Details about Beyoncé’s upcoming album, due in stores Nov. 18, have been hard to come by until now. But yesterday, the singer’s father, Matthew Knowles, unveiled the complete tracklisting for members of the press in Hollywood, and even played a few minutes of each song and afforded details about promotional plans. First, it’s a 17-song double-album. However, if the economy has you looking to save a few bucks, you can instead buy a condensed 11-song single-CD version; both editions will go on sale the same day.
The first disc in the deluxe package is on the balladic side, while the second disc focuses on more upbeat, rhythmic material. What’s more, the two discs have separate titles. The first one is dubbed I Am… Beyoncé. Papa Knowles said the name of the second disc will remain a secret for now and revealed in connection with an upcoming promotion; he would only refer to it as “I Am dot-dot-dot.” Rumors suggest that the name of the second disc will be I Am… Sasha, the name Beyoncé has given herself in the past as an alter ego. (If you want to take a wild guess at what kind of promotion Knowles is alluding to, there’s already a contest-laden teaser website, whoissashafierce.com, that may offer some clues.)
Despite rumors of collaborations with Kanye West and Justin Timberlake, there are no guest stars on the new album. Beyoncé’s dad said this was a purposeful choice designed to spotlight the singer’s growth without fellow celebs getting in the way. He did, however, allude to plans for a guest on the song "Ego" that fell through. Given the title and playful lyrics (“It’s too big/It’s too wide/It’s too strong/It won’t fit…He’s got a huge ego…I love his big ego”), one could guess this was the track designed for a West cameo, though Knowles demurred when asked what happened with the celebrated rapper.
More, including a full track list, after the jump…
The two-CD version will sell for about $4 or $5 more than the single-disc version, according to Knowles, who said the less expensive edition is aimed at meeting the demand for CDs priced under $10 these days. Knowles said they expect about a 50/50 split between sales of the two versions.
Two singles are being pushed simultaneously: I Am… Beyoncé‘s “If I Were a Boy” to top 40 and adult contemporary, and I Am…‘s “Single Ladies” to rhythmic formats; “Halo” and “Ego” will be the second singles for those formats, respectively. (Urban adult contemporary radio, meanwhile, is about to be offered a Beyoncé single that isn’t even on her new album: the Etta James cover “At Last,” from the soundtrack of Cadillac Records, which hits stores Dec. 3 with three new Beyoncé tracks.)
Not enough Beyoncé developments for you? All right, here’s more: A video album of clips for every song — much like the DVD she did for her last album — will arrive in February, about the same time as a Spanish-language version of the new set (not to mention still another Beyoncé movie, Obsessed). Then she kicks off a 110-date tour in April, starting in Canada before going on to Europe, the States, Mexico, South America, and a week-long stint in Vegas, before wrapping up in Japan, Africa, and Australia.
As for the new record, Daddy Knowles said 70 songs were recorded over eight months, but only 17 lucky tunes made the cut. Here’s a full listing, along with the individual producers (Beyoncé gets her own producer credit on each number, naturally, as well):
DISC ONE
“If I Were a Boy”
Producer: Toby Gad
“Halo”
Ryan Tedder
“Disappear”
Amanda Ghost, Dave McCracken, and Ian Dench
“Broken-Hearted Girl”
Stargate
“Ave Maria”
Stargate
“Smash Into You”
C. “Tricky” Stewart and Terius “TheDream” Nash
“Satellites”
Amanda Ghost, Dave McCracken, and Ian Dench
“That’s Why You’re Beautiful”
Andrew Hey
DISC TWO
“Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)”
Christopher Stewart, Terius Nash, and Thadius Harrell
“Radio”
Jim Jonsin, D-Town, and Rico Love
“Diva”
Shondrae “Mr. Bangladesh” Crawford and Sean “The Pen” Garret
“Sweet Dreams”
Jim Jonsin, Wayne Wilkins, and Rico Love
“Video Phone”
Shondrae “Mr. Bangladesh” Crawford and Sean “The Pen” Garret
“Hello”
REO
“Ego”
Elvis “BlacElvis” Williams and Harold Lilly
“Scared of Lonely”
Rodney Jerkins
“Why Don’t You Love Me”
a late addition with production credits not listed; a collaboration with the Bama Boyz and Solange
More on Beyoncé:
Beyoncé vs. Britney: rate the videos
Beyoncé’s new song: your thoughts
Solange’s ”Sandcastle Disco” video: Choose your favorite flaw!
The two-CD version will sell for about $4 or $5 more than the single-disc version, according to Knowles, who said the less expensive edition is aimed at meeting the demand for CDs priced under $10 these days. Knowles said they expect about a 50/50 split between sales of the two versions.
