Flaws and All
{{Short description|Song by Beyoncé}}
{{good article}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Flaws and All
| cover =
| alt =
| type =
| artist = Beyoncé
| album = B'Day: Deluxe Edition
| released =
| misc = {{External music video|type=song|{{YouTube|iK9Iio7WgaI|"Flaws and All"}}}}
| recorded =
| studio = Roc the Mic, New York City
| venue =
| genre = R&B
| length = 4:07
| label = Columbia
| writer = {{flat list|
}}
| producer = {{flat list|
- Taylor
- B. Knowles
}}
}}
"Flaws and All" is a song recorded by American singer Beyoncé from the deluxe edition of her second studio album, B'Day (2006). It was composed by Ne-Yo, Shea Taylor, Beyoncé and Solange Knowles, while Beyoncé Knowles and Taylor produced it. In the R&B song, Beyoncé shows appreciation for the love given by her man, who sees through all of her flaws and loves her unconditionally. "Flaws and All" received positive reviews from critics, who lauded Beyoncé's emotion and vulnerability on the track. Some critics also noted that the song was better than some of the songs on the standard edition of B'Day.
The music video was directed by Cliff Watts and Beyoncé for B'Day Anthology Video Album (2007). It features clips of a B'Day promotional ad by Wal-Mart pieced together, in which Beyoncé does not lip-sync the words of the song, but instead acts as if it were an everyday scenario. Beyoncé explained the concept for the video was to show a different side to her, that the paparazzi does not show and that fans would not normally see. Beyoncé performed "Flaws and All" on The Beyoncé Experience (2007), and was also sung by her on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Revel Presents: Beyoncé Live (2012), and Renaissance World Tour (2023).
Background
{{multiple image
| footer = Ne-Yo (left) and Beyoncé Knowles' sister, Solange (right), assisted in the writing of "Flaws and All".
| image1 = Robin Wong Ne-Yo 10.jpg
| alt1 =
| width1 = 134
| image2 = Solange Knowles at the Ruby Lounge.jpg
| alt2 =
| width2 = 150
}}
"Flaws and All" was written by Ne-Yo, Shea Taylor, Beyoncé Knowles and her sister Solange Knowles. The R&B song was produced by Beyoncé Knowles and Taylor, and mixed by Jean-Marie Horvat at Oz Recording Studios, Valencia, California. "Flaws and All" was recorded by Jim Caruana, Shane Woodley and Robert "LB" Dorsey at Roc the Mic studio, New York City. Although the song was originally included on the re-release of B'Day,{{cite web |url=http://www.nme.com/news/beyonce/26468|title=Beyonce reissue details announced|work=NME|publisher=IPC Media|date=February 15, 2007|access-date=June 4, 2012}}{{cite web |url=http://www.rap-up.com/2007/02/20/beyonce-to-release-deluxe-edition-of-bday/|title=Beyoncé to Release Deluxe Edition of B'Day|work=Rap-Up|publisher=Devin Lazerine|date=February 20, 2007|access-date=June 4, 2012}} it was additionally included on compilation albums. In 2007 the song was included on Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married? soundtrack.{{cite web |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/tyler-perrys-why-did-i-get-married-music-from-and/264617917 |title=Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married? (Music from and Inspired By the Motion Picture) |date=October 2007 |publisher=iTunes Store. Apple Inc|access-date=January 29, 2011}} In 2008, Beyoncé released the song on a compilation album dedicated to karaoke performances titled Beyoncé Karaoke Hits, Vol. I.{{cite web |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/beyonce-karaoke-hits-vol-i/275142595 |title=Beyoncé Karaoke Hits, Vol. I Beyoncé |date=11 March 2008 |access-date=January 29, 2011 |publisher=iTunes Store. Apple Inc}} Author Latrice Gleen references the song in a memoir titled My Life's Journey (2010).{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Uxi4oSM4OmcC&pg=PA5 |title=My Life's Journey |page=5 |first=Latrice |last=Gleen |date=July 2, 2010 |isbn=978-1-4520-4590-0 |publisher=AuthorHouse|location=Bloomington, Indiana}}
In a 2022 interview with Revolt, songwriter Ne-Yo revealed that 'Flaws and All' was originally written with Britney Spears in mind.{{Cite web |last=Trapp |first=Malcolm |title=Ne-Yo landed his record deal with Def Jam "somewhat by accident" |url=https://www.revolt.tv/article/2022-08-13/185977/ne-yo-landed-def-jam-record-deal-accidentally |access-date=2024-11-22 |website=REVOLT}} In a later interview with Capital London in the UK, he explained that Spears did not attend the scheduled recording sessions, attributing this to her personal challenges at the time.
