Radio (Beyoncé song)

Production and composition

"Radio" was written by James Scheffer, Rico Love, Dwayne Nesmith, and Beyoncé. Production was handled by Jim Jonsin, who also produced of "Sweet Dreams" (2009). "Radio" is different from the usual R&B material for which Beyoncé is known; It is a electropop/dance-pop song that exhibits influences of 1980s synthpop, Europop, and house. Following the release of I Am... Sasha Fierce, Beyoncé explained the concept behind the song on her official website:

It just seems like a feel-good record but when you really listen to the lyrics, it's about me growing up. In my household, I didn't go all of the parties and I didn't do all the things that a lot of the other teenage girls did because I was so in love with my radio and my music. I was so in love with this radio and my parents were happy that I was into something positive.

According to the sheet music published at Musicnotes.com by EMI Music Publishing, "Radio" is an uptempo song set in common time, written in the key of D major. It follows the chord progression of Bm–G–D–A/C♯ and Beyoncé's vocals span from the note of A₃ to E₅. Built on a bouncy beat, "Radio" is instrumentally complete with a Roland TR-808 drum, bass instruments, and synthesizers. Several music critics, including Ben Westhoff of OC Weekly, noted that "Radio" bears resemblance to Rihanna's single "Umbrella" (2007) as they are both set to 1980s-style synthesizers." Similarly, James Reed of The Boston Globe wrote that "Radio" seems to be like the latest electro-pop confection from Rihanna. Darryl Sterdan of the Canadian website Jam! wrote that "Radio" sounds like a record Madonna would sing because of its electropop and dance-pop musical styles.

The believability of the song's lyrics, which conveys love testaments as well as its timeless endurance, sung on sensual vocal arrangements by Beyoncé, who additionally adopts a sneering attitude, demonstrates her alter ego Sasha Fierce. Lyrically, "Radio" explores the relationship between Beyoncé as the female protagonist and the songs played on the radio, shown in the lyrics: "You're the only one that Papa allowed in my room with the door closed / We'd be alone / And Mama never freaked out when she heard it go boom / 'Cause she knew we were in the zone". Amy Linden of Vibe magazine felt that "Radio" could make an ideal "valentine" song because of its lyrical content.

Critical reception

"Radio" received generally positive reviews from contemporary critics, who praised Knowles's brief departure from usual R&B style as well as the believability and originality of the song. Alexis Petridis of The Guardian noted that though the 1980s synthpop mode of "Radio" may not be as well suited to Beyoncé's voice as the old soul samples contained in "Crazy in Love" (2003) and "Suga Mama" (2007)", there is no denying that "Radio" is an "irresistible pop song". Colin McGuire of PopMatters highlighted Knowles's diversion from her usual R&B style, writing that "Radio" is "a bit of a novelty act " which takes Beyoncé in a new direction. He further wrote that the different elements of dance music present in the song makes it feel refreshing, before adding that "it might even suggest a more expansive, experimental side of the songstress on her follow-up". Talia Kraines of BBC Music wrote that "wild" "Radio" makes it the standout track on I Am... Sasha Fierce. Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine chose "Radio" as the highlight of both the standard and deluxe editions of I Am... Sasha Fierce, writing that it is the most convincing love song on the album.

James Reed of The Boston Globe described "Radio" as fun, bouncy, and ideal for a night at the club. Similarly, Leah Greenblatt of Entertainment Weekly wrote that the "spiky, Europop throb" of "Radio" expertly taunt the boys and fill the dance floor. Darryl Sterdan of Jam! was surprised by the new musical direction of Beyoncé but concluded that "... you better believe it ... it kinda works". Daniel Brockman of The Phoenix described "Radio" as the most believable song on the album, and complimented its "amid bland testaments to love's timeless endurance and the smut and thuggin[g] of the 'Sasha Fierce' persona, [which] is one with sensual overtones sung to an electronic device that, unlike men, 'never lets me down'". Echoing Brockman's sentiments, Amy Linden of Vibe magazine, who wrote that 1980's electropop and the sleek Valentine music of "Radio" tells the story of Beyoncé's alter ego. Similarly, Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond of The Village Voice wrote that "Radio" "show[s] [that] Sasha [is] just a good girl playing fierce". By contrast, Matos Michaelangelo of The A.V. Club said that "Radio" sounds like "shameless target-marketing" aiming at programming directors. On The Village Voice' 2008 year-end Pazz & Jop singles list, "Radio" was ranked at number 443.

Promotion and chart performance

Beyoncé performed "Radio" on her I Am... Tour (2009–10). The song was subsequently included on the live album I Am... World Tour, as the thirteenth track. In early September 2009, "Radio" was used to promote Dutch radio station 'Radio 538'. On September 19, 2009, "Radio" debuted on the Dutch Top 40 at number 31 after it was used to promote the local radio station. After three weeks, it peaked of number 14 on October 10, 2009, and charted for six weeks. "Radio" also peaked at number five on the Dutch urban chart.

Credits and personnel

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