1+1 (Beyoncé song)

2011 song by Beyoncé August 2011 1+1 Beyonce - 1+1 (single).png yes Promotional single Beyoncé 4 2011 5 25 2010 Studio at the Palms (Las Vegas, Nevada)Triangle Sound Studio (Atlanta, Georgia) * Soul R&B 4 33 Columbia * Terius Nash Corey-Jackson Carter Christopher Stewart Beyoncé Knowles * The-Dream Tricky Stewart Beyoncé song KaasJ44O5lI "1+1" "1+1" is a song by American singer Beyoncé from her fourth studio album, 4 (2011). It was released by Columbia Records in the United States on May 25, 2011, as a promotional single. Serving as the opening track on 4, it was written and produced by The-Dream, Tricky Stewart and Beyoncé. "1+1" was originally titled "Nothing But Love" and The-Dream had initially planned to include it on his second studio album, Love vs. Money (2009). A slow-tempo R&B and soul power ballad, "1+1" lyrically discussing her endless love to her soul mate; the lyrics make strong statements about the power of the relationship. "1+1" garnered acclaim from music critics, who noted its resemblance to the work of American singers Prince and Sam Cooke. It was also complimented for its subtle instrumentation, which provides emphasis on Beyoncé's vocals. "1+1" peaked at number 82 on the Canadian Hot 100 chart and at number 57 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. Its accompanying music video was directed by Beyoncé herself, alongside Lauren Briet and Ed Burke, and it premiered on August 26, 2011. The video was a "different" direction in the sense that it does not incorporate the heavy dance routines Beyoncé is known for, and that it experiments with psychedelic visual effects as well as innovative lighting, which give the clip a cinematic feel. The clip met with generally positive reception from music critics, who praised its aesthetic and sexual theme and claimed that it will be remembered as one of Beyoncé's most iconic visuals. Soon after Beyoncé's performance on American Idol, a video that surfaced online received considerable coverage from different media. It was filmed by Jay-Z with a camera phone and shows Beyoncé rehearsing "1+1" backstage at American Idol. The ballad was included on Beyoncé's set list for a free concert as part of Good Morning America Summer Concert Series, the ITV special A Night With Beyoncé, and her revue, 4 Intimate Nights with Beyoncé, held at the Roseland Ballroom in New York City. Beyoncé's live performances of "1+1" have received positive reception; a writer from HuffPost described her live performance on American Idol as "an epic, emotionally-charged [one]." American singers Dondria and Tiffany Evans have performed covers of the ballad, with lyrical modifications. Conception and release The-Dream (left) and Christopher Stewart (right) composed "1+1" The-Dream performing.jpg An Afro-American man wearing a white shirt, a black cap and sunglasses is walking onto a stage while holding a microphone. 87 Christopher Tricky Stewart.jpg An Afro-American man is smiling. He is sitting in a control room, which includes a mixing console and monitor speakers. He wears sunglasses, a black shirt and a wristwatch. 126 "1+1" was initially written and titled "Nothing but Love" for Terius "The-Dream" Nash, who intended to include it on his second studio album, Love King (2010).https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/beyonce-performs-new-song-1-1-watch-470992/ Beyonce Performs New Song, '1 + 1': Watch Erika Ramirez New York Billboard Prometheus Global Media May 26, 2011 May 27, 2011 April 25, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130425023500/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/470992/beyonce-performs-new-song-1-1-watch live He later gave it to Beyoncé Knowles for her fourth studio album 4, where she and Christopher "Tricky" Stewart did some additional writing. The song was produced by the trio at the Studio at the Palms in Paradise, Nevada and Triangle Sound Studio in Atlanta, Georgia, where Beyoncé recorded the song. The-Dream and Stewart did the musical arrangements and Beyoncé worked on arranging the vocals. Lee Blaske, Nikki Glaspie and Pete Wolford played the instruments, while Brian Thomas alongside Pat Thrall assisted in recording the music. Jordan Young then recorded Beyoncé's vocals. Tony Maserati mixed the track with assistance from Val Brathwaite, and Jason Sherwood, Mark Gray, Steven Dennis and Wolford all assisted in the audio engineering. Shortly after "1+1" was released online, Beyoncé debuted the ballad by performing a piano version on the finale of the tenth season of American Idol on May 25, 2011. "1+1" was made available for download only a few hours after her performance;Corner Lewis May 26, 2011 Beyonce releases new song '1+1' http://www.digitalspy.com.au/music/news/a321610/beyonce-releases-new-song-11.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20151007140323/http://www.digitalspy.com.au/music/news/a321610/beyonce-releases-new-song-11.html October 7, 2015 May 27, 2011 Digital Spy its cover art was photographed by Anthony Duran. The song was released through the iTunes Store as a promotional single from 4 in the United States. People who pre-ordered 4 at the iTunes Store received a free download of "1+1". The song was not sent for airplay in the US as "Best Thing I Never Had" was favored as the second single, following the release of the lead single "Run the World (Girls)". Composition and lyrical interpretation Beyonce - 1+1 song.ogg "1+1" A 27-second sample of the chorus of "1+1", an emotional declaration of love and co-dependency. Knowles allows her voice to soar on the power ballad that instrumentally includes a guitar-dripped melody, a discreetly piping organ and a few piano chords. left "1+1" is a slow-tempo R&B and soul power balladMansfield Brian Brian Mansfield May 25, 2011 'Idol': Lauren sings with Carrie; Beyonce debuts a single http://content.usatoday.com/communities/idolchatter/post/2011/05/idol-lauren-sings-with-carrie-beyonce-debuts-a-single/1 live https://web.archive.org/web/20231005041924/http://content.usatoday.com/communities/idolchatter/post/2011/05/idol-lauren-sings-with-carrie-beyonce-debuts-a-single/1 2023-10-05 May 26, 2011 USA Today with influences of indie rock.Rosen Jody Jody Rosen June 28, 2011 4 by Beyonce https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/4-20110628 limited live https://web.archive.org/web/20110704101817/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/4-20110628 July 4, 2011 February 23, 2012 Rolling Stone The song features "a soft, almost non-existent" beat and makes use of a guitar and a piano as its foundation,http://www.rap-up.com/2011/05/25/new-music-beyonce-11/ New Music: Beyonce – '1+1' Rap-Up Devin Lazerine May 25, 2011 May 26, 2011 May 28, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110528033536/http://www.rap-up.com/2011/05/25/new-music-beyonce-11/ dead while wind chimes, sprinkling strings, synthesizers, funk-influenced bass and a pipe organ are also present.http://www.billboard.com/articles/review/1067746/beyonce-11 Beyonce, '1+1' Billboard Prometheus Global Media New York Jillian Mapes June 17, 2011 July 1, 2011 June 22, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140622104431/http://www.billboard.com/articles/review/1067746/beyonce-11 live "1+1" is set in time 12 8 time with a slow tempo of 50 beats per minute and was written in the key of Gflat major. Beyoncé's voice spans from the low note of F#3 to the high note of C6.http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtdFPE.asp?ppn=MN0093846&ref=google Beyoncé – 1+1 Sheet Music May 31, 2011 Musicnotes.com. EMI Music Publishing August 14, 2014 "1+1" essentially demonstrates her "urgent" and "raw" vocals; in an interview with Ray Rogers of Billboard magazine, Beyoncé stated that she wanted to use her album 4 to showcase this side of her vocal abilities: "I used a lot of the brassiness and grittiness in my voice that people hear in my live performances, but not necessarily on my records." Nadine Cheung wrote that the subtle instrumentation allows Beyoncé's voice to emphasise the emotional lyrics Amos Barshad of New York magazine and Tim Finney of Pitchfork Media described the vocals as similar to those of Whitney Houston's work. Several critics including Matthew Perpetua of Rolling Stone noted that "1+1" is comparable to Sam Cooke's 1960 song "Wonderful World" and Prince's 1984 song "Purple Rain". Brandon Soderberg of Pitchfork explained that "Wonderful World"s line, "don't know much about algebra", was retained during the conception of "1+1" by its producers, who however accentuated its "love song sentiment". Soderberg further wrote that "1+1" bears resemblance to "Purple Rain" as they both have similar "delicate guitars, melodramatic piano, and [Beyoncé affects Prince's] high-register whimper a few times". Jillian Mapes of Billboard magazine wrote that the guitar solo is similar to the ones in Bon Jovi's power ballads. "1+1" begins with a low fidelity indie rock arrangement which is brought about by distorted guitar arpeggios and a discreet pipe organ. Beyoncé sings a meandering melody as she alternately references the pleasures of love and sex. Using simple arithmetic to describe her undying love for her partner, she begins the first verse as she affirms to her romantic interest that the only thing she is sure about are her feelings for him,http://www.aolradioblog.com/new-song/beyonce-1-plus-1/ Beyonce, '1+1' – New Song AOL Radio. AOL Nadine Cheung May 26, 2011 May 27, 2011 May 30, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110530021027/http://www.aolradioblog.com/new-song/beyonce-1-plus-1 usurped http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1664631/beyonce-new-track.jhtml Beyonce Does The Math On New '1+1' Track Jocelyn Vena MTV News. MTV Networks May 25, 2011 May 27, 2011 May 27, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110527130412/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1664631/beyonce-new-track.jhtml dead "I don't know much about algebra, but I know that one plus one equals two ... If I ain't got something, I don't give a damn / 'Cause I got it with you". In the pre-chorus lines, Beyoncé expresses her reliance on her man without whom she believes to be incomplete as she sings, "And it's me and you, that's all we'll have when the world is through / Because baby we ain't got nothing without love / Darling, you got enough love for the both of us".Spencer Kornhaber https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2011/06/snap-review-the-mixed-message-of-beyonc-s-4/240099/ Snap Review: The Mixed Message of Beyoncé's '4' The Atlantic Atlantic Media Company June 8, 2011 February 28, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120317194302/http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2011/06/snap-review-the-mixed-message-of-beyonc-s-4/240099/ March 17, 2012 live mdy Brandon Soderberg of Pitchfork commented that Beyoncé mixes "vulnerability and confidence" while singing the chorus lines, where she repeatedly pleads her romantic interest, "Make love to me when my days look low / Pull me in close and don't let me go / Make love to me when the world's at war / That our love will heal us all",Conner Thomas Thomas Conner http://blogs.suntimes.com/music/2011/06/cd_review_beyonce_4.html CD review: Beyonce, '4' – Music: Via Chicago Chicago Sun-Times Sun-Times Media Group June 22, 2011 September 1, 2011 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120225185417/http://blogs.suntimes.com/music/2011/06/cd_review_beyonce_4.html February 25, 2012 mdy-all while the music stays steady and soft with only a few piano chords and a baseline plucked guitar riff. As she continues to chant about having sex in apocalyptic circumstances, "So when the world's at war / Let our love heal us all", she projects a universal "all you need is love" feeling, as noted by Jillian Mapes. In the second verse, Beyoncé sings, "Hey! I don't know much about guns but I ... I've been shot by you", as she pushes the final word "you" up at a full octave.Caramanica Jon https://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/28/arts/music/on-4-beyonce-bids-farewell-for-now-to-her-old-selves.html On '4,' Beyoncé Bids Farewell (for Now) to Her Old Selves The New York Times June 27, 2011 September 1, 2011 July 1, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110701020116/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/28/arts/music/on-4-beyonce-bids-farewell-for-now-to-her-old-selves.html live She then continues: "Hey! And I don't know when I'm gonna die, but I hope that I'm gonna die by you / Hey! And I don't know much about fighting, but I, I know I will fight for you / Hey! Just when I ball up my fist, I realize that I'm laying right next to you". According to Thomas Conner (journalist) Thomas Conner de Thomas Conner of the Chicago Sun-Times, these lines are intended to show that love conquers all. The song ends with an intense electric guitar solo.http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/469592/beyonces-4-track-by-track-review Beyonce's '4:' Track-by-Track Review Erika Ramirez New York Billboard Prometheus Global Media June 28, 2011 February 28, 2012 February 21, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130221020607/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/469592/beyonces-4-track-by-track-review live Critical reception "1+1" was lauded by music critics, who complimented the effective display of Beyoncé's emotive vocals due to the use of light instrumentation, and approved that the ballad was the opening song on 4. AOL Music's Contessa Gayles called it "an achy, screechy ballad – in the best way possible"http://blog.music.aol.com/2011/05/26/beyonce-1-plus-1-song/ Beyonce's '1+1' = One Sexy New Single AOL Music. AOL Contessa Gayles May 26, 2011 May 27, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20120225185416/http://blog.music.aol.com/2011/05/26/beyonce-1-plus-1-song/ February 25, 2012 live mdy and Nadine Cheung from AOL Radio noted that the minimal instrumentation highlights the song's lyrics, and effectively show Beyoncé's "powerful voice and impressive control", further writing, "The professions are so intense that there's no need for a complicated bridge or dramatic key change." Brandon Soderberg from Pitchfork wrote, "she really digs in and sells the song's knotty qualities, and when that over-the-top guitar break appears exactly when it should, it's cathartic. At that precise moment, this passionate pastiche of timeless pop becomes a classic all its own."Soderberg Brandon http://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/12212-11/ Playlist: Beyoncé – '1+1' Pitchfork Media May 31, 2011 May 31, 2011 June 3, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110603141651/http://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/12212-11/ live Ryan Dombal, writing for the same music webzine, commented that Adele's 'Someone Like You' is the only recent pop ballad which comes close to "the power" of "1+1". Michael Cragg of The Guardian called the song a "loved up ballad" and praised Beyoncé for showcasing her raw vocals.Cragg Michael https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2011/may/27/beyonce-1-1 New music : Beyoncé – 1+1 The Guardian UK May 27, 2011 June 6, 2011 February 19, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140219051805/http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2011/may/27/beyonce-1-1 live Describing "1+1" as "[having] no interest in [Beyoncé'ss] typical pursuit of forward-thinking, energetic fare, preferring to throw the emphasis on her radio-destroying vocal chords", David Amidon of PopMatters wrote that the song "is the best result of this, finally providing Beyoncé a song that can compete with the favorites of this generation's parents."Amidon David http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/144161-beyonce-4/ Beyoncé: 4 PopMatters June 29, 2011 September 1, 2011 2012-11-07 https://web.archive.org/web/20121107015406/http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/144161-beyonce-4 live Jocelyn Vena of MTV News wrote, "Beyoncé may not know a thing about algebra, but when it comes to the math of power ballads, she totally gets it." Matthew Perpetua of Rolling Stone wrote that "the album [4] opens with its most tender ballad, a slow-burning number that calls back to both Sam Cooke's 'Wonderful World' and Prince's 'Purple Rain' without sounding like a retread of either tune [...] it sounds best in the context of the album, where its slow, steady build to a cathartic guitar break is the perfect introduction to a set of mostly low-key tracks about love and heartbreak."Perpetua