Forward
Best foot first just in case
When we made our way 'til now
It's time to listen, it's time to fight
Forward
Now we're going to hold doors open for a while
Now we can be open for a while
Forward
I love you more than this job, please don't work for me
Forward
Go back to your sleep in your favorite spot just next to me
Forward, ooh, forward
[Outro]
Forward, forward
About
The shortest song on the album, “Forward” is also a turning point. Whatever has happened in this relationship‚ Beyoncé’s moving ahead. It’s notable that a man’s soft voice (British singer James Blake) sings these lyrics with Bey. Now, rather than a partner in anger (like Jack White in “Don’t Hurt Yourself”), a man’s voice is a partner in and source of solace.
James Blake told Pitchfork how the collaboration came about:
Beyoncé came to the studio, and I was sitting at the piano when I met her. She was just lovely. I came up with something to go with an idea she had; I just embellished her melody. I think the idea was to use some of her lyrics, but I didn’t realize that – I misunderstood and did something entirely different from what she wanted. But it didn’t matter, because she really liked it, and they ended up using [my version]."
Blue Ivy was there, too, which was nice. She was singing along to the song, which was a huge compliment, because kids just don’t have any pretense whatsoever."
Q&A
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning
- 2.Hold Up
- 4.Sorry
- 5.6 Inch
- 7.Love Drought
- 8.Sandcastles
- 9.Forward
- 10.Freedom
- 11.All Night
- 12.Formation