Reception
{{Listen
| filename = Flaws and All.ogg
| title = "Flaws and All"
| description = A 25-second sample of "Flaws and All" in which critics praised Knowles' vocal vulnerability in the song.
| pos = left
}}
Chris Willman of Entertainment Weekly named the song as his favorite addition to the deluxe edition of B'Day, stating, "Better is 'Flaws and All', a ballad in which B[eyoncé] expresses melismatic gratitude that workaholic bitches (her words!) merit love too."{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2007/03/30/bday-deluxe-edition/|title=B'Day: Deluxe Edition (2007)|author=Chris Willman|date=March 30, 2007|access-date=January 29, 2011|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|publisher=Time Inc|archive-date=October 20, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020182436/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20016439,00.html|url-status=live}} Rory Dollard of Metro also wrote that the song was better than some of the tracks on the original track listing of B'Day.{{cite news|url=http://www.metro.co.uk/showbiz/46832-albums-of-the-week|title=Albums of the week|work=Metro|publisher=Associated Newspapers Ltd|first=Rory|last=Dollard|access-date=June 4, 2012}} While reviewing the deluxe edition of B'Day, Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine praised the song, calling it a "surprise gem [which] sound[s] downright subtle".{{cite web |url=http://www.slantmagazine.com/house/2007/07/upgrade-b|title=Upgrade B|publisher=Slant Magazine|first=Sal|last=Cinquemani|date=April 7, 2007|access-date=December 1, 2013}} BET included the song in its list of the "Top 10 Feel Good R&B Songs", ranked at number nine.{{cite web|url=http://beta.bet.com/shows/106-and-park/photos/2009/08/10feelgoodrandb.photo2.html |title=10 Feel Good R&B Songs |access-date=April 15, 2011 |publisher=Black Entertainment Television |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110812093005/http://beta.bet.com/shows/106-and-park/photos/2009/08/10feelgoodrandb.photo2.html |archive-date=August 12, 2011 |url-status=dead }} Discussing their choice, they stated "'Flaws and All' ... revealed Beyoncé at her most vulnerable. The song showed that even a superstar can struggle with insecurities and be in need of someone to love her." Bobby Reed of Chicago Sun-Times noted that the lyrics could also refer to "the way fans worship Beyonce".{{cite web|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=CSTB&p_theme=cstb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=11B2566135DD5E20&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|title=Beyonce At the United Center|work=Chicago Sun-Times|publisher=Sun-Times Media Group|first=Bobby|last=Reed|date=August 20, 2007|page=45|access-date=June 4, 2012|format=Payment required}} Anthony Venutolo of New Jersey On-Line noted that the song talks about true love. Destiny's Child bandmate Kelly Rowland discussed the track during Billboard{{'s}} "Woman of the Year" spread for Beyoncé. She stated "Beyoncé is a true artist who brings it every time. My favorite song will always be 'Flaws and All.' So much feeling, so beautiful; her voice sounds amazing."{{cite magazine|title=Beyoncé's Fans |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vetwOz3_OF4C&pg=PA28 |page=28 |magazine=Billboard|publisher=Nielsen Business Media|date=October 10, 2009|issn=0006-2510|volume=121|issue=40}}
{{Clear}}
Music video
| cellpadding="5" style="width:30%; float:right; font-size:85%; border-collapse:collapse; border-style:none;" |
| style="width:20px; vertical-align:top;"| 20px
| style="text-align:left;"|Well, I am a little silly, I am a little goofy, and it's great. There are a lot of things I keep to myself, because that's the only way you keep your sanity. This [video] is the way my family sees me, it's me being who I really am. It's been 10 years, and it's time for people to see that side of me. It's not about glamour, not about celebrity, not about being a diva — it's about someone loving you for you.20px |
