Beyonce Lyrics The author of this brief report has been asked to analyze the lyrics of the song Formation by Beyonce, the pop and R&B artist who is widely known to the American public. Rather than just summarize and print out the lyrics, the author of this report will instead analyze and assess what they lyrics are saying. The contexts, backstory and societal implications behind what is being said will be analyzed along the way. The song will be broken down into snippets based on each point being made and what is being said. The size of the snippets will vary a little bit but will all be fairly self-contained on their own so that a full point can be made for each portion. While many songs out there in the pop music sphere are vague and leave some interpretation to the listeners, much of what is being said in Beyonce's song is crystal clear and in many cases specific to her and her life.

Analysis

Y'all haters corny with that illuminati mess

Paparazzi, catch my fly, and my cocky fresh

These two lines are clearly a reference to the buzz that some people engage in about there being a certain "chosen people" who are in power. The gist is that some people feel that American society (if not the entire world) is controlled and manipulated by these select few.

Beyonce has apparently been within those discussions at some point and this is apparently her retort. The second line is a clear reference to the press and how they constantly follow and analyze her.

I'm so reckless when I rock my Givenchy dress (stylin)

I'm so possessive so I rock his Roc necklaces

This is a clear reference to the design brands that she wears so as to show off her wealth and riches. The propensity for R&B and rap stars to do this is well-known.

My daddy Alabama, Momma Louisiana

You mix that negro with that Creole make a Texas bama

I like my baby heir with baby hair and afros

I like my negro nose with Jackson Five nostrils

All of the above is a clear homage to her heritage and the family history that Beyonce comes from.

Earned all this money but they never take the country out me

I got a hot sauce in my bag, swag

A continuation of the last stanzas. This furthers the point that she is not ashamed of where or who she comes from. She further states that she has nto changed all that much from her upbringing and the culture she was raised on despite all of the millions she has come into throughout her career.

[Interlude: Messy Mya + Big Freedia]

Oh yeah, baby, oh yeah I, ohhhhh, oh, yes, I like that

I did not come to play with you hoes, haha

I came to slay, bitch

I like cornbreads and collard greens, bitch

Oh, yes, you besta believe it

This is a further continuation of what was stated in the first verse. It basically ties everything together. She is very proud of her abilities and what she has achieved but she is also making it clear that she is not ashamed of the culture she was raised in. In other words, she has become rich but she has not forgotten or forsaken what she came from, or so she says.

[Refrain: Beyonce]

Y'all haters corny with that illuminati mess

Paparazzi, catch my fly, and my cocky fresh

I'm so reckless when I rock my Givenchy dress (stylin')

I'm so possessive so I rock his Roc necklaces

My daddy Alabama, Momma Louisiana

You mix that negro with that Creole make a Texas bama

I like my baby heir with baby hair and afros

I like my negro nose with Jackson Five nostrils

Earned all this money but they never take the country out me

I got a hot sauce in my bag, swag

The above is just a repeat of what she said earlier.

[Chorus: Beyonce]

I see it, I want it, I stunt, yellow-bone it

I dream it, I work hard, I grind 'til I own it

I twirl on them haters, albino alligators

El Camino with the seat low, sippin' Cuervo with no chaser

This is a new lyric. There is a focus on fashion (the albino alligators" and also a name-drop relating to the liquor industry, that being the Cuervo reference. The "no chaser" quip is a reference to the fact, presumably, that she drinks tequila (Cuervo) straight and this is seen (albeit mostly with men) as a sign of virility and machismo. It takes on a similar yet different...

However, for women to say such things is not new. For example, Carrie Underwood has done the same thing in some of her songs, just to name one. The El Camino line makes reference to a classic car that is well-loved and adored by many people that customize and restore cars.
Sometimes I go off (I go off), I go hard (I go hard)

Get what's mine (take what's mine), I'm a star (I'm a star)

Cause I slay (slay), I slay (hey), I slay (okay), I slay (okay)

All day (okay), I slay (okay), I slay (okay), I slay (okay)

We gon' slay (slay), gon' slay (okay), we slay (okay), I slay (okay)

I slay (okay), okay (okay), I slay (okay), okay, okay, okay, okay

A further outcry that she seeks to be aggressive, assertive and that she will take a backseat to no one. The use of repetition is used to perhaps make it sort of an anthem that encourages people to participate and sing along, whether in their car, their home or at a concert of hers. Of course, the use of the word "slay" is not literal. Instead, it is an obvious way to refer to the fact that people that lobby against her and assail her abilities or message will be disregarded and shouted down, in one form or another.

Okay, okay, ladies, now let's get in formation, cause I slay

Okay, ladies, now let's get in formation, cause I slay

Prove to me you got some coordination, cause I slay

Slay trick, or you get eliminated

Here is where the song takes an obvious turn towards being a feminist anthem of sorts.

Essentially, Beyonce is all for other women holding the same aggressiveness and assertiveness when it comes to be considered equals to men and to taking (not asking for) their rightful place in society. At the same time, with the last line, she is saying that only people ready to take the slings and arrows and respond in kind are permitted to be involved. At the very least, it is an acknowledgement that some women will fall away when they face criticism and it is safe to say that they will if they share Beyonce's opinion just because the anti-feminism and anti-woman forces are still most certainly out there.

[Verse: Beyonce]

When he fuck me good I take his ass to Red Lobster, cause I slay

When he fuck me good I take his ass to Red Lobster, cause I slay

If he hit it right, I might take him on a flight on my chopper, cause I slay

Drop him off at the mall, let him buy some J's, let him shop up, cause I slay

I might get your song played on the radio station, cause I slay

I might get your song played on the radio station, cause I slay

You just might be a black Bill Gates in the making, cause I slay

I just might be a black Bill Gates in the making

This is a clear appeal to the guys who might be listening. Rather that dominate and domineer over her partner, she is content and willing to reward and spoil her partner if he does well. Obvious, she makes a reference to sex but there are surely other things in play, as evidence by the first line about Bill Gates. Given her husband's (Jay-Z) power and prestige, this would easily dovetail with her life. Both of them do well and are powerful ... each in their own right. As such, her last two lines both compare easily to her own life with her husband. There is yet another fashion name is dropped in this verse, that being "J's." These are a reference to the Michael Jordan athletic shoes that are widely coveted by many children and younger adults.

[Chorus: Beyonce]

I see it, I want it, I stunt, yellow-bone it

I dream it, I work hard, I grind 'til I own it

I twirl on my haters, albino alligators

El Camino with the seat low, sippin' Cuervo with no chaser

Sometimes I go off (I go off), I go hard (I go hard)

Get what's mine (take what's mine), I'm a star (I'm a star)

Cause I slay (slay), I slay (hey), I slay (okay), I slay (okay)

All day (okay), I slay (okay), I slay (okay), I slay (okay)

We gon' slay (slay), gon' slay (okay), we slay (okay), I slay (okay)

I slay (okay), okay (okay), I slay (okay), okay, okay, okay, okay

Okay, okay, ladies, now let's get in formation, cause I slay

Okay, ladies, now let's get in formation, cause I slay

Prove to me you got some coordination,…