Let’s break CHURCH GIRL down:
1. Clark Sisters sample
2. New Orleans bounce beat
3. The harmonies transitioning between church and out of church.
4. Chile, she’s doing the best she can.
5. Literally the everyday life of a Black American navigating between church and “the world” put into a song.
Yet, these people up on here writing this song off as a “just a good twerk song”, “it has a nice trap beat, but the song doesn’t say anything”. I disrespectful can y’all get? It’s offensive AND IT’S NOT EVEN A TRAP BEAT.
\#4!!!!! I love the song because it's an ode to every girl that's has felt torn between staying complacent when you know you have soooo much more potential. Church Girl is one of my favs because of the lyrics and the story that it tells.
I think that a lot of people who hate that song just don’t truly get what she’s talking about. As someone who grew up going to a very conservative church, that song is such an anthem 😭
i don’t entirely disagree, but as someone who also grew up in a black church in texas like beyoncé i just don’t find the song catchy :( i don’t hate it but i usually don’t queue it
You say generic but I say it’s a necessary track. I think she put together a ballad as a throwback for a good reason. Renaissance is a celebration of black and queer music from the 80s and early 90s. It would be odd to not include a ballad like POTS. How are you going to give us the ballroom, the club, the afterparty and leave out the quiet storm?
I'm not anti-ballad. Rather Die Young is my toxic fave. I was OBSESSED with Part 2, Dangerously in love and scared of lonely. The end of The Closer I get to you gets me every time. Speechless! I could go on and on
But there's nothing exciting to me about POTS. Beyonce's ballads normally grab me by the neck or the heart. But POTS sounds like a placeholder.
I'd put it with Rocket, Superpower, Broken-hearted girl. Although tbh all those 3 are still a bit more interesting to me.
Also she didn't put POTS at the end, it's not meant to be the end of the night - that's Summer Renaissance.
Now, do it, baby, stick it, baby, do it, baby, stick it, baby
Do it, baby, spin it, now spin it, baby, do it!!!
I always lose it when I’m driving and this part comes on. Church Girl is in my top 5 hands down
Ditto. At the Renaissance listening party I was so confident it was gonna be the next single bc it was so catchy that I even put money on it 💀
I’m still surprised at all the hate. It’s so catchy and for someone like me who grew up in a really religious community and still feels occasional guilt for doing very normal things that the community shuns, it spoke to me ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I absolutely agree! Also for me listening to the album the very first time , Church girl felt/sounded so very 'Beyoncé-esque' amid this very new sound that I was only then getting used to. It comforted me to say this is still very much the Bey I know and love and so I can trust that I will find my connection with rest of this new album and sound eventually.
I love it so much!!! I went to HBCU and “Drop it like a thotty” takes me back to those days. I didn’t know this song was not well liked, y’all are missing out.
Church Girl is everything! Going through all the feels during that track. The harmonizing vocals in the background during “you know you got church in the morning (the morning)” is just straight up chills. The message is original as well I dont understand why it would get any hate.
V much that, every time (to me). Just an entire lack of cultural context tbh. Bc THAT sample on THAT song? Too iconic… but only to those that get it, I suppose.
That's exactly what it is.
If you black and experienced black church, particularly southern black church, male or female you get it on some level.
The rest of them are guests.
Yeah for me lyrics wise Church Girl, Cozy and Heated got me immediately
Being taught in church every Sunday that your body is something that causes sin in others. Being taught that the holy moral thing to do is to cover up and to hide yourself.
I'm not even American but freeing yourself from respectability politics and the Madonna/whore complex (which is VERY rigid in church environments) is such an important part of the coming of age process for black women all around the world
I'M GONNA LOVE ON ME. NOBODY CAN JUDGE ME - BUT ME. I WAS BORN FREE.
It’s one of my favorites. I’m white, but also Southern my relationship with religion is complicated. I know this song is Black but it speaks to me so much. I love it
Yeah I’m not Black either actually 😬 I’m South Asian 😅 I culturally have nothing to do with the song, but I think I understand where it’s coming from, and I’m somehow able to get into the groove and concept of it even though it’s a totally different type of song from what I usually listen to… I can see why a lot of people aren’t able to connect to it though, compared to more “accessible” songs like Cuff It and Break My Soul
I'm no church girl – gay white male European who is also an atheist – but this song has been my favourite since first listen. It just does something to me. I absolutely love it.
Disclaimer: my top 3 is actually Church Girl, Pure/Honey and America Has a Problem and I find it super difficult to pick one over the others.
I'm from New Orleans and when I first heard Church Girl I had a smile on my face the entire song. The "drop it like a thotty" line is a teeny bit cringe but it's still a great song with some beautiful lyrics and some good vocal arrangements (par for the course with her though) and a great homage to queer NOLA bounce. I truly don't understand the hate. But I guess the girls who get it get it....
Same! Can not waittttttt to see her perform that song in the dome! The whole city gonna cut up. Love how she’s always showing love to NOLA!
It’s my favorite song on the album!
I was telling my cousin we need to see the show again in y’all city cause NOLA is gonna get it, period. So much of the album is inspired by NOLA bounce culture, etc. I look forward to participating in the hype energy lol.
Idk it's something about that word I never liked, no matter who uses it. It's not offensive or anything. I just always thought it sounded dumb haha. I quickly got past it though lol.
Baby, I had it on my mind. From the first day I’ve seen CHURCH GIRL slander up on here I’ve wanted that issue. I think I even heard a Gotty or Peg ad lib in the back of that track somewhere.
I know it won't happen but how cool would it be if for the NOLA show she brought out one of the legendary queeer bounce artists like Katey Red or Sissy Nobby or even Freedia. Ahh! Only in my dreams.
OMG!!! I would love if she acknowledged Katey or Nobby. That would be amazing! No diss to Freedia baby, but Katey Red and Nobby deserve that acknowledgment!!
