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"If I Were a Boy" (CD Single)

What’s the Story?

Reviewed by Denise Duval

IF I WERE A BOY is a departure from Beyonce's typical big, sassy sound. She's in a contemplative, wistful mood as she considers all the things she'd get up to if she were a guy -- like rolling out of bed and throwing on any old thing, drinking beer with the dudes, flirting, pulling the "my cell phone wasn't working" excuse. Then she muses about the fact that she'd make a better man because she's been on the other side and knows how it feels to be hurt.

Is It Any Good?

3

Beyonce fans more into booty-shaking dance floor tracks might find this a little delicate; there's a hint of cynicism and bitterness here. But it's good to see the Queen Bee doing something different, even if "If I Were a Boy" seems a tad bland as a stand-alone single. It's sweet, the vocals are strong, and it might be a perfect foil for some of the other stuff on the new album.

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