Reba - "If I Were A Boy"
By: Matt Bjorke
After first being performed during a CMT Unplugged session, Reba McEntire’s (or just Reba!) remake of Beyoncé’s “If I Were A Boy,” has taken a little life of its own. It singlehandedly had Reba and her label partner Scott Borchetta changing course from recording a new Christmas album for the 2010 holiday season to quickly getting the songs together that make up the album All The Woman I Am. While not chosen to be the lead single from the album – the #1 hit “Turn On The Radio” earned that distinction, giving Reba book-end #1’s in 2010 with “Consider Me Gone” – it makes all of the sense in the world to make it the next single from Reba’s album.
While some might have thought that remaking a pop/R&B hit into a country song would result in a saccharine, misguided attempt, in the hands of Reba the transition is seamless with a production style that is reserved and allows Reba to enunciate the lyrics cleanly and clearly, except in places where she bends the notes in her trade-mark style. The lyrics should hit home with the core female audiences of country music as well as they’re all about a woman trying to figure out how to understand boys/men better to see what they do. It plays off of gender stereotypes (that are largely true) and makes for a pleasant song.
While there certainly are some other fantastic singles on All The Woman I Am – an album which is her strongest recording of the last 10 years or so – the choice of “If I Were A Boy” as a single was expected and it will have a strong, maybe quick run up the charts. It should have no problem hitting the Top 10 and could – perhaps – give Reba three of her last four singles the distinction of being #1 hits. That alone should make Reba a STRONG contender against Carrie and Miranda for the CMA Awards’s Top Female Vocalist this fall, and not just another 'filler' in the category.
You can support Reba by purchasing this single at Amazon | iTunes.
READER'S COMMENTS
Kelsey Jo.... :] says:
Posted: Monday, January 24, 2011
Okay I have been talking to Sam for awhile now. and yea he isnt that bad. even tho I have a boyfriend that i love to death but Sam can be nice and he helps people and he isnt a liar i understand that what I said might have been hurtful. So I'm sorry. :]
Code says:
Posted: Friday, January 21, 2011
Wow, saying reba has an "old wrinkly but" is really classy, isnt it SAM, besides from that unnescarily rude comment, i kind of agree with you, there are much better country songs on the album that shouldve been released but unfortunately they werent,and the reason alan hasnt had any hits lately is because he hasnt adapted to the current country music, whereas reba has, i like reba's old music better too, but i dont bash her like you do. Noone is forcing you to like her, you dont have to, but dont post multiple comments about reba selling out, we heard you and we get it, stop repeating yourself, the truth is 80s reba is 80s reba and 90s reba is 90s reba, this is 2010s reba, you might as well get used to it. No consistant complaining will bring the old reba we all knew and loved back, so youre just wasting your time. Hopefully the next single will be better, im hoping for The Bridge You Burn
Sam says:
Posted: Thursday, January 20, 2011
I understand that they are in your vocab but they don't have to be. You said you were in college , do you really wanna get a big job an be embarrassed when you let one slip in front of important executives or something it isn't hard to get them out of you vocab I use to use that kinda langauge but now that I'm educated I forced myself not to use that kinda language its like anything you can veins addicted to using that language if you were raised around it all you have to do is try a little each day replace each cues word or slur word with another choice word I you are indeed in college your vocab should be expanding an it shouldn't be hard to think of some and in no time you won't have a need or those words trust me it isnt hard
Kelsey Jo... :] says:
Posted: Thursday, January 20, 2011
Okay Reba isnt my favorite I just said i liked her. and yea u did make a valid point when u sent me that email yea i understand and i am sorry for calling u shit but just so u no fucking and dumbass are in my vocad u no i have use those two words about 50 times a day. like no joke... :]
Sam the supreme says:
Posted: Thursday, January 20, 2011
First off calling me old I'm 23 that's not old and second off callig me ugly while it is spiteful and judgmental I'm not ugly and I don't take that to heart. I know you hate to hear me criticize your favorite artist Reba but just think I noone ever criticized anyone no people wouldn't realize their mistakes and we would have the progress in life we have now. Now about the song I never said I didn't like Reba personaly and maybe I couldn't get her but if I could I wouldn't want her old wrinkly but on me. What I have a problem with is a country artist or so she says she is not only producing pop songs to pander to radio but also remaking a pop song that wasn't anything more than a pandering song that became a hit off a name alone in the first place. She has better stuff as some of you pointed out to be fair I listened to the entire album there are some downright country stuff on there so why not release some of it instead of this pop crap release something worth listening to and personaly I'll be surprised if this makes it inside the top 15 because radio hasn't been to well to remakes lately look at Allen jacksons great version of ring of fire an actuall country rendition of a country song but they won't play it if you payed them to so I seriously doubt a pop remake will have any better luck also kelsy Jo no I'm not dumb I've got a bachelors degree in criminal justice where'd you go to college. And obviously you didnt becuase using words which I'll only use in context and reffering to what you said like and I quote" fucking" and "dumbass" and "fucking" again just show your illiteracy but the way I see people only resort to those words when they can think of nothing better to say to add to the debate so they say them in a defensive manner so when looking at it that way I win the debate because you can think of no other valid point to add to the argument I've refuted them all
Kelsey Jo.... :] says:
Posted: Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Okay after i have read what this Sam person said u are a dumbass and if u dont like fuckin Reba dont fuckin look at her shit and dont start shit with these people u prolly are a old fuckin man that is ugly as fuck and ur just mad cuz u could NEVER get her!