Two singles are being pushed simultaneously: I Am… Beyoncé‘s “If I Were a Boy” to top 40 and adult contemporary, and I Am…‘s “Single Ladies” to rhythmic formats; “Halo” and “Ego” will be the second singles for those formats, respectively. (Urban adult contemporary radio, meanwhile, is about to be offered a Beyoncé single that isn’t even on her new album: the Etta James cover “At Last,” from the soundtrack of Cadillac Records, which hits stores Dec. 3 with three new Beyoncé tracks.)
Not enough Beyoncé developments for you? All right, here’s more: A video album of clips for every song — much like the DVD she did for her last album — will arrive in February, about the same time as a Spanish-language version of the new set (not to mention still another Beyoncé movie, Obsessed). Then she kicks off a 110-date tour in April, starting in Canada before going on to Europe, the States, Mexico, South America, and a week-long stint in Vegas, before wrapping up in Japan, Africa, and Australia.
As for the new record, Daddy Knowles said 70 songs were recorded over eight months, but only 17 lucky tunes made the cut. Here’s a full listing, along with the individual producers (Beyoncé gets her own producer credit on each number, naturally, as well):
DISC ONE
“If I Were a Boy”
Producer: Toby Gad
“Halo”
Ryan Tedder
“Disappear”
Amanda Ghost, Dave McCracken, and Ian Dench
“Broken-Hearted Girl”
Stargate
“Ave Maria”
Stargate
“Smash Into You”
C. “Tricky” Stewart and Terius “TheDream” Nash
“Satellites”
Amanda Ghost, Dave McCracken, and Ian Dench
“That’s Why You’re Beautiful”
Andrew Hey
DISC TWO
“Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)”
Christopher Stewart, Terius Nash, and Thadius Harrell
“Radio”
Jim Jonsin, D-Town, and Rico Love
“Diva”
Shondrae “Mr. Bangladesh” Crawford and Sean “The Pen” Garret
“Sweet Dreams”
Jim Jonsin, Wayne Wilkins, and Rico Love
“Video Phone”
Shondrae “Mr. Bangladesh” Crawford and Sean “The Pen” Garret
“Hello”
REO
“Ego”
Elvis “BlacElvis” Williams and Harold Lilly
“Scared of Lonely”
Rodney Jerkins
“Why Don’t You Love Me”
a late addition with production credits not listed; a collaboration with the Bama Boyz and Solange
More on Beyoncé:
Beyoncé vs. Britney: rate the videos
Beyoncé’s new song: your thoughts
Solange’s ”Sandcastle Disco” video: Choose your favorite flaw!
That’s a lot of Beyonce! Are you ready for all that jelly?
…or better yet. If you’re that concerned with the declining state of the economy, don’t buy some overproduced album(s) by this mediocre diva. If the economy is that bad, why are you still buying albums??
Dang why can’t Nov. 18th be today! I can’t wait for the WEEK LONG VEGAS SHOWS (…having a heart attack here). More and more Beyonce!
I’m sorry, I’ve always loved Beyonce but she sounds so full of herself I can’t even believe it. I won’t be wasting my money on this now.
It is really interesting to compare Beyonce’s solo career to when Diana Ross went solo in the 70s. Clearly there are differences, but similarities (in media perception and EGO) are striking.
I am so excited. When I read the rumors yesterday I nearly died. If I had a problem with B’Day, it was that there were too few tracks. I can’t wait even if the Sasha title is corny. And 110 tour dates!?! She has to be coming to Minneapolis this time!
wow this seems like a real hit. I hope the songs can hold their own. I love concept material.
This is over kill. She is like a robot. After a while, she is going to crash and burn.
I will give it to you that Beyonce might be a little too driven sometimes, but as a fan, I’m not really sweating it. She seems to like having everything in her life happen at once.
Why don’t you guys give her some credit for all the hard work she’s been doing. I quess you have to be in the bad girl/slut/junky catagory to get respect. Beyonce is better than all that. She a real woman not affraid to show her feelings
YOU GO GIRL!!!!!!!!
not one mention of how she blatantly stole bc jean’s song “if i were a boy”. beyonce is an oversinging waste of oxygen. wooo-waaa-wooooooooo-aaaaaa-iiiiiaiaiiaiaiaaaaa, yeah yea yeahhhh
omg! y u ppl hating! Beyonce is a hardworking women! she isn’t lucky at gettin everything at once!! she had to work hard for that! remember, she spent 8 months doing it! luv u bee! cnt wait to c u in the UK!
Not one mention of BC Jean because it was a demo that Beyonce legally is using.
Beyonce is beautiful and talented I am excited about the album and the tour. I don’t care if people have overkill! Don’t buy/listen its free will:) why waste your time hating
BTW she credited the writer for the Boy song on 106 yesterday, people write songs and sell them to others all the time… Probably your favorite song was a remake