Matthew https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/beyonces-4-a-track-by-track-breakdown-20110608?asid=afc4f8fb Beyoncé's '4': A Track-by-Track Breakdown Rolling Stone Wenner Media June 8, 2011 June 24, 2011 February 25, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120225185426/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/beyonces-4-a-track-by-track-breakdown-20110608?asid=afc4f8fb live Similarly considering "1+1" to be "the perfect opener" of 4, Joanne Dorken of MTV UK wrote that it exposes a more vulnerable side of Beyoncé and that it will remain "a classic stripped-back slow jam from the diva."Dorken Joanne http://www.mtv.co.uk/news/beyonce/278348-beyonce-4-album-review-andre-3000-kanye-west Beyoncé '4' Track By Track Review MTV UK. MTV Networks June 21, 2011 September 1, 2011 August 29, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110829182833/http://www.mtv.co.uk/news/beyonce/278348-beyonce-4-album-review-andre-3000-kanye-west dead Praising Beyoncé's vocals, Jon Caramainca of The New York Times stated that "['1+1'] requires a vocal muscle few singers possess, and even fewer would care to deploy." Writing for The Baltimore Sun, Wesley Case included "1+1" in his list of Five Great Songs and praised song's concept, writing that he began crying when he heard the album version and called it "gut-wrenching" and "gorgeous". Case appreciated Beyoncé's sensitivity and concluded that it "fades to black like an ellipsis and it's so damn beautiful."Case Wesley June 8, 2011 Five Great Songs: Beyonce, Bon Iver, Jamie xx, Lil Wayne and Nipsey Hussle https://www.baltimoresun.com/2011/06/08/five-great-songs-beyonce-bon-iver-jamie-xx-lil-wayne-and-nipsey-hussle-2/ June 9, 2011 The Baltimore Sun Timothy E. Ryan. Tribune Company Cameron Adams of the Herald Sun wrote that "1+1" is an "amazing [and] arguably the most honest and tender Beyoncé has sounded, singing 'help me let my guard down, make love to me'".http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/music/album-of-the-week-beyonce/story-fn7oonq8-1226080082042 Album review: 4 by Beyonce Herald Sun The Herald and Weekly Times June 23, 2011 December 6, 2011 Cameron Adams February 25, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120225185434/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/music/album-of-the-week-beyonce/story-fn7oonq8-1226080082042 live Similarly, Claire Suddath of Time magazine commented that "1+1" is probably the finest ballad Beyoncé has delivered in years.Suddath Claire https://newsfeed.time.com/2011/06/28/album-review-beyonces-4-muddles-its-message/ Album Review: Beyoncé's '4' Muddles Its Message Time Time Inc June 28, 2011 June 28, 2011 December 27, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20111227085401/http://newsfeed.time.com/2011/06/28/album-review-beyonces-4-muddles-its-message/ live Amos Barshad of New York magazine described "1+1" as "a big grand love ballad".Barshad Amos http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2011/05/beyonc_performed_a_new_song_on.html Beyoncé Performed a New Song on American Idol Last Night New York New York Media Holdings May 26, 2011 June 6, 2011 May 30, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110530023935/http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2011/05/beyonc_performed_a_new_song_on.html live Andy Kellman of Allmusic picked "1+1" as one of the album's top songs, describing it as "a sparse and placid vocal showcase, [which] fades in with a somber guitar line, throws up occasional and brief spikes in energy, and slowly recedes."Andy Kellman http://allmusic.com/album/4-r2213783/review 4 – Beyonce AllMusic. Rovi Corporation June 29, 2011 June 29, 2011 July 4, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110704180402/http://www.allmusic.com/album/4-r2213783/review live Chris Coplan of Consequence of Sound commented that in contrast to the geometry taught at school, there is something interesting in "1+1"; he further wrote that ballad focuses on Beyoncé's "amazing vocal range" as it is not upbeat like most of her previous offerings.Coplann Chris May 25, 2011 Check Out: Beyoncé – "1+1" https://consequence.net/2011/05/check-out-beyonce-11/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20110529114046/http://consequenceofsound.net/2011/05/check-out-beyonce-11/ May 29, 2011 June 6, 2011 Consequence of Sound Leah Collins of Canada's Dose described the song as a "melodramatic soul ballad".Leah Collins http://www.dose.ca/Watch+Beyonce+Debut+Song+American+Idol/4843959/story.html Watch Beyonce Debut New Song '1+1' on American Idol Dose. Postmedia Network Inc May 26, 2011 June 6, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110802011051/http://www.dose.ca/Watch+Beyonce+Debut+Song+American+Idol/4843959/story.html August 2, 2011 dead mdy-all A reporter from The Huffington Post stated that "1+1" is a departure from "Run the World (Girls)", noting that "Beyoncé replaces the defiance of 'Run the World (Girls)' with devotion [in '1+1']". He added that it is one of the first representations that "Beyoncé is keeping her promise that a whole new array of sounds will make their way into 4."http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/26/beyonce-1-plus-1-song-premiere-video_n_867309.html Beyonce: '1+1' Song Premiere On 'American Idol' (Video) The Huffington Post AOL Inc. May 25, 2011 June 6, 2011 May 29, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110529142425/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/26/beyonce-1-plus-1-song-premiere-video_n_867309.html live Similarly, Rap-Up favored the track stating that "If 'Run the World (Girls)' wasn't your thing, this should do the trick."http://www.rap-up.com/2011/05/25/new-music-beyonce-11/ New Music: Beyoncé – '1+1' Rap-Up Devin Lazerine May 25, 2011 June 6, 2011 May 30, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110530171942/http://www.rap-up.com/2011/05/25/new-music-beyonce-11/ dead By contrast, Katy Hasty from HitFix criticized the song's lyrics and wrote that it "seem[s] the lyrics to '1+1' were penned by a second-grader."http://www.hitfix.com/blogs/immaculate-noise/posts/listen-beyonces-1-1-from-new-album-4 Listen: Beyonce's '1+1' from new album '4' Katy Hasty HitFix May 26, 2011 July 4, 2011 June 30, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110630055601/http://www.hitfix.com/blogs/immaculate-noise/posts/listen-beyonces-1-1-from-new-album-4 dead Recognition The Guardians critic Sean Michaels ranked "1+1" at number one on his list of The 10 Best Tracks of 2011.https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2011/dec/16/albums-2011-critics-voted Best albums of 2011: how Guardian critics voted The Guardian December 16, 2011 December 17, 2011 March 2, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140302111933/http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2011/dec/16/albums-2011-critics-voted live The song was also ranked on The Guardians writers' year-end list of Best Songs of 2011 at number 30.https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2011/dec/19/best-songs-2011 The best songs of 2011 The Guardian December 19, 2011 March 6, 2012 October 1, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131001084443/http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2011/dec/19/best-songs-2011 live Allison Stewart of The Washington Post placed the ballad at number one on her list of the Special Year-End Best-of Edition, writing that Beyoncé "just kills this otherwise unremarkable ballad. Her obvious pride in her abilities, in her Beyonce-ness, informs every note, but it doesn't seem showoff-y. It's just sweet."https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/the-singles-file-best-of-2011/2011/12/20/gIQAF5wLJP_story.html The Singles File: Best of 2011 The Washington Post Allison Stewart December 26, 2011 December 27, 2011 December 28, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20111228092823/http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/the-singles-file-best-of-2011/2011/12/20/gIQAF5wLJP_story.html live On The Village Voices 2011 year-end Pazz & Jop singles list, "1+1" was ranked at number 77.http://www.villagevoice.com/pazznjop/singles/2011/ New York Pazz and Jop Singles – 2011 The Village Voice Village Voice Media March 19, 2012 March 10, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120310094519/http://www.villagevoice.com/pazznjop/singles/2011/ dead The staff members of Pitchfork placed the "1+1" at number 26 on their list of The Top 100 Tracks of 2011, writing: Following Beyoncé's work on "1+1" is like a journey to the center of her craft, a stripping away of every distraction until all that's left is her voice. Without it, "1+1" would be a muted ballad: Its simple guitar line and stardust-sprinkled strings serve no purpose other than to evoke a sense of familiar romantic intimacy, and then to elegantly step aside while Beyoncé delivers one of her most wonderfully impassioned performances ever. "1+1" possesses that slightly scary intensity that has been R&B's worst-kept secret weapon since Whitney Houston's "I Have Nothing", but it also demonstrates perfectly how Beyoncé stands apart from every other big-chested diva getting her Whitney on. She lets the song sing through her with a clarity that is never clinical, a strength that never sabotages, and an expressiveness that is precisely as sentimental as its subject matter requires. Beyoncé is R&B's field marshal, demanding of her listeners and herself an absolute fidelity to the music's emotional possibilities, with a perfectly modulated vehemence that is as captivating as it is tyrannical.http://pitchfork.com/features/staff-lists/8726-the-top-100-tracks-of-2011/8/ The Top 100 Tracks of 2011 Pitchfork Media December 12, 2011 December 17, 2011 March 1, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130301160324/http://pitchfork.com/features/staff-lists/8726-the-top-100-tracks-of-2011/8/ dead In 2019, Pitchfork listed "1+1" at number 157 on their greatest songs of the decade (2010s) list.https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/the-200-best-songs-of-the-2010s/ The 200 Best Songs of the 2010s Pitchfork October 7, 2019 October 8, 2019 October 11, 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191011032035/https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/the-200-best-songs-of-the-2010s/ live In 2024, Rolling Stone named the record the 27th best R&B song of the 21st century.https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-rnb-songs-21st-century-1234878625/beyonce-1-1-1234878964/ The 100 Greatest R&B Songs of the 21st Century January 3, 2024 Rolling Stone January 3, 2024 Writing for The New Yorker, Jody Rosen credited the jarring timbral and tonal variations on the song for giving a new musical sound that didn't exist in the world before Beyoncé. He further wrote, "If they sound 'normal' now, it's because Beyoncé, and her many followers, have retrained our ears."https://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/culture/2013/02/her-highness.html Beyonce: Life Is But a Dream, reviewed The New Yorker Condé Nast Publications Jody Rosen February 20, 2013 August 24, 2013 2026-07-16 https://web.archive.org/web/20260716015914/https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/her-highness live Chart performance "1+1" entered the US Hot Digital Songs chart at number 33 on June 11, 2011, having sold 57,000 downloads in the previous week. As a result, the song also appeared at number 57 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.Trust Gary http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/470906/idols-scotty-mccreery-lauren-alaina-top-hot-100-debuts-adele-still-no-1 'Idols' Scott McCreery & Laura Alaina Top Hot 100 Debuts, Adele Still No. 1 New York Billboard Prometheus Global Media June 11, 2011 July 3, 2011 September 28, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130928134927/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/470906/idols-scotty-mccreery-lauren-alaina-top-hot-100-debuts-adele-still-no-1 live http://www.billboard.com/charts/2011-06-11/digital-songs?order=gainer Digital Songs Billboard Prometheus Global Media July 3, 2011 June 11, 2011 September 20, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140920084418/http://www.billboard.com/charts/2011-06-11/digital-songs?order=gainer live The following week, it fell to number 89 on the Hot 100 chart. Overall, it charted for only two weeks.http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart_watch/74374/week-ending-june-5-2011-songs-making-up-for-lost-time/;_ylt=Anahw0nDIuSSlHf0W.hInhgPwiUv Paul Grein Week Ending June 5, 2011. Songs: Making Up For Lost Time Yahoo! Music. Yahoo! November 3, 2011 June 8, 2011 For the week ending June 11, 2011, the song charted on the US Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles at number 5.Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/chart-search-results/singles/11966488 Billboard Prometheus Global Media https://web.archive.org/web/20121008003919/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/chart-search-results/singles/11966488 June 11, 2011 October 8, 2012 dead mdy That same week, "1+1" entered the Canadian Hot 100 chart at number 82.http://ca.nielsen.com/content/dam/nielsen/en_ca/documents/pdf/newsletters/billboard_canadian-update/Nielsen%20Music%20Canadian%20Update.pdf Lady Gaga Scores Second No. 1 Album June 3, 2011 Tuch Paul Nielsen SoundScan https://www.webcitation.org/5zEWHARX8?url=http://ca.nielsen.com/content/dam/nielsen/en_ca/documents/pdf/newsletters/billboard_canadian-update/Nielsen%20Music%20Canadian%20Update.pdf June 6, 2011 live mdy Following the release of 4 and based solely on digital downloads, "1+1" appeared on the UK Singles Chart at number 67http://www.theofficialcharts.com/singles-chart/ Official UK Singles Top 100 https://web.archive.org/web/20110917093413/http://www.theofficialcharts.com/singles-chart/ September 17, 2011 July 9, 2011 The Official Charts Company live mdy and on the UK R&B Chart at number 23 in the July 9, 2011 issue.http://www.theofficialcharts.com/urban-charts/ R&B Singles Top 40 The Official Charts Company July 9, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110809072030/http://www.theofficialcharts.com/urban-charts/ August 9, 2011 live mdy After the release of its music video, "1+1" moved from number 125 to number 71 on the UK Singles Chart on September 11, 2011.http://www.theofficialcharts.com/singles-chart/ Official UK Singles Top 100 https://web.archive.org/web/20110917093413/http://www.theofficialcharts.com/singles-chart/ September 17, 2011 September 11, 2011 The Official Charts Company live mdy The following week, it reached a high point of number 21 on the R&B chart. Selling 18,263 downloads, the song opened at number 25 on the South Korea Gaon International Singles Chart for the week ending July 2, 2011. Music video Background and synopsis thumb|300px|An image of Beyoncé in the video for "1+1", which is given a cinematic feel by experiments with lighting and symmetrical filming photography. It was reported in early August 2011 that Beyoncé was recording new music videos for several songs from 4, including "1+1" which was shot by August 3, 2011.http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a333053/beyonce-shoots-new-videos-for-4-album-tracks.html Beyoncé shoots new videos for '4' album tracks Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi Médias Lewis Corner August 3, 2011 August 26, 2011 October 1, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20111001132623/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a333053/beyonce-shoots-new-videos-for-4-album-tracks.html live The video premiered on August 26, 2011, on E! News at 7:00 pm EST/PST and it was posted on Beyoncé's website one hour later.http://www.beyonceonline.com/us/news/watch-11-video-premiere-tonight-e Watch The '1+1' Video Premiere Tonight On E! Beyoncé Knowles' Official Website August 25, 2011 August 26, 2011 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110827033945/http://www.beyonceonline.com/us/news/watch-11-video-premiere-tonight-e August 27, 2011 mdy-all It was directed by Beyoncé herself, alongside Laurent Briet and Ed Burke.http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1669721/beyonce-one-plus-one-music-video.jhtml Beyonce Strips Down For '1+1' Video MTV News. MTV Networks Rob Markman August 25, 2011 August 23, 2011 October 25, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20111025020014/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1669721/beyonce-one-plus-one-music-video.jhtml deadhttp://www.rap-up.com/2011/08/25/video-beyonce-1-1/ Video: Beyoncé – '1+1' Rap-Up Devine Lazerine August 26, 2011 August 26, 2011 August 27, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110827125845/http://www.rap-up.com/2011/08/25/video-beyonce-1-1/ deadhttps://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a337210/beyonce-glitters-in-sensual-11-video.html Beyoncé glitters in sensual '1+1' video Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi Médias Ryan Love August 26, 2011 August 26, 2011 The video was described by her official website as "the story of love at its best. It's about commitment and fulfillment and it's Beyoncé at her most beautiful. The video experiments with psychedelic visual effects and innovative lighting that gives the clip a cinematic feel." The music video for the song is four and a half minutes long.http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2011/08/beyonce_makes_sweaty_shiny_lov.html Beyoncé Makes Sweaty, Shiny Love in the New Video for '1+1' New York Willa Paskin New York Media, LLC August 26, 2011 August 26, 2011 October 6, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20111006003157/http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2011/08/beyonce_makes_sweaty_shiny_lov.html live The director's cut of "1+1" was released on November 1, 2011. It features slightly different scenes to the original.http://uk.omg.yahoo.com/news/photos-beyonce-rocks-interesting-shoes-new-version-1-080543340.html Beyonce Rocks Some Interesting Shoes As New Version Of '1+1' Video Emerges Yahoo! November 2, 2011 November 1, 2011 December 4, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131204061539/http://uk.omg.yahoo.com/news/photos-beyonce-rocks-interesting-shoes-new-version-1-080543340.html live The song's video features close-up shots of Beyoncé and incorporates psychedelic light effects and symmetrical filming photography. As the acoustic guitar begins playing, Beyoncé's face comes into view. She stands with her blond hair draped just below her exposed shoulders. As she intently stares into the camera, her skin glistens as though it has been coated with a honey-like and glittery substance. Turning her head from right to left, with her eyes fixed off-camera, Beyoncé starts belting out the first verse. As the chorus is reached, scenes of Beyoncé in a darkened room are shown. Additionally, she places her face delicately against dripping water, gently brushing it with her lips and palms. The scenery changes and Beyoncé is back in the darkened chamber, where she removes her dress. A quick shot of the "IV" tattoo inked on Beyoncé's left ring finger is shown (a reference to her album's title, 4),http://blog.music.aol.com/2011/08/26/beyonce-melts-ice-cries-real-tears-in-emotional-1-1-video/ Beyonce Melts Ice, Cries Real Tears in Emotional '1+1' Music Video AOL Music. AOL Georgette Cline August 26, 2011 October 16, 2011 February 25, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120225185546/http://blog.music.aol.com/2011/08/26/beyonce-melts-ice-cries-real-tears-in-emotional-1-1-video/ live before she bathes in a tub of flowers as well as berries and blows billows of smoke. As she continues to caress her upper-body, an array of light imagery is projected behind her, serving as a backdrop. During the second verse, the video begins to use symmetrical visual arts. Beyoncé appears standing in front of a purple background, draped by large and billowing garments. As the song progresses, her emotions are heightened; zoomed shots of tears trickling down her cheeks are shown. A man appears behind Beyoncé and begins closely embracing her in endearment. The man is nondescript, and his muscular arms grip Beyoncé's body before taking her through a series of dips and bends, while he remains mostly in the background. With tears still rolling down her cheeks, Beyoncé chants to her love interest to have sex with her on the song's vocal finale. As the guitar melodies close the song, Beyoncé is seen engulfed by the colorful light and special effects. The video ends with the camera returning to a glistening Beyoncé with blackened scenery in the background. Reception Jennifer Cady of E! News found the video "sexy" and "pretty stripped down", further writing: "There are no catchy choreographed dances or freakum dresses, just Queen Bey looking gorgeous in lingerie and belting out her love and devotion to her man." Cady added that the video was entertaining because of Beyoncé "seriously magical hair" and her skin, which was sparkling like Edward Cullen.https://www.eonline.com/news/260191/watch_now_beyonceacutes_hot_steamy_11 https://web.archive.org/web/20260827212438/https://www.eonline.com/news/260191/watch_now_beyonceacutes_hot_steamy_11 live August 27, 2026 Watch Now: Beyoncé's Hot and Steamy "1+1" Video E! News E!: Entertainment Television Jennifer Cady August 25, 2011 August 27, 2026 Tanner Stransky of Entertainment Weekly concluded that although the video was different from the previous "heavily produced spectacles" Beyoncé has made, "it's hard to take your eyes off it".http://music-mix.ew.com/2011/08/25/beyonce-1-plus-1-music-video/ Beyonce debuts music video for '1+1': Watch it here Entertainment Weekly Time Inc. August 25, 2011 Tanner Stransky August 26, 2011 December 16, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20111216191903/http://music-mix.ew.com/2011/08/25/beyonce-1-plus-1-music-video/ live Spencer Kornhaber of The Atlantic criticized the sex appeal which was used in the videos for Lady Gaga's "You and I" (2011) and Katy Perry's "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)" (2011) but felt that "Beyonce's game is unique in its reliance on pure visual magnetism". He wrote that even when Beyoncé is "inhabiting apocalyptic warzones or Mad Men-era domestic scenes", she is always classical. Kornhaber concluded that the video for "1+1" is "catchy, fun dance, pretty face, pretty body", which according to him, is what "Beyonce [has] always been about".https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2011/08/the-straightforward-sensuality-of-beyonces-new-1-1-video/244163/ The Straightforward Sensuality of Beyonce's New '1+1' Video The Atlantic Atlantic Media Company Spencer Kornhaber August 25, 2011 August 26, 2011 September 12, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110912074531/http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2011/08/the-straightforward-sensuality-of-beyonces-new-1-1-video/244163/ live Melinda Newman from the website HitFix found "some lovely kaleidoscopic shots and billowing sheets".http://www.hitfix.com/blogs/the-beat-goes-on/posts/watch-beyonce-gets-sexy-in-video-for-1-1 Watch: Beyonce gets sexy in video for '1 + 1' HitFix Melinda Newman August 25, 2011 August 26, 2011 September 1, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110901025644/http://www.hitfix.com/blogs/the-beat-goes-on/posts/watch-beyonce-gets-sexy-in-video-for-1-1 dead She added that "we never see her '+1' other than an arm and back shot, but that works to the video's advantage". Similarly, Willa Paskin of New York magazine praised the final minute of the video in which "we are treated to what is supposed to be the instrumental equivalent of an orgasm", illustrated by split-screen kaleidoscope effects and capped off by Beyoncé staring into the camera "in postcoital contentment". Mawuse Ziegbe of The Boston Globe noted that Beyoncé'ss sex appeal was at its maximum in the video for "1+1".http://www.boston.com/ae/music/blog/2011/08/beyonces_11_vid.html Beyonce's '1+1' video premieres, hair-flinging abounds The Boston Globe The New York Times Company Mawuse Ziegbe August 26, 2011 August 27, 2011 January 18, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120118110736/http://www.boston.com/ae/music/blog/2011/08/beyonces_11_vid.html dead She compared the kaleidoscope effects with Lady Gaga's "Born This Way" (2011) and finished her review by writing, "ultimately, the clip shows the diva doesn't need the elaborate costumes, club-anthem rhythms and booty-quivering grooves to bring the heat. But a lustrous, fling-ready mane is always handy." Similarly, a writer for MTV UK praised the video's "light effects and symmetrical camera tricks" which "[sell] sex as art".http://www.mtv.co.uk/news/beyonce/330084-beyonce-strips-11-video-sexy Beyoncé Strips In Sexy '1+1' Video MTV UK. MTV Networks August 26, 