:I'm a Lady
{{good article}}
{{for|the album by Bette Smith|I'm a Lady (album){{!}}I'm a Lady (album)}}
{{Infobox song
| name = I'm a Lady
| cover = I'm A Lady (Official Single Cover) by Meghan Trainor.png
| alt = A black and white mirrored image of a woman under the blue text "Smurfs The Lost Village" and the pink text "Meghan Trainor I'm a Lady"
| border = yes
| type = single
| artist = Meghan Trainor
| album =
| released = {{start date|2017|02|24}}
| recorded =
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = Pop
| length = {{duration|m=2|s=45}}
| label = Epic
| writer =
- Meghan Trainor
- Martin Renea
| producer =
- Martin Renea
- The Monsters and the Strangerz
- Meghan Trainor
| prev_title = Better
| prev_year = 2016
| next_title = No Excuses
| next_year = 2018
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|XyL3YKK_1BI|"I'm a Lady"}}}}
}}
"I'm a Lady" is a song by American singer-songwriter Meghan Trainor, for promotion of the film Smurfs: The Lost Village (2017). Trainor and Martin Renea co-wrote the song, and co-produced it alongside the Monsters and the Strangerz. Epic Records released the song for digital download and streaming as a single on February 24, 2017. Backed by percussion-heavy instrumentation, it is a retro-pop song, with the lyrics discussing loving oneself and empowerment. The song received mostly positive reviews from music critics, who noted its anthemic nature and praised the message.
"I'm a Lady" reached number 40 on the US Adult Top 40 chart in 2017. Hannah Lux Davis directed an accompanying music video, which was released on March 3, 2017. The video features solely female characters, who are seen in a boardroom, wearing a football uniform, shooting archery, and lifting weights. In 2017, Trainor performed the song live on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
Background and release
In October 2015, Trainor released the song "Better When I'm Dancin'" for The Peanuts Movie soundtrack (2015), and recorded another track entitled "Good to be Alive" for the Target edition.{{cite web |last=Gracie |first=Bianca |title='The Peanuts Movie' Soundtrack Features Meghan Trainor & Flo Rida |url=https://www.idolator.com/7611475/peanuts-movie-soundtrack-meghan-trainor-flo-rida-tracklist |publisher=Idolator |access-date=June 24, 2020 |date=October 14, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181012134921/https://www.idolator.com/7611475/peanuts-movie-soundtrack-meghan-trainor-flo-rida-tracklist |archive-date=October 12, 2018 |url-status=live }} She and Martin Renea co-wrote "I'm a Lady", and co-produced it with the Monsters and the Strangerz. Trainor announced at the 2016 KIIS-FM Jingle Ball that she had written the song for the film Smurfs: The Lost Village (2017), describing the song as "a saxophone-driven 'banger' that's 'pretty fire'", and called it an "upbeat, love-yourself woman anthem".{{cite web |last=Roth |first=Madeline |title=Meghan Trainor Teases Her Next 'Love Yourself Woman Anthem' |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2985611/meghan-trainor-teases-im-a-lady/ |publisher=MTV News |access-date=June 25, 2020 |date=February 21, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170820232748/http://www.mtv.com/news/2985611/meghan-trainor-teases-im-a-lady/ |archive-date=August 20, 2017 |url-status=dead }} On February 20, 2017, Trainor announced that the song would be released the following Friday.
