Background

Beyonce’s “Break My Soul,” released in June 2022, served as the lead single for her seventh studio album, Renaissance. It was produced by Beyonce, The Dream, and Tricky Stewart. The three also wrote the track alongside Jay-Z. Because the song contains a sample from Big Freedia’s “Explode”, she also receives a writing credit alongside Adam James Piggott. It also has elements of “Show Me Love” by Robin S., paving way for attribution to also be given to Allen George and Fred Craig McFarlane.

The song review of Beyonce’s “Break My Soul” delves into how she created an anthem for resignation, her homage to genres pioneered by Black and Queer communities, and the legendary remix by legends.

And I Just Quit My Job

I’ve been working for the same corporation for the last 13 years. And while I haven’t quit my job, there were days when I related to Beyonce’s energy. Who hasn’t? The dream is to leave everything behind and seek happiness. But reality kicks in and the bills must be paid.

I’m at peace with my situation at the moment. Luckily, I do not deal with forces that attempt to break my soul. But if that predicament comes back, I have an anthem to accompany me. The song is an antidote to burnout, a repellent for negative vibes.

The track was meant for virality given its one liners like “I just quit my job”. But driving its longevity is its theme of empowerment. The writing doesn’t solely focus on the problem. Beyonce encourages us to build something better. She reinforces our agency to take control of our own life and happiness. And she reminds us that we are looking for something that lives inside of us.

And I’m Tellin’ Everybody

“Break My Soul” is my musical history teacher. I won’t pretend to know much about House and Bounce. But I know a little more than I did yesterday about genres that were created by Black and Queer communities. These are often overlooked by mainstream pop but Beyonce helps remedy that.

When I think of House, I hear electronic dance music in European festivals. I didn’t know this genre was existent in the 70s and 80s in Chicago Black gay clubs. Even though it’s snippets, the keyboard sounds of Robin S.’s “Show Me Love” that Beyonce used re-introduced me to a house classic that I have heard before but didn’t know the history of.

The energetic shouting in the background comes from Bounce music, a high-energy style of hip-hop from New Orleans. By sampling Big Freedia’s “Explode”, Beyoncé gave her global platform to the “Queen of Bounce”. The local subgenre rarely gets played on international radio, and is given the spotlight by undoubtedly one of the most successful artists of my generation.

Queen Mother Madonna, I Love Ya

I’m not a big fan of remixes. But when I find an output that’s inspired, I will give the song its flowers. And I can say, “Break My Soul (The Queens Remix)” delivered. And that’s not always the case when two superstars collaborate. Most of the time, it’s underwhelming. But the result of two legends coming together was even greater than the sum of their individual parts. What is not to like about the mash-up? These are two iconic dance tracks that blend perfectly.

Importantly, Beyonce flips the script on the famous spoken-word version of Madonna’s “Vogue”. Beyonce pivots from white Hollywood stars to influential Black female musicians and legendary ballroom houses. She returns the essence of “Vogue” to the Black and Latinx queer communities who created the art form.

Conclusion

The only thing I find more universal than experiencing romantic love is working. And Beyonce captured the experience of breaking free from the struggles of partaking in the labour forcethrough “Break My Soul”. In the creative process, she also integrated genres that helped shaped her artistry and spirit. And if the song wasn’t iconic enough, she enlisted Madonna to cement the track’s legendary status.