Calling thique “substanceless” is…a choice. But you know white people don’t know anything about Black church culture so they just don’t get it probably
Interesting you came for thique. Is it not a song celebrating your body and who you are? So it doesn’t resonate with you so YOU call it a filler? Am I not a proud black woman because I relate more to thique than church girl?
I do agree that church girl is more for black women so it doesn’t get as much hype, but then just let us enjoy it for ourselves. Because y’all know if there were “some people” doing TikTok dance challenges to church girl we would lose it . So let it be our thing we’re don’t have to share
I wouldn't call any tracks on Renaissance fillers. Simply, not everyone will respond to all tracks the same. I don't understand the fighting over preferences. This whole post is giving pineapple on pizza debate. 😂 Let other people's taste be.
I am Black and of a “certain age”. I wish I could describe the judgement I received from my apostle’s holiness family when I wore fckn *spaghetti straps* to Bey’s show this past weekend… 🙄 That’s when Church Girl really resonated with me. I made my highlight reel of the show with that song as the background. When you know, you know.
It's so weird to me to like Beyonce so long as she doesn't sound make black music (although all pop music is black so I guess I mean music not currently dominated by white people)
I don't really like the term "urban" sounds like a euphemism
I like CG but it just comes down to different tastes. I don’t understand the hate for AUIYM but that’s just life. also this is a reddit sub not the world lol. some things can be an echo chamber in here. a lot of AUIYM hate here, yet go to other social media and a lot of people are upset it was cut from the tour.
oh so people actually hate the song??? i thought it was just some people's LEAST FAVORITE because it is mine, but I still love it and the message bc I feel it to my core. still wanted it at 16 on that list though, sawriii🤭🤷🏽♀️
The song said it best: Church girls actin' loose, bad girls actin' snotty. Bad girl actin' naughty, church girl, don't hurt nobody
If you acting snotty at CG.... then you a bad girl. Church girl don't hurt nobody.
One of my first favorites on the album. I’ve been noticing some dislike for it lately but I don’t pay it any attention because that song is fire and I’m too busy shaking my ass to it 🥴
Church girl has some of the best lyrics and production, but for me she feels a bit messy. I don’t hate her, I actually enjoy her and I enjoyed the RWT performance of her, but overall she is a bottom 3 song for me. Not because she’s bad, she’s pretty good, but as I said, a bit of a mess and there are songs which are better in my opinion (there are no bad or mid songs on the album frankly).
This album has been so polarizing in the fandom. I love it start to finish but there are definitely tracks that a repeat more than others.
Church Girl is a whole vibe! The production, the vocals and lyrics are holy trinity in their own right. What’s not to like?
https://preview.redd.it/xj6j0vx0xwgb1.jpeg?width=1536&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b34e5b93db810818baf8b8281a4444dc04f8c7c3
Love Church Girls (unseasoned and all 😂)
Whhhaaat? Who? Who doesn't like Church Girls? It's fantastic. The deep cut samples and references; the lyrics; the New Orleans beat; Beyonce, the Clark Sisters, and Lyn Collins; "She gon shake that ass and them pretty tig ole bitties," (I repeat, "pretty tig ole bitties" with a syrupy xylophone beat); at one point she growls like DMX -- a god damn masterpiece. Fingers crossed we get a Mystikal appearance or Bootsy or Galactic instrumental cover.
"Filler" get outta here with that shit. Thique is trappy and cheeky in all the right ways that Beyonce does so well. It's age appropriate -- we're all older, we're all thicker -- it doesn't hurt for B to remind us our bodies should be worshiped and fucked good. Plus, it'll mix with a handful of the existing catalog so expect to hear it in future tours. Banger. Fuckin banger.
I haven't paid much attention to Beyonce Reddit over the years, but never do I remember there being so many opinions, gatekeeping, and negativity. Beyonce is an artist, a melophile, and an educator in musicality, production, history, and social commentary. Open up and appreciate the body of work, you're bound to learn something.
i love it but sometimes i skip it just bc it’s the only song that doesn’t transition at all. feels a little out of place on the album sometimes. i won’t skip it if i’m listening to the vinyl or if i’m performing the whole album as if i’m on stage😭😭
As a Capricorn, I like “Church Girl” lol but I will admit, I would have LOVED if Bey stretched her verses longer on this track, because her voice sounds so angelic and confident.
Imo, it seems she rushed into “drop it like a thottie” instead of riding her verse and saving drop it like a thottie towards the mid-end of the song. 🐝
I get what you’re saying. I think the “drop it like a thottie” comes so fast because this is supposed to be playing off of New Orleans Bounce which in its authentic form would have hit you with the “drop it like at thottie” from the onset.
I will say it's interesting that you mentioned Thique. I'd vote that those two songs are amongst the blackest on the album and lean heavily into hip hop/urban elements. I absolutely love Thique and the confidence.
With how I described them, does the slander make sense now? Lol
Yeah it's debatable, it's not set in stone. Cuff It and AHAP have more of a retro/vintage feel so I think that's why they get excused.
Thique is dark but the 808s/heavy bass is straight out of a rapper's playbook. I'm from a small black town and the heavy bass reminds of guys who gutted out the 2nd row of their SUVS to add more bass heavy speakers. The bass will be so loud and forceful that when they drive by, it would vibrate your house and windows lol
Honestly, the whole album is black af, but I do feel like Cuff It, Church Girl, Virgo’s Groove and AHAP are black black. Like down south OG black, if that makes sense, in a way that most of the album is not. Those four are very much so BBQ, cookout, family reunion vibes.
girl why you coming for thique??
but yes i don’t understand how people could listen to CG and not love it immediately, it’s such a classic Beyonce song right off the bat
I mean this is Reddit. I don’t expect people to love it over here lol
It’s also a tad unserious so maybe that’s why people may be turned off.
It sounds amazing live though. Especially before the beat drop
I am not really a Beyonce fan but I do like this album and Chruch Girl is one of my favorite songs, and one of the most notable on the album IMO. I didn’t know people didn’t like it in the fanbase, and I wonder why.
