Independent Women

Infobox Single
Name = Independent Women Part I


Artist = Destiny's Child
from Album = Survivor" and the "Charlie's Angels "soundtrack'
B-side =
Released = October 10, 2000
November 21, 2000 (U.S.)
February 13, 2001 (EU)
Format = CD single, 12" single, maxi single, digital download
Recorded = 2000
Genre = R&B,pop
Length = 3:41 (album version)
Label = Columbia
Writer = Beyoncé Knowles, Sam Barnes, Jean-Claude Olivier, Cory Rooney
Producer = Beyoncé Knowles, Cory Rooney, Poke & Tone
Certification = Gold (BPI)
Last single = "Jumpin' Jumpin'"
(2000)
This single = "Independent Women"
(2000)
Next single = "Survivor"
(2001)

"Independent Women" is a song by American R&B girl group Destiny's Child. It was written and produced by Beyoncé Knowles, Sam Barnes, Jean-Claude Olivier and Cory Rooney for the group's third studio album, "Survivor" (2001), although the song first appeared on the soundtrack to the 2000 film adaption of "Charlie's Angels".

Originally, part two of the song was the actual song and part one was known as the Pasadena remix, but it was chosen in favor of the original and was dubbed part one.

Released as both the soundtrack's and album's leading single in fall 2000, the song held the number one spot on the "Billboard" Hot 100 chart for eleven consecutive weeks from November 2000 to February 2001. Although, for the United Kingdom, it was released on the same day, with both Part I and Part II counting as the song release.

The music video was directed by Francis Lawrence. At the end, the women are greeted by the ever-mysterious "Charlie".

Reception

The song ranked at number 85 on the list of Britain's favorite 100 songs, published in May 2000. [cite web|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2002/may/08/2|title=Full list: Britain's favourite 100 songs|date=2000-05-08|work=The Guardian|accessdate=2008-10-07]

Chart performance

"Independent Women" was a chart success in the United States. The single peaked at number one on the "Billboard" Hot 100, during which "Charlie's Angels" just filled North American movie theaters. The feat gave the group their third number-one single in the country. [cite news|url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=875969|title=Destiny's Child's 'Women' Rules The Hot 100|date=2000-11-09|work=Billboard|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc|accessdate=2008-10-10] The single hold to the top position in the following week, which was seen as bouyed by the strong box office performance of the film and the heavy rotation it received. [cite news|url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=875928|title='Women' Rules The Hot 100 Again|date=2000-11-16|work=Billboard|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc|accessdate=2008-10-10] The song had a massive radio airplay, staying almost ten weeks at the "Billboard" Hot 100 Airplay,cite news|url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=411384|title='Independent' Stays On Top
last=Jeckell|first=Barry|date=2001-01-04|work=Billboard|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc|accessdate=2008-10-10] significantly contributing to the performance of the single on the main chart. Subsequently, the single spent eleven consecutive weeks on the "Billboard" Hot 100 top position.cite news|url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/search/google/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=416989|title=Destiny's Child Keep 'Women' On Top|last=Mathis|first=Derrick|date=2001-01-18|work=Billboard|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc|accessdate=2008-10-07] During its tenth week at the top spot, the music press had expected that the single will fall off the top position because of strong competition at retail; [cite news|url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=415436|title=Destiny's Child Remains 'Independent' At No. 1|last=Mathis|first=Derrick|date=2001-01-11|work=Billboard|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc|accessdate=2008-10-07] however, it sustained due to the high sales of the single's maxi version, released in December 2000. It was in the 2000-2001 edition of the "Guinness Book of World Records" for longest-running song by a female group. "Independent Women" also topped the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart for three weeks, becoming Destiny's Child fourth number one single on this chart.

In the United Kingdom, "Independent Women" debuted at number one, becoming the group's first number-one single in the country. [cite news|url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=875889|title='Women' Puts Destiny's Child Atop U.K. Chart|date=2000-11-27|work=Billboard|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc|accessdate=2008-10-10] [cite web|url=http://www.theofficialcharts.com/all_singles_song.php?id=883|title=Destiny's Child - Independent Women Part 1|publisher=The Official UK Charts Company|accessdate=2008-10-10] The British Phonographic Industry has certified the single gold. It also reached the number one position in Canada, Ireland, and the New Zealand.

Credits and personnel

* Lead vocals: Beyoncé Knowles, Kelly Rowland, Michelle Williams, Farrah Franklin (Later removed)
* Background vocals: Beyonce Knowles, Michelle Williams, Kelly Rowland, Farrah Franklin (Later removed)
* Vocal production: Beyoncé Knowles
* Recorded by Manelich Sotolongo at Lobo Studios, Deer Park, New York
* Additional recording by Troy Gonzalez, Ramon Morales at TK Studios, Hawaii
* Audio mixing: Rich Travali
* Mastered by Tom Coyne

Charts

References