Beyonce: '1+1' Song Premiere On 'American Idol' (VIDEO)

In the first single off her new album, "4," Beyonce insisted with a stomp and shout that girls run the world. In her latest release, she strips bare all the bravado and makes a classic ballad plea for love.

The pop superstar debuted her new single, "1+1," with an epic, emotionally-charged performance on Wednesday night's "American Idol" finale, taking the stage alone and channeling every particle of the room's energy into her lung-bursting calls and cries. The song marks a departure from that caustic "Run The World (Girls)" bang and clatter, replacing the defiance with devotion.

The juxtaposing songs are the first shreds of evidence that she's keeping her promise that a whole new array of sounds will make their way into "4," which drew inspiration from an abundance of sources.

Along with the band of Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti, Beyonce said she, "found a lot of inspiration in '90s R&B; Earth, Wind & Fire; DeBarge; Lionel Richie; Teena Marie." In addition, she said, "I listened to a lot of Jackson 5 and New Edition, but also Adele, Florence + the Machine, and Prince. Add in my hip-hop influences, and you can hear how broad it is. I also gave myself more freedom to really belt out some songs, and bring soul singing back."

VIDEO:

Comments

[spsutherlin]

08:19 PM on 06/14/2011

Sooooooooo, the lyrics in this song are terrible but lets be honest she sang the dog #$%^outta this song. she is an amazing woman who sets the standard in performing for this generation. her voice is beautiful an so is she. I hope i can perform like this one day-sing a song so well that the lyrics dont even matter anymore...you Go B!

[maj1216]

01:25 AM on 05/29/2011

I have to say, go to the post below - for any true R

[maj1216]

01:26 AM on 05/29/2011

http://idolator.com/5881342/beyonce-the-dream-1-1/comment-page-1#comment-4397051

[shawnepink]

09:38 AM on 05/27/2011

Beyonce is a great entertainer. She much like Janet Jackson are better at performing than singing. Beyonce can sing, but her voice is probably average and certainly not as strong as other artist such as Fantasia or Jennifer Hudson. I like her and I think her music is catchy and dancerble most of it has little substance, but I don't listen to it for that.

[Jaslene]

02:11 AM on 05/27/2011

Indeed I see she wrote "Girls Run The World" and "1 1" because they really suck. Maybe she decided to do this all on her own. I must say, it's not great and mayabe she thinks people will eat up anything she puts out, but this is not cutting it. I know she's grown up and all and who wants to shake their butt for the rest of their lives. Yeah, she's definitely talented and the stars aligned to give her the best streak of success ever in the music industry. But, on this I give her an "E" for effort cuz she's putting a lot of effort into this album to make it work. This proves she's human I guess because she just may admit to the failure of this album. But it's early yet and anything can happen. Yeah, Jay-Z industry is definitely going to be shoving this down our throats.

[gvnn688]

12:50 PM on 05/29/2011

Stop hating, God bless you Beyonce and keep reaching for your stars. This is a positive woman and she loves to lift up women. You don't have to like her songs; I don't like all the songs of my favorite artists, but when did Beyonce ever imply she thought "people will eat up everything she puts out" or "yeah, Jay-Z industry is definitely going to be shoving this down our throats."

[Jaslene]

08:06 PM on 05/29/2011

Calm down. Just because not everyone likes everything Beyonce puts out or gives her praise means they are "hating" her. I said she was talented. Hope you didn't burst an artery from my comment and how I felt about the song. I didn't say she was a worthless piece of human being. Sometimes you have to pick and choose your battles girlfriend. And someone having an opinion is not really a battle.

[futurejd]

12:24 AM on 05/27/2011

This is a refreshing change from the goatlike mediocrity of Rihanna's god awful vocals. This is leaps and bounds superior in every way.

[LovelyGirl]

11:52 PM on 05/26/2011

She's one of the world's best performers and she has a strong voice, but I don't like either song girls rule the world or this 1 1, but I'm sure the CD will be a hit because the industry always supports whatever she does. Some entertainers are beyond criticism.

[Dane1911]

10:28 PM on 05/26/2011

I see nothing but dumb comments in here.....One mintue yall bash her for her childish lyrics...and now ur telling her to go back to the childish lyrics.....Thats why ur broke, sitting behind a computer hating on Beyonce who album is already number 10 on itunes and it dont even come out till June 28............Hating will get you no where....LMAO..and this so called horrible song is alreayd 12 on itunes.....LMAO..

[ChgoKat]

10:06 PM on 05/26/2011

I ain't got nothing but YOU! I don't know nothing bout guns but I'm shot by YOU!

This song is a mess. It shows Bey's limitations as a true artist with longevity. It's not there

[Stand Up for your Belief]

09:32 PM on 05/26/2011

Pre-ordered my copy of her album today! It will be Grammy worthy, as usual!

[montsalas]

08:22 PM on 05/26/2011

This is soooo bad

[FlipMode]

05:30 PM on 05/26/2011

I certainly wouldn't call myself a big Beyonce fan. I like her, but I haven't seen her in concert. Might've bought a CD. Anyhow, I don't understand why so many are slamming her here. What's wrong with an emotional song about needing love and making love? Sounds like you guys have never felt that way. I feel sorry for you.

[SpirytSista]

04:52 PM on 05/26/2011

she always over-sings stuff when it is unnecessary. who screams 'MAKE LOVE TO ME! MAKE LOVE TO ME!" She's more interested in showing off her voice, than the actual message of the song.
So over her.

[GoDems2012]

04:33 PM on 05/26/2011

This song still hasn't grown on me and I've seen it twice. Not a hit in my world. Still love B though.

[TresJolie7]

03:29 PM on 05/26/2011

I love Bey, but I don't like this song.

[Antoinette Anderson]

02:54 PM on 05/26/2011

awful