet Dreams (Beyoncé Knowles song)
"Sweet Dreams" is a song by American R&B singer Beyoncé Knowles from her third studio album, I Am... Sasha Fierce . Originally titled "Beautiful Nightmare", the song leaked in March 2008, eight months prior to the album's release. Written and produced by Knowles, James Scheffer, Wayne Wilkins, and...
". On the week ending December 12, 2009, the extended remix of "Video Phone" debuted on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
at number 65, becoming the lowest peaking song from the album. The song sold 28,000 digital downloads, 93% of which were for the extended remix though radio stations preferred to spin the original album version. "Video Phone" also became Knowles' fourteenth number-one Hot Dance Club Songs chart-topper. It is also her sixth consecutive chart-topped. According to Nielsen Soundscan
Nielsen SoundScan
Nielsen SoundScan is an information and sales tracking system created by Mike Fine and Mike Shalett. Soundscan is the official method of tracking sales of music and music video products throughout the United States and Canada...
, the combined versions of "Video Phone" sold 287,000 copies.
In Australia, the original version of the song, debuted at 89 and peaked at 66 on the ARIA Singles Chart
ARIA Charts
The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June...
. The remixed version debuted at 40 on November 30, 2009 and peaked at 31 the next week. The original and the remixed version, respectively, both peaked at 29 on the ARIA Urban Chart. In New Zealand, the remixed version debuted at 33 and peaked at 32 after two weeks. In the United Kingdom, the original version of "Video Phone" debuted on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
at 91, and peaked at 58. The original and remixed version peaked on the UK R&B Chart
UK R&B Chart
The Official UK R&B Chart is a forty-position R&B/Hip-Hop chart compiled by The Official UK Charts Company. Although the chart does not receive any airplay, its compilation is viewed on BBC Radio 1's website and publications such as ChartsPlus and Music Week...
at 21 and 36 respectively. Across Europe, the remixed version of the song charted in Spain and outside the official charts in Belgium (Flanders and Wallonia). In the Czech Republic, the extended remix of "Video Phone" debuted at thirty-nine on issue date February 17, 2010.
Background and concept
A music videoMusic video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
for the extended remix of "Video Phone" was directed by Hype Williams
Hype Williams
Harold "Hype" Williams , previously known as HYPE, is an American music video and film director of African-American and Honduran descent. His nickname "Hype" comes from his hyperactive nature as a child....
. On October 15, 2009, a spokesperson for Williams confirmed to MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
, that reports of Gaga and Beyoncé working on the music video together were true. It was shot at Brooklyn's Greenpoint neighborhood, under tight security. The artists were reported to be wearing fashionable dresses, with Knowles in "a feathered dress" and Gaga sporting "something wild". In an interview with New York's Z100
WHTZ
WHTZ — branded Z100 — is a commercial pop/contemporary hit radio radio station licensed to Newark, New Jersey serving the New York metropolitan area. The station is currently owned by Clear Channel Communications...
radio station, Gaga further commented on her collaboration with Knowles, for the music video. She said,
"When I was doing her video with her, she called me and she said, 'What do you want to do?' [...] And I'm like, 'I don't want to show up in some frickin' hair bow and be fashion Gaga in your video.' I said, 'I want to do you.' [...] I want to do my version of Beyoncé. So the whole time I was learning the choreography they were calling me Gee-yoncé."
The video was initially set to premiere on November 5, 2009 but did not actually premiere until November 17, 2009.
Synopsis
It begins with Knowles walking down an alley, accompanied by several men in suits, an homage to Quentin TarantinoQuentin Tarantino
Quentin Jerome Tarantino is an American film director, screenwriter, producer, cinematographer and actor. In the early 1990s, he began his career as an independent filmmaker with films employing nonlinear storylines and the aestheticization of violence...
's 1992 film Reservoir Dogs
Reservoir Dogs
Reservoir Dogs is an American crime film marking debut of director and writer Quentin Tarantino. It depicts the events before and after a botched diamond heist, but not the heist itself. Reservoir Dogs stars an ensemble cast: Harvey Keitel, Steve Buscemi, Tim Roth, Michael Madsen, Chris Penn, and...
. As the main section of the song begins, cameras zoom in on Knowles as she dances in a black and white latex leotard while holding sunglasses with hand signals on them. When the first verse begins, Knowles seductively dances for two men who have cameras as heads. Another scene shows her teasing men with futuristic toy guns while wearing a skin-colored latex top. During Gaga's verse, she and Knowles appear wearing white leotards; they both sing to the camera while shooting more toy guns in open fire. Knowles next brandishes a bow
Bow (weapon)
The bow and arrow is a projectile weapon system that predates recorded history and is common to most cultures.-Description:A bow is a flexible arc that shoots aerodynamic projectiles by means of elastic energy. Essentially, the bow is a form of spring powered by a string or cord...
and fires arrows at a cameraman who strapped to a rotating dart board. She and Gaga, now in front of a white backdrop, perform a synchronized dance together, with Gaga wearing a pair of yellow Louboutins
Christian Louboutin
Christian Louboutin is a French footwear designer whose father is cabinetmaker Roger Louboutin and homemaker mother Irene. His siblings include three sisters, no brothers. Landscape architect Louis Benech has been his partner since 1997. Louboutin launched his line of high-end women's shoes in...
heels. Knowles then appears dressed as an homage to Bettie Page
Bettie Page
Bettie Mae Page was an American model who became famous in the 1950s for her fetish modeling and pin-up photos. She has often been called the "Queen of Pinups"...
