Freakum Dress
The song's production includes whistles, cymbal dominated scatter rhythms and a beat augmented by hi-hats and plinking keyboard pulses.
Lyrically, Beyoncé advises women who have partners with straying eyes to put on alluring dresses and grind on other guys in dance clubs, to regain their affections.
[3] "Freakum Dress" was conceived at Sony Music Studios, in New York City, when Beyoncé enlisted Harrison to co-produce for her album B'Day (2006).
[6] Roger Friedman of Fox News Channel noted that "Freakum Dress" and "Suga Mama" (2006), Harrison's other contribution to B'Day "fall short of originality but mimic the Chi Lites [sic] percussion section [of "Crazy in Love"] yet again", adding, "Harrison is like the Indiana Jones of soul, constantly pulling out forgotten gems of the past for sampling [...] You can't help but think: Thank God someone wrote music in the past that can be repurposed now.
"[5] Harrison coined the term "Freakum dress” for a “sassy sartorial item that can help recharge a relationship"[7] and co-wrote the song with Beyoncé, Angela Beyincé and Makeba Riddick.
[8] In an interview with USA Today, Beyoncé talked about the content "Freakum Dress", stating that an outfit which reminds of the best moments in a couple's life, is a necessity for every woman's wardrobe.
[9] According to the sheet music published at Musicnotes.com by Hal Leonard Corporation, "Freakum Dress" is a moderate R&B song played “with a steady beat”, in common time, written in the key of F♯-Minor; the range of the composition is from a low C♯4 to F♯5.
[15] According to Phil Harrison of Time Out, "Freakum Dress" consists of a steady "long crescendo, welding galloping beats and a steamrolling two-note riff", accompanied by several genres of music, which he qualified as "multi-tracked".
[16] Spence D. of IGN Music noted that the song consists of frequent whistles as well as crashing cymbal dominated scatter rhythms and a beat which fits the "powerful, loud, confident lines" in which Beyoncé asks for the attention of her man,[17] and urges women to have a beautiful dress to spice up their sexual life.
[15] Jody Rosen of Entertainment Weekly added that Beyoncé also seemingly gives professional advice to women on how to hold a man's attention in a long-term relationship.
Phil Harrison of Time Out called "Freakum Dress" a “magnificent production” thanks to its vocal arrangements and commented that its beat can "drive the boys crazy.
[19] Bill Lamb of About.com chose "Freakum Dress" as one of the three best songs on the entire record,[28] and called it a “powerful, emotionally intensive and energetic track”.
[29] Caroline Sullivan of The Guardian called the song a "lighthearted crunk spree" that reminds girls of the significance of having a nice dress in their wardrobe.
"[31] Elysa Gardner of USA Today said that "self-assurance is evident on a tune on B'Day called 'Freakum Dress'",[7] while another review by the staff members of the same magazine complimented the song's sexual imagery, stating "…When Ms. Bootylicious [Beyoncé] sings of squeezing that jelly into a 'Freakum Dress', the imagination runs wilder than any video would.”[32] Darryl Sterdan, writing for the Canadian website Jam!, complimented the song's "bashing beat and irresistible chorus".
[21] Calling "Freakum Dress" one of the best dance tracks that Beyoncé has ever sung, Norman Mayers of Prefix Magazine chose it as one of the standout songs of the album.
[14] While reviewing B'Day, Chuck Arnold of People magazine wrote, "'…ladies' anthem 'Freakum Dress' finds Beyoncé working all her bootylicious powers over some slamming funk…".
[2][41] The video begins with Beyoncé dancing in front of a target before moving to her putting on blush and lipstick next to two other men in a room full of neon framed mirrors.
[19] Jon Pareles of The New York Times praised the performance, stating: "Beyoncé needs no distractions from her singing, which can be airy or brassy, tearful or vicious, rapid-fire with staccato syllables or sustained in curlicued melismas.
[49] Beyoncé was accompanied by her two drummers, two keyboardists, a percussionist, a horn section, three imposing backup vocalists called the Mamas and a lead guitarist, Bibi McGill.
[56][57] Dan DeLuca from The Philadelphia Inquirer noted that "her rock moves on songs like 'Freakum Dress,' which find her facing off with a leather-jacketed lead guitarist, tend to be of the screaming-solo-played-on-a-Flying Vee variety.
[58] Jim Farber of Daily News wrote that "The first, and last parts of the show stressed the steeliest Beyoncé, told in bold songs" like "Freakum Dress".