Kelsey Jo.... :] says:
Posted: Tuesday, January 18, 2011
And yes i agree with this code guy that Sam person prolly doesnt no whats goin on in life .
Kelsey Jo.... :] says:
Posted: Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Okay I like Reba personally but. yea you guys are talking shit on this Sam person and You guys prolly don even no who it is...... lol sorry to say this but yea... so if u wanna talk to me more.. email me. kelseyessex@yahoo.com
Code says:
Posted: Friday, January 14, 2011
Sam, why dont you just shut the hell up because it seems like you dont know what the hell youre saying, you could hate reba for all i care but if your'e gonna bash her, please have the appropriate information to back her up. YES!! Turn on the radio is a full on pop-rock song, i can not argue with that but to I Keep on loving you pop is frickin ridiculous, it is country and age-apropriate. I also agree that loretta lynn didnt sell out to pop, but if youre saying that dolly parton didnt than you obviously dont know who she is. Dolly parton was the FIRST country singer to really achieve pop crossover success, so youre points are not valid. Plus leann womack and martina mcbride BOTH went in pop directions at the beginning of the milennium while reba STAYED country. I think reba deserves at least one pop song now and then. Plus did you even listen to her new album, it is country and there are a lot of age-appropriate songs on there: A little want to, Cry, The day she got divorced, when you have a child,etc. Im similar to you i like when reba does songs like The night the lights went out in georgia and fancy, but dont bash her for doing a pop cover when they were BOTH pop hits before she recorded them. While its not my favourite song, reba sings it well. Reba is very good at handling her career, no other female country artist has had a career last as long as hers. SAM, get your facts straight before you bash an artist.
Ben Foster says:
Posted: Thursday, January 13, 2011
While I do think it's odd for a legend like Reba to be covering Beyonce, I can't help but enjoy her performance on this track.
Jess says:
Posted: Thursday, January 13, 2011
@Sam- You sir are entitled to your opinion. Let it go. We get that you don't like Reba. And before you start to criticize other peoples spelling/grammar, please check your previous posts first. Thanks.
says:
Posted: Thursday, January 13, 2011
Yea I'm blowing air when everything said is true and noone can acuse me of saying anything falsely. At the verry least I can spell the word but and know the difference between but and buy. Although id expect a fan of rebas new music to be pretty illiterate so who knows. Anyways god bless all of you and maybe one day you'll see the truth that Reba has sold out to make more money
growl n' spank says:
Posted: Thursday, January 13, 2011
Who's this Sam guy? You sound like you think you are an expert buy yer blowin' nothin' but air. God bless you and I hope you find somewhere else to publish your empty literary.
Scott says:
Posted: Thursday, January 13, 2011
What a great cover by Reba, I can't wait to see it go NO.1 on billboard. It's so cool to have a legend continue with success while others her age have gone and passed. Reba will always sing to impress.
sam says:
Posted: Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Yes most artists do cover songs but they cover good songs and they do them well. And not that Reba hasn't had good covers all her stuff latley has been god awful. Look at Luke bryans resin of apologize it was done well but Reba singing because of you stank look at Allen Jackson version of tall tall trees it was great but rebas version of I was a boy is a bad cover of an equally bad song
Scott says:
Posted: Wednesday, January 12, 2011
@Sam-I would mention most of Reba's hits are not covers, and that many great artist cover songs, it's a sign of respect to those who sang it before. You are a sad individual if the best insult you can throw at Reba is that she's covered songs just like a billion other singers have.
