Like a Boy
Encyclopedia
"Like a Boy" is a song performed by American singer Ciara
for her second album Ciara: The Evolution
(2006). Written by Ciara, Candice Nelson, Balewa Muhammad, J. Que
, Ezekiel Lewis, and Calvin Kenon, it is the third release in the U.S.
and second single in Europe
(see 2007 in music
).
The release was confirmed in a MTV News
article and chosen before polling ended for Ciara's second single on her official myspace
page, being picked over "That's Right" and "Can't Leave 'Em Alone
". Although the single was a moderate hit, it failed to match the success of its North American predecessor. It was solicited to mainstream urban
radio on February 13, 2007. The single was released in the United Kingdom on April 2, 2007.
orchestral strings
and hard-pounding hip-hop
instrumental. Ciara also co-produced the song along with The Evolution track "My Love".
wrote that Ciara gives a "breathlessness delivering" and says the song is "intoxicating". Jody Rosen of Entertainment Weekly
wrote the song is "par excellence" and "stirring revenge fantasy". Britain's Manchester Evening News
published that the song has an "epic instrumental", "gymnastic style vocals", and "photocopied lyrics", but it is "guaranteed to be a smash hit in the U.S." Sophie Bruce of Entertainment Wise published "Ciara wishes she could act in the game of love" and says Ciara has "stylish breathy vocals", and "is drawing comparisons to Aaliyah
". Chocolate Magazine published it is "one of her best tracks so far" and shows her mature side.
YourSpins.com had a contest where fans had a chance to remix "Like a Boy" and meet Ciara, if the remix is saved. On April 3, 2007, Ciara made an appearance on the reality show Dancing with the Stars
, where she performed "Like a Boy". She did her famous matrix in a pair of high heels
. While the song was at the height of its popularity Ciara's name was featured in a Sprint
campaign along with Joss Stone
and My Chemical Romance
. On June 26, 2007, Ciara performed a medley of "Like a Boy" and "That's Right" at the 2007 BET Awards
.
at number eighty-one. It reached its peak position of number nineteen on May 5, 2007, and spent a total of twenty weeks on the chart. The song also peaked at number six on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
, giving Ciara her sixth top-ten single on the chart. "Like a Boy" certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America
(RIAA), for sales of 500,000 copies sold.
Internationally, the song debuted at number nineteen in Sweden
and peaked at number eight in its second week. In the United Kingdom
, it debuted at number thirty-five on downloads alone. After the physical single release, "Like a Boy" moved up twelve spots from number twenty-eight to sixteen, where it peaked. Even though the music video received heavy rotation, the single was a moderate success peaking in the top-twenty in most European countries.
"Like a Boy" was ranked #68 on Top Hot 100 Hits of 2007
, and is the most successful year-end single from Ciara: The Evolution
.
for "Like a Boy" was directed by Diane Martel
(credited as Ms. D), who also directed Ciara's "Promise
" video. It was shot in late January, over a three-day period. The video premiered on Yahoo! Music
and BET's
Access Granted
on February 21, 2007. The video received a "First Look" on MTV
's TRL
on February 23, 2007 and debuted at #10 on February 26, 2007 and peaked at #4. "Like a Boy" premiered on The Box on March 9, 2007. On March 8, 2007, it debuted on BET's 106 & Park
at #8 and peaked at #1. It peaked at #5 on the iTunes
video charts. The song made number thirty-three on BET's Top 100 Video Countdown of 2007.
The black and white video begins with Ciara dressed like a boy sitting in a chair. She is sporting painted on tattoos and says, "2007. Ladies, I think it's time to switch roles." Next, Ciara confronts her boyfriend played by football player
Reggie Bush
throughout the video. During the first verse and chorus, Ciara dances with her male alter ego. The rest of the video, Ciara and female dancers, who are all dressed in more masculine styles, perform masculine choreography
. After the bridge, there is a breakdown and Ciara performs her famous matrix as in the "Goodies
" video. The video version of the song features different edits from the album version.
"Like a Boy" was nominated for "Best Choreography in a Video" (Choreog.-Jamaica Craft) at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards
, but the award was given to Justin Timberlake
's "My Love
" featuring T.I.