2011 August 26, 2011 October 22, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121022094330/http://www.mtv.co.uk/news/beyonce/330084-beyonce-strips-11-video-sexy dead Leah Collins of the Canadian magazine Dose commented that Beyoncé was "gifted with seemingly supernatural powers of hotness" in the video.http://www.dose.ca/music/Watch+Beyonce+Video/5313037/story.html?cid=dose_nav_drop Watch Beyonce's New Video '1+1' Dose. Postmedia Network Inc Leah Collins August 26, 2011 August 26, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110914053225/http://www.dose.ca/music/Watch+Beyonce+Video/5313037/story.html?cid=dose_nav_drop September 14, 2011 dead mdy-all A writer for Rolling Stone found the video for "1+1" to be "the moistest music video ever made", adding that it "perfectly matches the sultry, romantic tone of the song".https://www.rollingstone.com/videos/new-and-hot/beyonce-aa-aa-20110826 https://web.archive.org/web/20110919145103/http://www.rollingstone.com/videos/new-and-hot/beyonce-aa-aa-20110826 dead September 19, 2011 Beyoncé '1+1' Rolling Stone Wenner Media August 26, 2011 August 26, 2011 Maura Johnston of The Village Voice found a "'What D'Angelo's 'Untitled (How Does It Feel)' Feels Like For A Girl' vibe" in the video for "1+1" and compared it to the one for "Sweet Dreams" (2009).http://blogs.villagevoice.com/music/2011/08/beyonce_one_plus_one_video.php Beyoncé Is Very Satisfied In The Video For "1+1" The Village Voice Village Voice Media Maura Johnston Maura Johnston August 26, 2011 August 26, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20120929115541/http://blogs.villagevoice.com/music/2011/08/beyonce_one_plus_one_video.php September 29, 2012 dead mdy-all Rob Markman of MTV News wrote that the choreography is very different from the Beyoncé's standard dance routines, which feature high-powered steps, swaying hips and "her patented bootylicious shake". He commented, "Instead, Beyoncé settles for ballet-style steps, moving in a leotard and long, flowing cape." Markman added that the video will most likely remain "under the radar" in comparison to the highlights in her high-budgeted reel, which includes clips like "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" (2008) and "Crazy in Love" (2003). He concluded that "much like the song, the visuals for '1+1' shouldn't be measured in terms of size, but rather in emotive presentation and subdued sexiness". A writer for The Huffington Post wrote that the music video for "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" was Beyoncé'ss most iconic visual work, but added that after the premiere of the video for "1+1", "it may now have company".http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/26/beyonces-11-video-debuts-_n_937735.html Beyonce's '1+1' Video Debuts: Sexy, Wet & Solo (Watch) The Huffington Post AOL August 26, 2011 August 26, 2011 October 4, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20111004162226/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/26/beyonces-11-video-debuts-_n_937735.html live David Malitz of The Washington Post stated that Beyoncé looks like Hurricane Irene at the beginning of the video, but added that she looks like "any number of chillwave videos" at the end.https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/click-track/post/vmas-set-for-sunday-beyonce-debuts-11-video-john-stewart-hosts-nevermind-qa-keith-richards-goes-book-platinum/2011/08/26/gIQA96m2fJ_blog.html VMAs set for Sunday; Beyonce debuts "1+1" video; John Stewart hosts "Nevermind" Q+A; Keith Richards goes book platinum The Washington Post David Malitz August 26, 2011 August 26, 2011 November 13, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121113052336/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/click-track/post/vmas-set-for-sunday-beyonce-debuts-11-video-john-stewart-hosts-nevermind-qa-keith-richards-goes-book-platinum/2011/08/26/gIQA96m2fJ_blog.html live A more mixed review was given by OK! magazine, which described the video as cheesy.http://www.ok.co.uk/celebrity-news/view/38919/Beyonce-shows-us-1-1-a-cringeworthy-new-video/ Beyonce shows us 1+1 = a cringeworthy new video August 26, 2011 August 26, 2011 OK! Magazine Northern & Shell https://web.archive.org/web/20120404183557/http://www.ok.co.uk/celebrity-news/view/38919/Beyonce-shows-us-1-1-a-cringeworthy-new-video/ April 4, 2012 dead L Magazines Mike Conklin was unsatisfied with the video, writing that since Beyoncé is rightfully considered to be among "the absolute best [artists]", she can do better."http://www.thelmagazine.com/TheMeasure/archives/2011/08/26/shouldnt-we-expect-more-from-beyonc-than-this-silly-11-video https://web.archive.org/web/20111221235907/http://www.thelmagazine.com/TheMeasure/archives/2011/08/26/shouldnt-we-expect-more-from-beyonc-than-this-silly-11-video dead December 21, 2011 Shouldn't We Expect More from Beyoncé Than this Silly "1+1" Video? L Magazine Nick Burry August 2, 2011 August 26, 2011 Live performances Beyoncé first performed "1+1" live on American Idol on May 25, 2011. Wearing a purple gown, she sang the song surrounded by smoke and red lighting, declaring, "This is my favorite song".http://www.rap-up.com/2011/05/25/beyonce-debuts-11-on-american-idol-video/ Beyoncé Debuts '1+1' on American Idol [Video] Rap-Up Devin Lazerine May 25, 2011 May 26, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20120225185356/http://www.rap-up.com/2011/05/25/beyonce-debuts-11-on-american-idol-video/ February 25, 2012 dead mdy Towards the end of the performance, she fell to her knees and shook the hands of audience members.http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1664616/beyonce-american-idol-finale.jhtml Beyoncé Dons Her Diva Crown On 'American Idol' Finale MTV News. MTV News Adam Graham May 25, 2011 May 26, 2011 January 6, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120106221756/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1664616/beyonce-american-idol-finale.jhtml dead The performance earned her a standing ovation from the judges and members of the crowd. A writer from The Huffington Post called it "an epic, emotionally-charged performance" and praised the fact that Beyoncé "channel[led] every particle of the room's energy into her lung-bursting calls and cries." Jillian Mapes of Billboard magazine noted, "The sheer force of the ballad literally brought [Beyoncé] to her knees during the performance." Shortly after Beyoncé's performance on American Idol, a video that surfaced online received considerable coverage from music critics. It became an instant viral video as soon as it hit the web. The clip was filmed using a camera phone and it shows Beyoncé rehearsing "1+1" backstage at American Idol with no microphone and simple keyboard accompaniment. The video was filmed by Beyoncé's husband, Jay-Z. In an introduction to the video on his Life + Times website he wrote: "Sometimes you need perspective. You've been right in front of greatness so often that you need to step back and see it again for the first time." In 2013, John Boone and Jennifer Cady of E! Online placed the video at number eight on their list of Beyoncé's ten best videos, writing that she sounds "perfect".http://uk.eonline.com/news/383554/2013-super-bowl-countdown-beyonc-eacute-s-top-10-music-videos-ever 2013 Super Bowl Countdown: Beyoncé's Top 10 Music Videos Ever! E! Online. E! John Boone Jennifer Cady February 1, 2013 April 28, 2013 July 15, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180715151920/https://www.eonline.com/news/383554/2013-super-bowl-countdown-beyonc-eacute-s-top-10-music-videos-ever live While reviewing 4, Pitchforks Ryan Dombal complimented the video, writing:"One of the year's best music videos was directed by Jay-Z and cost about zero dollars to make. The video has a similar impromptu charm to the many intimate, one-shot performance clips popularized by Vincent Moon's Take-Away Shows, its appeal compounded by the shock of seeing such a notoriously manicured superstar without embellishment. It's all quite endearing and personal – two words one might not often associate with this superhumanly talented and famous couple."Dombal Ryan June 28, 2011 Album Reviews: Beyoncé: 4 http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/15585-4/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20170116015831/http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/15585-4/ January 16, 2017 June 28, 2011 Pitchfork thumb|left|Beyoncé performing "1+1" on Good Morning America Summer Concert Series On July 1, 2011, Beyoncé performed a free concert as part of Good Morning America Summer Concert Series. She sang "1+1" while kneeling on top of a white grand piano.http://www.rap-up.com/2011/07/01/beyonce-dazzles-on-gma-summer-concert-series-video/ Beyonce Dazzles on 'GMA' Summer Concert Series (Video) Rap-Up Devin Lazerine July 1, 2011 September 3, 2011 September 3, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110903205748/http://www.rap-up.com/2011/07/01/beyonce-dazzles-on-gma-summer-concert-series-video/ dead Beyoncé also performed the song live on the TV show, The View.http://www.rap-up.com/2011/07/28/beyonce-visits-the-view-video/ Beyonce Visits 'The View' (Video) Devin Lazerine Rap-Up July 28, 2011 September 5, 2011 December 10, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20111210103639/http://www.rap-up.com/2011/07/28/beyonce-visits-the-view-video/ dead She sang "1+1" live on August 14, 2011, during 4 Intimate Nights with Beyoncé, held in Roseland Ballroom, New York City.http://music-mix.ew.com/2011/08/15/beyonce-4-intimate-nights-new-york-city/ Beyonce performs first of four-night run of her new '4' album at small NYC theater – an EW review Entertainment Weekly Time Inc. Brad Wete August 18, 2011 August 15, 2011 August 16, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110816024122/http://music-mix.ew.com/2011/08/15/beyonce-4-intimate-nights-new-york-city/ live Wearing a gold dress, she performed the song in front of 3,500 people while her band and orchestra were watching on.Caramanica Jon https://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/16/arts/music/beyonce-showcases-4-at-roseland-ballroom-review.html Closer to Her Fans and Further Away From Her Past The New York Times August 15, 2011 August 18, 2011 August 25, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110825180603/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/16/arts/music/beyonce-showcases-4-at-roseland-ballroom-review.html live During the performance, Beyoncé climbed on top of a piano and sang on her knees.Cummings Jozen https://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2011/08/15/beyonce-gets-intimate-with-fans-at-roseland/?mod=google_news_blog Beyoncé Gets Intimate With Fans at Roseland – Speakeasy – WSJ The Wall Street Journal Dow Jones & Company. News Corporation August 15, 2011 August 20, 2011 February 25, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120225185634/http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2011/08/15/beyonce-gets-intimate-with-fans-at-roseland/?mod=google_news_blog live Erika Ramirez of Billboard magazine wrote that Beyoncé performed "1+1", "wrapped up in smoke and red hued lights, reminiscent of her live performance on the American Idol finale."https://www.billboard.com/pro/beyonce-owns-nyc-in-4-concert-debut/ Erika Ramirez Beyonce's Intimate Night At Roseland Ballroom: Idolator Review Music News, Reviews, and Gossip on Billboard Prometheus Global Media August 15, 2011 August 20, 2011 April 25, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130425031307/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/467919/beyonce-owns-nyc-in-4-concert-debut live Ramirez stated that Beyoncé sang the ballad with "impeccability." Mike Wass of Idolator praised how Beyoncé "wrung every ounce of emotion from the lyrics of '1+1' and hit each note perfectly", concluding that it was "an impressive display."http://idolator.com/5975932/beyonce-roseland-ballroom-review Mike Wass Beyonce's Intimate Night At Roseland Ballroom: Idolator Review Music News, Reviews, and Gossip on Idolator. Buzz Media August 15, 2011 August 20, 2011 March 4, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240304075510/https://www.idolator.com/5975932/beyonce-roseland-ballroom-review dead Entertainment Weeklys Brad Wete wrote that Beyoncé's voice "rang soulfully, only breaking to let the crowd fill in gaps for a sing-along feel." Joycelyn Vena of MTV News commented that on "1+1", Beyoncé's vocal abilities "outshined it all."Vena Jocelyn http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1669179/beyonce-roseland-ballroom-concert-new-york.jhtml Beyonce Serves Up Intimate Performance In NYC MTV News. MTV Networks August 17, 2011 August 20, 2011 October 21, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20111021143607/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1669179/beyonce-roseland-ballroom-concert-new-york.jhtml dead On September 14, 2011, Beyoncé stopped at Target perform at the managers meeting. Wearing a red dress, she sang "1+1" accompanied by three backup singers and a pianist.http://www.rap-up.com/2011/09/15/beyonce-entertains-at-target-corporate-gig-video/ Beyonce Entertains At Target Corporate Gig (Video) Devin Lazerine Rap-Up September 14, 2011 September 15, 2011 December 26, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20111226224521/http://www.rap-up.com/2011/09/15/beyonce-entertains-at-target-corporate-gig-video/ dead During the ITV special A Night With Beyoncé which aired on December 4 in the United Kingdom, Beyoncé performed "1+1" to a selected crowd of fans.Beyoncé Knowles December 4, 2011 A Night With Beyoncé video ITV1 Victory Television Network in co-production with Sony Music Entertainment The Fountain Studios, London, United Kingdom 9pm thumb|upright|Beyoncé performing "1+1" on the Mrs. Carter Show World Tour in 2013|alt=Beyoncé dressed in a sparkling bodysuit kneeling In May 2012, Beyoncé performed "1+1" during her Revel Presents: Beyoncé Live revue in Revel Atlantic City.http://blogs.villagevoice.com/music/2012/05/beyonce_ovation_revel_may_26_review.php Live: Beyoncé Brings The House Down At Atlantic City's Newest Casino The Village Voice Village Voice Media Maura Johnston May 27, 2012 June 14, 2012 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120529031543/http://blogs.villagevoice.com/music/2012/05/beyonce_ovation_revel_may_26_review.php May 29, 2012 mdy-all She performed the song while kneeling on the piano.https://www.usatoday.com/life/music/story/2012-05-26/michelle-obama-daughters-beyonce-concert/55225140/1 Michelle Obama, daughters attend Beyonce concert The Associated Press via USA Today May 27, 2012 June 17, 2012 July 1, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120701173553/http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/story/2012-05-26/michelle-obama-daughters-beyonce-concert/55225140/1 livehttps://www.spin.com/2012/05/run-world-showgirls-beyonce-gets-back-business-atlantic-city/ Run the World (Showgirls): Beyonce Gets Back to Business in Atlantic City Spin Spin Media LLC Caryn Ganz May 29, 2012 June 20, 2012 June 4, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120604070805/https://www.spin.com/2012/05/run-world-showgirls-beyonce-gets-back-business-atlantic-city/ live Jim Farber of Daily News commented that the song was sung with "precision and sweep, she tipped the balance decidedly softer, giving her power grounding".http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music-arts/beyonce-shows-maturity-dazzles-depth-live-performance-giving-birth-article-1.1085178 https://web.archive.org/web/20120528071907/http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music-arts/beyonce-shows-maturity-dazzles-depth-live-performance-giving-birth-article-1.1085178 dead May 28, 2012 Beyoncé shows maturity as she dazzles with depth in her first live performance after giving birth Daily News Daily News L.P Jim Farber May 26, 2012 June 17, 2012 According to Chuck Darrow of The Philadelphia Inquirer, the acoustic performance of the ballad, "proved a nice respite from the relentless thump-thump-thump of the many dance-pop numbers".http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/casinotes/154704946.html Beyonce dazzles at Revel The Philadelphia Inquirer Philadelphia Media Network Chuck Darrow May 27, 2012 June 20, 2012 December 8, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131208063334/http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/casinotes/154704946.html live Tris McCall of New Jersey On-Line complimented the "magnificent run through the slow-burning" song.http://www.nj.com/entertainment/music/index.ssf/2012/05/beyonc_opens_revel_with_fanfar.html Beyonce opens Revel with fanfare New Jersey On-Line Tris McCall Tris McCall May 29, 2012 June 20, 2012 June 1, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120601043054/http://www.nj.com/entertainment/music/index.ssf/2012/05/beyonc_opens_revel_with_fanfar.html live Ben Ratliff of The New York Times mentioned "1+1" in the "almost continuous high point" of the concert.https://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/27/arts/music/beyonces-return-to-stage-is-a-return-to-familiar-form.html?