Sam says:
Posted: Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Reba sucks. She can't even do anything original. Here is a list of songs she has covered that were hits for other singers. " Ring on her finger" Lee Greenwood "From a Jack to a Queen" Ricky Van Shelton I'm sure the list goes on. When is Reba gonna get a life? And when I ask you when is she going to sing her own songs not cover somthing done by someone else you speak of all her records sold maybe and the reason migh be because she uses already established songs to do t with is she that bad that she can't come up with something original if this last record is as good as you say it is why does she feel the need to rlease a single that's already been sang by another artist oh and if you want to hear good country done and modernized not sounding popish listen to steel magnolia glass house that's how it can and should be done by Reba at this stage in her career
Sam says:
Posted: Wednesday, January 12, 2011
I'm not defending anyone and I realize their glory days are behind them all I'm saying is they had successfull careers and actually dolly was in a brodway play. But they had long succefull careers and still played country so it can be done by females they don't have to sell out to pop like Reba has done and no I don't flak about her current sucess my most fond memories and the night the lights went out in gorgia and fancy when she was actually good and trust me the show wouldn't have been a hit without her name beig attached to it and neither wouldthese poorly produced excuses for music shes currently making
Scott says:
Posted: Wednesday, January 12, 2011
@Sam-Dolly and Loretta have been visible, but that doesn't mean success. Loretta is retired for the most part except for a few tour dates every now and then and Dolly's success is in writing. I don't mean any disrespect to Dolly and Loretta who I think are legends, but their careers as far as album sales and radio play stalled out years ago. I don't think Dolly has a top ten hit by herself in over 18 years, she wasn't the talk of broadway like Reba, had a self titled sitcom for 6 years, or have the top selling tour in 2010. Dolly is a legend but at some point they slow down, Reba hasn't and her success and legend continue to grow. Dolly and other great artist are alway talked about in the past tense, as in what they have already done, and Reba is talked about her current success. We could debate this forever, but you continue to be in denial about Reba's success and the fact she sings country. You seem trapped in the 60's and forgot it's actually 2011. If your going to defend legends such as loretta you might want to spell their names correctly.
Sam says:
Posted: Wednesday, January 12, 2011
What about dolly Parton or Laretta Lynne You can't tell me they didn't have sucessfull careers and they didn't have to resort to pop to do it and yes I keep on loving you was pop. The chores was repeated untill it was anoyying by the end I'm left thinking we get it you keep on loving them. Which if you realized it youd see is somthing they tend to do alot in pop music. She may be picking smart and safe singles but as I said those smart singles are pop leaning so she has indeed sold out to pop
Scott says:
Posted: Wednesday, January 12, 2011
@Sam-Martina McBride and Lee Ann Womack are great singers, but they are a decade younger and nowhere near as successful. So you are blaming Reba for being smart with the Radio singles she releases.So Reba's top ten hit Keep On Loving You was pop, it sounds like country to me. Reba's the best,show some respect to the Queen of Country.
Michael says:
Posted: Wednesday, January 12, 2011
I love Reba's brand new single, "If I Were A Boy." It's definately not age inappropriate. It's quite simply a very beautiful song. I do wish, however, that they didn't release it with a radio edit, that eliminates the first chorus entirely. I wish they would've released the full album version of the song. The full album version of the song is way better. Reba, you're amazing, and I can't wait for this single to make it and stay at the top of the charts. To those people who think that Reba has sold out to pop music, you've got no what you're talking about at all. This woman has brought more fans to country music, and inspired more women and men for that fact in this business, then quite frankly anyone else. Reba is full of grace and love. Reba is country music.