The music video was also nominated for "Video of the Year" at the 2007 BET Awards
, but lost to Beyoncé Knowles
' "Irreplaceable
".
The video became a hit, being viewed over 20 million times on YouTube alone.
Ciara’s Video Tattoos
European CD #1 and digital download EP
European CD #2 and Itunes digital download #1
Itunes digital download #2
Promotional CD and Itunes digital download #3
Ciara
Ciara Princess Harris , known mononymously as Ciara, is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, actress and fashion model. Born in Austin, Texas, she traveled around the world during her childhood, only to land in Atlanta, Georgia where she met music producer, Jazze Pha...
for her second album Ciara: The Evolution
Ciara: The Evolution
Ciara: The Evolution is the second studio album by American recording artist Ciara. It was released on December 5, 2006, by LaFace Records. The album is separated into five sections, with each showcasing a different side of Ciara's artistry...
(2006). Written by Ciara, Candice Nelson, Balewa Muhammad, J. Que
Patrick J. Que Smith
Patrick "j.Que" Smith is an American Grammy nominated record producer and Songwriter. He has contributed to songs from Usher, Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez, Beyonce, Fantasia, Ciara, Avant, Chris Brown, The Gospellers, and Omarion....
, Ezekiel Lewis, and Calvin Kenon, it is the third release in the U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and second single in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
(see 2007 in music
2007 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 2007.-January:*January 1 - George Shearing is knighted for services to music in the Queen's New Year Honours List. Evelyn Glennie becomes a Dame...
).
The release was confirmed in a MTV News
MTV News
MTV News is the news division of MTV, one of the first and most popular music television network in the U.S., as well as some of MTV's related channels around the world. MTV News began in the late 1980s with the program The Week In Rock, hosted by Kurt Loder, the first official MTV News correspondent...
article and chosen before polling ended for Ciara's second single on her official myspace
Myspace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
page, being picked over "That's Right" and "Can't Leave 'Em Alone
Can't Leave 'em Alone
"Can't Leave 'em Alone" is a R&B song recorded by American singer Ciara and rapper 50 Cent for Ciara's second album, Ciara: The Evolution . Written by Ciara, LaShawn Daniels, Rodney Jerkins, and 50 Cent, it is the fourth release and official third single from the album...
". Although the single was a moderate hit, it failed to match the success of its North American predecessor. It was solicited to mainstream urban
Mainstream Urban
Mainstream Urban is a term used to describe a radio format similar to an Urban Contemporary format. The format differentiates itself due to two factors: playlist composition and target demographic...
radio on February 13, 2007. The single was released in the United Kingdom on April 2, 2007.
Theme and composition
"Like a Boy" details about double standards in society of how men in relationships can do certain things, but when women do the same it is looked down upon. According to Ciara, "it's a record for my women" and she had "a lot of girl talks". Ciara wanted to know what it would be like if "the roles were reversed". "It's a female-empowerment record". The protagonist wishes to "act like a boy". The song is notable for its mixture of synthesizedSynthesizer
A synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
orchestral strings
Virtual Orchestra
Virtual Orchestra is a term used to identify a variety of different types of technology and art forms. Most commonly used to refer to orchestral simulation, either for pre-recorded or live environments, it also has been used to describe other activities, such as IRCAM’s Virtual Orchestra...
and hard-pounding hip-hop
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
instrumental. Ciara also co-produced the song along with The Evolution track "My Love".
Critical reception and promotion
"Like a Boy" was well-received by critics. Bill Lamb of About.comAbout.com
About.com is an online source for original information and advice. It is written in English, and is aimed primarily at North Americans. It is owned by The New York Times Company....
wrote that Ciara gives a "breathlessness delivering" and says the song is "intoxicating". Jody Rosen of Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly is an American magazine, published by the Time division of Time Warner, that covers film, television, music, broadway theatre, books and popular culture...
wrote the song is "par excellence" and "stirring revenge fantasy". Britain's Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
The Manchester Evening News is a regional daily newspaper covering Greater Manchester in the United Kingdom. It is published every day except Sunday and is owned by Trinity Mirror plc following its sale by Guardian Media Group in early 2010. It has an average daily circulation of 90,973 copies...
published that the song has an "epic instrumental", "gymnastic style vocals", and "photocopied lyrics", but it is "guaranteed to be a smash hit in the U.S." Sophie Bruce of Entertainment Wise published "Ciara wishes she could act in the game of love" and says Ciara has "stylish breathy vocals", and "is drawing comparisons to Aaliyah
Aaliyah
Aaliyah Dana Haughton , who performed under the mononym Aaliyah , was an American R&B recording artist, actress and model. She was born in Brooklyn, New York, and was raised in Detroit, Michigan. At the age of 10, she appeared on the television show Star Search and performed in concert alongside...