The artwork for "I'm a Lady" was edited by Meghan's brother Ryan Trainor and unveiled on February 23.{{cite tweet|last=Trainor|first=Meghan|user=Meghan_Trainor|number=834582578527100931|title=The Single Artwork for #ImALady Is Finally Here!!!! Edited by my own brother @RyanTrainor92... https://instagram.com/p/BQ1iE_fjyi9/|date=February 23, 2017|access-date=June 25, 2020}} The song was released for digital download and streaming as a single by Epic Records the next day. It was serviced to hot adult contemporary and contemporary hit radio stations in the United States on February 27 and February 28, respectively. "I'm a Lady" being used for the promotion of Smurfs: The Lost Village led to Meghan Trainor voicing the character of Smurfmelody in the film.{{cite magazine |last=Brandle |first=Lars |title=Meghan Trainor Brings Back Girl Power for 'Smurfs' Song 'I'm a Lady' |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7701950/meghan-trainor-smurfs-song-im-a-lady |magazine=Billboard |access-date=June 25, 2020 |date=February 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170224083946/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7701950/meghan-trainor-smurfs-song-im-a-lady |archive-date=February 24, 2017 |url-status=live }} The soundtrack for Smurfs: The Lost Village was ultimately released on March 31, 2017, with it not including the song.{{cite web |title=Smurfs: The Lost Village (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) by Christopher Lennertz |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/smurfs-lost-village-original-motion-picture-soundtrack/1220651473 |publisher=Apple Music (US) |access-date=June 25, 2020 |archive-date=June 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200628080642/https://music.apple.com/us/album/smurfs-lost-village-original-motion-picture-soundtrack/1220651473 |url-status=live }}
Composition and lyrics
{{Listen
|pos=left
| filename = I'm a Lady.ogg
| title = "I'm a Lady"
| description = A 16-second sample of the song's chorus, which was described as a "cute bop with a positive message".
| format = Ogg
}}
The retro-pop nature of "I'm a Lady" was compared to Trainor's debut major-label studio album Title (2015), while its attitude, verve and "spunk" were noted to be reminiscent of her follow-up album Thank You (2016).{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2986960/meghan-trainor-im-a-lady|title=Meghan Trainor Is Back To Her Sassy Ways On 'I'm A Lady'|publisher=MTV News|date=February 24, 2017|access-date=December 5, 2018|last=Roth|first=Madeline|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181206001643/http://www.mtv.com/news/2986960/meghan-trainor-im-a-lady/|archive-date=December 6, 2018|url-status=dead}} The song includes percussion-heavy instrumentation and has a positive message, and a "campy spoken interlude" towards the end.{{cite web|url = http://www.idolator.com/7658000/meghan-trainor-im-a-lady-full-song|title = Meghan Trainor's 'I'm A Lady' Is A Cute Retro-Bop|last = Wass|first = Mike|access-date = February 23, 2017|date = February 23, 2017|publisher = Idolator}}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} It has empowering lyrics about loving oneself that are also a celebration of womanhood. The pre-chorus of "I'm a Lady" uplifts people who may not feel "represented by mainstream culture", with the chorus of the song conveying the message that all women should be "proud to be ladies". Both sections are repeated a few times during the song's duration.
Reception
"I'm a Lady" was described as a "girl power anthem" by some music critics.{{cite magazine |last=Romano |first=Nick |title=Meghan Trainor's 'I'm a Lady' gives Smurfs movie some girl power |url=https://ew.com/music/2017/02/25/meghan-trainor-smurfs-im-a-lady/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=June 25, 2020 |date=February 25, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190415171352/https://ew.com/music/2017/02/25/meghan-trainor-smurfs-im-a-lady/ |archive-date=April 15, 2019 |url-status=live }} Bustle{{'}}s Caitlin Gallagher wrote that Trainor manages to "inspire many people to sing from the rooftops that they love themselves" within the short duration of the song, and said its beat is one that "you'll be dancing to in no time".{{cite web |last=Gallagher |first=Caitlin |title=Meghan Trainor's 'I'm A Lady' Lyrics Are All About Loving Yourself |url=https://www.bustle.com/p/meghan-trainors-im-a-lady-lyrics-are-all-about-loving-yourself-40316 |website=Bustle |access-date=June 25, 2020 |date=February 24, 2017 |archive-date=June 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200625161744/https://www.bustle.com/p/meghan-trainors-im-a-lady-lyrics-are-all-about-loving-yourself-40316 |url-status=live }} Writing for MTV News, Madeline Roth called it an uplifting retro bop that packs "a lot of positivity", and would "brighten up" the listener's day. HuffPost{{'}}s Minou Clark stated that once "I'm a Lady" is played, "you won't be able to resist the urge to get up and dance", pegging it as a contender for 2017's summer song.{{cite web |last=Clark |first=Minou |title=Meghan Trainor's New 'Smurfs' Single Is A Total Girl Power Jam |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/meghan-trainor-smurfs-music_n_58b071b0e4b0780bac28f39c |website=HuffPost |access-date=June 25, 2020 |date=February 25, 2017 |archive-date=June 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200628074624/https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/meghan-trainor-smurfs-music_n_58b071b0e4b0780bac28f39c |url-status=live }} Christina Cauterucci of Slate wrote that the "anti-feminist lady-power shtick" of the song was "totally on brand" for Trainor, and it took the "backward vision" of Jennifer Lopez's "Ain't Your Mama" (2016) to elementary school-aged girls.{{cite web |last=Cauterucci |first=Christina |title=The Anti-Feminist Lady-Power Shtick of Meghan Trainor's New Song Is Totally On Brand |url=https://slate.com/human-interest/2017/03/the-anti-feminist-lady-power-shtick-of-meghan-trainors-new-song-is-totally-on-brand.html |website=Slate |access-date=June 25, 2020 |date=March 7, 2017 |archive-date=June 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200625161755/https://slate.com/human-interest/2017/03/the-anti-feminist-lady-power-shtick-of-meghan-trainors-new-song-is-totally-on-brand.html |url-status=live }} Cauterucci additionally criticized Trainor for pitting women against each other with the lyrics, "I don't look like them, but I ain't worried 'bout it / I don't talk like them, but I ain't worried 'bout it".