, while handling several different firearm
Firearm
A firearm is a weapon that launches one, or many, projectile at high velocity through confined burning of a propellant. This subsonic burning process is technically known as deflagration, as opposed to supersonic combustion known as a detonation. In older firearms, the propellant was typically...
s. Throughout the video, the two singers fire their guns and arrows at men. The video ends with Knowles shooting a gun while perched upon a stationary motorcycle and surrounded by images from the start of the video.
Reception
James Montgomery from MTV commented that "it's a little surprising that the just-released clip for Beyoncé's 'Video Phone' has nary a flame or fish-eye shot (there are, of course, plenty of outlandish costumes). However, don't make the mistake of thinking this video is by any means straightforward — it's plenty WTF! [...] It's definitely not the Gaga we're used to seeing, but her appearance isn't exactly run-of-the-mill, either. And neither is this video, for that matter. Especially not when you're watching Beyoncé snap her gum and shake her hips and grope an AK-47 while the screen pops from electric green to Kool-Aid red." Jim Farber from New York's Daily News compared Knowles' look to that of pin-up model Bettie Page, and said "The clip for 'Video Phone' [...] doesn't offer much in the way of chemistry or even interaction between the two divas. [The] clip seems about as innovative as a rotary dial up." Daniel Kreps from Rolling StoneRolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
commented that the video was an "almost seizure-inducing parade of cinematic homages and wardrobe changes." He also compared Knowles' look to Page, as well as Katy Perry
Katy Perry
Katy Perry is an American singer, songwriter and actress. Born in Santa Barbara, California, and raised by Christian pastor parents, Perry grew up listening to only gospel music and sang in her local church as a child. After earning a GED during her first year of high school, she began to pursue a...
and rapper M.I.A
M.I.A. (artist)
Mathangi "Maya" Arulpragasam , better known by her stage name M.I.A. , is an English singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer, painter and director of Sri Lankan Tamil descent. Her compositions combine elements of hip hop, electronica, dance, alternative and world music. M.I.A...
. The Daily Mail
Daily Mail
The Daily Mail is a British daily middle-market tabloid newspaper owned by the Daily Mail and General Trust. First published in 1896 by Lord Northcliffe, it is the United Kingdom's second biggest-selling daily newspaper after The Sun. Its sister paper The Mail on Sunday was launched in 1982...
gave a positive review of the video, calling it avant-garde
Avant-garde
Avant-garde means "advance guard" or "vanguard". The adjective form is used in English to refer to people or works that are experimental or innovative, particularly with respect to art, culture, and politics....
and naughty. New York
New York (magazine)
New York is a weekly magazine principally concerned with the life, culture, politics, and style of New York City. Founded by Milton Glaser and Clay Felker in 1968 as a competitor to The New Yorker, it was brasher and less polite than that magazine, and established itself as a cradle of New...
magazine's Amy Odell commented that "The intricacy of her [Knowles'] wardrobe [in the video] suggests she's feeling the Gaga pressure." She further added: "In a burgeoning phenomenon we might call the Gaga Effect, divas everywhere may feel the pressure to push avant-garde fashion to the max to keep up with the pantsless wonder. Beyoncé's fashion efforts in 'Video Phone' — which make her epic diva money fan a mere distant memory — deserve a look-by-look analysis, because she tried really hard.
Achievements
The music video ranked at ninety-nine on BET: NotarizedBlack Entertainment Television
Black Entertainment Television is an American, Viacom-owned cable network based in Washington, D.C.. Currently viewed in more than 90 million homes worldwide, it is the most prominent television network targeting young Black-American audiences. The network was launched on January 25, 1980, by its...
Top 100 Videos of 2009 countdown.
In 2010, the music video of "Video Phone" received a nomination at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards Japan
MTV Video Music Awards Japan
The MTV Video Music Awards Japan are the Japanese version of the MTV Video Music Awards.Like the MTV Video Music Awards in the United States, in this event artists are awarded for their songs and videos through online voting from the same channel viewers...
, in the category of "Best Collaboration Video". The video received two nominations at the 2010 BET Awards
BET Awards
The BET Awards were established in 2001 by the Black Entertainment Television network to celebrate African Americans and other minorities in music, acting, sports, and other fields of entertainment over the past year. The awards are presented annually and broadcast live on BET...
for "Video of the Year" and for "Best Collaboration", winning the former category on April 27, 2010.