| colspan="3" | —Beyoncé Beyoncé, Beyoncé: Behind the B'Day Music Videos{{cite web |author=Jennifer Vineyard |title=Beyonce: Behind The B'Day Videos |url=http://www.mtv.com/bands/b/beyonce/videos_07/news_feature_040207/index.jhtml |page=1 |publisher=MTV News. MTV Networks |access-date=January 29, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120128050544/http://www.mtv.com/bands/b/beyonce/videos_07/news_feature_040207/index.jhtml |archive-date=January 28, 2012 }} |
The music video for "Flaws and All" was directed by Cliff Watts and Beyoncé.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/videos/beyonce/141505/flaws-and-all.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081026090924/http://www.mtv.com/videos/beyonce/141505/flaws-and-all.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 26, 2008 |title=Flaws and All |publisher=MTV. MTV Networks |date=March 28, 2007 |access-date=April 8, 2011}} The video for the song was shot on inexpensive Super 8 film during the two-week filming for the B'Day Anthology Video Album (2007).{{cite web|author=Jennifer Vineyard |title=Beyonce: Behind The B'Day Videos |url=http://www.mtv.com/bands/b/beyonce/videos_07/news_feature_040207/index3.jhtml |page=3 |publisher=MTV News. MTV Networks |access-date=January 29, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110624084117/http://www.mtv.com/bands/b/beyonce/videos_07/news_feature_040207/index3.jhtml |archive-date=June 24, 2011 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.rap-up.com/2007/03/30/video-beyonce-flaws-and-all/|title=Video: Beyoncé - "Flaws and All"|work=Rap-Up|publisher=Devin Lazerine|date=March 30, 2007|access-date=June 4, 2012}} Critics have noted that Beyoncé emulates Marilyn Monroe, Brigitte Bardot and Barbra Streisand throughout the clip. During an interview with MTV on a "Beyoncé: Behind the B'Day Music Videos", MTV commented on Beyoncé's appearance in the music video stating that she acts like "a goofball" and "it also feels like we get to see the real [her]."{{cite web|author=Jennifer Vineyard |title=Beyonce: Behind The B'Day Videos |url=http://www.mtv.com/bands/b/beyonce/videos_07/news_feature_040207/index2.jhtml |page=2 |publisher=MTV News. MTV Networks |access-date=January 29, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071214222230/http://www.mtv.com/bands/b/beyonce/videos_07/news_feature_040207/index2.jhtml |archive-date=December 14, 2007 }} Beyoncé replied, "I'm way different in my everyday life. My personal life and my celebrity life — I've separated them so much it's like two different people. But I'm pretty balanced. I'm over the top and I'm natural."
In an interview with Vibe, Beyoncé explained that the concept for the video in depth after being questioned as an "everyday woman."{{Cite news |author=Cliff Watts |date=March 16, 2007 |title=Get To Poppin' |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qyYEAAAAMBAJ&q=beyonce+flaws+and+all&pg=PA93 |work=Vibe |publisher=InterMedia Partners |access-date=January 29, 2011 |page=29 }}{{Dead link|date=April 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} "I don't sing any of the song. The whole time it's like a silent movie and I'm being myself. I'm not performing. I reveal a side of myself no one's ever seen. I'm silly and goofy and not...trying to be a diva, or trying to be a star – just me." The video features a black and white theme and a grainy film texture. Beyoncé does not lip-sync the lyrics but acts out parts of the song and poses. Several of the scenes used in the video had been shot in 2006 for a B'Day promotional ad by Wal-Mart.{{cite web |url=http://www.nuts.co.uk/video/search/all/flaws%20and%20all%20by%20beyonce/offset/20/play/Odtj-TCmGZY |title=Beyoncé – Flaws and All (deleted scenes) |work=Nuts |publisher=IPC Media |access-date=January 29, 2011}}
Live performances
File:Beyoncé in Barcelona.png|alt=Knowles, wearing, a silver dress is being hugged from behind by a shirtless man donning white trousers and large feathered wings.]]