The song received a nomination for the Hollywood Music in Media Award for Best Original Song in an Animated Film at the 2017 Hollywood Music in Media Awards.{{cite web |title=2017 Music in Visual Media Nominees |url=https://www.hmmawards.com/2017-music-visual-media-nominees |publisher=Hollywood Music in Media Awards |access-date=June 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612142924/https://www.hmmawards.com/2017-music-visual-media-nominees/ |archive-date=June 12, 2018 |url-status=live }} It reached number 40 on the US Adult Top 40 chart in 2017.
Music video and live performance
In the weeks preceding the release of "I'm a Lady", Trainor began uploading stills from its music video on her Instagram account.{{cite magazine|url = http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/7694479/meghan-trainor-new-single-im-a-lady-photos|title = Meghan Trainor Teases New Song 'I'm a Lady' & Music Video|last = Stutz|first = Colin|access-date = February 23, 2017|date = February 21, 2017|magazine = Billboard|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170223124805/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/7694479/meghan-trainor-new-single-im-a-lady-photos|archive-date = February 23, 2017|url-status = live}} It was released on March 3, 2017.{{cite web |last=Wass |first=Mike |title=Meghan Trainor Serves Looks In Her 'I'm A Lady' Video |url=https://www.idolator.com/7658471/meghan-trainor-im-a-lady-video |publisher=Idolator |access-date=December 4, 2018 |date=March 3, 2017 }}{{Dead link|date=September 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} The video begins with Trainor performing alongside a band in a warehouse. This is interspersed with scenes of women achieving success in several walks of life, including; a boardroom, wearing a football uniform, shooting archery, and lifting weights.{{cite web |last=Hirsh |first=Sophie |title=Meghan Trainor Releases 'I'm a Lady' Music Video |url=https://www.teenvogue.com/story/meghan-trainor-releases-im-a-lady-music-video |website=Teen Vogue |access-date=December 4, 2018 |date=March 3, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181205103231/https://www.teenvogue.com/story/meghan-trainor-releases-im-a-lady-music-video |archive-date=December 5, 2018 |url-status=live }} Outfits worn by Trainor for the visual include a white top hat, business attire, a body suit and jock attire.{{cite web|url = http://www.idolator.com/7657823/meghan-trainor-im-a-lady-release-date|title = Meghan Trainor Bounces Back With 'I'm A Lady'|last = Wass|first = Mike|access-date = February 23, 2017|date = February 21, 2017|publisher = Idolator|archive-date = March 19, 2024|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240319051000/https://www.idolator.com/7657823/meghan-trainor-im-a-lady-release-date|url-status = live}} The video was described by Roth as conveying the message that women "can be whatever the hell they want to be. Oh, and in case you were wondering — no, there are absolutely zero men in this video. Only girls".{{cite web |last=Roth |first=Madeline |title=Meghan Trainor Serves Look After Look in Her New Video |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2989933/meghan-trainor-im-a-lady-video |publisher=MTV News |access-date=December 4, 2018 |date=March 3, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181205145739/http://www.mtv.com/news/2989933/meghan-trainor-im-a-lady-video/ |archive-date=December 5, 2018 |url-status=dead }} Idolator's Mike Wass wrote that Trainor "serves looks" and "busts out some fancy choreography" in the music video, and said it clearly portrays the message that "women can wear what they want and do what they want". Cauterucci highlighted that the singer wears "traditionally masculine" outfits and portrays a "bunch of sexy characters", noting that she employs the "most basic, surface-level trappings of gender performance" to portray a female ideal. Da'Shan Smith of Billboard wrote that the visuals keep "in line with her consistent theme of female empowerment", commenting that Trainor models the same "feisty enthusiasm" as she did for "No" (2016), while positively comparing them to a Pepsi Super Bowl commercial.