Sam says:
Posted: Wednesday, January 12, 2011
I've listened to that stuff and I agree it is more country sounding but the question remains if she puts stuff like that out why not release it as singles instead of this pop cover which wasn't any good the first time around and is even worse in her hands. She has sold out to pop because while she may put country on her records she wouldn't dare release any of it as singles
Scott says:
Posted: Wednesday, January 12, 2011
People who say Reba has sold out to pop are morons, they probably have a grudge against Reba. Reba's crossover success with Broadway,a self titled sitcom, clothing line, movies, hosting duties, top selling tours,.over 55 million albums sold, No.1 hits at 55, all show why Reba is the Queen of Country. You can name any other female artist that's famous and you can point to their careers stalling in their late 30's and here is Reba still one of the most successful female's in country. Here are a few songs people need to hear for those who think Reba has sold out to pop which include Moving Oleta, she's turning 50 today, Maggie Creek Road, Does The Wind Still Blow In Oklahoma, Once You've learned to be lonely, Sleeping with the telephone, and Broken Hearts. Reba sings pop, traditional country, and modern country. Reba may be 55, but she uses twitter, blogs, live chats, and keeps up with her fans. Reba shows that Women don't have to fade away after 35, those who think Women should leave it to younger audience are just dumb. As for Beyonce having a stronger voice, I don't think so. Put Reba and Beyonce on broadway and Reba would destroy Beyonce.
littleriles says:
Posted: Wednesday, January 12, 2011
I LOVE Reba and I love the song "If I Were A Boy", however, these two were never meant to be together especially following Beyonce's impeccable version of the song. There is just no comparison at all. Reba's version has no soul whatsoever and no passion and is frankly boring. I love Reba like I said and the work she has been doing but "If I Were A Boy" is not a country song and in fact it made me think twice about her vocals after hearing her sing it. Why would she put her voice up against Beyonce's with this song or for that matter Kelly Clarkson's when she redid "Because of You"? I don't get it. Personally, both of these song choices and her interpretation of them are a big turn-offs to me. Why would I listen to Reba's version of either when Beyonce's and Kelly Clarkson's versions are very new and far, far superior? I think artists need to be very careful when remaking a song. I'm not saying it shouldn't be done. In fact, I have enjoyed many remakes including Miranda Lambert's excellent "It's Time to Get A Gun" and Carrie Underwood's "I Told You So". Of course, this is just my humble opinion and does not detract from the fact that I have incredible respect for Reba's talent, voice and she is definitely a country icon. This choice though, for me, is just not her.
Jess says:
Posted: Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Sam- That is your opinion that she is selling out to pop.......you are entitled to your opinion as I am entitled to mine. Just because someone "covers" another artist song does not make it pop, or, for that matter country. Numerous artists "cover" songs and as always, the song does not make it country or pop, it is the singer. And finally, obviously she is doing something right, she has had an amazing 32 years "professionally" singing and continues to chart hit makers. The proof is in the numbers. I really dont think people even think or look at age when it comes to "appropriate songs". If the song is good and the singer, WHOMEVER it is, kills it, then age really is irrelevant. Oh, and one more thing, 2 number one country hits in 2010 isnt too shabby for someone "who has sold out to pop". :-)
Sam says:
Posted: Wednesday, January 12, 2011
I don't know what your talkig about hite liar stank and it still go played the heck out of it but draw me a map a decent song by dierks bently got little to no airplay so no the dosnt have to be pod to get played. An yes she has sold out it's one thing to change with the time but like I said people like leanne womak and Martina McBride have both successfully integrated a change with the times while still stickig to tradition. You can't tell me there is a god is pop does that make it any less quality of a song no. She can release things more rleavemt to her age and would still find airplay. Zac brown band released highway 20 ride about parenting so grown up subject do work. And what about anything like me by brad paisley. Even Carrie underwood knows how to successfully intergrate her age better than Reba look at mamas song it about marriage. Rebas been married how many years and she still sings about dating. It's time to get over that and leave those kinda of songs to younger sigers. She could sing about the love she still feels for her husband that'd be more relevant to her age and trust me the 50 somthings only like her ecause she came out in their 20s if she was starting out now and they didn't know from previous quality music theyd hate her. If I were a boy was a pop hit how you tell me how is that not selling out to pop
jess says:
Posted: Wednesday, January 12, 2011
I have a headache from reading some of the previous posts. Spell check and grammar check work wonders. I guess everyone is going to have an opinion and have their reasons as to why or how Reba has sold out to pop. I dont believe she has sold out, I just think that she has changed with the "times" and that is how she stays relevant and radio friendly. Unfortunately, most artists, female in particular, loose radio play as the age. Reba has shown that she can change with the times and still put out quality music. Bottom line, if the music isn't good, it doesn't get played on the radio, or, sell albums. The numbers speak for themselves. The years she has been charting music, the number of albums sold, the number of tickets sold, etc. No, Reba hasn't sold out to anyone. She just continues to make solid music that entertains the 20 somethings to the 50 somethings. :-)
Jason Aldean says:
Posted: Wednesday, January 12, 2011
The album is indeed very good but it would not be justified to call it the best works!