Beyoncé performed the song on multiple occasions, including the song as part of her set list on The Beyoncé Experience (2007). Beyoncé cried during the performance,{{cite web |url=http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/B/Beyonce/ConcertReviews/2007/09/16/4501153-sun.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130115101345/http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/B/Beyonce/ConcertReviews/2007/09/16/4501153-sun.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=January 15, 2013|title=Beyonce - Concert Review: MTS Centre, Winnipeg|publisher=Jam!. Sun Media|first=David|last=Schmeichel|date=September 15, 2007|access-date=June 4, 2012}}{{cite news|url=http://archive.boston.com/news/globe/living/articles/2007/08/13/beyonce_lights_up_the_garden/|title=Beyonce lights up the Garden|work=The Boston Globe|publisher=The New York Times Company|first=Sarah|last=Rodman|date=August 13, 2007|access-date=June 4, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309145924/http://articles.boston.com/2007-08-13/news/29226948_1_frank-girl-concert-flaws|archive-date=March 9, 2012|url-status=live}} and was then embraced by a male dancer dressed as an angel. Chris Willman of Entertainment Weekly praised Beyoncé's performance of the song stating "The true defibrillator moment, all freakum dress changes aside, is 'Flaws and All', during which Beyoncé weeps real tears (nightly, according to reports from earlier overseas shows) while apologizing for being such a bitch. That's a rare campy, melodramatic performance in an otherwise energized two hours."{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2007/07/13/beyonce-experience/|title=The Beyonce Experience|author=Chris Willman|date=July 13, 2007|access-date=January 29, 2011|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|publisher=Time Inc|archive-date=October 20, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020165147/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20046320,00.html|url-status=live}} The performance also caught the attention of The New York Times writer Jon Pareles who stated, "Along the way the concert was a showcase for her consistently expanding music, from the kinetic dance beats of songs like 'Get Me Bodied' to dramatic ballads like 'Flaws and All', which Beyoncé sang wide-eyed in a video close-up."{{cite news |author=Jon Pareles |title=Romance as a Struggle That She Will Win |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/06/arts/music/06beyo.html?ex=1344052800&en=c1ef16024c49370c&ei=5088 |work=The New York Times |date=August 6, 2007 |access-date=January 29, 2011}} J. Freedom du Lac of The Washington Post wrote that during the performance she was offering a "litany of her own 'imperfections' that her lover embraces unconditionally".{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/10/AR2007081002360.html|title=A Blast of Beyonce|newspaper=The Washington Post|first=J.|last=Freedom du Lac|date=August 11, 2007|access-date=June 28, 2011}} Anthony Venutolo of New Jersey On-Line wrote that the performance was "silly".{{cite web|url=http://blog.nj.com/ledgerentertainment/2007/08/beyonce_bedazzles.html|title=Beyonce bedazzles|publisher=New Jersey On-Line|first=Anthony|last=Venutolo|date=August 5, 2007|access-date=June 11, 2012}} The performance of the song in Los Angeles on September 2, 2007, was taped and included on The Beyoncé Experience Live.{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-beyonc-experience-live-r1217899/review|title=The Beyoncé Experience: Live|publisher=Allmusic. Rovi Corporation|first=Mark|last=Deming|access-date=June 4, 2012}}{{cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2007/10/22/beyonce-to-release-live-dvd/|title=Beyoncé to Release 'Live!' DVD|work=Rap-Up|publisher=Devin Lazerine|date=October 22, 2007|access-date=June 4, 2012}} The performance of the song was also shown independently at MTV.com{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/videos/beyonce/191638/flaws-and-all-live.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081026064006/http://www.mtv.com/videos/beyonce/191638/flaws-and-all-live.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 26, 2008 |title=Beyoncé – "Flaws and All (Live)" |date=November 27, 2007 |publisher=MTV. MTV Networks |access-date=January 29, 2011}} and was released via digital download at the iTunes Store on November 19, 2007.{{cite web |url=http://www.itunes.apple.com/us/album/flaws-and-all-live/id268305666?i=268305829 |title=Flaws and All (Live) |access-date=January 29, 2011 |publisher=iTunes Store. Apple Inc}}{{dead link|date=March 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
