Be Alive
{{short description|2021 single by Beyoncé}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2021}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Be Alive
| type = single
| artist = Beyoncé
| album =
| cover = Beyoncé - Be Alive (King Richard).jpg
| border = yes
| alt =
| released = {{Start date|2021|11|12}}
| recorded =
| studio =
| genre =
| length = 3:39
| label = *Parkwood
- Columbia{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Idc_K4E_YHg|title = Be Alive (Original Song from the Motion Picture "King Richard")|website = YouTube| date=November 11, 2021 }}
| writer =
| producer =
- Beyoncé
- DIXSON
| prev_title = Black Parade
| prev_year = 2020
| next_title = Break My Soul
| next_year = 2022
| misc = {{External music video|header=Lyric video|{{YouTube|4wYdZi3tFJ4|"Be Alive"}}|type=single}}
}}
"Be Alive" is a song by American singer Beyoncé. It was written and produced by Beyoncé and DIXSON for the 2021 biographical drama film King Richard. It was released on November 12, 2021, through Parkwood Entertainment.
The song received critical acclaim and was nominated for several awards, including the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song, Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Song, and the Academy Award for Best Original Song, becoming Beyoncé's first nomination for the latter. The song eventually won a Hollywood Critics Association Award for Best Original Song.
Background and production
"Be Alive" was recorded by American singer Beyoncé for the 2021 biographical drama film King Richard, which chronicles the story of Richard Williams (Will Smith) as he coaches his daughters, tennis players Venus and Serena Williams.{{Cite magazine|last=Zemler|first=Emily|date=2021-09-06|title=New Beyoncé Song to Appear in Will Smith's 'King Richard'|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/beyonce-king-richard-film-1220971/|access-date=2021-09-08|magazine=Rolling Stone|language=en-US}}
Beyoncé decided to write a song for King Richard after attending a screening of the film and becoming inspired by Venus and Serena Williams. Will Smith commented on the song that "the marriage of a movie and a song is a kind of magic that's unmatched in entertainment".{{Cite magazine|author=Andrea Towers|date=October 21, 2021|title=Will Smith explains how 'King Richard' landed Beyoncé song 'Be Alive'|url=https://ew.com/movies/will-smith-king-richard-beyonce-be-alive-trailer/|access-date=2021-11-09|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|language=en}} Serena explained that "there was no other person who could do this song except for Beyoncé" and "there was just no doubt in [Beyoncé's] mind that it belonged to her as well". Serena noted how she and Venus have had a similar path to Beyoncé in their lives; all three trained since a young age to reach their goals, with both of their parents being highly involved in their careers.{{Cite web|date=2021-11-07|title=Serena Williams Reveals Why Beyonce Got Involved in Will Smith's 'King Richard'|url=https://www.essentiallysports.com/wta-tennis-news-weve-had-a-similar-path-serena-williams-draws-parallel-with-renowned-singer-beyonce/|access-date=2021-11-09|website=EssentiallySports}}
Beyoncé reached out to DIXSON and the two co-wrote the song in a collaborative process. DIXSON commented: "Obviously, we all know if Beyoncé sings, it's going to be amazing. But I don't think we talk about her ability as a songwriter and a producer enough. I knew she was one of my favorite songwriters, but it was confirmed for me through this process."{{Cite web |date=2022-02-22 |title=Dixson just earned an Oscar nod for his song with Beyoncé. He's still saying, 'Not yet' |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/awards/story/2022-02-22/dixson-earned-an-oscar-nomination-for-his-song-with-beyonce-hes-still-saying-not-yet |access-date=2022-03-27 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}
Release and promotion
"Be Alive" plays during King Richard
Beyoncé did not promote the song following its release, making no awards campaign stops.{{Cite web |last=Donnelly |first=Matt |date=2022-03-21 |title=Beyoncé in Talks to Perform on Oscars Telecast From Compton Tennis Courts (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2022/film/news/beyonce-oscar-performance-compton-1235210849/ |access-date=2022-03-27 |website=Variety |language=en-US}} Beyoncé later performed the song at the 94th Academy Awards.{{Cite web |date=2022-03-23 |title=Beyoncé will perform live at the 2022 Oscars, singing 'Be Alive' from 'King Richard' |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2022-03-22/oscars-2022-beyonce-billie-eilish-original-song-performers |access-date=2022-03-27 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}} Variety reported that Beyoncé was in talks to broadcast the performance live from the tennis courts in Compton where Venus and Serena practiced as children. The performance was later uploaded on Beyonce's YouTube Channel.