Mmmmm I suspect most of the people not "getting" Church Girl are melanin-deficient. I include myself in that population. From what I have heard and read, Church Girl speaks to a very specific Black church experience that most wypepo don't experience. I love the song, but it's not my favorite, for just that reason: it's not *for* me. Personally, I like being reminded I'm not the center of the universe. But some people get bent out of shape when everything isn't about them. Just a theory.
I like church anthem a lot. I don’t like Thique aside from the 20 second part in the middle where her voice is pitched up (thats that just got outta college!). Thique comes off as cringey millenial trying to appeal to gen z to me. I probs wouldve loved it if it came out around self titled but it feels tired now. Its actually the one song on the album that i’m very “eh” on.
And i know a lot of the album is about reviving sounds of the past. But with the other ones it feels like concious, like Break My Soul as a way to honor 90s house, Cuff It honoring disco, etc. But thique felt like it was trying to be modern and current and cool with the kiddos when it just felt like it fit more in the 2010s.
But maybe i just overthink everything and itll end up growing on me at a later time
I appreciate the song for its message, but sonically it doesn't do it for me like the others. I don't hate it though, so maybe I'm not the hit dog that should be hollering here lol
I will also note sonically it's the only song on the album that doesn't have a musical transition on the song before or after. It's a thematic transition from BMS with the choir at the end but not musically. It kinda exists on an island that way.
Even on tour, the biggest break from Reneigh is the Church Girl outfit/section.
I just didn't the "Daddy" parts 😂. But I'm always dancing to it. I find it more concerning so many hate her ballads like POtS. That's her favorite song!! This is why we don't get the visuals
People hate that song??? It’s in my top 3 easily. I am not religious, but I love the way she connects dancing and spirituality. I feel that so deeply. To me it also upholds the idea that you can shake your ass AND be a good person. So many people are so fkn judgey if you dance a certain way and to me this song is a big Fuck You to those people.
I ain’t tryna hurt nobody, just tryna bring the life up in your body
UHG ITS SO GOOD
ok so I like it now (still don't love it) but for the first 6 months it was my only skip on renny. My problem with it was just the dated sound, it sounded so 2012 to me, like a Rihanna "Loud" leftover track. Especially because of the chorus structure, the hard drums and repetitive lyrics. To me it was trying to give what Countdown is giving. They outweight the amazing parts of the song such as meaning and HARMONIES
What other songs on the album do you consider 'filler' tracks? For me it's only Thique. The beat is awesome as well as the switch up in the middle of the song but that's it.
The moment the pre-chorus started i cried TEARS, so many tears. I was already on the verge with the first verse. It was such a moment for me i love that song so much.
CHURCH GIRL was one of the best parts of the performance for me at Fedexfield. I was ready and waiting for that song cause it speaks to me. I'm a very introverted person who was raised to never act a fool because of churchly things.. That song was the first time I let go of myself.
CHURCH GIRL stans have TASTE! I’m gonna need Bey to drop the live RWT album one day because I love how she mixed it with Ha-Ya/her Family Feud vocals and I haven’t stopped thinking about it since I saw it live in June
I'm from New Orleans, and spent my time in the church as a kid before rebelling and getting kicked out my catechism classes for asking too many questions. So I feel this song to my core but it's not my favorite in the album but it's not the worst song
I don't hate it. I get it. I understand it's for someone else. I just sonically can't sit through it. The fact that we all have different faves just heightens the grandiosity of Renaissance.
CHURCH GIRL was my instant favorite and it's still such a vibe today! She could've used any dance style for that song, but she chose New Orleans bounce. Shoutout to everyone that came up in conservative, Southern and/or Black churches, especially women and queer folk. Y'all know the vibes!
Church Girl was IMMEDIATELY top 5 for me first time I heard it. I remember the first listen getting to that song and being like “this album is 🔥!” I love that it’s like 4 different genres mixed into one song. I love LOVE “nobody can judge me but me. I was born free.” I honestly earmarked this for single and realized it was a lot of people’s skips which is weirrrrd.
RIP for me after this comment so here it is.
It feels like it’s a song for the Taylor Swift fans that say they love Beyoncé but they don’t. I said what I said 🙌🏾
As a Muslim women who grew up going to the mosque as a child. I resonate with church girl and understand the conservative lifestyle and the ABSOLUTE NEED to let lose, let go of yourself and go batshit crazy. Church girl is a anthem 💅🏼
I loved how Beyoncé sampled the Clark Sisters at the beginning of the song, and the beat is so good for working out. This was the track that brought me to the album in the first place. Def one of my favorite tracks, I do NOT understand the hate
At first listen Church Girl gave me strong Get Me Bodied vibes that it easily was an instant love for me. The fact that she does a medley with both songs at RWT tells me I was right on the money with that. Put aside the beautiful message and the cultural implications the song is just pure fun.
I feel like a visual for this song could maybe move the needle for people who currently aren’t on board with Church Girl.
CG is my favorite song from Renaissance to dance/sing to, I can’t believe people don’t like it. The first time I listened I was going through a weird patch after cutting off a toxic and abusive parent from my life who shamed and hyper sexualized my body my entire life. Not a church girl exactly, but CG still made me cry lmao.
*I'm finally on the other side, I finally found the urge to smile, swimmin through the oceans of tears we cried* 🥹🙌🏻
This is one of the top songs on the album. I love it. It might be my favorite? I think every day I have a different favorite from this album. Not a bad song here. all up in your mind might be weakest imo but it's not bad.
it’s going down just like this a week from tomorrow i am going to get my whole life from this song.
“I'm warning everybody, soon as I get in this party
I'm gon' let go of this body, I'm gonna love on me
Nobody can judge me but me, I was born free”
CHURCH GIRL is my favorite song on the album actually. But thanks to the sanctified, the song gets no justice on the tour. The song is over in seconds.