Sam says:
Posted: Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Maybe that's what you meant and I'm glad you don't think this is the best of ten years but and I quote While there certainly are some other fantastic singles on All The Woman I Am – an album which is the strongest recording of the last 10 years or so the way I read that was that since you never actually used the words of rebus anywhere that it meant overall best glad to see it didn't that's just how I interpreted it glad for the correction
Janae says:
Posted: Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Rock on uncle Matt!!! you are awesome! literally!
Matt says:
Posted: Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Sam,
I never said that the album was the best of the last 10 years. I said "All The Woman I Am is Reba's best album of the last 10 years.
Sam says:
Posted: Tuesday, January 11, 2011
To say this is the best recording of the last ten years would be to say it's better than Jamie johnson that lonesom song or dirks bentlys amazing up on the ridge or even anything Blake shelton has down just to name a few. It isn't the best of the past ten year or even medically good within the past ten years. And no women don't have sing pop stuff to keep a fan base look at lee Ann womak for example her stuff is what rebas used to be. Dolly parton never sold out to this pop stuff she isn't any less popular and Allison cruase won a Grammy for her due. Album which also wasnt pop strong female country vocals can be done and done well when one wants to take the time neccasarry to do them clearly Reba dosnt shed rather have rushed overly produced pop album and make oodles of money than make a quality record and still make quite a bit off just her name on the record. And yes the other artists are in their 20s which is why there shouldn't even be a comparrison with them. She should be in a league of her own not trying to compete for the pop market. She sold out to pop its awfull and the production on the song is way overly produced it was an awfull song sung by beyonce and she's young so tell me if rebas 55 why is she remake songs sung by people in their late 20s aren't their any classics out their she could remake oh well hopefully this like that awfull turn on the radio crap will spend only one or two weeks at the top and flame out quick
Scott says:
Posted: Tuesday, January 11, 2011
This is my favorite Reba album of the past ten years and I like them all. Every Reba album has songs she would sing from years past and modern uptempo songs. George Strait can stay the same because he's a guy, but women have to work twice as hard to stay young, modern, and make their concerts entertaining or their cast aside. Reba is one of four females this year to to have a NO.1 hit on billboard. Taylor, Carrie, and Miranda are all in their 20's while Reba is 55. Reba had a top selling tour with George strait and Lee Ann Womack, recieving praise for her set list. Reba is and will always be the Queen of Country music.
Michael says:
Posted: Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Actually it is the best recording in the last 10 years. All of the albums songs are amazing. "If I Were A Boy" is an amazing song,and Reba is fantastic singing it. I hope this song goes straight to the top of the charts and stays there for awhile. Don't ever understimate Reba. She will surprise you.
Trent says:
Posted: Tuesday, January 11, 2011
She actually isn't going for 3 straight Number Ones. You are forgetting that she released "I Keep On Loving You" in between and it peaked at #7.
Sam says:
Posted: Tuesday, January 11, 2011
I liked Reba with her old songs like nigh the lights went out in gorgia and fancy andthose were country. It just seems to me as she has aged she has done the opposite of mature she has become more of teen type artist instead or a more Goethe straight respected old artist type. The type of songs you records like turn on your raido is about a guy doing a girl wrong and her telling him turn on the radio if you want to hear me. Now that may have been good when she was in her 20s but as a person matures they learn there are better ways to deal with things like that and really it wouldn't have been out of place on a Taylor swift record. Is that really what she's should be releasing teeny bop music and to remake a song that stank in the hands of an accomplished younger singer was dumb. It's not country regardless of what's done to it it's pop which what Reba does now I guess. And seriously the best recording in the last 10 years better than Miranda revolution or brad paisleys time well wasted or even Keith urbane days go by I don't think so it dosnt hold a candle to even newer artist like lady antebellums debut album.
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