Dangerously in Love is the debut solo album from American singer Beyoncé, released on June 23, 2003.
After the worldwide success of Destiny's Child's 2001 album Survivor, the group went on hiatus to focus on solo efforts. The albums were meant to be staggered out and cover different genres as not to compete with each other (Michelle Williams coming out first with a gospel album, and Kelly Rowland set to follow Beyoncé's release with a rock/R&B sound). However, the smash success of Rowland's single "Dilemma" with Nelly caused Beyoncé's album to be pushed back, which led to her further enhancing the album.
Dangerously in Love was the album where Beyoncé had a greater role in the production and direction, as well as writer and co-writer. After its release the album achieved great financial and critical success and solidified Beyoncé as a solo artist, which would lead to her being one of the 21st century's most influential artists.
Tracklist (standard edition)
- "Crazy in Love" (featuring Jay-Z) (3:56)
- "Naughty Girl" (3:28)
- "Baby Boy" (featuring Sean Paul) (4:04)
- "Hip Hop Star" (featuring Big Boi and Sleepy Brown) (3:42)
- "Be with You" (4:20)
- "Me, Myself and I" (5:01)
- "Yes" (4:19)
- "Signs" (featuring Missy Elliott) (4:58)
- "Speechless" (6:00)
- "That's How You Like It" (featuring Jay-Z) (3:39)
- "The Closer I Get to You" (with Luther Vandross) (4:57)
- "Dangerously in Love 2" (4:53)
- "Beyoncé Interlude" (0:16)
- "Gift from Virgo" (2:43)
- "Daddy" (4:57)
Singles
- "Crazy in Love
", "Baby Boy", "Me, Myself, and I", "Naughty Girl"
"Ya tropes got me lookin' so crazy right now:"
- Central Theme: Romance and Infatuation. "Daddy" stands out as it's about familial love, which is most likely why it was left as a hidden track. Most of the album can be interpreted as a love letter to Jay-Z, whom Beyoncé was dating at the time and would later marry.
- Cover Version: "The Closer I Get to You," originally recorded by Roberta Flack and Donnie Hathaway. Beyonce duets with Luther Vandross in this version.
- Diamonds in the Buff: The cover shows Beyonce miraculously preserving her modesty in a top that consists of nothing but jewelry.
- Epic Rocking: "Speechless" is six full minutes of Intercourse with You.
- Genre Mashup: "Hip Hop Star" merges R&B with Rock and Hip-Hop.
- Hidden Track: "Daddy," on some editions.
- Intercourse with You: Several tracks, most notably "Naughty Girl," "Hip Hop Star," "Be With You," and "Speechless."
- Obsession Song: Downplayed, but "Dangerously in Love 2" is about being completely infatuated with the subject.
- Re-release the Song: "Dangerously in Love 2" is a re-release of the song "Dangerously in Love" that was on the Destiny's Child album Survivor, except re-recorded with only Beyoncé on vocals and a different arrangement.
- Sampling: All throughout the album:
- "Crazy in Love" samples "Are You My Woman (Tell Me So)" by the Chi-Lites.
- "Naughty Girl" samples "Love to Love You Baby" by Donna Summer.
- "Baby Boy" samples "Hot Stepper" by Ini Kamoze.
- "Be with You" samples from three different songs:
- "Ain't Nothing I Can Do" by Tyrone Davis
- "I'd Rather Be with You" by Bootsy's Rubber Band
- "Strawberry Letter 23" by the Brothers Johnson.
- "That's How You Like It" samples "I Like It" by DeBarge.
- "Gift from Virgo" samples "Rainy Day" (1974) by Shuggie Otis.
- Seduction Lyric: "Naughty Girl," "Be With You," and especially "Hip Hop Star," where she sings "undress me, undress me."
- Silly Love Songs: "That's How You Like It."
- A Wild Rapper Appears!: Jay-Z in "Crazy in Love" and "That's How You Like It," Sean Paul in "Baby Boy," Big Boi in "Hip Hop Star," and Missy Elliott in "Signs."
- Missy does not offer rap verse unlike the other rappers on the album. Instead, her appearance is linked to her producer credit.
- Zodiac Motifs: The entire premise of "Signs."
- I was in love with a Sagittarius
He blew my mind.
- "Gift from Virgo" borrows its title from the astrological sign but does not rely as heavily on astrology as "Signs" does.