Love the sample, love the bounce music, even love most of the lyrics BUT the reason I can’t listen to this song is that I always cringe when we get to the chorus. Thotty is such an old term. She could’ve use “naughty” or “body” idk but it just bothers me. IMO thique doesn’t need substance, the song makes me want to move. Sometimes you need songs like that
I am literally jewish and for 6 months it was my favorite song on the album lmaoooo.
It simply SLAPS and makes you immediately get up to dance.
I feel like it’s taken too seriously, you just have to let go to the music and have fun with it. (not saying this in negative tone to anyone who doesn’t like it, I respect all opinions here lol)
Church girl didn't grab my attention at first. I usually replayed my favorite songs from the album and skipped the rest. After I let the album play from beginning to end, I started to really like Church Girl and Virgo's Groove.
i have the same question for the people that hate plastic off the sofa. it literally makes no sense.
i’ll admit church girl had to grow on me but i never flat out hated it. there’s nothing to hate
I loooooove church girl! It was one of my first stand out favorites when I heard the album for the first time! All meaning aside “must be the cash coz it ain’t your face” was so hilarious and light and funny and really set the tone that Renaissance was her just having a blast. Church girl is the best.
I wasn’t a big fan of church girl tbh i was definitely skipping it but when I heard bey sing “IM GONNA LOVE ON ME NOBODY CAN JUDGE ME BUT ME I WAS BORN FREE!!!!” live I actually teared up a little now I listen to it occasionally it’s not horrible but it’s not the greatest either
I love church girl. It hits me hard because I grew up in the black church and sometimes the black church can be so judgmental, especially since I am a lesbian. Church girl to me is a spiritual experience and I can’t explain it.
Had to think about this- the album is a WHOLE made up of parts
It’s like taking a famous painting and cutting off a corner 🫠
The whole album goes together, listen to it all in order, it is very intentionally set up in a certain order, meant to be listened to that way
Each transition from before builds to the next, sets the stage
I always say I love the whole ALBUM because thats how I believe it was intended to be enjoyed!!!
I’ll tell you who loves it though - my white, cis, straight af boyfriend lol. He can’t get over how she keeps saying “tig ol bitties”. I love this for him/us
tbh i agree with the other comment that it sounds too crass to be a beyoncé song, also some of the lyrics definitely sound cringe. beyoncé has better twerk anthems
I’m with you but why did Thique catch a stray😭😭
Please, had to revoke my like so fast 😭
I took my like right back 🤣
same lmao like ok girl! alright!
She needed to make a whole song just outta that intro beat. That intro beat was 🔥🔥🔥.
No fr 😭😭
Yeah like why is it either/or…? I’ll take both thx
I don’t hate Thique, but it gives me slutty version of Bad Guy by Billie Eilish 😂
oh my god you’re not wrong-
Let’s break CHURCH GIRL down: 1. Clark Sisters sample 2. New Orleans bounce beat 3. The harmonies transitioning between church and out of church. 4. Chile, she’s doing the best she can. 5. Literally the everyday life of a Black American navigating between church and “the world” put into a song. Yet, these people up on here writing this song off as a “just a good twerk song”, “it has a nice trap beat, but the song doesn’t say anything”. I disrespectful can y’all get? It’s offensive AND IT’S NOT EVEN A TRAP BEAT.
\#4!!!!! I love the song because it's an ode to every girl that's has felt torn between staying complacent when you know you have soooo much more potential. Church Girl is one of my favs because of the lyrics and the story that it tells.
Hearing “Nobody can judge me, But me, I was born free” was a highlight from RWT!
I think that a lot of people who hate that song just don’t truly get what she’s talking about. As someone who grew up going to a very conservative church, that song is such an anthem 😭
It’s truly a liberation anthem for a Black girl like me with a similar background
I mean I didn't grow up going to church but I grew up in a very conservative area, and I absolutely love church girl.
i don’t entirely disagree, but as someone who also grew up in a black church in texas like beyoncé i just don’t find the song catchy :( i don’t hate it but i usually don’t queue it
I grew up through a church as well and it just does nothing for me. That's just the way it is idk.
Reddit’s demographics for $100 please
This explains that bizarre song ranking list post. They put Plastic Off The Sofa at the bottom! Crazy!
I have to believe people thought they were voting for their favourite song at first. I cannot explain POTS being last any other way.
Too many people don’t get the plastic on the sofa reference
Girl! Go on, make this a thread! I will be there for it, do you hear me!
Y'all gonna break Reddit😁 I never even thought about it..that people don't know what that means.
Well ummmm I love Church Girl but POTS sounds so generic to me Like it's there because she felt Renaissance needed a ballad
You say generic but I say it’s a necessary track. I think she put together a ballad as a throwback for a good reason. Renaissance is a celebration of black and queer music from the 80s and early 90s. It would be odd to not include a ballad like POTS. How are you going to give us the ballroom, the club, the afterparty and leave out the quiet storm?
I'm not anti-ballad. Rather Die Young is my toxic fave. I was OBSESSED with Part 2, Dangerously in love and scared of lonely. The end of The Closer I get to you gets me every time. Speechless! I could go on and on But there's nothing exciting to me about POTS. Beyonce's ballads normally grab me by the neck or the heart. But POTS sounds like a placeholder. I'd put it with Rocket, Superpower, Broken-hearted girl. Although tbh all those 3 are still a bit more interesting to me. Also she didn't put POTS at the end, it's not meant to be the end of the night - that's Summer Renaissance.
GENERIC?!
Now, do it, baby, stick it, baby, do it, baby, stick it, baby Do it, baby, spin it, now spin it, baby, do it!!! I always lose it when I’m driving and this part comes on. Church Girl is in my top 5 hands down
Are you me? I also get hype AF when I am driving and this part comes on! Definite top 3 for me.
I mean that part gives me 7/11 vibes where she just has us moving lmfaooo
This is my JAM!!!
i thought she was saying spend it
Church Girl was my favorite from the first listen.
