Jealous

Album: Beyoncé (2013)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This gut-wrenching slow jam finds Beyoncé upset with her man, who stood her up for dinner. She's jealous that she can't play the same games that he plays because of her love. The singer takes her "Freakum dress out my closet" and runs into an ex that "she used to flex in Texas."
  • The video was directed by Francesco Carrozzini, who previously helmed A$AP Rocky's "Phoenix" clip, as well having shot photos of Beyoncé for outlets like Vogue. He shot the visual in New York City in late November 2013, after receiving a call from the singer's camp a few days prior. The clip was Queen Bey's storyline, Carrozzini told MTV News of the process. "It's not the traditional way I would do a video — how I did for A$AP or for other artists where you just come up with an idea and present it to the artist."

    "She had a very precise storyline in her head and it was written and filled with references — and so a big part of the creativity is her," he added.
  • After Beyoncé exits the bar, she walks out into a city street and is met by a multitude of fans and camera phones. According to Carrozzini, the reactions of the fans in the video was wholly genuine. "We really shot it — some people in the video did not know we were filming," he said.

    "I think the real idea of the video is in a moment like that — in a private moment like that, she can never be by herself," Carrozzini added "This song is not about someone who feels those emotions, it's about Beyoncé feeling those emotions. It's personal to her. It's her that cannot be by herself no matter where she goes or what she does, because she's who she is."
  • When asked by MTV News if the actor playing Beyonce's love interest was intended to portray a specific person in her life, Carrozzini laughed. "She has [an idea], I'm sure," he replied, coyly.
  • The song's remix features additional vocals by Chris Brown, who admits to Beyoncé that he gets, "a little insecure when your phone go off." He goes on to confess that his jealousy is leading to him having a bit too much of that bottle and he ends up drunk texting.

    This was the first time the two superstars appeared on the same record.
  • The track soundtracked a Nike commercial featuring Olympic gold medal-winning gymnast Simone Biles. The ad depicts Biles training for her big day as "Jealous" plays in the background.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Female Singers Of The 90s

Female Singers Of The 90sMusic Quiz

The ladies who ruled the '90s in this quiz.

Julian Lennon

Julian LennonSongwriter Interviews

Julian tells the stories behind his hits "Valotte" and "Too Late for Goodbyes," and fills us in on his many non-musical pursuits. Also: what MTV meant to his career.

Narada Michael Walden - "Freeway of Love"

Narada Michael Walden - "Freeway of Love"They're Playing My Song

As a songwriter and producer, Narada had hits with Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Starship. But what song does he feel had the greatest impact on his career?

Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple Pilots

Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple PilotsSongwriter Interviews

Stone Temple Pilots bass player Robert DeLeo names the songs that have most connected with fans and tells the stories behind tracks from their Tiny Music album.

Benny Mardones

Benny MardonesSongwriter Interviews

His song "Into The Night" is one of the most-played of all time. For Benny, it took him to hell and back.

Janis Ian: Married in London, but not in New York

Janis Ian: Married in London, but not in New YorkSong Writing

Can you be married in one country but not another? Only if you're part of a gay couple. One of the first famous singers to come out as a lesbian, Janis wrote a song about it.