I Was Here (song)
[4] "I Was Here" is a downtempo R&B ballad[9][10][11] that is instrumentally based on synthesizers undercurrent,[12] indie rock guitars,[11] musical keyboards and big drums provided by Tedder and Kutzle.[18] Watery synths shimmer in the background before Beyoncé adopts an authoritative tone to chant the chorus lines: "I was here / I lived, I loved / I was here / I did, I've done / Everything that I wanted / And it was more than I thought it would be / I will leave my mark so everyone will know / I was here".Instead of gnashing my teeth, I listen closer, wanting to hear this shockingly affecting elegy directed for once not at one specific lover, but the world that allowed her to express that love in the first place.Oddly enough, the song reminds me of Lars von Trier's best works, which provoke actual emotional reactions while being, on paper, contrived pieces of shit.[20] Georgette Cline of The Boombox gave the song a positive review stating that, although the lyrics are a bit on the morbid side, it works in Beyoncé's favor, "proving she can tackle a myriad of subjects"."[22] Another reviewer of the same magazine, Jody Rosen complimented Beyoncé's vocals stating that she sings with authority; however, he coined "I Was Here" as a low point on the album and added that it is "swamped in 'My Way'-style self-mythologizing.[24] James Reed of The Boston Globe wrote that the collaboration of Diane Warren and Ryan Tedder, introduces "a new strain of her balladry: an ethereal marriage of R&B sensuality and stuttering indie-rock guitars.[27] Similarly, Embling of Tiny Mix Tapes wrote: "'I Was Here' is a heavy brick of a song — overwrought, maudlin, delusionally grandiose — but it is also disarmingly honest about the addictive, undignified dimensions of fame and celebrity."[10] Michael Cragg of The Observer gave the song a negative review, stating that it disappoints as being "corny bluster at odds with the laid-back feel of her most accomplished album yet.[33] Hamish MacBain of NME gave "I Was Here" a mixed review stating the song sounds like an X-Factor winner's single, full of unbelievably trite sentiments.[56] Droga5's creative chairman David Droga further explained the decision to include Beyoncé for the World Humanitarian Day, "The hope, first and foremost, was to put this on people’s radar."[61] The music video was expected to be released simultaneously in the main platforms of television, cinema, projection screens and facilities prepared for buildings in New York, Dubai and Geneva, on August 19.[64][65] SuperUber worked on integration between animations and technology, the structure design and projection mapping that took over the General Assembly Hall after it was invited by Kenzo Digital.[66] The final video had an 8856 x 1664 resolution and was split into 10 slices of 1080 x 1664 pixels, since each projector was turned on its side and the images were projected vertically in order to cover the whole structure.Werthein revealed, "In order to create the proper tension for the screen to hold its shape we had to weld permanent rigging points into the dome of the general assembly."[66] Russ Rive, SuperUber's director said, "It’s an ambitious project that has completely transformed an iconic location – seen as immutable and unchanging, with its goldplated panel and grand volume.Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Valerie Amos also appeared encouraging everyone to log on to the website WHD-IWasHere.org by August 19 and commit to doing one good act to help someone in need further saying, "I told Beyoncé: It's great that we have her, because she can reach millions of people.[67] Beyoncé appeared on stage wearing a floor-length white gown with micro-sequins from designer Marc Bouwer's pre-fall collection[68][69] while her hair was pulled back in a sleek ponytail.[70] The performance footage is also mixed with images of global volunteer efforts; as the giant screen displays globe-reaching graphics they morph into pictures of humanitarian work.[75] MTV Act's Jose Iniguez described the performance as "phenomenal, flawless, goosebump-inducing, inspiring" adding that it gave him life and made him feel "gobbled up" by the presence of Beyoncé.