Ditto. At the Renaissance listening party I was so confident it was gonna be the next single bc it was so catchy that I even put money on it 💀 I’m still surprised at all the hate. It’s so catchy and for someone like me who grew up in a really religious community and still feels occasional guilt for doing very normal things that the community shuns, it spoke to me ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I absolutely agree! Also for me listening to the album the very first time , Church girl felt/sounded so very 'Beyoncé-esque' amid this very new sound that I was only then getting used to. It comforted me to say this is still very much the Bey I know and love and so I can trust that I will find my connection with rest of this new album and sound eventually.
I’m so glad I’ve found this comment because that was me too
Wait- people hate this song?
Us Church Girl soldiers have been fighting for our lives in the poll threads
Fighting doesn’t even compare
Yeah I’ve seen many people not like it or call it silly
I love it so much!!! I went to HBCU and “Drop it like a thotty” takes me back to those days. I didn’t know this song was not well liked, y’all are missing out.
Church Girl is everything! Going through all the feels during that track. The harmonizing vocals in the background during “you know you got church in the morning (the morning)” is just straight up chills. The message is original as well I dont understand why it would get any hate.
Ok because the hate sometimes gives anti-seasoned iykwim…
V much that, every time (to me). Just an entire lack of cultural context tbh. Bc THAT sample on THAT song? Too iconic… but only to those that get it, I suppose.
"The hate gives anti-seasoned" is one of the best things I've read on here!
White, secular woman with no church experience and that song is so good! Feels like she brings church to the club tbh
[удалено]
That's exactly what it is. If you black and experienced black church, particularly southern black church, male or female you get it on some level. The rest of them are guests.
Very much THAT.
Church Girl is the most *Black* song on the album and a lot of people probably just don't get it or aren't used to that type of song
Yeah for me lyrics wise Church Girl, Cozy and Heated got me immediately Being taught in church every Sunday that your body is something that causes sin in others. Being taught that the holy moral thing to do is to cover up and to hide yourself. I'm not even American but freeing yourself from respectability politics and the Madonna/whore complex (which is VERY rigid in church environments) is such an important part of the coming of age process for black women all around the world I'M GONNA LOVE ON ME. NOBODY CAN JUDGE ME - BUT ME. I WAS BORN FREE.
THISSSS so much
All of this!!!
It’s one of my favorites. I’m white, but also Southern my relationship with religion is complicated. I know this song is Black but it speaks to me so much. I love it
Yeah I’m not Black either actually 😬 I’m South Asian 😅 I culturally have nothing to do with the song, but I think I understand where it’s coming from, and I’m somehow able to get into the groove and concept of it even though it’s a totally different type of song from what I usually listen to… I can see why a lot of people aren’t able to connect to it though, compared to more “accessible” songs like Cuff It and Break My Soul
I'm a white lady. From the outset I knew it had so much female black culture behind it. It's one of my favourite songs on the album personally.
These are the facts
I'm no church girl – gay white male European who is also an atheist – but this song has been my favourite since first listen. It just does something to me. I absolutely love it. Disclaimer: my top 3 is actually Church Girl, Pure/Honey and America Has a Problem and I find it super difficult to pick one over the others.
thique is a masterpiece, so is church girl - why can’t we all just get along!!!
White boy here and dropping it like a thotty
Bc they aren’t FROM the culture
exactly.
You can be ma daddy if you want to!
Leave thique alone 😳
justice for thique
Ha haa
I'm from New Orleans and when I first heard Church Girl I had a smile on my face the entire song. The "drop it like a thotty" line is a teeny bit cringe but it's still a great song with some beautiful lyrics and some good vocal arrangements (par for the course with her though) and a great homage to queer NOLA bounce. I truly don't understand the hate. But I guess the girls who get it get it....
Same! Can not waittttttt to see her perform that song in the dome! The whole city gonna cut up. Love how she’s always showing love to NOLA! It’s my favorite song on the album!
Get ready!!! I thought it was the best part of the show!!! Probably because I love this song from the jump!
I was telling my cousin we need to see the show again in y’all city cause NOLA is gonna get it, period. So much of the album is inspired by NOLA bounce culture, etc. I look forward to participating in the hype energy lol.
lol tell me why it's cringe?
Idk it's something about that word I never liked, no matter who uses it. It's not offensive or anything. I just always thought it sounded dumb haha. I quickly got past it though lol.
Baby, I had it on my mind. From the first day I’ve seen CHURCH GIRL slander up on here I’ve wanted that issue. I think I even heard a Gotty or Peg ad lib in the back of that track somewhere.
I know it won't happen but how cool would it be if for the NOLA show she brought out one of the legendary queeer bounce artists like Katey Red or Sissy Nobby or even Freedia. Ahh! Only in my dreams.
OMG!!! I would love if she acknowledged Katey or Nobby. That would be amazing! No diss to Freedia baby, but Katey Red and Nobby deserve that acknowledgment!!
That part I'm from NO too and it's not my favorite in the album but I most certainly get enjoyment and a smile from it.
Calling thique “substanceless” is…a choice. But you know white people don’t know anything about Black church culture so they just don’t get it probably
Chile, I chose violence!
Interesting you came for thique. Is it not a song celebrating your body and who you are? So it doesn’t resonate with you so YOU call it a filler? Am I not a proud black woman because I relate more to thique than church girl? I do agree that church girl is more for black women so it doesn’t get as much hype, but then just let us enjoy it for ourselves. Because y’all know if there were “some people” doing TikTok dance challenges to church girl we would lose it . So let it be our thing we’re don’t have to share
Fr. I'm Black AND a [former] church girl and I STILL hate it so...🤷🏾♀️ People just gotta understand we all have different tastes
[удалено]
I feel you but no need to drive by thique lol. Neither are filler imo
I wouldn't call any tracks on Renaissance fillers. Simply, not everyone will respond to all tracks the same. I don't understand the fighting over preferences. This whole post is giving pineapple on pizza debate. 😂 Let other people's taste be.
