Rather Die Young

Album: 4 (2011)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The song finds Beyoncé singing over a Jeff Bhasker-crafted beat of the appeal of bad boys to the good girls. "Boy you'll be the death of me. You're my James Dean," the Texan songstress croons, likening her lover to the 1950's Hollywood actor whom tragically died in a car crash at the age of 24.
  • This features one of New York's most in-demand horn sections, The Superpower Horns, who comprise trumpeters Cole Kamen-Green, Alex Asher and Josiah Woodson, Nick Videen on tenor and alto saxophone and Drew Sayers on tenor and baritone saxophone.
  • The song was co-written by Australian Luke Steele of the indie band The Sleepy Jackson and the pop duo Empire of the Sun.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Prince

PrinceFact or Fiction

Prince is shrouded in mystery, making him an excellent candidate for Fact or Fiction. Is he really a Scientologist? Does he own an exotic animal?

Alan Merrill of The Arrows

Alan Merrill of The ArrowsSongwriter Interviews

In her days with The Runaways, Joan Jett saw The Arrows perform "I Love Rock And Roll," which Alan Merrill co-wrote - that story and much more from this glam rock pioneer.

Van Dyke Parks

Van Dyke ParksSongwriter Interviews

U2, Carly Simon, Joanna Newsom, Brian Wilson and Fiona Apple have all gone to Van Dyke Parks to make their songs exceptional.

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside Story

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside StorySong Writing

The in-depth discussion about the making of Jesus Christ Superstar with Ted Neeley, who played Jesus in the 1973 film.

Amy Grant

Amy GrantSongwriter Interviews

The top Contemporary Christian artist of all time on song inspirations and what she learned from Johnny Carson.

Janis Ian: Married in London, but not in New York

Janis Ian: Married in London, but not in New YorkSong Writing

Can you be married in one country but not another? Only if you're part of a gay couple. One of the first famous singers to come out as a lesbian, Janis wrote a song about it.