On August 3, 2010, the video received five nominations at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards
2010 MTV Video Music Awards
The 2010 MTV Video Music Awards took place on September 12, 2010 at Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, honoring the best music videos from the previous year...
, in the categories of Best Choreography, Best Collaboration, Best Pop Video, Best Female Video and Best Art Direction.
Track listing and formats
- US/UK CD single
- "Video Phone" (Album Version) – 3:35
- "Video Phone" (Instrumental) – 3:27
- International download bundle
- "Video Phone" – 3:35
- "Video Phone" (Extended remix featuring Lady Gaga) – 5:04
- "Poison" – 4:04
- UK digital download Remix Bundle
- "Video Phone" (Extended remix featuring Lady Gaga) – 5:04
- "Video Phone" (Gareth Wyn remix) – 7:53
- "Video Phone" (Oli Collins & Fred Portelli remix) – 7:02
- "Video Phone" (Doman & Gooding Playhouse Vocal Remix) – 6:33
- "Video Phone" (My Digital Enemy remix) – 7:00
- "Video Phone" (Gareth Wyn remix radio edit) – 3:57
Credits and personnel
- BeyoncéBeyoncé KnowlesBeyoncé Giselle Knowles , often known simply as Beyoncé, is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress. Born and raised in Houston, Texas, she enrolled in various performing arts schools and was first exposed to singing and dancing competitions as a child...
– Primary artist, producerRecord 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... - Lady GagaLady GaGaStefani 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...
– Featured artist, extended remix - Tom Coyne – Mastering
- Jim Caruana – Mixing Engineer
- Eddy Schreyer – Mastering, extended remix
- William "Vybe Chyle" Burke – Mixing Engineer, extended remix
- Mathew Knowles – Executive producer
- Miles Walker – Engineer
- BangladeshBangladesh (producer)Shondrae Crawford, better known as Bangladesh or Mr. Bangladesh, is a Grammy Award winning American record producer and disc jockey and rapper, who was born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa, and now lives in Atlanta, Georgia.- Life and career :...
– Producer - Phlex – choreopgrapher
Weekly charts
Original 2008 version| Chart (2008) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Singles Chart ARIA Charts The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June... |
66 |
| Australian Urban Chart ARIA Charts The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June... |
20 |
| Spanish Singles Chart | 26 |
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
58 |
| UK R&B Chart UK R&B Chart The Official UK R&B Chart is a forty-position R&B/Hip-Hop chart compiled by The Official UK Charts Company. Although the chart does not receive any airplay, its compilation is viewed on BBC Radio 1's website and publications such as ChartsPlus and Music Week... |
21 |
| US Hot Dance Club Songs | 9 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,... |
37 |
End-of-year chart
| Chart (2010) | Position |
|---|---|
| US Hot Dance Club Play Songs | 36 |
2009 version (featuring Lady Gaga)
| Chart (2009) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Singles Chart | 31 |
| Australian Urban Chart | 9 |
| Belgian Tip Chart Ultratop 50 Ultratop 50 singles, often just Ultratop 50, is the weekly chart of fifty best-selling singles in Flanders, Belgium, and is produced and published by the Ultratop organization. The chart has existed since March 31, 1995... (Flanders) |
4 |
| Belgian Tip Chart Ultratop 40 Ultratop 40 singles, often just Ultratop 40, is the weekly chart of best-selling singles in Wallonia and Brussels Capital Region, the french-speaking parts of Belgium. Its equivalent covering the Flanders region is Ultratop 50. Both charts are produced and published by the Ultratop organization... (Wallonia) |
14 |
| Brazilian Hot 100 Airplay Billboard Brasil Billboard Brasil is a monthly Brazilian magazine launched on October 10, 2009, with a print-run of over 40,000 copies. It is distributed nationwide by Brazil's biggest distributor Dinap... |
5 |
| Czech Airplay Chart Rádio Top 100 Oficiální Rádio Top 100 Oficiální is the name of the Czech national airplay chart published by the IFPI Czech Republic on a weekly basis.Besides the main Top 100 record chart, also two component charts are effective. While the Rádio CZ 50 Oficiální features songs released exclusively by Czech and/or Slovak... |
39 |
| New Zealand Singles Chart Recording Industry Association of New Zealand The Recording Industry Association of New Zealand is a non-profit trade association of record producers, distributors and recording artists who sell music in New Zealand... |
32 |
| UK R&B Chart | 36 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
65 |
| US Hot Dance Club Songs | 1 |
Release history
| Country | Date | Format | Version |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | November 17, 2009 | CD single | Album version |
| December 21, 2009 | 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... |
Remix Bundle | |
| France | November 20, 2009 | 3 Track | |
| United States | The Bonus Tracks – EP | ||
| Brazil | November 23, 2009 | International download bundle | |
External links
- Video Phone (Extended Remix) – Beyoncé at MTVMTVMTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....