[70] A writer of Rap-Up wrote in his review that the singer was "glowing" in her white dress, adding that she put her "powerful pipes on display as she belted out the empowering ballad"."[82] Mike Wass of Idolator wrote: [Knowles'] ability to bring new depth and texture to quality material is almost as impressive as her uncanny knack for connecting with the audience on an emotional level.On Sunday night, though, Beyoncé brought the song to life, singing with a tenacious mix of shmaltz and soul that evoked two of her heroes, Barbra Streisand and Aretha Franklin [...] It sounded less like bluster than confession.It splices poignant memories throughout Beyoncé's life, from her childhood, to partying and vacations with her family, to most of the locations she visited around the world, to her rise with Destiny's Child into solo stardom and her love story with Jay-Z.[94] It later shows Beyoncé, as an adult, hugging Michael Jackson, performing with Prince, Tina Turner, her husband, and contains cameos by Oprah Winfrey and Nelson Mandela.[96] Similarly, Brent Woodie of The Christian Post commented about how the 2008 wedding of Beyoncé to Jay-Z was kept very private; there were no photographs or videos released from the event, leaving media and gossip columnists to speculate on the nuptials.[95] Luchina Fisher of ABC News described it as "a home movie featuring highlights from Beyonce's decorated life" and felt that it's "the personal moments [in the video] the singer's fans will no doubt devour"."[109] Daniel Fienberg from the website HitFix wrote that she made a smart choice with the performance of the song adding that there were "some sharp notes here and there, but she sings her heart out".[122] Nationwide, Boys & Girls Clubs provide high-impact, affordable programs, and caring adult mentors, to keep kids on the path to great futures, emphasizing academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles.[122] The director, Ron Howard explained the reason behind choosing "I Was Here" as the soundtrack of their new PSA: "We wanted the most powerful piece of music possible, to underscore the dramatic message that what we do today to shape the future of our children is vitally important.
I Was HereBeyoncéStudioDenverColoradoBoston Harbor HotelBostonMassachusettsColumbiaSongwriter(s)Diane WarrenProducer(s)Ryan TedderBrent KutzleKuk HarrellOneRepublicSeptember 11 attacksUK Singles ChartSwiss Singles ChartSouth Korea Gaon International Singles Chartmusic videoMarc BouwerUnited Nations General Assembly HallWorld Humanitarian DaysoundtrackFIFA Women's World Cupset list4 Intimate Nights with BeyoncéLea MicheleBeyoncé KnowlesBillboardguitarMTV UKThe Atlanticdowntempoballadsynthesizersindie rockmusical keyboardsbig drumsxylophoneAlfred Music PublishingG major68 time signatureThe Boston GlobeAbsolutePunkreverbsands of timechorusLars von TrierRun the World (Girls)Rolling StoneJody RosenMy WayUSA TodayHerald SunThe Village VoiceI Am ... Sasha FierceThe A.V. ClubEntertainment WeeklyPopMattersThe ObserverThe IndependentEmpire State of MindGreg KotChicago TribuneX-FactorAustralian Singles ChartIrish Singles ChartBelgian Ultratip Singles ChartUK R&B ChartHungarian Singles ChartHot Dance Club Songsher fansOffice for the Coordination of Humanitarian AffairsRidley Scott & AssociatesSophie MullerDroga5producersanimationDavid DrogaGwyneth PaltrowRihannaLady GagaJustin BieberChris MartinShakiraMichelle ObamaCoca-Colablack and whiteiTunes StoreGeneral Assembly Hallprojection mappingPandoraDual Boxwarping and edge blendingengineeringlumensJulia StilesThe-DreamBan Ki-moonDeputy Secretary-General of the United NationsJan EliassonUnder-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief CoordinatorValerie AmosAnderson CooperCBS NewsDaily NewsMan in the MirrorE! OnlineMarie Claire2013 MTV Video Music AwardsMacklemoreSame LoveRoseland Ballroomresidency showRap-UpIdolatorBarbra StreisandAretha FranklinEssenceDiana RossDick Clark's New Year's Rockin' EveWhitney HoustonI Will Always Love YouDestiny's Child