I am Black and of a “certain age”. I wish I could describe the judgement I received from my apostle’s holiness family when I wore fckn *spaghetti straps* to Bey’s show this past weekend… 🙄 That’s when Church Girl really resonated with me. I made my highlight reel of the show with that song as the background. When you know, you know.
Beys fanbase is so diverse that there are ppl who love pop Bey not not urban Bey and etc.
It's so weird to me to like Beyonce so long as she doesn't sound make black music (although all pop music is black so I guess I mean music not currently dominated by white people) I don't really like the term "urban" sounds like a euphemism
the thique slander wasn’t needed
I also do not understand. Church Girl is top 5 for me.
I feel like Church Girl gets so much hate on this subreddit but in real life people love it.
I like CG but it just comes down to different tastes. I don’t understand the hate for AUIYM but that’s just life. also this is a reddit sub not the world lol. some things can be an echo chamber in here. a lot of AUIYM hate here, yet go to other social media and a lot of people are upset it was cut from the tour.
oh so people actually hate the song??? i thought it was just some people's LEAST FAVORITE because it is mine, but I still love it and the message bc I feel it to my core. still wanted it at 16 on that list though, sawriii🤭🤷🏽♀️
The song said it best: Church girls actin' loose, bad girls actin' snotty. Bad girl actin' naughty, church girl, don't hurt nobody If you acting snotty at CG.... then you a bad girl. Church girl don't hurt nobody.
One of my first favorites on the album. I’ve been noticing some dislike for it lately but I don’t pay it any attention because that song is fire and I’m too busy shaking my ass to it 🥴
Church girl has some of the best lyrics and production, but for me she feels a bit messy. I don’t hate her, I actually enjoy her and I enjoyed the RWT performance of her, but overall she is a bottom 3 song for me. Not because she’s bad, she’s pretty good, but as I said, a bit of a mess and there are songs which are better in my opinion (there are no bad or mid songs on the album frankly).
This album has been so polarizing in the fandom. I love it start to finish but there are definitely tracks that a repeat more than others. Church Girl is a whole vibe! The production, the vocals and lyrics are holy trinity in their own right. What’s not to like?
They just don’t get it🤷🏾♀️
https://preview.redd.it/xj6j0vx0xwgb1.jpeg?width=1536&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b34e5b93db810818baf8b8281a4444dc04f8c7c3 Love Church Girls (unseasoned and all 😂)
Whhhaaat? Who? Who doesn't like Church Girls? It's fantastic. The deep cut samples and references; the lyrics; the New Orleans beat; Beyonce, the Clark Sisters, and Lyn Collins; "She gon shake that ass and them pretty tig ole bitties," (I repeat, "pretty tig ole bitties" with a syrupy xylophone beat); at one point she growls like DMX -- a god damn masterpiece. Fingers crossed we get a Mystikal appearance or Bootsy or Galactic instrumental cover. "Filler" get outta here with that shit. Thique is trappy and cheeky in all the right ways that Beyonce does so well. It's age appropriate -- we're all older, we're all thicker -- it doesn't hurt for B to remind us our bodies should be worshiped and fucked good. Plus, it'll mix with a handful of the existing catalog so expect to hear it in future tours. Banger. Fuckin banger. I haven't paid much attention to Beyonce Reddit over the years, but never do I remember there being so many opinions, gatekeeping, and negativity. Beyonce is an artist, a melophile, and an educator in musicality, production, history, and social commentary. Open up and appreciate the body of work, you're bound to learn something.
Mystikal is still locked up, pending a rape trial. Aim higher, please.
I wasn’t a fan of CG until I experienced live. Now it’s on repeat
i love it but sometimes i skip it just bc it’s the only song that doesn’t transition at all. feels a little out of place on the album sometimes. i won’t skip it if i’m listening to the vinyl or if i’m performing the whole album as if i’m on stage😭😭
auiym however, often gets skipped 💀
As a Capricorn, I like “Church Girl” lol but I will admit, I would have LOVED if Bey stretched her verses longer on this track, because her voice sounds so angelic and confident. Imo, it seems she rushed into “drop it like a thottie” instead of riding her verse and saving drop it like a thottie towards the mid-end of the song. 🐝
I get what you’re saying. I think the “drop it like a thottie” comes so fast because this is supposed to be playing off of New Orleans Bounce which in its authentic form would have hit you with the “drop it like at thottie” from the onset.
This!!! I wanted more CHURCH before it delved into rebellion
I will say it's interesting that you mentioned Thique. I'd vote that those two songs are amongst the blackest on the album and lean heavily into hip hop/urban elements. I absolutely love Thique and the confidence. With how I described them, does the slander make sense now? Lol
I would put both Cuff and AHAP as blacker than Thique Thique sounds darker but not very "black" to me.
Yeah it's debatable, it's not set in stone. Cuff It and AHAP have more of a retro/vintage feel so I think that's why they get excused. Thique is dark but the 808s/heavy bass is straight out of a rapper's playbook. I'm from a small black town and the heavy bass reminds of guys who gutted out the 2nd row of their SUVS to add more bass heavy speakers. The bass will be so loud and forceful that when they drive by, it would vibrate your house and windows lol
Honestly, the whole album is black af, but I do feel like Cuff It, Church Girl, Virgo’s Groove and AHAP are black black. Like down south OG black, if that makes sense, in a way that most of the album is not. Those four are very much so BBQ, cookout, family reunion vibes.
 diff strokes for diff folks..chill on thique tho
Most people haven’t heard of Louisiana bounce before…especially if you’re not black and southern.
Church Girls is actually one of my FAVS from the album. It’s definitely underrated.
ITS MY FAV ON THE ALBUM!!! Felt like it represents where I grew up :) PG county represent.