{{cite magazine |last=Smith |first=Da'Shan |title=Meghan Trainor Releases Video for 'I'm A Lady' |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/7710094/meghan-trainor-im-a-lady-video-watch |magazine=Billboard |access-date=June 25, 2020 |date=March 3, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115140139/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/7710094/meghan-trainor-im-a-lady-video-watch |archive-date=November 15, 2017 |url-status=live }}
Trainor performed "I'm a Lady" for The Ellen DeGeneres Show on April 7, 2017, in what was described as a "show-stopping rendition" by Today{{'}}s Gina Vivinetto.{{cite web |last=Vivinetto |first=Gina |title=Meghan Trainor: My boyfriend 'learned sign language for me' during 2nd vocal surgery |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/meghan-trainor-my-boyfriend-learned-sign-language-me-during-2nd-t110147 |website=Today |access-date=December 4, 2018 |date=April 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181205060711/https://www.today.com/popculture/meghan-trainor-my-boyfriend-learned-sign-language-me-during-2nd-t110147 |archive-date=December 5, 2018 |url-status=live }} This marked Trainor's first performance since undergoing her second vocal surgery and taking a vocal rest since December 2016.{{cite web |last=Bacardi |first=Francesca |title=Meghan Trainor Secretly Undergoes 'Tough' Second Vocal Surgery |url=https://www.eonline.com/news/842153/meghan-trainor-secretly-undergoes-tough-second-vocal-surgery |website=E! Online |access-date=June 25, 2020 |date=April 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191111064929/https://www.eonline.com/news/842153/meghan-trainor-secretly-undergoes-tough-second-vocal-surgery |archive-date=November 11, 2019 |url-status=live }}
Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from Tidal.{{cite web |title=Credits / I'm a Lady (from Smurfs: The Lost Village) / Meghan Trainor |date=24 February 2017 |url=https://listen.tidal.com/album/70698892/credits |publisher=Tidal |access-date=June 25, 2020 |archive-date=June 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627154042/https://listen.tidal.com/album/70698892/credits |url-status=live }}
- Meghan Trainor{{spaced ndash}}vocals, producer
- Martin Renea{{spaced ndash}}producer
- The Monsters and the Strangerz{{spaced ndash}}producer
- Chris Gehringer{{spaced ndash}}mastering engineer
- Stefan Johnson{{spaced ndash}}mixing engineer
Charts
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+Weekly chart positions for "I'm a Lady" |
| scope="col"| Chart (2017)
! scope="col"| Peak |
|---|
| {{singlechart|Billboardadultpopsongs|40|artist=Meghan Trainor|rowheader=true|access-date=March 28, 2017|refname="US"}} |
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for "I'm a Lady"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|award=Gold|type=single|certyear=2023|access-date=May 7, 2023}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|noshipments=true| nosales=true|streaming=true}}
Release history
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+Release dates and format(s) for "I'm a Lady" |
| scope="col"| Region
! scope="col"| Date ! scope="col"| Format(s) ! scope="col"| Label ! scope="col"| Ref. |
|---|
| scope="row"| Various
| February 24, 2017 | {{hlist|Digital download|streaming}} | rowspan="3"| Epic | align="center"| References for the digital release of "I'm a Lady":
|
| scope="row" rowspan="2"| United States
| February 27, 2017 |
| February 28, 2017 |
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Meghan Trainor}}
{{authority control}}
Category:Songs written by Meghan Trainor