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Flaws and All

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"Flaws and All"
SongbyBeyoncé
from the albumB'Day: Deluxe Edition
RecordedRoc the Mic,New York City
GenreR&B
Length4:07
LabelColumbia
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Taylor
  • B. Knowles
Music video
"Flaws and All"onYouTube

"Flaws and All"is a song recorded by American singerBeyoncéfrom the deluxe edition of her second studio album,B'Day(2006). It was composed byNe-Yo,Shea Taylor,Beyoncé andSolange Knowles,while Beyoncé Knowles and Taylor produced it. In theR&Bsong, Beyoncé shows appreciation for the love given by her man, who sees through all of her flaws and loves her unconditionally. "Flaws and All" received positive reviews from critics, who lauded Beyoncé's emotion and vulnerability on the track. Some critics also noted that the song was better than some of the songs on the standard edition ofB'Day.

Themusic videowas directed by Cliff Watts and Beyoncé forB'Day Anthology Video Album(2007). It features clips of aB'Daypromotional ad byWal-Martpieced together, in which Beyoncé does not lip-sync the words of the song, but instead acts as if it were an everyday scenario. Beyoncé explained the concept for the video was to show a different side to her, that the paparazzi does not show and that fans would not normally see. Beyoncé performed "Flaws and All" onThe Beyoncé Experience(2007), and was also sung by her onThe Ellen DeGeneres Show,Revel Presents: Beyoncé Live(2012), andRenaissance World Tour(2023).

Background

[edit]
Ne-Yo (left) and Beyoncé Knowles' sister, Solange (right), assisted in the writing of "Flaws and All".

"Flaws and All" was written byNe-Yo,Shea Taylor,Beyoncé Knowlesand her sisterSolange Knowles.TheR&Bsong was produced by Beyoncé Knowles and Taylor, and mixed by Jean-Marie Horvat at Oz Recording Studios,Valencia, California."Flaws and All" was recorded by Jim Caruana, Shane Woodley and Robert "LB" Dorsey at Roc the Mic studio,New York City.[1][2]Although the song was originally included on the re-release ofB'Day,[3][4]it was additionally included oncompilation albums.In 2007 the song was included onTyler Perry'sWhy Did I Get Married?soundtrack.[5]In 2008, Beyoncé released the song on a compilation album dedicated tokaraokeperformances titledBeyoncé Karaoke Hits, Vol. I.[6]Author Latrice Gleen references the song in amemoirtitledMy Life's Journey(2010).[7]

Reception

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"Flaws and All"
A 25-second sample of "Flaws and All" in which critics praised Knowles' vocal vulnerability in the song.
Problems playing this file? Seemedia help.

Chris Willman ofEntertainment Weeklynamed the song as his favorite addition to the deluxe edition ofB'Day,stating, "Better is 'Flaws and All', a ballad in which B[eyoncé] expresses melismatic gratitude that workaholic bitches (her words!) merit love too."[8]Rory Dollard ofMetroalso wrote that the song was better than some of the tracks on the original track listing ofB'Day.[9]While reviewing the deluxe edition ofB'Day,Sal Cinquemani ofSlant Magazinepraised the song, calling it a "surprise gem [which] sound[s] downright subtle".[10]BETincluded the song in its list of the "Top 10 Feel Good R&B Songs", ranked at number nine.[2]Discussing their choice, they stated "'Flaws and All'... revealed Beyoncé at her most vulnerable. The song showed that even a superstar can struggle with insecurities and be in need of someone to love her."[2]Bobby Reed ofChicago Sun-Timesnoted that the lyrics could also refer to "the way fans worship Beyonce".[11]Anthony Venutolo ofNew Jersey On-Linenoted that the song talks about true love.[12]Destiny's ChildbandmateKelly Rowlanddiscussed the track duringBillboard's"Woman of the Year" spread for Beyoncé. She stated "Beyoncé is a true artist who brings it every time. My favorite song will always be 'Flaws and All.' So much feeling, so beautiful; her voice sounds amazing."[13]