_r=1 Beyoncé: Coming Back and Catching Up, Then Conquering The New York Times Ben Ratliff May 27, 2012 June 20, 2012 May 30, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120530204912/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/27/arts/music/beyonces-return-to-stage-is-a-return-to-familiar-form.html?_r=1 live Brad Wete of Complex magazine wrote that "B[eyoncé]'s voice was stellar" during the performance of the song on the revue.http://www.complex.com/music/2012/05/beyonce-revel-concert-review-baddest-chick Beyonce's Back to Business with Revel Shows: Is She the Baddest Chick in the Game? Complex Complex Media Brad Wete May 28, 2012 June 10, 2012 May 30, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120530201001/http://www.complex.com/music/2012/05/beyonce-revel-concert-review-baddest-chick live The song has also been included on the setlists for the 2013 and 2014 shows of The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour, The Formation World Tour, and the Renaissance World Tour. Other versions and usage in media The-Dream's demo of "1+1", originally titled as "Nothing but Love", leaked onto the Internet in late May 2011.http://www.rap-up.com/2011/05/27/new-music-the-dream-11-beyonce-demo/ New Music: The-Dream – '1+1' (Beyoncé Demo) May 27, 2011 Rap-Up Devin Lazerine July 3, 2011 June 25, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110625055237/http://www.rap-up.com/2011/05/27/new-music-the-dream-11-beyonce-demo dead http://idolator.com/5881342/beyonce-the-dream-1-1 Hear The-Dream's Original Demo Version Of Beyonce's '1+1' Idolator. Buzz Media May 28, 2011 June 6, 2011 October 2026 yes Michael Cragg of The Guardian found it to be "Prince-esque". In late June 2011, American recording artist Dondria posted a video of herself, singing "1+1" while seated in front her computer.http://www.rap-up.com/2011/06/30/dondria-covers-beyonces-1-1-video/ Dondria Covers Beyoncé's '1+1' Rap-Up Devin Lazerine June 30, 2011 July 3, 2011 July 3, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110703092905/http://www.rap-up.com/2011/06/30/dondria-covers-beyonces-1-1-video dead On July 12, 2011, Rap-Up reported that the American singer, Tiffany Evans, who had previously covered "Speechless" from Beyoncé's first studio album, Dangerously in Love (2003), had also covered "1+1", with some lyrical modifications.http://www.rap-up.com/2011/07/12/new-music-tiffany-evans-11-beyonce-cover/ New Music: Tiffany Evans – '1+1' (Beyoncé Cover) Rap-Up Devin Lazerine July 12, 2011 August 1, 2011 August 16, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110816162657/http://www.rap-up.com/2011/07/12/new-music-tiffany-evans-11-beyonce-cover/ dead Miss Murphy covered the song during the second series of Australian The Voice on May 20, 2013.Ross Annabel https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/team-ricky-hits-a-home-run-20130521-2jxch.html The Voice recap: Team Ricky hits a home run The Sydney Morning Herald Fairfax Media May 21, 2013 May 27, 2013 Murphy's version peaked at number 49 on the Australian Singles Chart.http://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Miss+Murphy&titel=1+%2B+1&cat=s Miss Murphy – 1+1 Australian-charts.com. Hung Medien May 27, 2013 September 23, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130923003405/http://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Miss+Murphy&titel=1+%2B+1&cat=s live. The Voice contestant Brian Bautista covered the song on the May 9, 2016 show. Beyoncé appeared on Entertainment Tonight on June 16, 2011, to promote the exclusive-to-Target deluxe edition of 4 and gave fans a sneak preview of its television commercial.http://idolator.com/5906442/beyonce-entertainment-tonight Beyonce Talks Motherhood On 'Entertainment Tonight', May Join Kelly Rowland On UK 'X-Factor' Idolator. Buzz Media June 18, 2011 August 17, 2011 October 2026 yes The 30-second commercial, which features "1+1" and "Countdown" playing in the background, began airing in the United States on June 24, 2011.Bain Becky http://idolator.com/5912562/beyonce-travels-the-world-in-her-4-target-ad Beyonce Travels The World In Her '4' Target Ad Idolator. Buzz Media June 23, 2011 August 17, 2011October 2026 yes http://www.beyonceonline.com/us/news/target-partnering-beyonc%C3%A9-release-deluxe-edition-4 Target Partnering With Beyonce To Release Deluxe Edition of 4 Beyoncé Knowles ' Official Website https://web.archive.org/web/20110929074008/http://www.beyonceonline.com/us/news/target-partnering-beyonc%C3%A9-release-deluxe-edition-4 September 29, 2011 dead mdy Rapper Pusha T sampled the song on for the track "Rock N Roll" from his fourth studio album It's Almost Dry (2022).Pusha T feat. Kanye West and Kid Cudi's 'Rock N Roll' - Discover the Sample Source https://www.whosampled.com/sample/936454/Pusha-T-Kanye-West-Kid-Cudi-Rock-N-Roll-Beyonc%C3%A9-1-%2B-1/ 2022-04-25 WhoSampled en April 25, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220425001729/https://www.whosampled.com/sample/936454/Pusha-T-Kanye-West-Kid-Cudi-Rock-N-Roll-Beyonc%C3%A9-1-+-1/ live Credits and personnel Credits adapted from 4 liner notes.Album Credits http://www.beyonceonline.com/us/albumcredits Columbia Records July 12, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110630174000/http://www.beyonceonline.com/us/albumcredits dead June 30, 2011 Lee Blaske – strings Val Brathwaite – mixer assistant Steven Dennis – engineer assistant Mark Gray – engineer assistant Nikki Glaspie – drums Beyoncé Knowles – vocals, producer, songwriter Tony Maserati – mixer Terius "The-Dream" Nash – producer, songwriter Jason Sherwood – engineer assistant Christopher "Tricky" Stewart – producer, songwriter Brian "B- LUV" Thomas – recorder Pat Thrall – recorder Pete Wolford – engineer assistant, guitar Jordan "DJ Swivel" Young – vocals recorder Charts + Weekly chart performance for "1+1" Chart (2011) Peakposition Canadian Hot 10082 Portuguese Ringtone Charthttp://www.afp.org.pt/top.php Top 30 Ring Tones – Semana 38 De 2011 pt Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa November 14, 2011 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20111223114857/http://afp.org.pt/top.php December 23, 2011 mdy-all14 South Korea Gaon International Singles Charthttp://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/online/download/list.gaon?nationGbn=E South Korea Gaon International Chart (Week: June 26, 2011 to July 2, 2011) Gaon Chart August 20, 2011 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120825041224/http://gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/online/download/list.gaon?nationGbn=E August 25, 2012 mdy-all25 UK Singles Chart71 UK R&B Charthttps://www.officialcharts.com/charts/r-and-b-singles-chart/20110918/114/ R&B Singles Top 40 September 18, 2011 The Official Charts Company21 US Billboard Hot 10057 US Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles5 Certifications Certifications and sales for "1+1" Australia 1+1 Beyoncé single Gold 2011 2021 February 3, 2022 Brazil Beyoncé 1+1 Gold single 2011 2023 January 4, 2023 New Zealand single Beyoncé 1+1 Gold 2011 2025 nzcert radioscope July 17, 2025 United Kingdom 1+1 Beyoncé single Silver 2011 2023 18733-682-1 February 17, 2023 United States single Beyonce 1+1 Platinum 2011 2022 August 8, 2022 true true true References External links Beyoncé Knowles's Official Website Category:2010s ballads Category:2011 songs Category:Beyoncé songs Category:Contemporary R&B ballads Category:Soul ballads Category:Song recordings produced by Beyoncé Category:Song recordings produced by Tricky Stewart Category:Songs written by Beyoncé Category:Songs written by The-Dream Category:Songs written by Tricky Stewart Category:Song recordings produced by The-Dream Category:Music videos directed by Beyoncé