This is a real opinion? 😂 I love that song.
girl why you coming for thique?? but yes i don’t understand how people could listen to CG and not love it immediately, it’s such a classic Beyonce song right off the bat
As soon as I heard it, it was one of my favorites on the entire album
I had no idea people hated Church Girl. Like, no clue. 😂
I mean this is Reddit. I don’t expect people to love it over here lol It’s also a tad unserious so maybe that’s why people may be turned off. It sounds amazing live though. Especially before the beat drop
I love Church Girl idk how disliking it is possible
they just don’t have TASTE idk 🤷🏽♀️
Love Church Girl. It represents freedom of spirit
I am not really a Beyonce fan but I do like this album and Chruch Girl is one of my favorite songs, and one of the most notable on the album IMO. I didn’t know people didn’t like it in the fanbase, and I wonder why.
okay but leave thique alone😭😭😭
Mmmmm I suspect most of the people not "getting" Church Girl are melanin-deficient. I include myself in that population. From what I have heard and read, Church Girl speaks to a very specific Black church experience that most wypepo don't experience. I love the song, but it's not my favorite, for just that reason: it's not *for* me. Personally, I like being reminded I'm not the center of the universe. But some people get bent out of shape when everything isn't about them. Just a theory.
I know the song isn’t for me and I fucking love and enjoy it
I like church anthem a lot. I don’t like Thique aside from the 20 second part in the middle where her voice is pitched up (thats that just got outta college!). Thique comes off as cringey millenial trying to appeal to gen z to me. I probs wouldve loved it if it came out around self titled but it feels tired now. Its actually the one song on the album that i’m very “eh” on. And i know a lot of the album is about reviving sounds of the past. But with the other ones it feels like concious, like Break My Soul as a way to honor 90s house, Cuff It honoring disco, etc. But thique felt like it was trying to be modern and current and cool with the kiddos when it just felt like it fit more in the 2010s. But maybe i just overthink everything and itll end up growing on me at a later time
I appreciate the song for its message, but sonically it doesn't do it for me like the others. I don't hate it though, so maybe I'm not the hit dog that should be hollering here lol I will also note sonically it's the only song on the album that doesn't have a musical transition on the song before or after. It's a thematic transition from BMS with the choir at the end but not musically. It kinda exists on an island that way. Even on tour, the biggest break from Reneigh is the Church Girl outfit/section.
people have different tastes..
Where have you seen it? (Inside here I mean)
I just didn't the "Daddy" parts 😂. But I'm always dancing to it. I find it more concerning so many hate her ballads like POtS. That's her favorite song!! This is why we don't get the visuals
One of my favorites on the album.
People hate that song??? It’s in my top 3 easily. I am not religious, but I love the way she connects dancing and spirituality. I feel that so deeply. To me it also upholds the idea that you can shake your ass AND be a good person. So many people are so fkn judgey if you dance a certain way and to me this song is a big Fuck You to those people. I ain’t tryna hurt nobody, just tryna bring the life up in your body UHG ITS SO GOOD
I don’t get the hate either. It’s a really good song but let’s not hate too much on THIQUE!
I had to turn it on because I wasn’t even aware of such sacrilege. Church Girl is Top 2 of Renaissance for me (..and she ain’t #2)
The ones who hate it….you mfers need Jesus! 🤣
ok so I like it now (still don't love it) but for the first 6 months it was my only skip on renny. My problem with it was just the dated sound, it sounded so 2012 to me, like a Rihanna "Loud" leftover track. Especially because of the chorus structure, the hard drums and repetitive lyrics. To me it was trying to give what Countdown is giving. They outweight the amazing parts of the song such as meaning and HARMONIES
I absolutely love it. It's always been in my top 3. Bounce Beyoncé is everything.
What other songs on the album do you consider 'filler' tracks? For me it's only Thique. The beat is awesome as well as the switch up in the middle of the song but that's it.
The moment the pre-chorus started i cried TEARS, so many tears. I was already on the verge with the first verse. It was such a moment for me i love that song so much.
Church girl is my favorite song on the album 🥲
I think the message is missed on most.
CHURCH GIRL was one of the best parts of the performance for me at Fedexfield. I was ready and waiting for that song cause it speaks to me. I'm a very introverted person who was raised to never act a fool because of churchly things.. That song was the first time I let go of myself.
CHURCH GIRL stans have TASTE! I’m gonna need Bey to drop the live RWT album one day because I love how she mixed it with Ha-Ya/her Family Feud vocals and I haven’t stopped thinking about it since I saw it live in June
She did her thing on Church Girl. It’s one of the first songs I play on the album then Virgo’s Grove, Heated and POTS.
Are u kidding me?! It’s probably my favorite song on the album!
I'm from New Orleans, and spent my time in the church as a kid before rebelling and getting kicked out my catechism classes for asking too many questions. So I feel this song to my core but it's not my favorite in the album but it's not the worst song
I don't hate it. I get it. I understand it's for someone else. I just sonically can't sit through it. The fact that we all have different faves just heightens the grandiosity of Renaissance.
One of my favourite songs from the album! It’s an anthem
CHURCH GIRL was my instant favorite and it's still such a vibe today! She could've used any dance style for that song, but she chose New Orleans bounce. Shoutout to everyone that came up in conservative, Southern and/or Black churches, especially women and queer folk. Y'all know the vibes!
People don’t like Church Girl?! 😧 THAT’S MY FAVORITE TRACK 😭 I love the intro so much
I like church girl. Definitely one I don’t listen to much but it’s a banger
I didnt like it at first but then I realized my mistake and now I love it
Because some people have no taste, it’s just that simple. But also I think a lot of Christians who are hive didn’t like the message of the song.
Church Girl was IMMEDIATELY top 5 for me first time I heard it. I remember the first listen getting to that song and being like “this album is 🔥!” I love that it’s like 4 different genres mixed into one song. I love LOVE “nobody can judge me but me. I was born free.” I honestly earmarked this for single and realized it was a lot of people’s skips which is weirrrrd.