Music video

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Well, I am a little silly, I am a little goofy, and it's great. There are a lot of things I keep to myself, because that's the only way you keep your sanity. This [video] is the way my family sees me, it's me being who I really am. It's been 10 years, and it's time for people to see that side of me. It's not about glamour, not about celebrity, not about being a diva — it's about someone loving you for you.
—Beyoncé Beyoncé,Beyoncé: Behind the B'Day Music Videos[14]

Themusic videofor "Flaws and All" was directed by Cliff Watts and Beyoncé.[15]The video for the song was shot on inexpensiveSuper 8 filmduring the two-week filming for theB'Day Anthology Video Album(2007).[16][17]Critics have noted that Beyoncé emulatesMarilyn Monroe,Brigitte BardotandBarbra Streisandthroughout the clip.[16]During an interview withMTVon a "Beyoncé: Behind theB'DayMusic Videos ", MTV commented on Beyoncé's appearance in the music video stating that she acts like" a goofball "and" it also feels like we get to see the real [her]. "[18]Beyoncé replied, "I'm way different in my everyday life. My personal life and my celebrity life — I've separated them so much it's like two different people. But I'm pretty balanced. I'm over the top and I'm natural."[18]

In an interview withVibe,Beyoncé explained that the concept for the video in depth after being questioned as an "everyday woman."[19]"I don't sing any of the song. The whole time it's like a silent movie and I'm being myself. I'm notperforming.I reveal a side of myself no one's ever seen. I'm silly and goofy and not...trying to be a diva, or trying to be a star – just me. "[19]The video features a black and white theme and a grainy film texture. Beyoncé does notlip-syncthe lyrics but acts out parts of the song and poses. Several of the scenes used in the video had been shot in 2006 for aB'Daypromotional ad byWal-Mart.[20]

Live performances

[edit]
Knowles, wearing, a silver dress is being hugged from behind by a shirtless man donning white trousers and large feathered wings.
Beyoncé performing "Flaws and All" onThe Beyoncé Experience

Beyoncé performed the song on multiple occasions, including the song as part of herset listonThe Beyoncé Experience(2007). Beyoncé cried during the performance,[21][22]and was then embraced by a male dancer dressed as an angel.[12]Chris Willman ofEntertainment Weeklypraised Beyoncé's performance of the song stating "The true defibrillator moment, all freakum dress changes aside, is 'Flaws and All', during which Beyoncé weeps real tears (nightly, according to reports from earlier overseas shows) while apologizing for being such a bitch. That's a rare campy, melodramatic performance in an otherwise energized two hours."[23]The performance also caught the attention ofThe New York Timeswriter Jon Pareles who stated, "Along the way the concert was a showcase for her consistently expanding music, from the kinetic dance beats of songs like 'Get Me Bodied' to dramatic ballads like 'Flaws and All', which Beyoncé sang wide-eyed in a video close-up."[24]J. Freedom du Lac ofThe Washington Postwrote that during the performance she was offering a "litany of her own 'imperfections' that her lover embraces unconditionally".[25]Anthony Venutolo of New Jersey On-Line wrote that the performance was "silly".[12]The performance of the song in Los Angeles on September 2, 2007, was taped and included onThe Beyoncé Experience Live.[26][27]The performance of the song was also shown independently atMTV.com[28]and was released via digital download at theiTunes Storeon November 19, 2007.[29]

