Independent Women

"Independent Women"
Single by Destiny's Child
from the album Survivor and the Charlie's Angels soundtrack
B-side	"So Good" "8 Days of Christmas"
Released	September 4, 2000
Format	CD single, 12" single, maxi single, digital download
Recorded	May 18, 2000 (Part 2) July 4, 2000 (Part 1) SugarHill Studios (Houston, Texas)[1][2][3][4][5]
Genre	R&B dance-pop
Length	3:37
Label	Columbia
Writer(s)	Beyoncé Knowles Cory Rooney Samuel Barnes Jean-Claude Olivier
Producer(s)	Knowles Poke & Tone Rooney
Destiny's Child singles chronology
"Jumpin', Jumpin'" (2000) "Independent Women" (2000) "Survivor" (2001)

"Independent Women" is a song by American girl group Destiny's Child. The song first appeared as the soundtrack to the 2000 film adaption of Charlie's Angels, and was later included on the group's third studio album, Survivor (2001). It is also the first single with Farrah Franklin and Michelle Williams on vocals, though Franklin was no longer in the group's lineup when the video was filmed. Originally, Part 2 of the song was the actual song and Part 1 was known as the Pasadena remix, but it was chosen in favor of the original.

Released as the soundtrack's lead single in fall, the song held the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for eleven consecutive weeks from November 2000 to February 2001. Billboard likened the song's release strategy to being influenced by Janet Jackson's "Doesn't Really Matter," saying the group "began planting the seeds for the upcoming release" in a similar vein.^[6] The song appeared in The Proud Family episode "Don't Leave Home Without It." Most recently in 2014, a Target back to school commercial featured this song performed with classroom instruments.

Background

"Independent Women" was used as a lead single for both the Charlie's Angels soundtrack, and the group's third album, Survivor. It was revealed that Knowles' father and then-manager, Mathew, submitted the track to the Charlie's Angels soundtrack without her knowledge.^[7]

Reception

The song was nominated for Best Song Written for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media at the 2001 Grammy Awards. It was also ranked at number 85 on the list of Britain's favorite 100 songs, published in May 2002.^[8] It was also named the 18th most successful song of the 2000s, on the Billboard Hot 100 Songs of the Decade.^[9]

The song was the 25th best selling of 2000 in the UK.

Music video

The music video was shot in Los Angeles from August 27 to September 1, 2000 and directed by Francis Lawrence. Destiny's Child take part of a futuristic Charlie's Angels boot camp and sit in a classroom to watch footage of Charlie's Angels. They learn from them and try out the challenges in several steps: agility (dancing), altitude (skydiving), combat (martial arts fighting) and speed (motorbike). At the end, the women are greeted by the ever-mysterious "Charlie". The band also performs in a huge disco set in between the scenes.

The music video premiered on MTV's Making the Video and is featured on the DualDisc edition of the album #1's and on the DVD release of Charlie's Angels.

Chart performance

"Independent Women" was a chart success in the United States. The single reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The single held the top position in the following week, which was seen as buoyed by the strong box office performance of the film and the heavy rotation it received.^[10] The song had a massive radio airplay, staying almost ten weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 Airplay,^[11] 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.^[12] During its tenth week at the top spot, the music press had expected that the single would fall off the top position because of strong competition at retail;^[13] however, it sustained due to the high sales of the single's maxi version, released in December 2000.^[12] 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.^[11] "Independent Women" also debuted at number one in the United Kingdom.^[14][15] The British Phonographic Industry has certified the single gold for sales of over 400,000 physical singles. It also reached the number one position in Canada, Ireland, and New Zealand. It is also Destiny's Child's most successful single to date.

