Jay-Z Blue

Album: Magna Carta Holy Grail (2013)

Songfacts®:

  • Fear of failure, fatherhood, and wonderment are three of the things that inspired this song by Jay-Z about his daughter Blue Ivy. The rapper explained to producer Rick Rubin in a teaser video that many of the lyrics on Magna Carta Holy Grail were inspired by his baby girl and also his fears concerning his ability to be a good father, since his own dad left him at an early age.
  • Hova once trademarked a shade of Jay-Z Blue paint and even rhymed about it on the remix to Jeezy's 2005 cut "Go Crazy" ("My favorite hue is Jay-Z blue"). The idea of mixing a color and patenting is not new. The French modernist artist, Yves Klein, started using his signature mixed blue in 1958.
  • The song deploys a sampling of the Notorious B.I.G's cut "My Downfall" from his 1997 album Life After Death.
  • This features soundbites from the 1981 biographical film about Joan Crawford, Mommie Dearest. The movie depicted the abusive adoptive upbringing of Christina Crawford at the hands of her actress mother.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Andrew Farriss of INXS

Andrew Farriss of INXSSongwriter Interviews

Andrew Farriss on writing with Michael Hutchence, the stories behind "Mystify" and other INXS hits, and his country-flavored debut solo album.

Danny Kortchmar

Danny KortchmarSongwriter Interviews

Danny played guitar on Sweet Baby James, Tapestry, and Running On Empty. He also co-wrote many hit songs, including "Dirty Laundry," "Sunset Grill" and "Tender Is The Night."

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"They're Playing My Song

Chris and his wife Tina were the rhythm section for Talking Heads when they formed The Tom Tom Club. "Genius of Love" was their blockbuster, but David Byrne only mentioned it once.

Dean Pitchford

Dean PitchfordSongwriter Interviews

Dean wrote the screenplay and lyrics to all the songs in Footloose. His other hits include "Fame" and "All The Man That I Need."

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many Songs

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many SongsSong Writing

For songwriters, Johnny represents the American man. He has been angry, cool, magic, a rebel and, of course, marching home.

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star Riders

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star RidersSongwriter Interviews

Writing with Phil Lynott, Scott saw their ill-fated frontman move to a darker place in his life and lyrics.