Beyoncé performed the song onThe Ellen DeGeneres Showon November 25, 2008 while promoting her third albumI Am... Sasha Fierce.[30]In May, 2012, she performed "Flaws and All" as a part of herrevueshowRevel Presents: Beyoncé LiveatRevel Atlantic City.[31]While reviewing the show, Ben Ratliff ofThe New York Timeswrote, "She has a fast-reacting face, and opens her eyes wide to look astonished, touched, or grateful. (She did this especially during 'Flaws and All,' which she dedicated to her fans: 'I don't know why you love me/And that's why I love you.')"[32]A writer forVibemagazine listed the performance of the song in the five notable moments from the concerts, saying that Beyoncé "had the camera zoom in on her face the whole time, showing the crowd her own 'flaws,' allowing the crowd to connect to her".[33]"Flaws and All" was also included on the live albumLive in Atlantic City(2013) which was filmed during the revue.[34]In 2013, Beyoncé added the song to theset listof her worldwideThe Mrs. Carter Show World Tour.[35]During the performance she dedicated the song to her fans, theBeyHive.[36][37]

A decade later, the song again appears on the setlist of Beyoncé'sRenaissance World Tour,as part of the show's first act composed mainly of ballads and deep cuts from the artist's discography.[38]

Credits and personnel

[edit]

Credits are taken fromB'Day Deluxe Editionliner notes.[1]

