If She Was a Boy, Would it Make a Difference?

         
 
“If I Were A Boy,” recorded and performed by American singer and artist Beyoncé Knowles, was
written in 2008 by BC Jean, American singer-songwriter, and Toby Gad, German producer and songwriter. It became the lead single in Knowles’ album I Am… Sasha Fierce. It immediately was “well received” by the public and critics. Knowles’ emotional interpretation and vocal performance earned her the rank of third on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. Although it was originally written by and intended to be recorded by BC Jean, Knowles took the opportunity when BC Jean’s version was rejected by her record company. Beyoncé Knowles recorded this song, knowing it was something completely different than what she was used to doing. This song was more of a “pop ballad,” rather than R&B which Knowles was known for. After BC Jean found out that her original version had been re-recorded and accepted, she wasn't so thrilled. Eventually, Knowles and Jean had to come to an agreement to solve their differences. Knowles was able to record her version and produce a well-directed video that demonstrated typical, but all too true, cultural concepts of gender.
 

This powerful song describes a stereotypical, but often true, male figure and his ignorance to a woman’s thoughts, feelings, and expectations. taking on the man’s role in a relationship. Within the first few lines a large issue already arises. Knowles sings:

If I were a boy…
I’d drink beer with the guys,
and chase after girls.
I’d kick it with who I wanted
and never get confronted for it. 

Right off the bat she describes how a man thinks he can do what he wants, when he wants, and with whom he wants. Most people in society today consider a good relationship to be a bond between two people who care for each other and try their best to be courteous of each others’ feelings. Of course this is just one definition, but I think most can agree that when in a relationship it’s usually not about “I” but instead about “we.” The phrases “I’d drink beer” and “I’d kick it” and “who I wanted” show the selfishness of this character. Knowles then goes on to sing “If I were a boy, I think I could understand how it feels to love a girl. I swear I’d be a better man” to imply that because she’s a woman she knows what women go through and why they think what they think. As a man, this would make her more empathetic and understanding; things that the male gender can lack. Not only are the lyrics significant here, but so is the music video. While this first verse progresses, you see the woman (played by Knowles) get ready in the morning and leave for a blue collar police officer job after nearly skipping the nice breakfast prepared by the man. The man then proceeds to go to a secretary/desk job in an office. The video shows stereotypical gender roles, although reversed, in a common household: man with labor/service job, woman with household responsibilities and “pink collar” job. These overly obvious aspects create and show effectively why men think they can do things like this.
   
As the story line progresses, Knowles goes on to sing about how men “put [themselves] first” because they know that their woman will be “faithful waitin’ for [him] to come home.” She describes how a man won’t even think twice about using a woman for what he wants and expects her to stay with him. During these lines, the video shows the police officer partner of Knowles’ character staring at the back end of Knowles’ character. This portrays perfectly how a man thinks he can use a woman for what he wants and how he thinks they are just something pretty. Below is a shot of this scene:

There is even a symbolic arrow in the background to make this obvious and show how prevalent and significant this is.
 
Just moments before these lines, the video shows the female figure (played by the man) shopping online for a gift for the other person. The woman can be more dedicated in a relationship and do things like that. There are many exceptions but that’s at least how society perceives it to be. Right after that, the male figure (played by Knowles) is shown dancing romantically with another person while the significant other views from afar. Knowles’ character sees him and rushes over only to be pushed away. At this point, the lyrics describe what goes through the female figure’s head:

It’s a little too late for you to come back.
Say it’s just a mistake, think I’d forgive you like that.
If you thought I would wait for you,
you thought wrong.

At this point the song changes and it becomes much more emotionally intense as you see the couple’s relationship start to diminish and crumble away. There is a short break containing dialogue between the two where the gender roles return to traditional ones; the man is questioning why the woman is hurt and tears fall from the woman’s eyes.
 
The final chorus almost ignores the problem and shows how some couples might just keep living their lives like nothing happened. Knowles sings:

But you’re just a boy.
You don’t understand…
You don’t care how it hurts
until you lose the one you wanted
‘cause you've taken her for granted

perhaps saying that men don’t have the brains to understand what they have until they lose it. Although certain men don’t care enough until they realize what they've done wrong, it seems as though this song almost caudles men and says, not that it’s okay, but that it’s somewhat excused because they’re “just boys.” Not to say that men shouldn't know what’s right and wrong when it comes to relationships, because they absolutely should, but women should also hold them accountable for when they do mess up for the sake of their own feelings and for the relationship. Men must learn, and they can only learn if something or someone tells them they’re doing wrong.
   
In terms of cultural gender concepts, this piece along with the music video accurately portrays what’s wrong with typical gender roles in society today. Women and men need to work together to erase this gap where one gender thinks or is perceived to be greater than or superior to the other. We must teach each other what and what not to do in order for relationships to work and for the couple to be true to each other.
Later, an unofficial remix video was released featuring R. Kelly a R&B artist and singer. His lyrics defend the man’s side of things. Although some lines aren't morally acceptable to some listeners such as  “So I go to clubs with the guys, and sometimes flirt with the girls,” other lines like “But you’re not a boy so you don’t have a clue… how everything I do is for you” can accurately portray most men’s intentions. This is not to say that Beyoncé Knowles’ and BC Jean’s song is wrong or inaccurate (because it can be very accurate). Instead, there are always misunderstandings between both sides of the relationship that can only be solved through mutual understanding and education of what each other expects and wants.