Beyoncé performed the song on The Ellen DeGeneres Show on November 25, 2008 while promoting her third album I Am... Sasha Fierce.{{cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2008/11/25/video-beyonce-on-ellen-degeneres-show/ |title=Video: Beyonce on 'Ellen DeGeneres Show' |date=November 25, 2008 |work=Rap-Up |publisher=Devin Lazerine |access-date=January 29, 2011}} In May, 2012, she performed "Flaws and All" as a part of her revue show Revel Presents: Beyoncé Live at Revel Atlantic City.{{cite web|url=http://blogs.villagevoice.com/music/2012/05/beyonce_ovation_revel_may_26_review.php|title=Live: Beyoncé Brings The House Down At Atlantic City's Newest Casino|work=The Village Voice|publisher=Village Voice Media|first=Maura|last=Johnston|author-link=Maura Johnston |date=May 27, 2012|access-date=June 4, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120529031543/http://blogs.villagevoice.com/music/2012/05/beyonce_ovation_revel_may_26_review.php|archive-date=May 29, 2012}} While reviewing the show, Ben Ratliff of The New York Times wrote, "She has a fast-reacting face, and opens her eyes wide to look astonished, touched, or grateful. (She did this especially during 'Flaws and All,' which she dedicated to her fans: 'I don't know why you love me/And that's why I love you.')"{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/27/arts/music/beyonces-return-to-stage-is-a-return-to-familiar-form.html|title=Beyoncé: Coming Back and Catching Up, Then Conquering|work=The New York Times|first=Ben|last=Ratliff|date=May 26, 2012|access-date=June 4, 2012}} A writer for Vibe magazine listed the performance of the song in the five notable moments from the concerts, saying that Beyoncé "had the camera zoom in on her face the whole time, showing the crowd her own 'flaws,' allowing the crowd to connect to her".{{cite web|url=http://www.vibe.com/content/5-notable-moments-beyonce%E2%80%99s-revel-concert|title=5 Notable Moments from Beyonce's Revel Concert|work=Vibe|publisher=InterMedia Partners|date=May 29, 2012|access-date=June 4, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120602015735/http://www.vibe.com/content/5-notable-moments-beyonce%E2%80%99s-revel-concert|archive-date=June 2, 2012|url-status=dead}} "Flaws and All" was also included on the live album Live in Atlantic City (2013) which was filmed during the revue.{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Beyonc%C3%A9-Life-But-Dream-Copy/dp/B00G98QNDK|title=Beyoncé - Life is But a Dream
A decade later, the song again appears on the setlist of Beyoncé's Renaissance World Tour, as part of the show's first act composed mainly of ballads and deep cuts from the artist's discography.{{Cite web |date=2023-05-11 |title=A Complete Recap Of Beyoncé's Space-Futuristic 'Renaissance' Tour |url=https://www.nylon.com/entertainment/beyonce-renaissance-tour-recap-songs-stage-setlist |access-date=2023-05-22 |last=Wang |first=Steffanee |website=Nylon |language=en}}
Credits and personnel
Credits are taken from B'Day Deluxe Edition liner notes.{{cite AV media notes |title=B'Day|title-link=B'Day (Beyoncé album)|others=Beyoncé Knowles |year=2007 |type=Deluxe Edition |publisher=Sony Music BMG Entertainment}}
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
- Jim Caruana – recording
- Tom Coyne – mastering
- Rober "LB" Dorsey – recording
- Jean-Marie Horvat – mixing
- Beyoncé Knowles – writing, production, vocals
- Solange Knowles – writing
{{col-2}}
- Collin Miller – digital prep engineering
- Ne-Yo – writing, co-production
- Shea Taylor – writing, production
- Michael Tocci – recording
- Shane Woodley – recording
{{col-end}}
References
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}
External links
- {{YouTube|-IF1Zh6wZoU|"Flaws and All"}}
- {{YouTube|b-K-sgXqFRs|"Beyoncé - Flaws And All (LIve)"}}
{{Beyoncé songs}}
{{authority control}}
Category:Contemporary R&B ballads
Category:Songs written by Beyoncé
Category:Songs written by Solange Knowles
Category:Songs written by Ne-Yo
Category:Songs written by Shea Taylor
Category:Song recordings produced by Beyoncé