Track listings

European CD single COL 669822 2

1. "Independent Women" (Part 1) (album version) – 3:41
2. "Independent Women" (Joe Smooth 200 Proof 2 Step Mix) – 4:17
3. "Independent Women" (Maurice's Radio Mix)¹ – 3:54
4. "Independent Women" (Victor Calderone Club Mix)¹ – 9:36

UK CD single part 1 670593 2

1. "Independent Women" (Part 1) (album version) – 3:41
2. "Independent Women" (Victor Calderone Club Mix)¹ – 9:36
3. "Independent Women" (Maurice's Radio Mix)¹ – 3:54

UK CD single part 2^[16]

1. "Independent Women" (Part 2)
2. "Say My Name" (Timbaland remix)
3. "So Good"

US CD single 44K 79493

1. "Independent Women" (Part 1) (album version) – 3:41
2. "Independent Women" (Victor Calderone Drum Dub Mix)¹ – 5:30
3. "Independent Women" (Victor Calderone Club Mix)¹ – 9:36
4. "Independent Women" (Maurice's Independent Man Remix)¹ – 7:30
5. "8 Days of Christmas" – 3:29

Notes

• ¹ These remixes contain newly recorded vocals, arranged by Maurice Joshua.

Credits and personnel

Lead vocals: Beyoncé Knowles, Kelly Rowland (2 bridges) Background vocals: Kelly Rowland, Michelle Williams, Farrah Franklin Vocal production: Beyoncé Knowles, Kelly Rowland

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 and certifications

Peak positions Chart (2000–01) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[17] 3 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[18] 22 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[19] 3 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[20] 4 Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[21] 1 Denmark (Tracklisten)[22] 3 Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[23] 5 Germany (Official German Charts)[24] 10 Ireland (IRMA)[25] 1 Italy (FIMI)[26] 17 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[27] 1 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[28] 1 Norway (VG-lista)[29] 2 Poland (Polish Airplay Charts)[30] 10 Scotland (Official Charts Company)[31] 3 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[32] 6 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[33] 2 UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[34] 1 UK R&B (Official Charts Company)[35] 1 US Billboard Hot 100[36] 1 US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[37] 1 US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[38] 1 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[39] 1

Year-end charts Chart (2000) Position Australian Singles Chart[40] 58 Dutch Singles Chart[41] 34 French Singles Chart[42] 99 UK Singles Chart 25 US Billboard Hot 100[43] 97 Chart (2001) Position Australian Singles Chart[44] 57 Dutch Singles Chart[45] 90 US Billboard Hot 100[43] 10 Decade-end charts Chart (2000–09) Position Dutch Singles Chart[46] 93 US Billboard Hot 100[43] 18 Certifications Region Certification Sales/shipments Australia (ARIA)[47] 2× Platinum 140,000 Belgium (BEA)[48] Gold 50,000 Denmark (IFPI Denmark)[49] Gold 5,000 France (SNEP)[50] Silver 125,000 Sweden (GLF)[51] Platinum 30,000 United States (RIAA)[52] 5xPlatinum 5,012,660[53] ^*sales figures based on certification alone ^^shipments figures based on certification alone ^xunspecified figures based on certification alone

