I Am... Sasha Fierce - Music and Lyrical Content

Music and Lyrical Content

"If I Were a Boy", the first single of I Am..., stands as the only song on either disc that Knowles did not co-write. BC Jean, who wrote most of the song's lyrics, took inspiration from the product of a poor relationship. Knowles explained in Essence Magazine that "If I Were a Boy" is different from her previous songs in the sense that it is not a traditional R&B song. Music critics remarked that the song seemed to be a mixture of Knowles' 2006 hit "Irreplaceable", Fergie's 2007 single "Big Girls Don't Cry", and Ciara's 2007 single "Like a Boy". Ann Powers of the Los Angeles Times saw the song's theme of female empowerment as an expansion on that of "Irreplaceable". Musically, "Single Ladies" is an upbeat-dance-pop and R&B song, and features dancehall and bounce influences. According to Jonah Weiner of Blender, the song makes a clear reference to marriage while Greg Kot of the Chicago Tribune felt that the lyrics had a connection with "post-breakup". "Halo", composed by Ryan Tedder and Evan Bogart, was initially intended for Knowles but was almost recorded by Leona Lewis due to Knowles' schedule. According to Christian Williams of Billboard, "Halo" has a mainstream pop sound, with subtle R&B undertones. Critics noted "Diva" as a variation on Lil Wayne's "A Milli" and coined it as its female counterpart. "Diva" carries a stuttering beat, accompanied by a slow-rolling, bass-pumping groove. In the song, the female protagonist speaks and sings about the positive definition of a diva, explaining "diva is a female version of a hustler", and makes frequent references to her millions of dollars, even fanning herself with dollar bills.

"Sweet Dreams" was critically acclaimed for its use of electronic bassline, which was compared to Michael Jackson's "Beat It", and for its electropop sound. "Sweet Dreams" is derived from contemporary R&B and incorporates influences from the classic 1980s funk. "Broken-Hearted Girl" is a midtempo piano ballad. Its production and melody is backed by strings and a drum machine beat. According to Spence D. of IGN Music, "Hello" comes off like another ballad that "populate the first part of the album." It contains the Jerry Maguire line – "You had me at hello" – as part of its chorus. It essentially consists of "sweet guitar-picking and delicate harmonies." According to critics, "Video Phone" contains lyrics that are in reference to "a celebration of Skype sex and putting on a solo show, on camera, for a guy you just met at the club". The remixed version featured both Knowles and Lady Gaga trading verses with one another. Musically the song consists of simple lyrics, with hidden innuendos, and is backed by thin-spread beats; Knowles and Gaga uttering gasps and groans while singing the song. The album also contains several reworked songs including "Smash into You", which was previously recorded by Jon McLaughlin as "Smack into You". The song was re-worked and re-recorded by Knowles, earning her minimal song writing credits for changing "Smack" into "Smash". It was subsequently used for the soundtrack of Obsessed, a 2009 film in which the Knowles had a lead role. "Disappear" consists of "sweet guitar-picking and delicate harmonies". "That's Why You're Beautiful" is a slow-tempo soft rock and rock power ballad, which consists of a "grungy" guitar riff and stuterring drums. Critics compared the song with the materials by Alice in Chains and Jill Scott. The platinum edition of the album also included a cover version by Knowles of the 1979 Billy Joel song "Honesty".