". Chocolate Magazine published it is "one of her best tracks so far" and shows her mature side.
YourSpins.com had a contest where fans had a chance to remix "Like a Boy" and meet Ciara, if the remix is saved. On April 3, 2007, Ciara made an appearance on the reality show Dancing with the Stars
Dancing with the Stars
Dancing with the Stars is the name of several international television series based on the format of the British TV series Strictly Come Dancing, which is distributed by BBC Worldwide – the commercial arm of the BBC. Currently the format has been licensed to over 35 countries...
, where she performed "Like a Boy". She did her famous matrix in a pair of high heels
High-heeled shoe
High-heeled footwear is footwear that raises the heel of the wearer's foot significantly higher than the toes. When both the heel and the toes are raised equal amounts, as in a platform shoe, it is technically not considered to be a high heel; however, there are also high-heeled platform shoes...
. While the song was at the height of its popularity Ciara's name was featured in a Sprint
Sprint Nextel
Sprint Nextel Corporation is an American telecommunications company based in Overland Park, Kansas. The company owns and operates Sprint, the third largest wireless telecommunications network in the United States, with 53.4 million customers, behind Verizon Wireless and AT&T Mobility...
campaign along with Joss Stone
Joss Stone
Jocelyn Eve Stoker , better known by her stage name Joss Stone, is an English soul singer-songwriter and actress. Stone rose to fame in late 2003 with her multi-platinum debut album, The Soul Sessions, which made the 2004 Mercury Prize shortlist...
and My Chemical Romance
My Chemical Romance
My Chemical Romance is an American alternative rock band from New Jersey, formed in 2001. The band consists of lead vocalist Gerard Way, guitarists Ray Toro and Frank Iero, and bassist Mikey Way and have a diverse sound incorporating elements of punk, emo, glam metal, and progressive rock...
. On June 26, 2007, Ciara performed a medley of "Like a Boy" and "That's Right" at the 2007 BET Awards
BET Awards
The BET Awards were established in 2001 by the Black Entertainment Television network to celebrate African Americans and other minorities in music, acting, sports, and other fields of entertainment over the past year. The awards are presented annually and broadcast live on BET...
.
Chart performance
On the issue dated March 17, 2007, "Like a Boy" debuted on the Billboard Hot 100Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
at number eighty-one. It reached its peak position of number nineteen on May 5, 2007, and spent a total of twenty weeks on the chart. The song also peaked at number six on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,...
, giving Ciara her sixth top-ten single on the chart. "Like a Boy" certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America
Recording Industry Association of America
The Recording Industry Association of America is a trade organization that represents the recording industry distributors in the United States...
(RIAA), for sales of 500,000 copies sold.
Internationally, the song debuted at number nineteen in Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
and peaked at number eight in its second week. In the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, it debuted at number thirty-five on downloads alone. After the physical single release, "Like a Boy" moved up twelve spots from number twenty-eight to sixteen, where it peaked. Even though the music video received heavy rotation, the single was a moderate success peaking in the top-twenty in most European countries.
"Like a Boy" was ranked #68 on Top Hot 100 Hits of 2007
Top Hot 100 Hits of 2007
This is a list of Billboard magazine's Top Hot 100 songs of 2007....
, and is the most successful year-end single from Ciara: The Evolution
Ciara: The Evolution
Ciara: The Evolution is the second studio album by American recording artist Ciara. It was released on December 5, 2006, by LaFace Records. The album is separated into five sections, with each showcasing a different side of Ciara's artistry...
.
Music video
The music videoMusic video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
for "Like a Boy" was directed by Diane Martel
Diane Martel
Diane Martel is a music video director and choreographer.-Choreographer:1989*Bloodhounds of Broadway 1991*"Shiny Happy People" - R.E.M...
