Beyoncé's Starting Nine
I see it, I want it, I stunt, yellow bone it / I dream it, I work hard, I grind till I own it.
Work it Out (2003) for Russell Martin
A boy with a sax player in the family gets a Neptunes -produced James Brown funk sax extravaganza.
So we're shakin' back and forth now
Just keep it comin', babe
Treat my body like a guitar
You gotta, you gotta keep on strummin'
(I just had the disquieting thought that this song is 16 years old.)
Daddy Lessons (2016) for Justin Smoak
Country boy gets a country song.
He held in his arms
And he taught me to be strong
He told me when he's gone
Here's what you do
When trouble comes to town
And men like me come around
Oh, my daddy said shoot
Oh, my daddy said shoot
No No No Pt. 2 (1998) for Devon Travis
A baby-faced Bey for our baby-faced second baseman.
Boy, I know you want me, I can see it in your eyes
But you keep on frontin'
Won't you say what's on your mind?
'Cause each and every time you're near me, you give me signs
But when I ask you "What's the deal?"
You hold it all inside
If you wanna be with me, you gotta keep it real;
Tell me what's goin' on, tell me how you feel
'Cause, boy, I know you want me just as much as I want you
So come and get my love - it's all here for you
Get Me Bodied (2006) for Yangervis Solarte
This song is entirely about dancing and moving. Swizz Beats-produced.
I ain't worried, doin' me tonight
A little sweat ain't never hurt nobody
While y'all standin' on the wall
I'm the one tonight gettin' bodied
Ring the Alarm (2006) for Josh Donaldson
I liked the sound of the emergency for Donaldson.
Some people say this song is about Rihanna. Some people say this is Lemonade, pre-Lemonade. She sings the shit out of it.
How can you look at me
And not see all the things that I kept only just for you
Why would you risk it baby is that the price I that pay?
Countdown (2011) for Curtis Granderson
One of my all time favourite songs- it’s so joyful and I think Curtis Granderson is a joyful guy. The choreography in the video is inspired by Audrey Hepburn (the black turtleneck is right out of Funny Face) and Brigitte Bardot (the men’s shirt and no pants) and the stuff later on in the video is this Belgian modern dance choreographer named Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker.
Split screen of the choreography.
There's ups and downs in this love
Got a lot to learn in this love
Through the good and the bad, still got love
Dedicated to the one of love, hey
Still love the way he talk, still love the way I sing
Still love the way he rock them black diamonds in that chain
Still all up on each other, ain't a damn thing change
Upgrade U (2006) for Kevin Pillar
I have always loved how she pretends to be Hov in this video.
This ain't a shoulder with a chip or a ego
But what you think they all mad at me for?
Lose My Breath (2004) for Randal Grichuk
I love a good drumline. And this is a damn good drum line.
I'm startin' to believe that I'm way too much for you
All that talk but it seems like it can't come through
All them lies like you could satisfy me
Now I see where believing you got me
Gave you the wheel, but you can't drive me
Mi Gente (2017) for Teoscar Hernandez
Freedom (2016) for Marcus Stroman
This song wails. And Mr. Lamar just won the Pulitzer.
I'm telling these tears, "Go and fall away, fall away"
May the last one burn into flames
Freedom! Freedom! I can't move
Freedom, cut me loose!
Freedom! Freedom! Where are you?
Cause I need freedom too!
I break chains all by myself
Won't let my freedom rot in hell
Hey! I'ma keep running
Cause a winner don't quit on themselves