https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViwtNLUqkMY In his final appearance here we see Jay Z finding his perfect moment. But whilst he revved the car that was Crazy in love, his partner in crime Beyoncé drove it like a Formula One racer, displaying aplomb, composure and complete control. This was the modern heir to the sound of Motown and as with the number one here, Diana Ross of The Supremes would be screaming for this if it was written in the 60s. Crazy in Love is a musical sugar rush. Its pure high energy with a glorious soul holler draped over the top of it. Cute enough to add the uh-oh-uh-oh-uh-oh-oh-no-no-no hook, Beyoncé and Jay Z cooked up a gloriously infectious tune that describes the rush of love or lust. The music tells the story as well as the words do. With lyrics as Motownesque as I still don't understand just how your love can do what no one else can this could easily be mistaken as a clichéd song of a wallflower, a la Tammy Wynettes Stand by your man. But delve deeper and its revealed to be a song of sexual equality, if anything the hunter is the hunted here. Whilst its not exactly the tale of the emasculation of Jay Z, by the end of the song, theres no doubt who the boss is here.
What makes music fantastic? Star quality, amazing music, breathtaking lyrics and the ability to bring something new to the table, even if that means a new take on the classics. That's what I love to listen to and write about.
As well as writing for What Culture, I occasionally write a blog http://tedney.blogspot.co.uk and sometimes use Twitter, but sparingly @TedneyNash