(credited as Ms. D), who also directed Ciara's "Promise
Promise (Ciara song)
"Promise" is a R&B song recorded by American singer-songwriter Ciara. Written by Ciara, Jasper Cameron, Jamal Jones, and Elvis Williams, it is the official lead single and second release in the North America from Ciara's second studio album, Ciara: The Evolution...
" video. It was shot in late January, over a three-day period. The video premiered on Yahoo! Music
Yahoo! Music
Yahoo! Music, owned by Yahoo!, is the provider of a variety of music services, including Internet radio, music videos, news, artist information, and original programming...
and BET's
Black Entertainment Television
Black Entertainment Television is an American, Viacom-owned cable network based in Washington, D.C.. Currently viewed in more than 90 million homes worldwide, it is the most prominent television network targeting young Black-American audiences. The network was launched on January 25, 1980, by its...
Access Granted
Access Granted
Access Granted is an American television series that features an in depth look at the planning and production of R&B and hip hop music videos. Each week, a different artist and their new music video are featured, with the video premiering at the end of the episode. The series began airing in 2001...
on February 21, 2007. The video received a "First Look" on MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
's TRL
Total Request Live
Total Request Live is a television series on MTV that featured popular music videos. TRL was MTV's prime outlet for music videos as the network continues to concentrate on reality-based programming. In addition to music videos, TRL featured daily guests...
on February 23, 2007 and debuted at #10 on February 26, 2007 and peaked at #4. "Like a Boy" premiered on The Box on March 9, 2007. On March 8, 2007, it debuted on BET's 106 & Park
106 & Park
106 & Park is a Top Ten Hip-Hop and R&B music video show, set up in a countdown format, that airs weekdays at 6:00 PM on BET . Since its inception, it was the network's #1 rated show...
at #8 and peaked at #1. It peaked at #5 on the iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
video charts. The song made number thirty-three on BET's Top 100 Video Countdown of 2007.
The black and white video begins with Ciara dressed like a boy sitting in a chair. She is sporting painted on tattoos and says, "2007. Ladies, I think it's time to switch roles." Next, Ciara confronts her boyfriend played by football player
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
Reggie Bush
Reggie Bush
Reginald Alfred "Reggie" Bush II is an American football running back for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
throughout the video. During the first verse and chorus, Ciara dances with her male alter ego. The rest of the video, Ciara and female dancers, who are all dressed in more masculine styles, perform masculine choreography
Choreography
Choreography is the art of designing sequences of movements in which motion, form, or both are specified. Choreography may also refer to the design itself, which is sometimes expressed by means of dance notation. The word choreography literally means "dance-writing" from the Greek words "χορεία" ...
. After the bridge, there is a breakdown and Ciara performs her famous matrix as in the "Goodies
Goodies (song)
"Goodies" is the debut single by American recording artist Ciara. Written by herself, Sean Garrett, LeMarquis Jefferson, and Craig Love, the song is produced by Lil Jon and features label-mate Petey Pablo. It was released worldwide from June 2004 as the lead single from her debut album of the same...
" video. The video version of the song features different edits from the album version.
"Like a Boy" was nominated for "Best Choreography in a Video" (Choreog.-Jamaica Craft) at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards
2007 MTV Video Music Awards
The 2007 MTV Video Music Awards, honoring the best music videos from the previous year, took place on September 9, in Las Vegas at The Palms. The 2007 VMAs were the smallest VMAs ever held in MTV history, eliminating 13 awards, re-naming many of the remaining awards, and having only four...
, but the award was given to Justin Timberlake
Justin Timberlake
Justin Randall Timberlake is an American pop musician and actor. He achieved early fame when he appeared as a contestant on Star Search, and went on to star in the Disney Channel television series The New Mickey Mouse Club, where he met future bandmate JC Chasez...
's "My Love
My Love (Justin Timberlake song)
"My Love" is a song by American singer-songwriter Justin Timberlake from his second studio album, FutureSex/LoveSounds . It was released on September 26, 2006, by Jive Records as the second single from the album...
" featuring T.I.
T.I.
Clifford Joseph Harris, Jr. , better known by his stage name T.I., is an American rap artist, film and music producer, actor and author. He is also the founder and co-chief executive officer of Grand Hustle Records....