References

[edit]
  1. ^abB'Day(Deluxe Edition).Beyoncé Knowles.Sony Music BMG Entertainment.2007.{{cite AV media notes}}:CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  2. ^abc"10 Feel Good R&B Songs".Black Entertainment Television.Archived fromthe originalon August 12, 2011.RetrievedApril 15,2011.
  3. ^"Beyonce reissue details announced".NME.IPC Media.February 15, 2007.RetrievedJune 4,2012.
  4. ^"Beyoncé to Release Deluxe Edition of B'Day".Rap-Up.Devin Lazerine. February 20, 2007.RetrievedJune 4,2012.
  5. ^"Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married? (Music from and Inspired By the Motion Picture)".iTunes Store.Apple Inc.October 2007.RetrievedJanuary 29,2011.
  6. ^"Beyoncé Karaoke Hits, Vol. I Beyoncé".iTunes Store. Apple Inc. 11 March 2008.RetrievedJanuary 29,2011.
  7. ^Gleen, Latrice (July 2, 2010).My Life's Journey.Bloomington, Indiana:AuthorHouse.p. 5.ISBN978-1-4520-4590-0.
  8. ^Chris Willman (March 30, 2007)."B'Day: Deluxe Edition (2007)".Entertainment Weekly.Time Inc.Archivedfrom the original on October 20, 2012.RetrievedJanuary 29,2011.
  9. ^Dollard, Rory."Albums of the week".Metro.Associated Newspapers Ltd.RetrievedJune 4,2012.
  10. ^Cinquemani, Sal (April 7, 2007)."Upgrade B".Slant Magazine.RetrievedDecember 1,2013.
  11. ^Reed, Bobby (August 20, 2007)."Beyonce At the United Center"(Payment required).Chicago Sun-Times.Sun-Times Media Group.p. 45.RetrievedJune 4,2012.
  12. ^abcVenutolo, Anthony (August 5, 2007)."Beyonce bedazzles".New Jersey On-Line.RetrievedJune 11,2012.
  13. ^"Beyoncé's Fans".Billboard.Vol. 121, no. 40.Nielsen Business Media.October 10, 2009. p. 28.ISSN0006-2510.
  14. ^Jennifer Vineyard."Beyonce: Behind The B'Day Videos".MTV News.MTV Networks.p. 1. Archived fromthe originalon January 28, 2012.RetrievedJanuary 29,2011.
  15. ^"Flaws and All".MTV. MTV Networks. March 28, 2007. Archived fromthe originalon October 26, 2008.RetrievedApril 8,2011.
  16. ^abJennifer Vineyard."Beyonce: Behind The B'Day Videos".MTV News. MTV Networks. p. 3. Archived fromthe originalon June 24, 2011.RetrievedJanuary 29,2011.
  17. ^"Video: Beyoncé -" Flaws and All "".Rap-Up.Devin Lazerine. March 30, 2007.RetrievedJune 4,2012.
  18. ^abJennifer Vineyard."Beyonce: Behind The B'Day Videos".MTV News. MTV Networks. p. 2. Archived fromthe originalon December 14, 2007.RetrievedJanuary 29,2011.
  19. ^abCliff Watts (March 16, 2007)."Get To Poppin'".Vibe.InterMedia Partners.p. 29.RetrievedJanuary 29,2011.[permanent dead link]
  20. ^"Beyoncé – Flaws and All (deleted scenes)".Nuts.IPC Media.RetrievedJanuary 29,2011.
  21. ^Schmeichel, David (September 15, 2007)."Beyonce - Concert Review: MTS Centre, Winnipeg".Jam!.Sun Media.Archived from the original on January 15, 2013.RetrievedJune 4,2012.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  22. ^Rodman, Sarah (August 13, 2007)."Beyonce lights up the Garden".The Boston Globe.The New York Times Company.Archived fromthe originalon March 9, 2012.RetrievedJune 4,2012.
  23. ^Chris Willman (July 13, 2007)."The Beyonce Experience".Entertainment Weekly.Time Inc.Archivedfrom the original on October 20, 2012.RetrievedJanuary 29,2011.
  24. ^Jon Pareles (August 6, 2007)."Romance as a Struggle That She Will Win".The New York Times.RetrievedJanuary 29,2011.
  25. ^Freedom du Lac, J. (August 11, 2007)."A Blast of Beyonce".The Washington Post.RetrievedJune 28,2011.
  26. ^Deming, Mark."The Beyoncé Experience: Live".Allmusic.Rovi Corporation.RetrievedJune 4,2012.
  27. ^"Beyoncé to Release 'Live!' DVD".Rap-Up.Devin Lazerine. October 22, 2007.RetrievedJune 4,2012.
  28. ^"Beyoncé –" Flaws and All (Live) "".MTV. MTV Networks. November 27, 2007. Archived fromthe originalon October 26, 2008.RetrievedJanuary 29,2011.
  29. ^"Flaws and All (Live)".iTunes Store. Apple Inc.RetrievedJanuary 29,2011.
  30. ^"Video: Beyonce on 'Ellen DeGeneres Show'".Rap-Up.Devin Lazerine. November 25, 2008.RetrievedJanuary 29,2011.
  31. ^Johnston, Maura(May 27, 2012)."Live: Beyoncé Brings The House Down At Atlantic City's Newest Casino".The Village Voice.Village Voice Media.Archived fromthe originalon May 29, 2012.RetrievedJune 4,2012.
  32. ^Ratliff, Ben (May 26, 2012)."Beyoncé: Coming Back and Catching Up, Then Conquering".The New York Times.RetrievedJune 4,2012.
  33. ^"5 Notable Moments from Beyonce's Revel Concert".Vibe.InterMedia Partners. May 29, 2012. Archived fromthe originalon June 2, 2012.RetrievedJune 4,2012.
  34. ^"Beyoncé - Life is But a Dream [DVD + UV Copy]".Amazon UK.RetrievedNovember 5,2013.
  35. ^Corner, Lewis (April 16, 2013)."Beyoncé begins 'Mrs Carter Show' world tour, no new songs performed".Digital Spy.Hachette Filipacchi Médias.RetrievedMay 14,2013.
  36. ^"Beyoncé makes nod to The Verve at London's O2 Arena".NME.IPC Media. April 30, 2013. Archived fromthe originalon May 9, 2013.RetrievedMay 14,2013.
  37. ^"Beyoncé Thanks Fans for Support at Belgium Show [Video]".Rap-Up.Devin Lazerine. May 16, 2013.RetrievedMay 17,2013.
  38. ^Wang, Steffanee (2023-05-11)."A Complete Recap Of Beyoncé's Space-Futuristic 'Renaissance' Tour".Nylon.Retrieved2023-05-22.
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