April 23, 2016 marks a new national holiday: Beyoncé’s new visual album “Lemonade” was released on this date. This album personally changed my life for the better. Here are the thoughts I experienced while listening and I’m sure others did as well.
1. “Pray You Catch Me”
This is the first song, so you have pretty high hopes. There’s 35 seconds before Queen Bey even speaks, so there’s a lot of anticipation leading up to this moment. As soon as she says “You can taste the dishonesty,” you know she’s about to go off.
2. “Hold Up”
You’re definitely thinking this is the typical Beyoncé we love. She proves that she’s the strong female we all know her to be. She completely calls Jay-Z out and explains how no one’s going to cheat on her and get away with it.
3. “Don’t Hurt Yourself”
This song is the real plot twist of the album. When Bey says “Who the f*** do you think I am, you ain’t married to no average b**** boy,” you know she’s about to tell you why you can't and won't mess with her. I mean c’mon, when you have Beyoncé, why would you ever go looking for someone else?
4. “Sorry”
I was confused when I first saw the song title, because Beyoncé has nothing to be sorry for. But as soon as she said “I aint sorry," I realized she’s still the fierce individual we all know her to be. My only question is, who is Becky with the good hair? I think we all have some choice words for her.
5. “6 Inch”
This is hands down my favorite song on the album. The song is so raw and dark, and The Weeknd adds some great vocals to the song. I feel like I should be bowing at Bey’s heels after listening to this song.
6. “Daddy Lessons”
Beyoncé clearly deserves a CMA after this one. She explains how her dad taught her to be the strong person she is today. She teaches everyone that you don’t cry over a boy that’s not worth your time.
7. “Love Drought”
This was a dramatic follow up to a country song, and it is still beautifully done. This song had so many feelings going on, I wasn’t quite prepared for this sensuality just yet.
8. “Sandcastles”
I heard the piano and felt the tears come out of my eyes simultaneously. Beyoncé’s vocals in this song are absolutely incredible. I lost it and couldn’t get the tears to stop streaming from my eyes as she said, “Every promise don’t work out that way."
9. “Forward”
This song was such a tease for me. James Blake is extremely talented and I wish they made a song longer than one minute and 19 seconds together. This song was also where I could tell the album was about to completely change pace.
10. “Freedom”
This song was completely the turning point of the album. Beyoncé is incredible for giving us this new anthem. Just as you thought the song couldn’t get any better, Kendrick comes in and makes the song even greater. And then, the end explains the title of the album with the sample of Jay-Z’s grandmother saying, “I was served lemons, but I made lemonade." Cue the goosebumps.
11. “All Night”
Wow. Just wow. Bey’s vocals speak to me on a new level.
12. “Formation”
This song has been playing on repeat for me since the day it was released. The fact that she placed it last on the album makes perfect sense. The whole album is about empowerment and she nailed it.
No matter how you feel about Beyoncé, there is no debate that she’s an extremely talented individual. If you disagree with that, you’re wrong. She didn’t just create an album, she told a story. “Lemonade” isn’t just an incredible album; it’s a social movement.