The music video was also nominated for "Video of the Year" at the 2007 BET Awards
BET Awards
The BET Awards were established in 2001 by the Black Entertainment Television network to celebrate African Americans and other minorities in music, acting, sports, and other fields of entertainment over the past year. The awards are presented annually and broadcast live on BET...
, but lost to Beyoncé Knowles
Beyoncé Knowles
Beyoncé Giselle Knowles , often known simply as Beyoncé, is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress. Born and raised in Houston, Texas, she enrolled in various performing arts schools and was first exposed to singing and dancing competitions as a child...
' "Irreplaceable
Irreplaceable
"Irreplaceable" is a song recorded by American R&B singer Beyoncé Knowles for her second studio album, B'Day . The song was written by Knowles, Shaffer "Ne-Yo" Smith, Tor Erik Hermansen, Mikkel S. Eriksen, Espen Lind, Amund Bjørklund, and produced by Stargate and Knowles...
".
The video became a hit, being viewed over 20 million times on YouTube alone.
Ciara’s Video Tattoos
- "Need Love" - The one on the top part of her hand
- "Like a Boy" - The side part of her right hand
- "Fear No Man but God" - On her arm
- An angel and it says "Sucker for Love"
- A caricature of a tomboy and the girl has her hat to the back. It says "Princess" and symbolizes Ciara.
- "Rest in Peace, Baby Angel Astin" - Ciara’s niece that died not long after birth.
- "C" with a crown on it on her neck.
- "A" - On her left hand which stands for Atlanta. It has DecaturDecatur, GeorgiaDecatur is a city in, and county seat of, DeKalb County, Georgia, United States. With a population of 19,335 in the 2010 census, the city is sometimes assumed to be larger since multiple zip codes in unincorporated DeKalb County bear the Decatur name...
and above it says "Zone Three", which is RiverdaleRiverdale, GeorgiaRiverdale is a city in Clayton County, Georgia, United States. The population was 12,478 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Riverdale is located at .-Demographics:...
and where Ciara has the keys to the city.
Formats and track listings
Digital download EP- "Like a Boy" (Main version) – 3:59
- "Like a Boy" (Kardinal Beats) – 3:32
- "Like a Boy" (Soul SeekerzSoul SeekerzSoul Seekerz are a dance music group and remix/production outfit based in the UK, consisting of DJs and producers Julian Napolitano, Simon Langford and Andrew Galea.-Members:...
remix) – 6:44
European CD #1 and digital download EP
- "Like a Boy" [Main version] – 3:57
- "Love You Better" [Main version] – 4:29
- "Get UpGet Up (Ciara song)"Get Up" is a song by American recording artist Ciara. Released on July 25, 2006, the song serves as the first single from the original soundtrack to the film Step Up , as well as the lead single for her second album, Ciara: The Evolution. It features American rapper Chamillionaire...
" (featuring ChamillionaireChamillionaireHakeem Seriki , better known by his stage name Chamillionaire, is an American rapper, record producer, and entrepreneur. He is the CEO of Chamillitary Entertainment. Chamillionaire is also the founder and an original member of The Color Changin' Click...
) [Main version] – 4:22 - "Get Up" (Moto BlancoMoto BlancoMoto Blanco is an English DJ and electronic music duo consisting of Danny Harrison and Arthur Smith.They are also regularly joined by british record producer Jon Cohen.-History:...
Vocal mix) – 8:16
European CD #2 and Itunes digital download #1
- "Like a Boy" – 3:59
- "Get Up" [Moto Blanco Vocal mix] – 8:16
Itunes digital download #2
- "Like a Boy" – 3:58
Promotional CD and Itunes digital download #3
- "Like a Boy" [Main] – 4:00
- "Like a Boy" [Instrumental] – 3:57
Charts and certifications
| Chart (2007) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles (The Official Charts Company UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... ) |
16 |
Certifications
| Country | Provider | Certification |
|---|---|---|
| United States | RIAA Recording Industry Association of America The Recording Industry Association of America is a trade organization that represents the recording industry distributors in the United States... |
Platinum |
Release history
| Country | Release Date |
|---|---|
| United States | |
| Germany | |
| United Kingdom |