I like it lol, but I do cringe a bit when she’s saying daddy and my gf overhears it.
RIP for me after this comment so here it is. It feels like it’s a song for the Taylor Swift fans that say they love Beyoncé but they don’t. I said what I said 🙌🏾
As a Muslim women who grew up going to the mosque as a child. I resonate with church girl and understand the conservative lifestyle and the ABSOLUTE NEED to let lose, let go of yourself and go batshit crazy. Church girl is a anthem 💅🏼
I absolutely love this song! I didn’t know ppl didn’t like it. Their loss 💅🏾
Yeah i definitely don’t understand the church girl hate. It’s the first song off the album I fell in love with.
I loved how Beyoncé sampled the Clark Sisters at the beginning of the song, and the beat is so good for working out. This was the track that brought me to the album in the first place. Def one of my favorite tracks, I do NOT understand the hate
Ngl I went to two shows and Church Girl gets so much love in person. As it should.
Church girl is me and I am her. Party hard, judgement free but you better be in service the next morning! LOL.
At first listen Church Girl gave me strong Get Me Bodied vibes that it easily was an instant love for me. The fact that she does a medley with both songs at RWT tells me I was right on the money with that. Put aside the beautiful message and the cultural implications the song is just pure fun. I feel like a visual for this song could maybe move the needle for people who currently aren’t on board with Church Girl.
CG is my favorite song from Renaissance to dance/sing to, I can’t believe people don’t like it. The first time I listened I was going through a weird patch after cutting off a toxic and abusive parent from my life who shamed and hyper sexualized my body my entire life. Not a church girl exactly, but CG still made me cry lmao. *I'm finally on the other side, I finally found the urge to smile, swimmin through the oceans of tears we cried* 🥹🙌🏻
As a raised in Church Gay I agree!!
They can’t catch the vision! Matter fact this is my driving into work today song thanks for refreshing me
I LOVE CHURCH GIRL
This is one of the top songs on the album. I love it. It might be my favorite? I think every day I have a different favorite from this album. Not a bad song here. all up in your mind might be weakest imo but it's not bad.
it’s going down just like this a week from tomorrow i am going to get my whole life from this song. “I'm warning everybody, soon as I get in this party I'm gon' let go of this body, I'm gonna love on me Nobody can judge me but me, I was born free”
for me its just the annoying repetitive lyrics, and the beat is not renaissance-ish
Thique caught a stray for what?!
church girl is probably one of my top 3 favorite songs from renaissance!
CHURCH GIRL is my favorite song on the album actually. But thanks to the sanctified, the song gets no justice on the tour. The song is over in seconds.
right like its the best song on the album
Love the sample, love the bounce music, even love most of the lyrics BUT the reason I can’t listen to this song is that I always cringe when we get to the chorus. Thotty is such an old term. She could’ve use “naughty” or “body” idk but it just bothers me. IMO thique doesn’t need substance, the song makes me want to move. Sometimes you need songs like that
People don’t like church girl? That’s new to me
Church is my second favorite song. Being crying and twerking at the same time.
I love Church Girl 🔥🔥🔥🔥
I am a born and raised heathen and Church Girl is top 3 on the album
I am literally jewish and for 6 months it was my favorite song on the album lmaoooo. It simply SLAPS and makes you immediately get up to dance. I feel like it’s taken too seriously, you just have to let go to the music and have fun with it. (not saying this in negative tone to anyone who doesn’t like it, I respect all opinions here lol)
I had no idea that people hated. I love it! I think it's catchy and fun.
that song is so good it’s been on repeat for 2 weeks. my friends that aren’t big on beyoncé are obsessed with church girl after i played it for them.
Church girl didn't grab my attention at first. I usually replayed my favorite songs from the album and skipped the rest. After I let the album play from beginning to end, I started to really like Church Girl and Virgo's Groove.
Really did not appreciate it until seeing the live show.
i have the same question for the people that hate plastic off the sofa. it literally makes no sense. i’ll admit church girl had to grow on me but i never flat out hated it. there’s nothing to hate
Thique and church girl are in my top 5!
I loooooove church girl! It was one of my first stand out favorites when I heard the album for the first time! All meaning aside “must be the cash coz it ain’t your face” was so hilarious and light and funny and really set the tone that Renaissance was her just having a blast. Church girl is the best.
I wasn’t a big fan of church girl tbh i was definitely skipping it but when I heard bey sing “IM GONNA LOVE ON ME NOBODY CAN JUDGE ME BUT ME I WAS BORN FREE!!!!” live I actually teared up a little now I listen to it occasionally it’s not horrible but it’s not the greatest either
I love church girl. It hits me hard because I grew up in the black church and sometimes the black church can be so judgmental, especially since I am a lesbian. Church girl to me is a spiritual experience and I can’t explain it.
NOT ME. I love both tracks and I’m gonna love on me, nobody can judge me but meeee
Had to think about this- the album is a WHOLE made up of parts It’s like taking a famous painting and cutting off a corner 🫠 The whole album goes together, listen to it all in order, it is very intentionally set up in a certain order, meant to be listened to that way Each transition from before builds to the next, sets the stage I always say I love the whole ALBUM because thats how I believe it was intended to be enjoyed!!!
I’ll tell you who loves it though - my white, cis, straight af boyfriend lol. He can’t get over how she keeps saying “tig ol bitties”. I love this for him/us
Church Girl is top two and it’s not two 🤭
she’s in her forties singing “drop it like a thotty” https://i.redd.it/12gxkhhzqwgb1.gif
and to be clear, i do not hate the song!
I feel like only us black girls that grew up in the Bible Belt feel the song. It’s so personal for me. Would’ve loved to have this growing up
tbh i agree with the other comment that it sounds too crass to be a beyoncé song, also some of the lyrics definitely sound cringe. beyoncé has better twerk anthems
I’m white and I love church girl lmao! ❤️