Composition
The song has inspirational and empowering lyrics and recalls the journey that the Williams sisters have taken throughout their careers.{{Cite web|last=Gonzales|first=Erica|date=2021-10-21|title=There's a New Beyoncé Song in the 'King Richard' Trailer|url=https://www.elle.com/culture/music/a38029022/beyonce-song-be-alive/|access-date=2021-11-11|website=ELLE|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|last=Moorwood|first=Victoria|date=2021-10-21|title=Hear a new Beyoncé song in the latest 'King Richard' trailer|url=https://www.revolt.tv/news/2021/10/21/22738789/beyonce-song-king-richard-trailer|access-date=2021-11-11|website=REVOLT|language=en}}{{Cite web|date=2021-11-14|title=Beyoncé Shares New Song "Be Alive" from Will Smith Movie 'King Richard'|url=https://americansongwriter.com/beyonce-shares-new-song-be-alive-from-will-smith-movie-king-richard/|access-date=2021-11-20|website=American Songwriter|language=en-US}} The lyrics include messages on black pride, sisterhood and family, which link to the themes of King Richard.{{Cite web|last=Ntim|first=Zac|title=Beyoncé's new song 'Be Alive' is one of the most emotional moments in the Venus and Serena Williams biopic 'King Richard'|url=https://www.insider.com/beyonce-be-alive-song-for-king-richard-will-smith-movie-2021-10|access-date=2021-11-11|website=Insider|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|last=Akdag|first=Yas|date=2021-11-18|title=Listen to this: Beyoncé releases new song 'Be Alive'|url=https://nyunews.com/arts/music/2021/11/18/listentothis/|access-date=2021-11-20|website=Washington Square News}} Musically, the song is a powerful ballad with a drum-heavy beat, guitar licks and grizzly bass.{{Cite magazine|last1=Blistein|first1=Jon|date=2021-11-12|title=Beyoncé Is Back With Her First New Song in Over a Year, 'Be Alive'|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/beyonce-new-song-be-alive-1256961/|access-date=2021-11-20|magazine=Rolling Stone|language=en-US}} Beyoncé's vocals are described as "epic", "powerful" and "soaring", and are backed by layered vocal harmonies.{{Cite web|last1=Aswad|first1=Jem|date=2021-10-21|title=Beyonce Teases New Song, 'Be Alive,' in 'King Richard' Trailer|url=https://variety.com/2021/music/news/beyonce-new-song-be-alive-king-richard-1235094591/|access-date=2021-11-11|website=Variety|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|last=Curto|first=Justin|date=2021-10-21|title=Beyoncé Lobs Her New Song 'Be Alive' Into the King Richard Trailer|url=https://www.vulture.com/2021/10/beyonc-song-be-alive-king-richard-trailer.html|access-date=2021-11-11|website=Vulture|language=en-us}}{{Cite web|date=2021-10-21|title=Preview Beyoncé's New Song "Be Alive" In The 'King Richard' Trailer|url=https://www.stereogum.com/2164917/preview-beyonces-new-song-be-alive-in-the-trailer-for-venus-and-serena-williams-biopic-king-richard/music/|access-date=2021-11-11|website=Stereogum|language=en}}
Critical reception
"Be Alive" received critical acclaim upon release.{{Cite news|last=Bahr|first=Sarah|date=2022-02-08|title=Beyoncé Scores Her First Oscar Nomination|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/08/movies/beyonce-oscar-nomination.html|access-date=2022-02-14|issn=0362-4331}} Jason Lipshutz of Billboard described the release of "Be Alive" as "an event", lauding Beyoncé's "singular voice and lush harmonies" and the lyrics which "radiate pride and beauty as a celebration of Black art and culture".{{Cite magazine|last=Lipshutz|first=Jason|date=2021-11-12|title=First Stream: New Music From Taylor Swift, Silk Sonic, Beyoncé and More|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/first-stream-taylor-swift-silk-sonic-beyonce-9659237/|access-date=2021-11-20|magazine=Billboard|language=en-US}} Variety
"Be Alive" was nominated for Best Original Song at the 94th Academy Awards.
Awards and nominations
Credits and personnel
- Beyoncé – vocals, songwriting, production
- DIXSON – songwriting, production{{Cite web|title=Beyoncé Surprises Fans With A New Song And Could Be Eligible For An Oscar|url=https://uk.style.yahoo.com/striking-real-life-story-behind-135700340.html|access-date=2021-09-08|website=uk.style.yahoo.com|date=September 3, 2021 |language=en-GB}}
- Stuart White – recording, mixing
- Colin Leonard – mastering
Charts
References
External links
- {{YouTube|4aeDlZOD-B0|Be Alive (Original Song from the Motion Picture "King Richard") (94th Academy Awards Performance)}}
{{Beyoncé songs}}
Category:Songs written by Beyoncé
Category:Songs written for films