References

1. "Destiny's Child: Someday We'll Be Together". Entertainment Weekly.
2. Studio Sessions
3. Destiny's Child Manager: Fired Member Couldn't Handle Schedule - Music, Celebrity, Artist News | MTV.com
4. Four Fates : People.com
5. Charlie¿s Angels Opening Narration Changed - IGN
6. "Between the Bullets". Billboard. Mayfield, Geoff. December 8, 2001. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
7. Ramirez, Erika (2011-08-15). "Beyonce Owns NYC in '4' Concert Debut". Billboard. Retrieved 2011-08-16.
8. "Full list: Britain's favourite 100 songs". The Guardian (London). 2002-05-08. Retrieved 2008-10-07.
9. Hot 100 Decade Songs
10. "'Women' Rules The Hot 100 Again". Billboard (Nielsen Business Media, Inc). 2000-11-16. Retrieved 2008-10-10.
11. Jeckell, Barry (2001-01-04). "'Independent' Stays On Top". Billboard (Nielsen Business Media, Inc). Archived from the original on February 8, 2013. Retrieved 2008-10-10.
12. Mathis, Derrick (2001-01-18). "Destiny's Child Keep 'Women' On Top". Billboard (Nielsen Business Media, Inc). Retrieved 2008-10-07.
13. Mathis, Derrick (2001-01-11). "Destiny's Child Remains 'Independent' At No. 1". Billboard (Nielsen Business Media, Inc). Archived from the original on September 30, 2014. Retrieved 2008-10-07.
14. "'Women' Puts Destiny's Child Atop U.K. Chart". Billboard (Nielsen Business Media, Inc). 2000-11-27. Retrieved 2008-10-10.
15. "Destiny's Child - Independent Women Part 1". The Official UK Charts Company. Archived from the original on September 13, 2009. Retrieved 2008-10-10.
16. "Destiny's Child CD Singles, Destiny's Child CDs, Buy Rare Destiny's Child CDs". Mattscdsingles.com. Retrieved 2011-02-20.
17. "Australian-charts.com – Destiny's Child – Independent Women Part I". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
18. "Austriancharts.at – Destiny's Child – Independent Women Part I" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
19. "Ultratop.be – Destiny's Child – Independent Women Part I" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
20. "Ultratop.be – Destiny's Child – Independent Women Part I" (in French). Ultratop 50.
21. "Destiny's Child – Chart history" Canadian Hot 100 for Destiny's Child.
22. "Danishcharts.com – Destiny's Child – Independent Women Part I". Tracklisten.
23. "Destiny's Child: Independent Women Part I" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland.
24. "Musicline.de – Destiny's Child Single-Chartverfolgung" (in German). Media Control Charts. PhonoNet GmbH.
25. "Chart Track: Week 48, 2000". Irish Singles Chart.
26. "Italiancharts.com – Destiny's Child – Independent Women Part I". Top Digital Download.
27. "Nederlandse Top 40 – Destiny's Child search results" (in Dutch) Dutch Top 40.
28. "Charts.org.nz – Destiny's Child – Independent Women Part I". Top 40 Singles.
29. "Norwegiancharts.com – Destiny's Child – Independent Women Part I". VG-lista.
30. "Poland: Airplay Chart - Lista Krajowa 01/2001" Retrieved September 4, 2015.
31. "Archive Chart: 2000-11-26". Scottish Singles Top 40. Retrieved 2015-08-16.
32. "Swedishcharts.com – Destiny's Child – Independent Women Part I". Singles Top 100.
33. "Swisscharts.com – Destiny's Child – Independent Women Part I". Swiss Singles Chart.
34. "Archive Chart: 2000-11-26" UK Singles Chart.
35. "Archive Chart: 2000-11-26" UK R&B Chart.
36. "Destiny's Child – Chart history" Billboard Hot 100 for Destiny's Child.
37. "Destiny's Child – Chart history" Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs for Destiny's Child.
38. "Destiny's Child – Chart history" Billboard Pop Songs for Destiny's Child.
39. "Destiny's Child – Chart history" Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs for Destiny's Child.
40. "ARIA Charts - End Of Year Charts - Top 100 Singles 2000". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved April 27, 2013.
41. "Dutchcharts.nl - Jaaroverzichten - Single 2000" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved February 8, 2015.
42. "Classement Singles - année 2000". SNEP. Retrieved February 7, 2013.
43. "Billboard Top 100 - Decade End Charts". Archived from the original on September 17, 2012. Retrieved 2010-09-05.
44. "ARIA Charts - End Of Year Charts - Top 100 Singles 2001". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved April 27, 2013.
45. "Dutchcharts.nl - Jaaroverzichten - Single 2000" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved February 8, 2015.
46. "Dutchcharts.nl - Decennium Charts - Singles 2000-2009" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved February 8, 2015.
47. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2001 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved September 28, 2014.
48. "Ultratop 50 Albums Wallonie 2000". Ultratop. Retrieved 2014-01-05.
49. "UGE1 2001". Hitlisten.nu. 28 March 2001. Retrieved 5 January 2015.
50. "French single certifications – Destiny's Child – Independent Women" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique.
51. "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 2001" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Retrieved September 28, 2014.
52. "American single certifications – Destiny's Child – Independent Women". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH
53. Myers, Justin (26 November 2015). "Destiny's Child's Independent Women was Number 1 15 years ago". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 26 November 2015.

External links

• Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics